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PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAI, ZOOI.OGICAI, SOCIEJTY OF IREI<AND. 



Recent donations to the gardens comprise an Otter from D, R. 

 Browning, Esq. ; two Black-headed Conures from Mrs. lyoftie ; a Heron 

 from Mr. G. V. Lovell; a Merlin from W. J. Williams, Esq. ; a Nylghai 

 from the Officers of the Suffolk Regiment; a Muscovy Duck from D, 

 Maguire, Esq.; a Hedgehog from Rev. J. D. Cooke; a Sparrow-hawk from 

 E. G. Pennington, Esq.; and two Natierjack Toads from Co. Kerry, from 

 Dr. Walker. Two Lion Cubs were born in the gardens on the loth August. 

 A four-horned Sheep has been purchased, 11,700 persons visited the 

 gardens in July. 



BEI^FAST NATURAWSTS' FIEI/D CI^UB. 



Jui<Y nth, I2th, and 13th. — Three-day excursion to Lough Erne, 

 Bundoran, Ben Bulben, and vSligo, The party proceeded on the first day 

 to Enniskillen, and thence by steamer down Lower Lough Erne to 

 Belleek, and by train to Bundoran, where the afternoon was spent. 

 Next day the party, who numbered fifty, drove to Ben Bulben, and crossed 

 the summit of the mountain, rejoining the vehicles at Drumcliff, where 

 the round tower and crosses were inspected. The evening was spent in 

 Sligo, where the beautiful Dominican abbey proved the chief attraction. 

 On the third day boats were taken up the river Garravogue and across 

 Lough Gill to Dromahaire, where a special train was in waiting to convey 

 the party to Enniskillen, whence they returned to Belfast. Delightful 

 weather was experienced throughout the trip, and the members returned 

 much pleased with their first experience of the Sligo district and its 

 inhabitants. A number of rare plants and insects were collected. 



JuivY 30th. — Excursion to Benevenagh. The day was chiefly spent in 

 botanising on this highly interesting basaltic mountain, and there was 

 keen competition for two prizes, one for the largest collection of 

 flowering plants, the other for the rarest twelve flowering plants col- 

 lected. In the latter competition some extremely rare plants were 

 submitted, including Draba incanuy Polygala vulgaris, var. grandifloi-a, Silene 

 acaulis, Dryas octopeiala, Salix herbacea, and Agrostis pumila. The prize for 

 the largest collection went to Miss Coulson (128 species), by withdrawal 

 of Mr. J. J. Andrew (190 species); and in the second competition to Miss 

 Knowles, by disqualification of Mr. Praeger, who assisted in judging. 



DUBININ NATURAI.ISTS' FIEI,D CI<UB. 



August 13th. — Seventeen members took train to Blanchardstown, and 

 walked thence by the valley of the Tolka to Dunboyne. The afternoon 

 was showery, and collecting was somewhat interfered with. The most 

 noteworthy capture was the small water-beetle, Ccclambics quinquelincatus, 

 Zett., found in a pond near the river. 



CORK NATURAI<ISTS' FIEI/D CI^UB. 



The following excursions have been taken since those recorded in our 

 last issue ; — 



JuiyY 13th. — To Kinsale and the Old Head, including the unrehearsed 

 item of the wreck of the " City of Chicago." 



Jut,Y 23rd. — To Mourne Abbey, where a small party, conducted by 

 Mr. Sullivan, of Queen's College, had a most instructive botanical ramble. 



August ist. — Bantry Bay was visited by some, and botanical and ento- 

 mological specimens taken. 



August loth. — A very pleasant afternoon was spent by some members 

 at Carrabinny Woods, Queenstown Harbour, the "take" being princi- 

 pally entomological. 



