52 The Irish Naturalist February, 1901. 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a number of Golden Orfe from Mr. J. N. 

 Lentaigne, a Chacma Baboon from Constable J. M'Cormack, a pair of 

 Ichneumons from the Hon. G. W. Hety-Hutchinson, a Heron from Mr. 

 P. G. D. Warren, a Pheasant from Mr. Norman Sloane, a Barn Owl from 

 Mr. Barnet, and a pair of Cockateel from Miss Perry. Three lion cubs 

 were born in the Gardens on December 12th. 



5,764 persons visited the Gardens in December. 



BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL 



SOCIETY. 



DECEMBER it.— Mr. J. Brown (President), occupied the chair, and 

 there was a fair attendance. Mr. J. H. Davies read a paper on the 

 botany on the shores of Lough Neagh, and illustrated his subject by 

 specimens. Mr. Davies is to be congratulated upon the amount of careful 

 study he manifested in his paper. An extract from the paper, dealing 

 with the best plant found by him, will appear in our next issue. Mr. 

 W. H. Patterson, M.R.I. A., gave an account of some of the objects com- 

 prised in Lord Deramore's recent donation, principally antiquarian. Mr. 

 W. Swanston, F.G.S., read a note on some clay concretions from 

 Connecticut Valley, U.S.A., which were exhibited. Mr. Swanston and 

 Mr. S. A. Stewart joined in the discussions, at the conclusion of which 

 the usual votes of thanks were passed. The receipt of the following 

 donations was announced by the secretary : — Snake from West Africa, 

 presented by Miss Perry, Wellington-place ; marine shells, Island of 

 Herm, Channel Islands, presented by Miss Macaulay, Charnwood- 

 terrace. A vote of thanks to .the donors was passed, on the motion of 

 Mr. W. Swanston, F.A.S., seconded by Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I. A. 



December 20. — A meeting was held in the Museum. A paper was 

 read by Rev. A, R. Crawford, M.A., Kirin, Manchuria, on " Some Side 

 Lights on the China Question," illustrated by special limelight slides, 

 maps, &c. 



January 8. — A meeting was held in the Museum. The following 

 papers were read: — John Brown (President), " Report as Delegate of the 

 Society to British Association Meeting, Bradford." Lynden Macassey, 

 C.E., B.A., LL.B., " Irish Railways and the State," 



