1901. Proceedings of Irish Societies. 97 



of some of the rare minerals which had been isolated by the writer of 

 the paper was given, and photo-micrographs of the actual specimens 

 were thrown on the screen. Some of the crystals were almost ideally 

 perfect, and much more so than is usually the case with larger specimens 

 visible to the naked eye. Amongst other rare minerals found by Mr. 

 Seymour in the sea sands of County Wicklow was gold. Some of the 

 sands were so rich in this metal that at least one speck could be isolated 

 from every handful. Though he stated that it did not now occur in 

 paving quantities, he saw no reason to doubt that it was capable of 

 profitable extraction by our early predecessors. Mr. Seymour pointed 

 out the bearing which its proved wide distribution in Irish sands would 

 have on the vexed question as to the origin of the gold from which our 

 famous ancient ornaments were made, and urged the members of the 

 B.N.F.C. to take up the study of sands on the lines indicated, which 

 might lead to some interesting and unexpected results. Samples of the 

 sands before and after treatment were exhibited, the apparatus necessary 

 for research, and mounted specimens of "the minerals obtained in the 

 form of perfect crystals. 



The President exhibited and described some old sun dials, and 

 suggested that all that is known of the existing old sun dials in the 

 North of Ireland should be collected and recorded. With this view he 

 invited descriptive particulars from the members and friends of the Club 

 who may have, or can procure information about sun- dials of any form 

 still existing throughout the country. 



After a discussion on the two papers submitted, the election of new 

 members closed the meeting. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



January 15. — Annual Meeting. — The annual general meeting was 

 held in the Royal Irish Academy House, Mr. Greenwood Pim (President) 

 in the chair. Forty-six members and visitors were present. The 

 minutes of the previous meeting were read and signed. The Committee's 

 report for 1900 was read ; the following is an abstract : — 



Your Committee beg to submit herewith the Fifteenth Annual Report. 

 At the beginning of the year the Club numbered 177; at the beginning 

 of 1901 the membership stands at 175, 27 new members having been 

 elected, and 29 removed from the list. The Winter Business Meetings, 

 seven in number, have been well attended, the average attendance being 

 much as in previous years. As usual the papers were fully illustrated 

 by specimens, microscopic preparations, and lantern slides. The Winter 

 Session opened with a Conversazione held on November 6th, attended 

 by 202 members and visitors, including representatives of the Belfast 

 Club. Of the Summer Excursions arranged for, the attempt to land at 

 Lambay Island was not successful on account of the roughness of the 

 sea, and the excursion to Clogher Head was abandoned. The reports 

 of the Winter meetings and excursions have appeared from time to time 

 in the pages of the Irish Naturalist. It is a matter of regret that the 

 work done on the excursions of the year has not been as great as in 

 many previous seasons, and that those members with leisure do not take 



