128 The Irish Naturalist. June, 1908. 



Naturalists' Field Club." Trofessor Hartog gave a detailed account of 

 the work of the Club, its aims, excursions, &c., illustrated b}' limelight 

 views. The outgoing officers were re-elected for the next session. 



At the conclusion of the general meeting a lecture was delivered by 

 F. R. ROHU, entitled, "Thirteen AVeeks of Natural Study." The lec- 

 turer dealt with the botan}^ entomology, and ornithology of the various 

 weeks from April to June, all the subjects being chosen with a view to 

 their special seasons. All the illustrations were taken from life. 



NEWS GLEANINGS. 



Proposed Survey of Clare Island. 



A meeting, convened by circular, was held in Dr. Scbarffs room in the 

 Dublin Museum, on the afternoon of April 23, to consider the question of 

 instituting a complete natural history survey of one of the islands off the 

 west coast of Ireland. Dr. Scharff was moved into the chair. Also 

 present: — R. M. Barrington, Major Barrett-Hamilton, Prof. Carpenter, 

 Prof. Cole, Nathaniel Colgan, O. P. Farran, J. de W. Hinch, S. W. Kemp, 

 Rev. Canon Lett, C. B. Moffat, A. R. Nichols, R. Lloyd Praeger. Letters 

 regretting inability to attend, or making suggestions, were read from 

 J. Adams, F. Balfour Browne, D. C. Campbell, H. K. G. Cuthbert, N. H. 

 Foster, Charles Green, P. H. Grierson, J. N. Halbert, Prof. H. Lyster 

 Jameson, Rev. W. F\ Johnson, J. R. Kilroe, D. M'Ardle, Robert Patterson, 

 G. H. Pethybridge, R. A. Phillips, R. J. Ussher, Rev. C. H. Waddell, 

 R. Warren. Dr. Scharff, in an opening statement, emphasized the 

 importance of the careful study of island floras and faunas, and cited the 

 case of the recent survey of Lambay, concerning which he had received 

 favourable comments from both European and American naturalists. 

 He called on R. Lloyd Praeger, who reviewed the various islands, from 

 Tory to the Blaskets, which invited exploration, both from the point of 

 scientific desirability and the practical one of expenditure of time and 

 money in travelling and sustenance. An interesting discussion ensued, 

 in the course of which Mr. Barrington strongly urged the claims of the 

 Blaskets. Eventually Clare Island was selected, on the motion of 

 Canon Lett, seconded by C. B. Moffat. The following were appointed 

 an executive committee to approach the British Association with a view 

 of obtaining a grant of mone}-, and to carry out the necessary arrange- 

 ments for the work:— R. M. Barrington, Nathaniel Colgan, Prof. Cole, 

 Rev. Canon lyctt, Dr. Scharff, and R. Lloyd Praeger (Secretary). It was 

 intimated that on account of the forthcoming meeting of the British 

 Association in Dublin it would not be possible to get much work done 

 on the island this year, but that investigations would be vigorously 

 begun next season. ^^ 



