64 The Irish Naturalist. March, 



is covered with peculiar hairs, or rugosities, l)ut the surface of the other 

 floral segments is usually smooth. In this case the surface of the sepals 

 near the apex is covered with peculiar flask-shaped, imbricated, hair- 

 like outgiowths from the epideruial cells. The plant is a native of 

 Costa Rica, and is scarce in cultivation. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB, 



October 25. — Annt'ai, ConveRvSazionk. The President and Mrs. 

 Patterson entertained almost 500 members and friends to a conversazione 

 in the " Patterson Museum " of the People's Palace, Belfast. Tea was 

 served in the large hall, while the exhibits were displayed in the 

 Museum and in the minor hall underneath. The buildings were 

 speciall}- decorated and illuminated for the occasion, and music was 

 provided. The fotlowing is a summary of some of the principal 

 exhibits : — 



Botany : — Botanicai^ Section. — vSpecimens from Club's Herbarium 

 N. CarrotherS: Plants collected during summer session. J. H- 

 DavieS : Galium sylvestre from County Down. W. Gray, INLR.I.A, : 

 Microscopic Demonstration. J. Hamil,TON : BeythoUetia excelsa, from the 

 Amazons, showing growth of nut. W. H. Phii^i^ipS: Four new 

 varieties of exotic Ferns, growing. Also series of dried specimens of a 

 large number of choice varieties of British Ferns. W. Porter: 

 Athyriiinis raised from spores. J. Strachan : Iron-bacterium 

 (Cladothrix) from the Six- INIile Water, growing on basalt ; Ferruginous 

 deposits caused by same, &c. Rev. C. H. Waddei^l, M.A., B.D. : Some 

 rare flowering Plants and Mosses. 



Geoi^ogy:— Miss M. K. .Andrews: Microscopic sections of Derbyshire 

 " Toadstones." R. BelIv : Palaeolithic implements from drift gravels, 

 England. C. Bui^i^a : Remains of Cerviis giganteus from County 

 Tyrone. T. Dewhurst, A.R.C.Sc. (London): Demonstration in optical 

 properties of minerals ; and straining of rock sections W. J. F'EnneTvL, 

 M.R.I.A. : Minerals from the Mourne granite. F. C I'orTh, A.R.C.Sc.I. : 

 Geological specimens, minerals, and models W. A, Green: Plant 

 remains from the Coal-measures, Ballycastle, and other Carboniferous 

 fossils. W. Gray, M.R.I.A. : Microscopic demonstration. W. H. 

 Gai^i.\vay : Teeth of fossil Sharks. J. L. S. Jackson: Portion of stalag- 

 mitic flooring from prehistoric cave, Doneraile ; also section showing 

 growth of stalagmite. J, Strachan : Specimens of jasper and chert; 

 Mydrophaneopal from vSand}' Braes ; Tube-amygdaloid from Bally- 

 pallidy ; Primary natrolite in basalt from near Carumone}'. W. J. C. 

 Tomijnson: Cretaceous fossils (Gault and Chalk) from Folkestone ; 

 Kentish Rag fossils from Hy the beds, Kent ; Pyrites nodules fi oni the 

 Gault and Greensand, Folkestone. J. Wright, F.G.S. : P'oramiuifera 

 from Lough Swilly and vSheephaven, North Donegal. 



Zoology: — F. Bai^four Browne, M.A., F.R.vS.E. : vStages in the life- 

 histories of aquatic insects; specimens and drawings. J. CotTney : 

 Uncoloured eggs from covered nests. G. Donaldson : Marine shells. 



