1924. Irish Societies. 13^ 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



March 4. — The Sixth Winter Meeting of the Club was held, when an 

 exceptionally large number of members and visitors assembled in the 

 Museum for a " Rathlin Night." The President (Mr. J. A. Sidney Sten- 

 dall) occupied the chair. Mr. S. A. Bennett dealt with the topography 

 and geology of the Island, which is composed of indurated chalk and basalt, 

 both giving finer cliffs than on the mainland only a few miles away. The 

 chalk is much rifted with vertical joints which, under the erosion of the 

 great Atlantic swell sweeping through the Rathlin Channel, give fine, 

 tall narrow caves. The beisalt cliffs, north of the Bull, are at one place 

 seventy feet higher than Pleaskin Head, the finest of the Giant Causeway 

 CUffs. 



Mr. J. A. Moffatt gave an account of the history of Rathlin. Captain 

 Chase described the botany, and the President dealt with the zoology 

 of the Island, especially the sea-bird life on the cliffs at the Bull, special 

 mention being made of the Fulmar Petrel, the Chough, and the Raven. 



The addresses which were the result of recent visits to Rathlin, via 

 Ballycastle, were fully illustrated by lantern views by the President, 

 T. E. Osborne, R. J. Welch, and the young son of the Rev. Mr. Stevenson, 

 a former Rector. At the close a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to 

 the speakers on the motion of Mr. A. McT. Cleland. Three new members 

 were elected. 



Oct. 21. — Annual Conversazione. — This year also the Club 

 commenced the W'inter session with a conversazione. There was a large 

 attendance, the hall of the Assembly buildings being well filled. There 

 was a large number of exhibits. The exhibit which attracted most 

 attention was a section of shore of Strangford I.ough. grass, pebbles, sand, 

 mud, seaweed fringe with merganser nesting, various stuffed shore birds 

 in their natural surroundings ; this was about 40 square feet in area, 

 arranged by the President and Vice-President. 



During the proceedings there was a business meeting, in which the 

 President (J. A. S. Stendall) referred to the change in the constitution, 

 whereby only 50 members can be elected annually, and dwelt upon the 

 importance of fostering the junior section. 



An interesting ceremony then took place, when the newly-instituted 

 medal of the Club was bestowed for the first time. This medal, designed 

 in the form of the Club's seal, is only to be given to members of ten or 

 more years' standing who have contributed materially to the advancement 

 of scientific or antiquarian knowledge in Ireland. It can only be awarded 

 once a year, and may be withheld should there be no member eligible. 

 The medal is struck to commemorate the Club's jubilee, celebrated in 

 1923, and this year both the 1923 and 1924 medals were given. The 

 honour of being the first recipient goes to William Swanston, F.G.S. The 

 1924 medal has been awarded to Nevin H. Foster, F.L.S., M.R.I. A., 

 M.B.O.U. 



Mr. Swanston, unfortunately, was prevented h\- illness from being 

 present, but Mr. Foster acknowledged his medal in a brief speech, in 

 which he also emphasised the importance of the junior section. Junior 

 prizes were awarded to Miss Agatha Crawford, Master R. II. Crawford, 

 ]Miss Xora Stendall, and Miss Nora O'Neill. 



