56 The Irish Naturalist, [February, 



sent occasion. Your most kind reception, as also your address expressive 

 of your pleasure at the Treasury grant recently awarded to me for 

 scientific research, is indeed most gratifying. I feel deeply indebted to 

 Prof. A. C Haddon, F.Z S., who, I understand, took a most prominent 

 and active part in the movement, as also to the many other kind friends 

 who signed the memorial in my favour, and to whose influence was due 

 my obtaining the grant. I also feel that many of the investigations I 

 have been engaged at would not have been nearly so satisfactory' or 

 complete had it not been for the kind assistance of my fellow-members 

 in supplying me with materials for examination, as also for their cordial 

 co-operation in other matters connected with my work. 



"To be recognised as having in the slightest degree advanced our 

 knowledge of Irish natural history gives me the greatest pleasure, and 

 that pleasure is enhanced by the fact that the President and so many of 

 my fellow-members and co-workers in the Club are joined in this recog- 

 nition." 



Afterwards the members proceeded to the large room of the Museum, 

 when S. K. Kirker gave an illustrated lecture on "A Cruise round the 

 West and South of Ireland, on the occasion of an Excursion of the Royal 

 Society of Antiquaries in June, 1897." The following, among other places, 

 were described — Arran Islands in Galway Bay, Scattery Island, The 

 Skelligs— Islands and Monastery, The Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, 

 Waterford and Lismore, &c., &c. The lecture was fully illustrated by 

 limelight views from original photographs. 



Geologicai, Section. December 30. — A paper was read by Jas. St. 

 J. Phillips on " Potential Crystals," dealing with the habits and growth 

 of crystals as they occur in rocks. The effects of environment, pressure, 

 and the chemical composition of the magma on the growth of crystals 

 were dealt with. A specimen of granite from the Diamond Rocks, 

 Mourne Mountains, served to illustrate some of the points, whilst others 

 were shown by many microscopic slides and hand-specimens selected as 

 far as possible from local rocks. 



BoTANiCAi. Section. December 18. — The orders forming the first 

 portion of the division Gamopetalse were discussed, and reference was 

 made to Mr. Christy's interesting paper on the Oxlip in the [ourn. Linu^ 

 Soc. It was remarked as a strange fact that the Cowslip is not found in 

 north-eastern Ireland. 



