igoo.] Proceedings of Irish Societies. 155 



Aprii. 6.— Compi^imenT to Mr. John Vinycomb, M.R.I.A.— Some of 

 Mr. VinycomVs friends, having learned that there was a likelihood of his 

 soon leaving Belfast for London, took the opportunity of presenting him 

 and Mrs. Vinycomb with valuable expressions of their respect and 

 sympathy. 



It was moved by Mr. Francis J. Bigger that the chair be taken by Mr. 

 Adam Speers, B.Sc, who, in his opening remarks, said that he had had 

 the privilege of long intimacy with Mr. Vinycomb. Mr. Vinycomb was 

 not only an artist unequalled in those departments he had made his own, 

 but he was a literary man as well — a rather rare combination— of which 

 his valuable contributions to Kx Libris, Sphragistics, Archaeology, and 

 Heraldry (in which he is recognised as one of the first authorities) gave 

 ample proof His genius and worth were best known to those who held 

 the highest places in the departments of art, literature, and science 

 in which he had specialised. 



After the Chairnian's remarks, the meeting was addressed by Messrs 

 John M. Dickson, Joseph Wright, J. J. Phillips, John Stevenson, S. 

 Shannon Millen, B.L. ; and William Gray, all of whom spoke in terms of 

 warmest admiration of Mr. Vinycomb's genius and of his life-work in 

 Belfast. 



The Chairman then presented to Mr. Vinycomb a purse containing 

 100 guineas, and to MrSc Vinycomb two magnificent silver candelabra. 



Mr. Vinycomb^ replying on behalf of himself and his wife, said that he 

 was quite unable to give adequate expression to what he felt. He was 

 most grateful for all their kindness, and his earnest desire should ever be 

 to merit their esteem. 



ApriIv 12. — Mr. J. M. Dickson in the chair. During the half-hour 

 " gossip" the structural details of belemnites, ammonites, and nautilites 

 were discussed, and illustrated by a series of instructive specimens 

 collected by the members. At the formal meeting, Mr. W. Gray, 

 M.R.I. A., submitted his report as delegate to the Dover meeting of the 

 British Association, reported on the steps originated by the Field Club 

 for inviting the British Association to revisit Belfast, and the favourable 

 reception given to the deputation from Belfast by the general committee 

 of the Association, indicating that the Association would probably come 

 to Belfast in 1902. 



The Rev. M. Fahy delivered a lecture on '' Antiquarian and Natural 

 History Notes of the Parish of Duneane and Baron}^ of Toome." The 

 parish and church of Duneane, or Dunaeen (the fort of the two birds). 

 are of ver}- ancient date, extending back to the sixth century, or earlier. 

 Mr. Fahy, having fully described the topography and folklore of the 

 parish, described the crannoges, souterrains, forts, holy wells, and other 

 forms of antiquarian remains. Mr. Fahy spoke of the botany and natural 

 history of the locality, naming the characteristic plants, birds, and fishes. 

 From an economical point of view the Pollan, Salmon, andl^el are the 

 most important fish captured at Toome. Of Eels as many as 67,200 have 

 been taken in a night, and yet there is very much still to learn about the 

 life history of the Pollan, Salmon, and Eel. 



At the conclusion a discussion took place, and some new members 

 were elected, and the meeting terminated, 



