156 The h'ish Natnralist. [June, 



April iS.— Annuat, Me3':ting.— Francis J. Bigger, M.R.I.A., in the 

 chair. Mr. William Gray (Hon. Secretary) read the report of the Com- 

 mittee, which stated that there were now 322 members on the Societ3''s 

 list, and that the practical interest taken in the work of the Club was 

 fairly maintained. The following field meetings were held during the 

 year: — Armagh, May 20th; Cargan and localit}', June loth ; Dundrum, 

 June 24th; Dungiven and Limavady, July nth, 12th, and 13th; Toome, 

 August 12th ; Ballynahiuch, September 2nd. All the excursions were 

 well attended. A list was read of the papers brought forward at the 

 winter meetings, of which reports have appeared in these pages. 



The report of the botanical section was satisfactory, their methods of 

 operation affording exceptional opportunities for becoming acquainted 

 with the flora of the North, under the presidency and guidance of the 

 Rev. C. H. Waddell, whose devotion to the interests of the Club the Com- 

 mittee gratefully acknowledged. The Cyperacese was the branch mainly 

 studied. 



Of the prizes offered by the Club, Miss S. Blackwood secured one for a 

 collection of Liassic fossils, including twenty-five species from the Lias 

 of Islandmagee. Mr. Joseph Malcomson also received a prize for a 

 collection of Irish plants, consisting of 284 species, well-selected 

 examples, and beautifully mounted. The reports and statement of ac- 

 counts were passed. The election of officers was proceeded with. Mr. F.J. 

 Bigger, M.R.I.A., was elected President, and Mr. W. H. Phillips was 

 elected as Vice-President. Mr. Phillips was also re-electedTreasurer, and 

 Mr. William Gray, M.R.I.A., and W. D. Donnan, M.D. Hon. Secretaries, 

 with the following members of Committee : — George Donaldson, W. J. 

 Fennell, M.R.I.A.I. ; J. St. J. Phillips, A.R.I.B.A. ; John Hamilton, 

 Alexander Milligan, H. L. Orr, S. A. Stewart, F.B.S.E. ; John Vinycomb, 

 M.R.I.A. ; Robert Welch, and Joseph Wright, F.G.S. With reference to 

 the coming year's w^ork, it was suggested that a committee be appointed 

 to investigate the fauna of Lough Neagli, and, in anticipation of the 

 visit of the British Association, that a revised edition of the Club's guide 

 should be prepared. 



Dubinin Naturai^ists' Fiei^d Ci.ub. 



Al'RiIv 10. — The last business meeting of the winter session was held, 

 Mr. Greenwood Pim, President, in the chair. The minutes of the 

 previous meeting were read and signed. The Rev. W. E1.1.1SON read a 

 paper on " A New Use for an Astronomical Telescope," which will appear 

 in cxtcuso in a succeeding number of the Irish Naturalist. The President, 

 Mr. Palmer, and Dr. Alcock spoke on the paper. Dr. Alcock (Hon. 

 Sec.) read several " Natural History Notes " for Mr. J. G. Robertson, 

 who, through illness, was unable to be present at the meeting. One 

 of Mr. Robertson's notes on the occurrence of the Kingfisher at Ranelagh 

 will be found on page 159 of this number. The other notes dealt with 

 the growth of the old Acacia trees in the Sandford district, as 

 testifying to the age of the settlement of the neighbourhood. One 

 tree growing in the garden connected with the rectory of Sandford 



