iQoo.] Proceedhigs of Irish Societies. 157 



is probably the oldest and largest specimen of the species to 

 to be found in Ireland, being about sixty feet high. It originally 

 possessed five great limbs springing from a trunk, which contrary to the 

 usual habit of growth of the Acacia is is only about three feet high. 

 This tree has lost two of its great limbs ; one of them measured in 

 section 21 inches by 16 inches ; the three remaining limbs appear to be 

 equal to this size. The circumference of the trunk at a foot above the 

 ground is about thirteen feet. The great limbs are bare of branches 

 until they reach a height of thirty feet or so. But what is most remark- 

 able in connexion with this tree, is, that a common Holly about ten feet 

 high, with a stem of two inches in diameter and branches thin, greatest 

 spread about six feet, foliage of a fine healthy growth, is growing upon it. 

 In the concave surface of the top of the trunk, encircled as it is by the 

 limbs, in course of time a deposit of decayed vegetable matter, added to by 

 dust and soot during along series of years, formed a sufficient bed for the 

 vegetation and support for a time of a holly-berry dropped by some 

 passing bird. But how has a Holly-bush, resting on such shallow soil, 

 withstood the drought of many seasons } No doubt its roots made their 

 way into the trunk, and have now worked through it into the ground. 

 The Rev. W. Ellison, Messrs. Peth3^bridge and Smyth were duly elected 

 members, and Mrs, Ellison and Mr. G. W. Nicholson nominated as can- 

 didates for election at the next meeting. 



May 12,— The first excursion of the summer season took place, A 

 party of thirty left Amiens-street by the 1.50 p.m. train for Malahide. 

 The Rev. W. Ellison acted as conductor. The members walked along 

 the Portmarnock road in the direction of the strand, until the fossiliferoiis 

 limestone rocks were reached. Here Dr. Foord demonstrated to the 

 party the presence of many forms of fossils (brachiopods, trilobites, 

 crinoids, &c,), and collectors secured some interesting specimens. After 

 a most enjoyable afternoon the party proceeded back to the Malahide 

 Hotel, where tea was provided at 5 o'clock. 



Cork Naturai,ists' EiEi.t) Ci.ub. 



May 5, — The first excursion of the season was made to Waterfall and 

 Ballincollig. The party explored the glen, and bog between the two 

 places, with the following results: — Ranitucuhis kcderaceus was very 

 abundant, and Chrysospknium oppositifolinm was in some places a veritable 

 covering for large pieces of rock. The fertile stems of the Equisetiim 

 arvense were very much in evidence. Two thick clumps of Saxifraga 

 tridactylites were found on an old wall. Many of the hedges were 

 composed almost entirely of Vaccinitun myrtillus. A great scarcity of 

 mosses was noticed in this district. 



