56 The Irish Naturalist. 



Schlerochloa rlglda, Linn. — Sea-walls at Killongh and Ardglass, 

 Co. Down, 1892, and at Maglieramorne, Co. Antrim, 1893, R. LI. P. 

 New to Co. Antrim. 



Festuca sylvatlca, Villars, — Abundant by the Shimna River in 

 Tollymore Park, S. and P. It is thus certainly a Co. Down plant, but 

 cannot now be found at Rostrevor. 



Equisctum hyemale, Linn.— Several stations in the Mourne Moun- 

 tains, S. and P. Banks of the Lagan at Edenderry, Co. Down, R. LI. P., 

 1892. 



Last reaf Nix-mas (Linn.) Pers.,var. abbreviata. — Eagle Mountain, 

 Mourne Mountains, S. and P. Quite distinct as a variety. 



\_Asplenium Adianlutn-nigrum, var. acutum, Bory. Through the researches of 

 Mr. Praeger the mystery connected with Sherard's record of this fern has 

 been elucidated. Original specimens are preserved in the Herbarium 

 Sloaneanum in the British Museum, and in the Sherardian Herbarium at 

 Oxford. The former specimen has been examined by Mr. Praeger, and 

 the latter, on his behalf, by Prof. Vines. They prove to be referable to a 

 barren plumose form of Athyrhtm Filix-fcemina, practically identical with 

 the form known to fern-growers as " kalothrix" — S. and P. 



Osmunda regal is, Linn. — The Royal Fern still lingers by Lough 

 Neagh at Shane's Castle. R. LI. P., 1891. 



Chara contraria, Kuetz. — Brackish pools at Limavady Junction, Co. 

 Deny, 1889, and Clandeboye Lake, Co. Down, 1891, R. LI. P. An addition 

 to the Ulster flora. 



IRISH BUTTERFLIES. 



The Lepidoptera of the British islands. By C. G. Barrett, 

 F.E.S. Vol. 1., Rhopalocera. London, L- Reeve & Co., 1893. Price 12s, 

 Large edition, with coloured plates, £2 15s. 



A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Ireland. By W. F. de V. 



Kane, M.A. Entomologist, 1893. (Introduction and Rhopalocera in 

 March to September parts.) 



Entomologists in Ireland will heartily welcome the appearance of 

 these two works. The former is by one of the most experienced of 

 British lepidopterists, who, during his residence on this side of the 

 channel, did much to increase our knowledge of Irish insects. We could 

 wish that a fuller account of the structure of butterflies and moths, with 

 some notes on comparative insect anatomy, were to be found in Mr. 

 Barrett's introduction. For instance, the student is not told that the 

 sucking-trunk of a moth is formed by the modification of a pair of 

 jaws. A distinct improvement upon the order of our usual British lists 

 is adopted by Mr. Barrett in placing the " Blues " {Lyaenida) immediately 

 after the " Whites " (Pieridce). We hope, however, that it will not be 

 very much longer before workers at the British lepidoptera begin to use 

 the late Mr. Bates' natural order of the butterfly- families, with the 

 Danaidce at the head, and the Papilionidce near the end, just before the 

 M Skippers " (Ilesperiidci). This order has been in use by workers at exotic 

 butterflies for about twenty years past. 



