Proceedings of Irish Societies. in 



Dublin Naturalists' Field Club. 



April ioth.— The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter) in the chair. 

 Prof. Johnson, D.Sc, gave a short account of a group of microscopic 

 plants which Bornet and Flahault in 1889 showed were active in the 

 gradual but complete disintegration of emptv molluscan shells. The 

 perforating plants belong to the blue-green, green, and red sea-weeds, 

 and in two instances to fungi. They are especially abundant in oyster, 

 cockle, and razor shells, which they colour green, grey, &c. Half of the 

 known species have been found within the last few years on different 

 parts of the Irish coast, partly by expeditious under the auspices of the 

 Royal Irish Academy. Reference was made to the discovery within the 

 last fifty years by Carpenter, Duckett, Moseley, Duncan, and others of 

 similar if not identical plants in recent and fossil corals, in foraminifera, 

 fish scales, and calcareous pebbles. It was also mentioned that some of 

 the boring plants are found in fresh water and also in shells of living 

 animals. 



Mr. J. E. Duerden, A.R.C.S., gave a paper on " Irish Polyzoa." He 

 described the structure of those minute zoophytes, of which some form 

 the horny skeletons popularly known as " sea-mats." At one time they 

 were regarded as plants. Figures were thrown on the screen of some of 

 the rare forms which have been dredged by the various surveys of the 

 Royal Irish Academy. Several of the interesting fresh-water species 

 obtained by Professor Allman from the Irish canals and other localities 

 were next dealt with. At the close a demonstration was given of many 

 of our common Irish forms, and rarer specimens were exhibited under 

 the microscope. The President and Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger took part 

 in the discussion which ensued. 



Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited a fine specimen of a fungus, Morchella 

 near Smithiana, but possibly distinct, sent him on the previous day by a 

 member of the Club, Mr. W. F. De V. Kane, from Ahascreagh, Co. 

 Galway. 



Mr. Praeger then exhibited specimens from Co. Armagh and Co. 

 Derry of the very rare orchid Spiranthes Romanzoviana. He said that in 

 the whole of Europe this plant was known to grow only in Ireland. For 

 many years it was known only from Co. Cork, but its recent discovery in 

 Armagh and Derry should encourage botanists to seek it elsewhere in 

 this country, and he urged members visiting boggy districts in August, 

 to look for this plant, which was as beautiful and interesting as it was 

 rare. 



Cork Naturalists' Field Club. 



April nth. — Annual Meeting. Prof. Hartog, President, in the 

 chair. The Treasurer's statement, showing a balance in hand of over 

 j£io, and the Report of the Committee were submitted and adopted. 

 The Report states that the formation of the Club has interested and 

 stimulated many in the study of natural history, and asks that increased 

 zeal may be shown by the members in the coming year. The want of a 

 club-room and museum is felt to be a drawback to the Club's work. The 

 following officers were elected : — President — Prof. Hartog ; Vice- 

 Presidents— Mr. D. Lane, Mr. W. H. Shaw, Miss Martin; Hon. 

 Treasurer— Mr. J. Gilbert; Curator — Mr. R. H. Phillips; Hon. Secre- 

 taries—Messrs. J. L. Copeman and BarringTON ; Committee— Mrs. J. H. 

 Thompson, Messrs. J. H. Bennett, H. Lund, O. R. Bergin, D. Hunter, 

 S. Harrington, J. Xoonan, T. Dillon, J. M'Kenzie, and J. Porter. 



Limerick Naturalists' Field Club. 



March 6th. — A series of photographic lantern slides, showing various 

 forms and stages of Pond Life, were exhibited by the aid of Mr. B. 

 Barrington's lantern, also living specimens of Volvos, Hydra, Cyclop, 

 Stent or, &c. 



