The Irish Field Chcbs 143 



the names of not a few who are still members of the Club, and 

 of others who have left behind them indelible records in the 

 annals of science— notably Prof. Wyville Thomson, of 

 "Challenger" fame, and Prof. James Thomson, afterwards 

 of Glasgow University. 



Founded thus auspiciously, the Club steadily grew, not- 

 withstanding the loss by removal to London of both Mr. 

 Tate and Mr. Chew at the end of the first year of its existence ; 

 at the end of the fifth year, we find the membership has risen 

 to over 200, and its annual report, which has been steadily in- 

 creasing in bulk, now extends to 50 pages. Two years later 

 the annual report gives evidence of a new departure, in the 

 publication of the first of the " Appendices " which have since 

 been issued from time to time — being local lists of various 

 divisions of the fauna and flora of the North of Ireland, or 

 descriptive papers of its archaeology ; the first contribution 

 being appropriately a " List of Irish L,iassic Fossils," by Mr. 

 Tate. During the winter of 1869 a partial fusion with the 

 Belfast Natural History Society was carried out. This latter 

 Society was already in the prime of life, having being founded 

 in 1 82 1, and having in its ranks a number of gentlemen 

 eminent in natural science. The first joint meeting was held 

 in November, 1869, when Dr. Wyville Thomson delivered an 

 address on "The Aims of Natural History Societies, and the 

 uses of Local Museums." During the next year, however, this 

 connection was dissolved. 



In anticipation of the Belfast meeting of the British Associa- 

 tion in 1874, the Field Club undertook the preparation of a 

 local guide-book, and though the time was very limited, they 

 succeeded in producing *a volume of over 300 pages, dealing 

 with the fauna, flora, geology, archaeology, trade and statistics 

 of the district, which is a worthy proof of the energy and 

 attainments of the Club members at that time. 



The year 1875 records the retirement from the Secretaryship 

 of Mr. William Gray after ten years of office ; to his zeal and 

 energy is largely due the progress made by the Club during 

 that period. Five years later his worthy colleague, Mr. Hugh 

 Robinson, retired, after 1 1 years of office ; these vacancies were 

 filled up by the appointment of Mr. William Swanston and 

 Mr. F. W. Lockwood, who faithfully carried on the work of 

 the Club for periods of 15 and 1 1 years respectively. The year 



A 2 



