252 The Irish Naturalist. 



Copeman's laudable efforts will meet with the success which 

 they deserve. The Limerick Field Club appears to be quietly 

 pursuing its course, and it is possible that its exceedingly 

 modest beginning may save it from the danger of a relapse. 



But cannot the now successful and, one might say, power- 

 ful Clubs of Belfast and Dublin encourage and assist their 

 southern brethren? Will their members look calmly on while 

 these 3 T oung societies fight the hard battle of life, without 

 stretching out a helping hand ? Valuable assistance they can 

 give, and that easily ; and it would be unworthy of the tradi- 

 tions of either Club if such aid were not tendered promptly 

 and generously. Is it not in fact desirable in the highest 

 degree that all the Irish Field Clubs should assist each other ; 

 that they should know each other better, and feel that they are 

 comrades, working together for a common object ; that there 

 should exist a bond of friendly communication between them, 

 and that as frequently as possible the members of the various 

 Clubs shouldmeet each other ? These questions have had the 

 earnest consideration of the Secretaries of the Irish Field Clubs 

 for some months past, and the result of their consultations 

 will shortly assume the form of a definite proposal. It is sug- 

 gested, in short, that an Irish Field Club Union should be 

 formed, the business pertaining to which will be carried on by 

 a committee composed of representatives of all the Clubs ; that 

 the Union should have for its objects the consideration of matters 

 of general Field Club importance, the providing of mutual 

 help among the Clubs, and the bringing about, by means of 

 joint meetings and otherwise, of a closer and more frequent 

 intercourse. Pending the general conference of the Irish 

 Clubs, which it is proposed to hold next summer, a memoran- 

 dum, embodying the above suggestions, will shortly be sub- 

 mitted to each Club, in order that the benefits which will arise 

 from the Union may come into operation as early as possible. 

 At next year's conference it is confidently anticipated that the 

 foundations will be laid of a true and lasting Union, a bond of 

 sympathy and friendship and scientific intercourse that will 

 help the Clubs in their work, and stimulate them in their for- 

 ward march ; a Union which will be a pillar of strength to the 

 Field Clubs, an aid to British science, and a credit to Ireland. 



