Proceedings of Irish Societies. 257 



root-like branches are given off. These are very fine, and bury them- 

 selves in the water at the base of the leaves of the Bromdia, on which the 

 Utricularia has taken up its abode, eventually bearing numerous bladders 

 which are covered by the water, and in which they float about fully ex- 

 panded. 



[The above notice of exhibit was received too late for our report of 

 this meeting (p. 200).] 



Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. 



September 15th. — A party numbering 120 — the largest turn-out of the 

 season — drove from Belfast over the hills through Crumlin to Langford 

 Lodge. The interesting historic, and other relics in the house, which 

 was kindly thrown open by its proprietor, Rev. A. Pakenham, J. P., 

 excited much interest. The adjoining gardens and woods were examined, 

 after which the majority of the part) 7 proceeded by boat to Ram's Island, 

 to inspect the round tower, &c. Tea was subsequently served on the 

 lawn, after which the return journey was made. Very little field-work 

 was done on this excursion. 



October 26th — The winter session was opened by the usual social 

 meeting in the Exhibition Hall of the Royal Botanic Gardens, when 

 there was a large attendance of members and friends, notwithstanding 

 the very inclement weather. The upper portion of the hall had been 

 beautifully arranged with plants and flowers, mingled with fountains and 

 fairy lamps, by Mr. Charles M'Kimm, the curator of the Gardens, whilst 

 the walls of the other end of the hall were covered by a collection of fern 

 fronds, grown by Mr. W. H. Phillips, and not to be easily equalled for 

 rarity and appearance. Tea was made by the ladies of the Club from 

 seven till eight o'clock, when most of the company had arrived. After 

 tea, the President, Mr. F. W. Lockwood, C.E., bade all welcome to this 

 the annual exhibition of the Club's work, and pointed out the different 

 exhibits. The principal one contained a collection of geological 

 specimens, illustrating the Carboniferous formation, including some fine 

 ornaments made from coal, lent by Mr. James Stelfox, c.E. This exhibit 

 was under the care of Messrs. William Gray, m.r.i.a. ; Joseph Wright, 

 F.G.S. ; and Alexander G. Wilson. The side walls were covered by a large 

 collection of photographs taken during the season by the members on 

 the Club's excursions ; also, an explanatory geological series by Mr. R. 

 Welch, and a comprehensive set of ethnographical views illustrating 

 some of the manners and customs of the inhabitants of Ireland. Mr. 

 John Vinycomb, m.r.i.a., with his usual taste, exhibited a lovely series of 

 Ex Libris, a subject upon which he is now accepted as an authority, 

 whilst Mr. Ernest Hanford displayed a representative series of water 

 colours, illustrating the favourite district of Cushendall. Mr. John 

 Hamilton excited much interest with the objects in his aquaria. Fifty 

 rare Irish plants collected during the past season, for which a special 

 club prize had been awarded, were exhibited by Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger, 

 m.r.i.a. Stereoscopic views were shown by Dr. Cecil Shaw, and under 

 the guidance of Dr. St. Clair Boyd there was a goodly display of micro- 

 scopes by the members of the Club. Mrs. Allen, of Stormount Castle, 

 exhibited a huge Tarpon, whose silvery scales attracted much admiration. 

 Mrs. White-Spunner had on view her huge album of Irish flowering 

 plants, which was shown at the Chicago exhibition. A lantern exhibition 

 was given during the evening, when a series of sea-gull photos, were 

 shown and some Club excursion views, taken by Messrs. Welch, Gray, 

 Leslie, and MacLean. After the lantern a short business meeting was 

 held, when twenty-five new members were elected, bringing up the total 

 membership to about 500, the largest ever reached in the history of the 

 Club. The president announced that Professor Cole would commence 

 his course of lectures on " The Story of Life on the Globe " in January 



