Proceedings of Irish Societies. Qt 



sylvatica) in Ulster." Mr. R. M. Young, B.A., read notes on " A recent 

 Find of Irish Elk Bones, &c, in Belfast." The latter paper appears in 

 our present issue, and the former one we will publish shortly. Mr. S. F. 

 Milligan, M.R.I.A., read a paper entitled "Social Pictures of Ancient 

 Ireland." 



Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. 



February 20th. — The President in the chair. Mr. John CardwELL 

 read a paper on the ancient church of Lisnagarric, Co. Down. Messrs. 

 W. Gray, F. W. Lockwood, and F. J. BiGGER (Secretary) criticised the 

 paper. 



Mr. R. Lloyd PraeGER, in a short lecture, contrasted the flora of 

 County Dublin with that of Counties Antrim and Down. He pointed 

 out the differences in the geological and physical features of the two 

 areas, and the extent to which these affect the floras ; and stated that the 

 Dublin flora differed from that of the Belfast district chiefly in contain- 

 ing many limestone-loving species, and others that affect light and 

 gravelly ground. A representative collection of characteristic Dublin 

 plants was exhibited. A discussion ensued, in which Rev. C. H. 

 Waddell, Prof. Cole, F.G.S., and Messrs. W. Gray, S. A. Stewart, 

 and F. W. Lockwood took part. 



A paper on Localities for Lepidoptera near Belfast, by Mr. C. W.WATTS, 

 was read on his behalf by Mr. Praeger. The Secretary subsequently 

 read, for Lt.-Colonel Partridge, a paper on the Lepidoptera of Ennis- 

 killen. The election of a number of new members brought the meeting 

 to a close. 



Dublin Naturalists' Field Club. 



March 13th.— The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter) in the chair. 

 Prof. W. J. Sollas, F.R.S., gave a lecture upon Ancient and Modern 

 Coral Reefs. After referring to the fact that the Carboniferous Lime- 

 stone, which forms so large a part of the surface of Ireland, is composed 

 of coral remains, Prof. Sollas gave an account of the various kinds of 

 corals now to be found living in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The 

 lecture was illustrated by photographs from Mr. Saville Kent's recent 

 work. Profs. Johnson and Cole, Mr. Duerden, and the President took 

 part in the discussion. Prof. Sollas, in replying, mentioned that an 

 expedition is to be organised to investigate the formation of reefs, by 

 means of deep boring. 



NOTES. 



Phenological Observations. — I am very anxious to obtain for 

 the Royal Meteorological Society a few more phenological observers in 

 Ireland, and more especially in the southern half of the Island. The 

 duties of an observer are extremely simple, and consist in accurately 

 noting each year the dates of first flowering of such well-known plants 

 as the Hazel, Coltsfoot, Wood Anemone, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, &c.,only 

 thirteen plants in all. Observers are also required to note down the 

 dates of arrival of the Swallow, Cuckoo and Nightingale among birds, the 

 first appearance of the Honey Bee, Wasps, and Small White Butterfly 

 among insects. To any who may be willing to send in observations, I 

 shall be happy to forward a specimen-observing form and complete 

 instructions. — Edward Mawley, Phenological Recorder, R. Met. Soc, 

 Rosebank, Berkhampstead, Herts. 



[We gladly publish Mr. Mawley's communication and hope his appeal 

 will meet with several responses from our readers. — Eds.] 



