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PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



Royae Zoological Society. 



Five Lion -cubs were born in the Gardens on August loth. All are 

 males, an absolutely unique circumstance, and are doing well. 

 Three Capybaras were also born in the Gardens on September 4th. 

 Recent donations comprise a pair of Red-striped Lizards and some 

 Japanese Goldfish from J. B. O'Callaghan, Esq. ; two pairs of Skylarks 

 and a Quail from C. J. Wallace, Esq. ; a pair of Herring Gulls from 

 Capt. Boxer; and a Sparrow-Hawk from R. Maunsell, Esq. Two Persian 

 Sheep, eight parrots, and ten monkeys have been acquired by purchase. 



14,600 persons visited the Gardens in August. 



Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. 



August nth. — Ballymena, Slemish, and the Braid Valley were visited, 

 the Club's usual good fortune in weather being in evidence all day. 

 Arriving at Ballymena, the party was met by Mr. W. J. Knowles, 

 M.R.I.A., and the Rev. George Buick, local members, who gave much 

 assistance throughout the day. No time was lost in mounting the 

 vehicles and driving through the town, going by the old road past 

 Drumfane Fort to Broughshane, stopping at the esker to examine the 

 sands and gravels. The current-bedding is here finely displayed owing 

 to recent weathering ; the softer strata have been taken full advantage of 

 by the Sand-martins, which have burrowed in and made their nests in 

 great numbers. The next halt was made at the pretty little church of 

 Broughshane, to the east of which is the cross-marked grave of the Club's 

 late President, Rev. Canon Grainger, whose kindly welcome and local 

 information were much missed on this, the first occasion of the Club's 

 visit to " Canon Grainger's country" since his demise. The slopes of 

 vSlieve Mis (1,437 feet) were soon reached, and its pleasant heights 

 ascended. This is an old volcanic neck, and from its vent doubtless 

 partly flowed that basalt which forms such a prominent feature of our 

 County Antrim surface. At Ballyligpatrick, between Skerry and Slieve 

 Mis, St. Patrick, then a captive youth, herded the flocks of the chieftain 

 Milchu for seven years, and here it was he dreamed those dreams and 

 saw the visions which were subsequently to be realised. The descent 

 from the hill having been made, a pleasant drive brought the party to 

 the ancient Church of Skerry (Sciric), situated on a rocky eminence, as 

 its name denotes. Formerly " stations" were held here, and great 

 crowds assembled round what is known as " St. Patrick's foot-mark," a 

 small depression in an adjoining rock. Close by is the Holy Well called 

 Tubernacool (pronounced soot), which Colgan styles " fons miraculosus." 

 In this district Avere found the pretty flower Gentiana campestris, and 

 several roses, including the rare Rosa Sabini and other interesting plants. 

 The return journey was then made to the Adair Arms, where tea was 

 partaken of, after which the members visited the valuable collection of 

 antiquities belonging to Mr. Knowles, and the fine Parish Church, on the 

 invitation of the rector. Belfast was reached at nine o'clock, bringing 

 back all satisfied with their pilgrimage to the scenes of the early labours 

 of Ireland's patron saint. 



