1 70 August, 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include three Green Toads from Dr. O'Donnell, a Horu- 

 bill from Mr. D. A. Donovan, an African Leopard from Drs. Garland and 

 Montgomery, a Grey Parrot from Miss L. Garland, three Algerian Geckos 

 from Mr. H. B. Rathborne, two Hedgehogs from Mr. J. Rossiter, and a 

 Hare from Mr. E. Horan. A Barbary Lamb has been born in the Gar- 

 dens. 



A new Rodent enclosure or " rockery " is in progress, and is now at an 

 advanced stage. This enclosure is intended for the housing of the 

 smaller Rodents, such as Guinea pigs, Rabbits, and the like. It is 

 nearly circular in form and provided with numerous dens divided off by 

 rocks, and a mass of rockwork, some six feet in height, forms a pictu- 

 resque background. There will be plants such as stonecrops in variety 

 growing in amongst the rocks, and when completely finished it will 

 make a good and at the same time pleasant retreat for the specimens for 

 which it is intended, whilst also adding to the already far too limited 

 accommodation for the housing of the live slock of the Gardens. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 4.— Excursion to Wicki^ow Head.— A party of members and 

 friends left Harcourt-street by an early train for Wicklow. F. O'B. 

 Ellison, B.A., then led the excursion through the town to the lower 

 slopes of Wicklow Head, and gave an account of the geological formation 

 of the district, pointing out the very great extent of the dark gray 

 micaceous slates which form the head. These slates dip to the N.E. 

 at au average angle of 45 degs., and are developed to an immense extent 

 in the district round Wicklow Head, there being a stratagraphical thick- 

 ness of at least 5,000 feet. The slates are interstratified with numerous 

 ash beds. After luncheon, the party divided into two sections, one 

 walking along the cliffs to the lighthouse, near which some good examples 

 of sea stacks and rock bridges are to be seen. The other section moved 

 inland in search of botanical specimens. Miss Ryan, B.A., was elected 

 a member. 



June 25. — GIvEnasmoi^R. — Twenty-one members and visitors assembled 

 at Oldbawn Bridge in the afternoon. The party, under the direction of 

 F. O'B. Ellison, B.A., walked along the river Dodder to where the Rath- 

 mines waterworks have submerged the valley under two large reservoirs. 

 The conductor pointed out some of the interesting features of this valley. 

 Glenasmole as a valley dates from pre-glacial times. The upper part is 

 excavated in granite and the lower part in Silurian slates, and their 

 associated basic intrusive rocks. During Glacial times this valley has 

 been largely filled with Boulder-clay and stratified gravels. It is entirely 



