1907 Prakgkr. — Field Club Co7ifere?ice, Cork. 257 



W. Denison Roebuck, F.L-S. (Leeds) detailed his ex- 

 periences of large excursions as ex-Secretary of the Yorkshire 

 Naturalists" Union, and made some suggestions. 



J. W. Taylor (Leeds) considered that the organisation of 

 the Irish conferences was excellent. 



R. Lloyd Praeger replied to some of the observations that 

 had been offered. 



Thomas Farrington, M.A., read a short communication 

 relative to the function of the " balancers " of the common 

 House Fly, stating that he had found the movements of these 

 organs most active when the fly w r as engaged in laying eggs, 

 and doubting whether their main function was connected with 

 flight. 



F. Balfour Browne stated that experiment had shown that 

 the removal of the balancers rendered flight difficult or im- 

 possible, and that the balancers also assist respiration. 



The Secretary made some formal announcements. 



The Chairman offered a prize for the best find in any 

 branch of natural history made during the excursion. 



The proceedings terminated. 



Friday, July 12. 



Joined by some local members, the party took the 9.50 train 

 to Youghal. At the station they were met by Dr. Charles 

 Ronayne, M.D., who kindly acted as archaeological conductor 

 for the day. The majority of the party proceeded through the 

 town under his guidance, visiting Sir Walter Raleigh's house 

 (Myrtle Grove), St. Mary's collegiate church, and the Clock 

 Gate. The naturalists made for the extensive marshes lying 

 behind the beach to the south of the town, which proved good 

 collecting ground for both zoologists and botanists — one of 

 the most interesting finds being the rare shrimp Neo7nysis 

 vulgaris, found in bog-holes of quite fresh water far from 

 present tidal influence. Some members, geologically inclined, 

 crossed the Blackwater and explored Whiting Bay, whence 

 they brought back fine specimens of the Horned Poppy 

 (Glaucium flavum). Lunch was ready at 1.0 in a breezy field 

 at Clay Castle. In the afternoon the marshes were further 



