256 The Irish Naturalist. September, 



John W. Taylor, F.L.S. (Leeds), then read a paper on 

 " Vitri?ia clongata in Ireland : an addition to the Fauna of the 

 British Islands," which was published with a plate in the last 

 (August) issue of the Irish Naturalist. 



R. Welch, M.R.I.vV. (Belfast), discussed the distributional 

 problems which had been dealt with in the paper ; and went 

 on to speak of the value of the local work that might be done 

 by members during the ensuing week. 



R. Standen (Manchester Museum) spoke on the importance 

 of the discovery of Vitrina elongata> and the significance of its 

 occurrence. 



J. N. Milne also spoke on Mr. Taylor's paper. 



The Chairman conveyed to Mr. Taylor the thanks of the 

 meeting for his important communication. 



R. Lloyd Praeger, B.E., M.R.I.A. (Hon. Sec. Irish Field 

 Club Union), raised the question as to whether the decreased 

 attendance at the triennial conferences justified their con- 

 tinuance. Since the first conference, held in 1895 at Galway, 

 and attended by 100 members, the numbers had fallen, till at 

 Cork they had only half that number, and the proportion 

 of working members attending the meetings had decreased 

 even more. These conferences involved much work and 

 considerable financial responsibility, and it was for members 

 to suggest a cause for the decreased attendance, and to say 

 whether any change should be made. 



W. H. Gallway (Hon. Sec. B.N.F.C.) attributed the de- 

 creased attendance largely to the extreme inclemency of the 

 preceding weather, and hoped the meetings would be con- 

 tinued as at present. 



R. Welch (Belfast) suggested that by limiting the maximum 

 number it might be possible to visit interesting places where 

 there was not accommodation for very large parties, which 

 would attract a larger number of workers. 



J. de W. Hinch (Hon. Sec D.N.F.C.) thought that perhaps 

 Field Clubs had outlived their use, and that the younger 

 naturalists now acquired knowledge in other ways. He would 

 try to limit the attendance of non-workers. 



F. Balfour Browne, M.A. (Larne Marine Biological 

 Station) was not in favour of any curtailment of the number 

 of members attending the meetings if it could be avoided. 



