Ii8 The Irish Naturalist June, 
publications during the past year. The Committee beg to draw attention 
to the resignation of Mr. W. H. PhiUips, and desire to thank him for his 
devoted service in the past. Towards the middle of the first year of the 
Club's existence, in 1863, Mr. Phillips took on the duties of treasurer, 
which position was left vacant by the death of A. F. Herdman. In 
1870 Mr. PhiUips resigned, but in 1891 he was again elected treasurer, 
a position which he has therefore occupied for twenty -eight out of the 
fifty years during whch the Club has been in existence, 
W. H. Phillips read his statement of accounts, the librarian (S. Weir) 
his report for the past year, and the following honorary secretaries gave 
the reports of their respective sections : — N. Carrothers, Miss M. K. 
Andrews, N. H. Foster, J. A. S. Stendall, and Robert May. 
In moving the adoption of these reports, the Chairman expressed the 
gratitude the Club felt tow^ards Mr. Phillips for the services he had 
rendered it, and his remarks w^ere endorsed by William Graj^ M.R.I. A., 
who seconded the motion. Mr. Welch also drew the attention of all 
members to the coming celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary. 
The following officers were elected for 191 3 -14: — President, Rev. 
Canon Lett ; Vice-President, R. Llo3'd Praeger ; Librarian, Sylvanus 
Wear ; Treasurer, N. H. Foster ; Secretaries, A. W. Stelfox and Miss 
M. D. Mitchell. 
Suggestions for places to be visited during the summer session were 
received, and the business of the meeting was then brought to a conclusion. 
DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
March 4th. — W. F. Gunn (President) in the chair. R. LI. Praeger 
opened a discussion on " What do we mean by a Native Species ? " He 
drew attention to the importance of the question from a scientific point 
of view. In the study of the distribution of plants and animals naturahsts 
were endeavouring to restore the old aboriginal fauna and flora of the 
country. The main thing which altered the fauna and flora of Europe 
was the breaking dow^n of the great European forest belt which let loose 
the Mediterranean fauna and flora northward and westward. There was, 
he thought, a great tendency when one found a plant to make it as native 
as possible. Mr. Praeger defined as native the plant naturally- growing 
in a natural habitat to which it has been carried by natural means. 
N. Colgan said there was no single word which would describe the 
native plant. He objected to the word " nativity," for it w^as altogether 
out of place, while " aboriginality " was abominable. 
Messrs. W. F. Gunn, W. de V. Kane, R. M. Barrington, C. B. Moffat, 
and Professor J. Bay ley Butler also took part in the discussion. 
The following exhibits were on view : — A representative collection of 
the seeds of the Family Leguminosa; : W. F. Gunn. Some forms of 
Plant Stems : R. LI. Praeger. Miss K. E. Beveridge and Miss Barnes 
were elected members. 
April 8.— R. LI. Praeger, M.R.I. A., in the chair. 
The programme of the meeting consisted of a number of exhibits. 
