1913. The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. 
THE BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 
At Whitsuntide this year the Belfast Naturahsts' Field 
Club, the oldest Society of the kind in Ireland, and one of 
the oldest in the United Kingdom, will celebrate the fiftieth 
year of its existence. Founded in 1863, as a result of the 
interest aroused by science classes established by the 
vScience and Art Department, and conducted by Professor 
Ralph Tate, the Club has for half a century been the centre 
and inspiration of natural history and geological research 
in the North of Ireland, and its output of work has been 
such as any local society might b'e proud of. The Club 
now summons its friends to come and join with it in cele- 
brating its fiftieth anniversary. Many scientific societies 
and institutions are sending official representatives to the 
meeting, among others, the Geological Society of London, 
the North Staffordshire Field Club, the Royal Irish Academy, 
the Royal Dubhn Society, the Royal College of Science for 
Ireland ; and naturalists from all parts of our own country 
will be present. 
An interesting programme of meetings and excursions 
has been arranged. On Saturday, May 10, the President 
will receive the delegates and visitors in the Examination 
Hall of the Queen's University, and short speeches will be 
delivered by several original members of the Club and 
others. A short excursion will be held in the afternoon, 
followed by a conversazione in the Assembly Buildings. 
On the following day (Sunday) a number of unofficial ex- 
cursions will be organized. On Monday Newcastle will 
be visited, and SHeve Donard, the highest Ulster hill, 
will be ascended. In the evening, under the presidency 
of the Vice -Chancellor of the University, an address will 
be delivered by Dr. Scharff on " The Relationships of the 
Irish Fauna." 
