igoi I^RIEND. — Shtdies in Irish EnchytrcBids. 115 



In order to establish or disprove the theory I have advanced, 

 it would be necessary to pay great attention to details. It 

 will readily be seen that a good many experiments would have 

 to be undertaken. Check-plants would be required, and every 

 precaution taken for the proper registration of results. This 

 would be a capital task for a working naturalist or biologist. 

 He would require, however, to have a pretty accurate 

 knowledge of annelid anatomy, since such important characters 

 as the brain, sperm-sacs, salivary glands, and other important 

 features would require special attention. On account of the 

 great importance of the question to gardeners, florists, and 

 agriculturists, it would be a wise thing if one of the learned 

 societies or the Board of Agriculture would authorize the 

 carrying out of the work at their expense. Bulbous or 

 succulent plants, such as tulips or celery, would be far better 

 for experiments than asters, as the vitality of the latter is 

 much more readily exhausted than is that of the former. 



Chichester. 



R Y - 



IRISH SOCIETIE 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include four Jerboas and two Owls from Dr. C. B. Ball ; a 

 Wigeon from Mr. R. Warren ; a Teal from Miss M Guinness; a Coot and 

 a Lapwing from Mr. R. Warren ; three Golden Pheasants from Colonel 

 Massy ; a Suricate from Major Gage ; a Hare from Mr. J. Keary ; and a 

 Peregrine Falcon from Mr. J. Olphert ; a Chimpanzee, a Civet Cat, and a 

 Paradoxure from Justice Smyly. 



BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL 



SOCIETY. 



ApriIv 8. — A meeting was held in the Museum, when a paper was read 

 by Mr. John L. Macassey, C.E., on the subject— " The Mourne Scheme 

 for the Supply of Water to the City of Belfast.'* 



