268 The Irish Naturalist. November, 



butions from W. J. Knowles, G. Coffey, W. J. Fennell. Sidney 

 Hartland, P. J. O'Reilly; Mr. Knowles' find of a celt factory 

 near Cushendall is excellent, the site being the best of its 

 kind yet discovered in the British Islands. The Secretary of 

 the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society (who, 

 by the way, was conspicuous by his absence during the entire 

 period of the meeting) sent in a paper to which we refer else- 

 where. In other departments of work. Professor Cunningham's 

 account of Cornelius Magrath, with remarks on giants in 

 general, attracted a large and interested audience, while Dr. 

 Graham's analysis of the Ulster character gave rise to discussion 

 which vStill splutters intermittently in the local press. 

 Dr. Symington gave a special demonstration in the 

 Anatomical Museum on craniology, with special reference to 

 John Grattan's work. Reviewing generally the work of the 

 Section, the programme was ample and varied ; the proceedings 

 were not hurried, and good time was allowed for discussion ; 

 but it may be suggested that if more attention could be given 

 to the discussion of problems of anthropology, the usefulness' 

 of the sectional work might be increased; papers on original 

 research are more advantageously studied when printed, 

 and there are plenty of Societies ready to undertake their 

 publication. 



SECTION K — BOTANY. 



Perhaps the most striking feature in the Botanical Section 

 was the limited nature of the discussions called forth by the 

 papers read. This must have been especially disappointing to 

 the member, who, confessing to not having read up ihe 

 literature of the subject of his paper, explained that his reason 

 for bringing it before the Section was in the hope oi gaini7ig, 

 rather than giving information. Even this somewhat novel 

 appeal failed to move the hearts of the members, but doubtless 

 when the author has some information worth giving he will 

 get his quid pro quo in the shape of virile discussion from 

 which he will be the gainer. The lack of discussion is probabl}^ 

 partly explained by the fact to which the President called 

 attention in his opening Address, namely, the largeness of the 

 botanical field. Those workers who are ploughing their own 

 lonely furrows have got so deep in them that they no longer 



