54 The Irish Naturalist, March, 



well written notice of the Grey Phalarope, Miss Delap's notes 

 on the life-histor}' of the Jelh^-fish Chrysaora isosceles, Messrs. 

 Alcock and Moflfat's description of the habits of the Long- 

 eared Bat ; papers which I hope are the forerunners of a long 

 series of similar contributions from their own and other pens. 

 They are examples of thorough work, and illustrate to the 

 members of our association the importance of taking up 

 seriousl}" and studying carefully some one line at least of par- 

 ticular research. No matter how small a field may be chosen, 

 whether of mere collecting, or simple observation of habits, 

 experts in every branch of Natural History feel the need of 

 more assistance in this respect. The discoveries of science 

 are founded upon a careful comparison of accumulated facts, 

 and Clubs, such as ours, have their primary function in amassing 

 materials of this kind. And an insular fauna and flora, such as 

 that of Ireland, presents scientific problems of the highest 

 import ; its very poverty being pregnant with meaning, while 

 at the same time its occasional richness in unexpected direc- 

 tions, is a revelation of past geological or climatic vicissitudes. 

 I,et every hand, therefore, try to pile a stone on the cairn of 

 knowledge, and commence this 3^ear by sj^stematic work. 



Much has been done in the past at the botany of Ireland ; 

 much at geology, a good deal in conchological research, but 

 in entomology there still remain branches almost unworked. 

 The Micro-Lepidoptera, or section of small moths, have been 

 strangely neglected. And their collection is not fatiguing or 

 difiicult, and can be pursued in daylight. Nor are large and 

 expensive cabinets requisite for storage of specimens. Their 

 beaut}^ too, equals, nay exceeds, that of their larger relatives. 

 How suitable a field for the fair sex, who in the neat setting 

 of their treasures would triumph beyond all masculine com- 

 petition ! Other orders also require attention, notably the 

 Hymenoptera and Diptera, no important collection of the 

 latter having been made in Ireland since Alexander Haliday's 

 time. One group is now engaging the attention of Dr. 

 Mittall of Cambridge, who asks for help in the investigation 

 of Mosquitos in connection with his researches on malaria. 

 Two (or perhaps three) species of Anopheles have been found 

 in Ireland and he asks for assistance in discovering fresh Irish 

 localities. 



