ii8 The hish Naturalists May, 



small islands off the west coast of Europe, the marine condition being 

 very similar to what now prevails off the west coast of Ireland. The 

 lecture was illustrated with a number of diagrams, and after the meeting 

 specimens of the foraminifera were shown under the microscope. 

 The election of several new members brought the meeting to a close. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



March ii. — Professor Coi,E presided, in the absence of the President. 

 A series of demonstrations were given in connection with the prizes 

 offered by the Club during the present year for Natural History re- 

 search, in order to assist intending competitors, by pointing out the 

 lines on which work should be carried on so as to ensure the best 

 results. The following is the list of prizes offered by the Club : — Prizes 

 value £1 each : in Botany — Lichens ; succulent flowering plants. In 

 Zoology — Fresh-water fishes (Co. Dublin) ; Crustacea. In Geology — Co. 

 Dublin Erratics ; Carboniferous limestone fossils from the Raheny 

 quarry. Special prizes, value £1 \os. each: — (a) A map showing the dis- 

 tribution of heather in the Ordnance Sheet No. 112 ; ib) Best answers to 

 the Conchological Society's questions lately published in the Irish 

 Naturalist ; {c) An account of the Carboniferous conglomerate at Rush. 

 The demonstrations, which were illustrated by lantern transparencies 

 and specimens, were given by Mr. Carpenter, Prof. Coi^E, and Messrs. 

 Hai,bert, LAMPI.UGH, Praeger, Pethybridge, and Seymour, each 

 of whom dealt with one or more of the prizes above enumerated. Two 

 new members were elected, and one nomination received. 



Aprie 8. — The last business meeting of the session took place, Mr. 

 W. F. de V. Kane (President) in the chair. Mr. F. O'B. Eeeison read a 

 paper on the development of the flower in Saniolus Fa/^rrt:«^z(Brookweed). 

 The account was illustrated by numerous lantern slides prepared from 

 sections, showing the flower in various stages of growth. Dr. Pethy- 

 bridge and the President spoke on the paper. Mr. T. Crook then 

 showed a number of lantern slides illustrative of some topical rock- 

 structures, as seen in their sections under the microscope, and explained 

 in a few words the special points exhibited by each of the sections. Mr 

 Seymour made a few remarks on the communication. Mr. Wii,eiams 

 then exhibited an example of the Great Snipe, and pointed out some of 

 its distinguishing characteristics. He also showed some Indian butter- 

 flies, exemplifying the principle of protective colouration in insects, the 

 butterflies, when the wings are folded, exactly simulating a faded leaf in 

 every particular. Professor Patten and the President made a few remarks 

 on Mr. Williams's exhibit. One new member was elected. 



