1 68 The Irish Naturalist July, 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Parrot from Mr. H. H. Gamble, three Squirrels 

 from Mr. W. W. Despard, an Alligator from Mr, J. E. Wellwood, a 

 Chacma Baboon and a White Monkey from Capt. Reeves. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 7.— Excursion to StormonT Gi^ens.— A party of over forty 

 members and friends went to Belmont by tram, and, under the guidance 

 of Miss Walkington, LL.D., who acted as conductor for the day, the 

 ascent of the West Glen was commenced. The botanists of the party 

 here began their field work ; wild flowers and ferns were in profusion. 

 The zoologists explored the river for various forms of animal life, dredg- 

 ing in the water, turning over stones, or " sweeping" the vegetation on 

 the banks with nets and scoops. The party emerged into a lane, which 

 brought them to the old fort or rath. Here tea was ready, and was found 

 very refreshing. After resting here the fort was examined, and the 

 usual busines:5 meeting held. Mr. Wm. Swanston, F.G.S., was moved to 

 the chair, and he called upon Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I. A., who gave 

 an account of the fort and the probable manner of life of its former 

 inhabitants. With the exception of the Giant's Ring, it is the largest 

 fort in the district. Several questions having been answered, three new 

 members were elected, and a vote of thanks to Miss Walkington brought 

 the formal meeting to a close. 



May 24.— Excursion to Glenarm.— Arriving at Larne, the party 

 proceeded to Waterloo. A short stop was made here to inspect the fine 

 exposure of Lower Lias on the shore. A few of the fossils characteristic 

 of the various zones of this formation were found in situ. Proceeding 

 through the tunnel, the next stop was made at Ballygally Head. One 

 section of the party ascended the headland, while the other went round 

 by the shore ; both parties meeting at the old castle. Leaving the shore 

 at Ballygally Castle, the old church above Wheyburn was visited, 

 Mr. F.J. Bigger pointing out and describing some fine heraldic tomb- 

 stones IMany specimens of our common flowers and ferns were 

 observed, but as the Botanical vSection was scarcely represented among 

 the party, good things were passed unrecorded. Proceeding by the old 

 road, past Sallagh Braes and Scawt Hill, the members were enabled to 

 obtain excellent views of the scenery and the general geology^ of the 

 district. A stop was made above Ballyruther ; some members took the 

 opportunity to inspect the gravels near the shore, but their cursory 

 examination yielded only a few derived fossils. The shore road was 



