igii- Irish Societies. 13 



G. O. Sherrard, A.R.C.Sc, showed preparations of Heliothrips 

 hacinon-hoidalis (Bouche). This species of thrips lias recently been found 

 on fuchsias and crotons in Irish greenhouses. It has already been recorded 

 from England, Germany, Austria, Finland, and the U.S.A., and has been 

 found on ferns, dahlias and azaleas as well as on the plants mentioned. 

 The body of the insect shows a reticulated structure which extends to the 

 legs and is especially marked on the head and thorax. The antennae 

 are 8-segmented, the 2nd segment being the widest and the 8th segment 

 much longer than the 7th and terminated by a slender hair. The front 

 fringe on the forewings is poorly developed. The colour of the insect 

 varies from orange to dark brown, in Germany it is known as the " Black 

 Fly." The male has not been found. 



Prof. G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc, showed a female of Oedemagena tarandi 

 (Linn.), the warble-fly of the Reindeer, reared from maggots extracted 

 from a male reindeer in the Dublin Zoological Gardens. Maggots and eggs 

 of the species were also shown. The egg has a grooved base, like that of 

 Hypoderma, for attachment to the hair. At the apical pole of the egg 

 is a finely reticulated lid-like area which apparently opens to allow the 

 maggot to escape. No such area can be distinguished in the egg of 

 Hypoderma. Descriptions with figures will shortly be published in the 

 Journal of Economic Biology, vol. v. 



CORK NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



July 9. — Ardrum Woods. — A party travelled by train to Cloghroe, 

 arriving at 3.14 p.m. Mr. J. Scott- Kerr then conducted the members 

 through Ardrum woods and gardens, which adjoin the railway station. 

 The woods are on the estate of Sir George Colthurst and are extensive. 

 Many trees too are of very fine growth. Ardrum House and gardens 

 were next visited. In the gardens, a gigantic rhododendron, and several 

 beautiful flowering shrubs, were seen. Mr. and Mrs. Scott-Kerr 

 subsequently entertained the party to tea, after which the members 

 walked to Cloghroe Junction, a distance of two miles, and returned by 

 train. 



August 13. — Currabinny. — Professor H. A. Cummins, M.D., who 

 conducted, met the members at Crosshaven on the arrival of the 3.30 

 p.m. train. The party then crossed the ferry to Currabinny, where, by 

 kind permission of Mr. W. Guest Lane, the flora was investigated under 

 the guidance of the conductor. Time did not permit a visit to the ancient 

 sepulchral mound or the kitchen-midden. Tea was provided at the 

 Crosshaven Hotel. 



August 20. — Belvelly Castle. — This castle was founded by the 

 Hodnetts, who came here from Shropshire in the 12th century, and also 

 settled at Courtmacsherry. It is now the property of Lord Barrymore, 

 and was visited by special permission. The party arrived at Fota railway 

 station at 4.20 p.m. and walked to the castle, which was then examined, 

 the conductor, James Coleman, M.R.S.A.I., giving its history in detail. 



