iigi. Irish Societies. 1^3 



IltlSH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Recent gifts include a Ring-tailed Lemur from Lady Henry Robinson, 

 a Serval cub from Dr. J. McConaghy, two young Dingoes from Mr. G. 

 Tyrwhitt Drake, a Stoat from Mr. E. Barrington, Hedgehogs from Mr. 

 L. Hensworth and Mr. P. Leddy. a Peregrine Falcon from Mr. R. M. 

 Barrington, a Kestrel from Mr. W. W. Despard, four Griffon Vultures 

 from Capt. T. E. Ke'.sall, a Muscovy Drake from the Hon. Mrs. T. Collins, 

 a Long-eared Owl from Mr. J. Moncley, an Alexandrine Parrakeet from 

 Mrs. Hamilton, and a Gannet from Mr. B. E. Hillas. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



May 20. — Excursion to Beauparc. — Thirty members and visitors 

 travelled b\' the 3 p.m. train from Amiens Street under the conductorship 

 of Alex. McHenry, M.R.I.A. The weather was perfect, and on arrival 

 at Beauparc the party walked to the copper mine where they were re- 

 ceived by Mr. Murray, the maiiager. After an examination of the copper 

 ore (copper pyrites), extracted from the mine, had been made, the manager 

 proceeded to explain in detail the various processes through which it 

 passed after being brought to the surface, in order to prepare it for the 

 market. Most of those present then descended the mine by means of 

 ladders, each of the male members carrying a small oil lamp. Three 

 galleries in all were nispected at depths of 80, 140, and 180 feet, respectively. 

 At each of these levels copper ore was examined in situ, and although 

 progress was slow owing to the quantity of water in the mine, the party 

 traversed the whole length of each gallery visited. It was not possible 

 to descend to the 200 feet level, as this gallery was flooded with water, 

 the depth in some places exceeding 5 feet. The party returned to the 

 surface at about 6 o'clock, and were entertained to tea by Mr. D. Frame, 

 managing director of the mine. This concluded a most enjoyable and 

 successful excursion, and the return to Dublin was commenced at j.t,^ 

 p.m. 



June 10. — Excursion to Laytown and the Boyne Estuary. — 

 Under the leadership of W. F. Gunn, a small party left Amiens Street 

 terminus at 10.45. The day was ideal for the trip, and the climatic 

 conditions favourable for collecting. After a short stay about the mouth 

 of the Nanny River, the party headed for the mouth of the Boyne, and 

 for the first two miles were occupied in shore-collecting. Nothing of 

 special interest was found, the principal shells being Apoyrhais pes-pelicani 

 and Natica catena and large numbers of the empty cases of sea-urchins. 

 A move was then made for the sand-dunes, where after lunch was partaken 

 of, a careful search was made by the botanical members, and the usual 

 sand-dune type of flora studied. Amongst the plants observed were 

 Viola Curtisii, Festuca uniglumis, Euphorbia paralias, E. portlandica, 

 Cynoglossum officinale, and Lycopsis arvensis. On the muddy and marshy 

 ground near the " Maiden Tower," Salsola kali, Salicornia herbacea, Glaux 



