1 896. J Proceedings of Irish Societies. 187 



for which it is esteemed, were observed. The Yellow Sedge i^Carex flava) 

 was seen well in fruit, Sparganiuvi ramosiim was in flower, and some luxuri- 

 ant specimens of the smooth horsetail {Equisciitni li/nosuni) 3-4 feet high 

 were collected. In a neighbouring hedge the Guelder Rose {Vibitrmini 

 opuhis) was found flowering handsomely. The excursion was well 

 attended and much interest was shown in the collection of plants. 

 Opportunity may be taken to record the presence of Brassica temiifolia, 

 Boiss. {Dtplo(axis tenuifoliaoi older botanists), at Haulbowline Island, where 

 it has been found growing plentifully in waste ground by a member of 

 the Club. This plant with a scanty distribution in the south of England 

 has hitherto been only doubtfully recorded from Co. Cork. In the 

 present case its identity has been verified by Mr. R. A. Phillips of Cork. 



RoYAi. Irish Acade:my. 

 June 22nd.— The Earl of Rosse), President, in the Chair. Rev. \V. S. 

 Green read a paper on a visit to the islet of Rockall, which lies in the 

 Atlantic 220 miles from Tory Island, and 178 west of St. Kilda. On 

 the night of the 6th inst., he and his companions reached the rock in 

 the S. S. " Granuaile," which had been placed at their disposal by the 

 Congested Districts Board. The sea was then breaking heavily all around, 

 and attempts made to dredge resulted in the loss of the gear. On the 

 7th, the sea still running high, the " Granuaile " steamed away eastward, 

 and a trawling was made in 130 fathoms. The gear was badly torn, but 

 some specimens were obtained. The weather showing no sign of im- 

 provement, the vessel steered for Killybegs, which was reached on the 

 evening of the 8th. A fresh start was made on the night of the 13th, and 

 on the 15th Rockall was again sighted. Dredgings were made in from 

 50 to 100 fathoms. The ship remained close to the rock all night, and on 

 the following morning the rock was approached to within twenty yards, 

 but landing was impossible. Every bird on the rock was recognised, 

 and some were shot and picked up. The weather giving no promise of 

 improvement, a course was steered for St. Kilda, a dredging being 

 made on the Rockall Bank. The result of the dredging was very 

 varied, and some valuah:)le specimens were obtained. Over a dozen 

 species of sea-birds were noted on the rock and in its vicinity. 



