L 225 ] 



PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



ROYAI. ZOOI^OGICAI, vSoClETY. 



A Seal, captured at Moy, Ballina, has been presented to the Gardens 

 by George Shannon, Esq. Three I^ion cubs, and three Puma cubs, have 

 been born in the Gardens. 



9,460 persons visited the Gardens in June. 



Armagh Naturai, History and Phii^osophicai^ Society. 



Junk 6th. — Field excursion to Ballybrawley stone circle and Navan 

 Fort. In spite of the great heat, the few members that assembled de- 

 termined to carry out the programme. On arriving at Ballybrawley it 

 was observed with regret that one of the large boulders forming the 

 circle was being broken up. If this course be persevered in there will 

 soon be no stone circle left. Proceeding from Ballybrawley to Navan 

 Fort, the party took a line across the country. Arrived at Navan Fort, 

 much speculation was indulged in as to the disposition of the ancient 

 town, if such it can be called. On the way home specimens were met 

 with, on the old road to Armagh, of Geraniiini pratensc, and its handsome 

 purple flowers were much admired. On the railway bridge at Bally- 

 brawley, a quantity of the pretty little Wall-rue i^Asplcnium ruta-murana) 

 was observed. Various insects were captured, the most noteworthy 

 being the Hemipteron, Calocoris roseoiiiaailatiis and the Orthopteron, Labia 

 minor. 



Junk 24th. — Field excursion to the souterraiu at Drummanmore. 

 This interesting relic of the early habitations lies about one and a-half 

 miles north-east from Armagh. It does not seem to be well known to 

 the inhabitants, and, consequently, it was hoped that a number would 

 be attracted to the excursion. However, but few assembled, but these 

 reaped the reward of their efforts. Mr. R. Pii,i<ow gave an account of 

 this interesting structure. The souterrain now opens towards the west, 

 and there is a passage rvmning from the side opposite the present entrance 

 in a south-eastern direction. This passage, Mr. Pillow informed the party, 

 was twenty-one feet in length, and opened into another chamber which 

 is now blocked up. The floor is covered with mud and earth, but appears 

 to have been considerably lower than at present. Mr. Pillow gave the 

 actual height as about seven feet, breadth about ten feet. It is hoped 

 that the Society will undertake the clearing out of the chamber and 

 passage, and no doubt leave could be obtained to excavate the second 

 chamber. Mr. Pillow read a passage from the "Tripartite Life of St. 

 Patrick," from which it appeared that a religious cell was established 

 east of Armagh by Crumtheris, one of a party of virgins who came to 

 visit St. Patrick. It was conjectured that this souterrain might have 

 had some connection with this lady's settlement. It is much to be re- 

 gretted that more of the members did not attend these excursions, and 

 it seems strange that none of the officers of the society were present on 

 either occasion, with the exception of the President. 



BKIvKAST NaTURAI^ISTS' F1KI.D ClvUB. 



Junk 24th. — Half-da}^ excursion to Blackhead, which was attended by 

 a party of over sixty. The basaltic rocks of the promontory claimed at- 

 tention, and a short lecture on the geology of the neighbourhood was 

 delivered by the President (Mr. Wm. Swanston, F.G.S.). A compliment 

 was paid to Mr. B. D. Wise, C.E., Engineer of the Northern Counties 

 railway, for the skill and good taste which he has displayed in the con- 

 struction of a path along the hitherto inaccessible base of the cliffs. 



