PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 285 



tive, raiifjinii- tliroui^li lins, jrreensand, and chalk, with the usual capping of 

 basalt, which also bursts through the sedimentary rocks in the form of 

 dykes. On the debris of the qunrries two rare plants were found, viz. 

 Lithospermuiii officinale and Orobanchf rubra, the latter on the roots of the 

 wild Thyme {Thy m us Serpyllum^. Those present had a good opportunity 

 of verifying the fact, as the plants were easily dug out of the loose debris 

 and the connection observed. In the Deer Park, not far from the 

 quarries, is the only Irish habitat for the Musk Moschatel {Arh.vri mosclia- 

 tellinn). It grows here in small quantity, and completely hidden under 

 large blocks of stone. It has been known in this station for forty years 

 at least, and is evidently quite wild, there not being a trace of any intro- 

 duced plants in the Park, save the trees so recently planted. It hnd 

 been announced that at this excursion the habitat of a rare Fern would 

 be indicated, and a special prize was ottered by one of the members for the 

 first specimen discovered, one of the conditions being that none of the 

 plants were to be removed. Accordingly, on leaving the quarries the party 

 were taken higher up the hill, and the field was pointed out in vvhich the 

 Moonwort (^Botrychium Lvnariu) grows very sparinglv. This rare little 

 fern only grows to a heighl of two to four inches, ancl is usually hidden 

 by the Grass and other larger plants ; consequently the contest was a 

 pretty severe test of keenness of sight and powers of observation. In a 

 short time the rain commenced agnin to pour down in torrents, accom- 

 panied with thunder and lightning, so that the search had to be continued 

 under shelter of umbrellas. Ultimately Mr. F. A. Lockwood was declared 

 the winner, and the prize (Seemaini's ' British Ferns at One View ') was 

 handed to him by the chairman of the day, Rev. George Robinson, A.M. 

 The Adder's-tongue Fern was plentiful in the same field, and also the 

 Yellow-oat Grass {JFrisetum Jlavescens). Specimens were also collected 

 here of the Frog Orchis {Habenaria viridls) and of the greater Butterfly 

 Orchis {H. cJilorrinthn) . The party now pursued their course to the 

 summit of the mountain, visiting the well-known MacArt's Fort and the 

 caves. A rare species of Hawkweed, Ilieracium anglicum, was found 

 plentifully on the cliffs, as also the Red-broom Rape, already noticed. 

 The Filmy Fern {HyinenrxfihyUnni.) is said to have been found on this 

 part of the hill, but time did not allow of any search for it. 



Chemico-Aqricultural Society of Ulster. — June 16///. — 

 Thomas Baldwin, Esq., Superintendent of the Agricultural Department 

 of National P](lucation, made an oral communication on " The Culture 

 of Suirar Beet in Ireland." From what he had seen in France, Germany, 

 and Belgium, he believed that in Ireland there were 6,000,()(J0 acres 

 suitable tor its growth in the regular rotations so far, at least, as soil was 

 concerned. The beet, however, might contain n large proportion of sac- 

 charine matter, and yet not be very profitable for nuuuifncturing purposes ; 

 for, if it contained too nuieh saline matter, the saccliarine matter would 

 be prevented from crystallizing. He took a great deal of pains to C9m- 

 pare the climate of Iklgium with that of Ireland. He compared the 

 returns of the rainfall and temperature obtained in Brussels witii those of 

 Dublin for ten years, and lie found that in the summer season the average 

 temperature of Brussels was about two degrees higher than that of Dub- 

 lin ; while the average winter temperature of Dublin was two degrees 



