126 
dark night in February last, he was struck with a luminous 
appearance in the earth, when disturbed to the depth of three 
or four inches; the light proceeded from numerous distinct 
points, and lasted for more than a minute after its first ap- 
pearance. On carrying home some of the phosphorescent 
earth, Dr. Allman was enabled to trace the phenomenon in 
question to the presence of numerous living individuals of 
Anurophorus fimetareus, from each of which there proceeded 
in the dark a faint but very evident emanation of light. 
Specimens of the insect preserved alive in a glass phial con- 
tinued for many nights to exhibit this beautiful phenomenon, 
which was also witnessed by Dr. Stokes and Mr. Haliday, as 
well as by numerous other friends, whose attention was di- 
rected to it by Dr. Allman. The light could not be traced 
to any definite point in the insect. The Anurophorus was very 
abundant on the hill, and subsequent observations proved, 
that the dark peaty soil which abounds in some places on 
Howth was almost the only part of this district from which 
it could be affirmed to be absent. 
May 12ru, 1851. 
JOHN ANSTER, LL. D., Vick-PreEsipENT, 
in the Chair. 
Francis Copp, Esq.; Rev. Johnston Brydges Sayers; Vin- 
cent Scully, Esq.; and Robert D. Lyons, Esq., M. B.; were 
elected Members of the Academy. 
The special thanks of the Academy were given to Pierce 
Morton, Esq., for his donation of an old manuscript copy of 
the Domesday Book, in seven volumes folio, formerly the pro- 
perty of Dr. Charles Morton. 
A stone ball, found in the Lower Castle Yard, was pre- 
sented to the Museum by Captain Williams ; and the episcopal 
seals of Dr. Elrington, successively Bishop of Limerick, and 
