Dublin University Zoological Association. 329' 



other northern forms, at considerable elevations on the Himalaya," 

 by Major Madden, H.E.I.C.S., F.R.S.E. This paper will appear in 

 the 'Annals of Natural History' and the Society's Transactions. 



2. "Remarks on British Plants, Part II.," byCharlesC. Babington, 

 M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S. This paper will appear in the 'Annals of 

 Natural History' and the Society's Transactions. 



Dr. Balfour stated that the Hypericum called H. anglicum had 

 been observed by him, in large quantity, apparently wild, on the banks 

 of the Glanmire river, near Cork. The plant had also been seen by 

 Mr. Sibbald, at Aghada, and Dr. Balfour exhibited a specimen picked 

 by him, near Culross, in July 1833, which seemed to be the same 

 plant. Another specimen gathered near Galway, in August 1838, 

 resembled the H. anglicum in the size of its petals, length of styles, 

 and form of capsule. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited a specimen of Matricaria maritima from 

 Marseilles, which seemed to differ in its remarkably pale phyllaries, 

 as well as in its leaves, capitulum, and habit, from any British form 

 he had seen. 



3. " On a remarkable Formation of a Stem-root in the decayed 

 trunk of a Willow," by John Lowe, Esq. Communicated by Dr. Bal- 

 four. A sketch was exhibited of a large willow in which a root had 

 been developed in a peculiar manner so as to form a main stem. 

 Mr. Lowe observed — " The tree (Salix viminalis) having become de- 

 cayed in the centre, a root had evidently been sent down by a por- 

 tion of the upper extremity of the tree, through the rotten sponge- 

 like substance which filled up the interior. Feeding upon this and 

 the moisture absorbed by it, the root at length reached the ground, 

 where it established a firm hold ; the circumference then died away, 

 until the root, now taking on the functions of the stem and becoming 

 entirely denuded, at length became the only support of the living 

 top. The remaining part of the periphery only acts as a mechanical 

 support. The circumference of the root-stem is 18 inches at top and 

 13 at the bifurcation, about 3 feet above the ground; it has latterly 

 taken on more stem-functions by putting forth several branches. The 

 tree is growing near Sleaford, where I have observed its progress for 

 some years." 



PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY IN IRELAND. 



An Association for the promotion of Practical Zoology has been 

 formed amongst the Under Graduates of Trinity College, Dublin, 

 with the approval of the Provost and board of senior Fellows : 

 this Association has for its special object the cultivation of Irish zoo- 

 logy, and presents in its constitution some striking peculiarities. The 

 number of ordinary members, all Under Graduates, is limited to 

 thirty-two, being as it were one for each county ; the limit being 

 designed to make the body more suited for working well together 

 than a larger corps would probably be. The desire to draw the 

 members from the different counties is with the view that when they 

 quit college, still remaining as corresponding members, they should 



Ann, Sf Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 2. Vol. xi. 22 



