Geological Society. 289 



Mr. Bicheno, the Secretary, read a paper On the Plant intended by 

 the Shamrock of Ireland, in which he attempted to prove by botani- 

 cal, historical, and etymological evidence, that the original plant was 

 not the white clover, which is now employed as the national emblem. 

 He stated that it would seem a condition at least suitable, if not neces- 

 sary, to a national emblem, that it should be something familiar to the 

 people, and familiar too, at that season when the national feast is 

 celebrated. Thus the Welsh have given the Leek to St. David, being 

 a favourite oleraceous herb, and the only green thing they could find 

 on the ist of March ; the Scotch on the other hand, vviiose feast is 

 in autumn, have adopted the Thistle. The white clover is not fully 

 expanded on St. Patrick's day, and wild specimens of it could hardly 

 be obtained at this season. Besides it was probably, nay almost 

 certainly, a plant of uncommon occurrence in Ireland during its early 

 history, having been introduced into that country in the middle of the 

 seventeenth century, and made common by cultivation. He then re- 

 ferred to several old authors to prove that the Shamrock was eaten bv 

 the Irish, and to one who went over to Ireland in the sixteenth cen- 

 tury, who says it was eaten and was a sour plant. The name also of 

 Shamrock is common to several Trefoils, both in the Irish and Gaelic 

 languages. Now clover could not have been eaten, and it is not 

 sour. Taking therefore all the conditions requisite, they are only 

 found in the Wood-sorrel, Oxalis acetosella. It is an early spring- 

 plant J it was, and is abundant in Ireland ; it is a trefoil ; it is called 

 Shnm-rog hy the old herbalists j and it is sour: while its beauty migiit 

 well entitle it to the distinction of being the national emblem. The 

 substitution of one for the other has been occasioned by cultivation, 

 which made the wood-sorrel less plentiful, and the Dutch clover 

 abundant. 



A paper was also read by Joshua Brookes, Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. 

 On the remarkable formation of the Trachea of the Egyptian Tan- 

 talus. This communication was illustrated by specimens. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Feb. 19. — At the Annual General Meeting of the Society, held 

 this day, the President, Professor Sedgwick, delivered the follow- 

 ing Address from the chair: — 



Gentlemen, 

 You have heard the report of the Council on the general state of 

 our Society, containing an account of its property and of its debts, 

 of the several sums received and expended during the last year, 

 and a careful estimate of all our resources for the current year. 

 You have also heard a separate report, from a select Committee, 

 respecting the various collections of our Museum, and the progress 

 which has been made in their arrangement. 



I cannot allow this opportunity to pass away without expressing 

 my hearty concurrence in the sentiments recorded by the Com- 

 mittee, and my admiration of the talents exhibited by our Curator, 

 in a task of no common difficulty and of almo.tt incredible labour. 



M.S'. Vol. 7. yio. 10. ylj»ll\H:',n. 2P At 



