240 REPORT — ^1861. 



The above statements of tonnage relate solely to inward traffic, and not 

 outward. 



These facts not only justify the Dock Company in the steps they are now- 

 taking to extend the dock-space and wharfage-accommodation so imperatively 

 demanded, but will show the necessity of still further providing for the great 

 increase of space which, from the rapidly growing trade, and the increase in 

 number and size of our steam-ships, we may fairly anticipate will shortly be 

 wanted. 



To check and hold back the supply of necessary water-space is to produce 

 a retrograde effect; and not to meet the wants of the port is to encourage 

 any rivals who may be ambitious enough to attempt to take our trade from us. 



Great inconvenience has long been felt by steam-ship owners for want of 

 more extended accommodation. At present the total area of the dock is 

 under 43 acres for the whole of the shipping; but to give the facilities 

 required it ought to be double that amount. An extension of 17 acres is, 

 however, at once to be added to the present space in the construction of the 

 Western Dock, specially for the steam-shipping, in addition too of an enlarged 

 entrance tidal basin to be common to the Humber and Western Docks. 



Let therefore the Dock Company be true to its own real interests and those 

 of the port at large, and long delays and expensive conflicts in obtaining the 

 necessary accommodation for the rapidly increasing fleet of steamers will no 

 longer be known and felt, and Hull, which has long held the proud position 

 of the third British port, will still continue to maintain that honourable post. 



With the young and vigorous new blood recently imported into the directory 

 of the Company, and with its active, talented, and enterprising officers at the 

 head of its executive, the port asks for and expects extension of dock-space 

 and every modern and improved appliance, to facilitate all the varied opera- 

 tions, and to meet liberally all its rapidly growing wants. 



I have only to add that during the last ten years upwards of 120 steam- 

 ships have been built and equipped at the port of Hull, several of which are 

 from 1000 to 3000 tons burthen, reflecting the highest credit both on the 

 builders as well as on the port. 



Austrian Chambers, Hull, August 1861. 



Brief Summary of a Report on the Flora of the North of Ireland. 

 By Professor G. Dickie, M.D. 



The district to which the Report refers comprehends that part of Ireland 

 which lies to the north of a line passing to the west from Dundalk, em- 

 bracing ten entire counties and part of other two. 



The information respecting the native flora of this district has been derived 

 mainly from the following sources: — Dr. Mackay's 'Flora of Ireland ;' a 

 valuable list contributed by D. Moore, Esq., of the Glasnevin Botanic 

 Garden ; notes contributed by Mr. Hyndman, of Belfast ; the MSS. of the 

 late Mr. Templeton, of Cranmore, liberally placed at my disposal by Mrs. 

 Templeton ; and lastly, records of species observed by myself during ex- 

 cursions to different parts of the north of Ireland. 



Details will be given in the full Report for insertion in the next volume 

 of the Transactions of the Association. 



It will be sufficient here to give a summary of the results. The standard 

 adopted is the ' British Flora,' by Sir W. J. Hooker and Prof. Arnott; and 

 in order to bring out the botanical features of the district, the types of 

 Mr. Watson (in his ' Cybele Britannica ') afford the best means for comparison. 



