ON RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PORT OF DUBLIN. 167 



the New Zealand insects, feed. This remarkable species of Emballonuridse 

 constitutes a distinct group of that family, but has its nearest allies in the 

 species of the group Molossi. Its fancied relationship to the Phyllostomidse 

 of the Neotropical region (as set forth by Mr. R. F. Tomes) is altogether 

 illusory, as it depends only on the agreement between it and the species 

 of that family in possessing a third phalanx in the index finger, which is 

 related, as I have shown,* to the peculiar manner in which the wing is 

 folded in repose, and occurs not only in this species, but also in some of 

 the larger species of Molossi. 



A review of the above-stated facts shows : — 



1. That the Chiroptera, though possessing exceptional powers of loco- 

 motion, and therefore of dispersal, appear to be almost as strictly limited 

 by certain barriers as other orders of Mammalia. 



2. That while the geographical distribution of the families, genera, and 

 species of this order on the whole adds further remarkable confirmation 

 of the accuracy of the division of the earth into six zoological regions as 

 defined by Mr. Sclater and subsequently adopted by Mr. Wallace, the 

 peculiar distribution of the most highly organised and distinct, as well as 

 of the largest genus, namely, Pteropus, adds additional strength to the 

 views of those who, in consideration of the very peculiar nature of the 

 fauna of Madagascar, feel disposed to form with it and the adjoining 

 islands a seventh zoological region, to which Mr. Sclater's name " Lemuria" 

 has been applied. 



On Recent Improvements in the Port of Dublin. By Bindon B. 

 Stonet, M.A., M.R.I. A., M. Inst. C.E., Engineer of the Dublin 

 Port and Docks Board. 



[Plates I., II., and III.] 



[A communication ordered by the General Committee to be printed in extenso 



among the Reports.] 



The trade of few harbours in the United Kingdom has made greater 

 relative progress within the last twenty years than that of Dublin. This, 

 no doubt, is mainly due to the increased prosperity of the country as a 

 whole, but it may also be attributed in great measure to the convergence 

 of the main fines of internal traffic to Dublin, which has thus naturally 

 become more and more the mart and emporium for a great portion of 

 Ireland. During this period of twenty years the tonnage entering the 

 port has much more than doubled. In 1857 it amounted to 880,844 tons, 

 and last year it rose to 1,973,781 tons, while during the current year 

 there is a good promise that it will surpass the 2,000,000 limit. For the 

 sake of comparison I have placed in a tabular form the tonnage of Liver- 

 pool and Glasgow, as well as those of the three principal ports in Ireland, 

 for the three years preceding 1858 and 1878 respectively, so as to give 

 fair averages of their respective rates of progress within the last twenty 

 years. 



From this table it will be observed that while the tonnages of Liver- 

 pool and Glasgow have respectively increased fifty per cent, in the last 



* P. Z. S., I. c. 



