42 



Anglican ecclesiastical architecture, Mr. Gray referred to 

 numerous examples, and stated that the study of those petrified 

 ideas of the past, and the historical associations with which 

 they stand connected, would embrace the whole history of the 

 world, and that the peculiarities and national characteristics of 

 all nations are impressed upon the architectural monuments 

 they have left behind. Thus, the stern massiveness of Carnac 

 and Luxor tells of the rigid rule of the Egyptian priesthood. 

 The ruined temples of Greece reflect the intellectual refinement 

 of the Greek. The ostentation, ambition, and rain glory of 

 Rome may yet be perceived in her architectural remains ; and 

 the unrivalled compositions of Gothic art, show forth the 

 romantic devotion of the mediaeval Christian. Mr. Gray hav- 

 ing thus traced the history of architecture from the earliest 

 time to the present, and pointed out the peculiarities of style, 

 construction, and expression, that distinguished the architecture 

 of the several nations, closed his lecture by comments on the 

 several modifications of former styles that now prevail. 



The Ninth Meeting of the Society was held at the Museum, 

 on Thursday Evening, 21st March. 



Mr. W. H. Ferguson, one of the secretaries, read a paper on 

 " The Flora of Ireland, with special reference to Ulster," com- 

 municated by Ralph Tate, Esq., F.G.S., F.A.S., Associate of 

 the Linnean Society, <fec. Mr. Tate stated the object of his 

 paper to be : — 



1. To give a short review of the Cybde Hibernica, a very im- 

 portant work on the flora of Ireland, lately issued under the 

 auspices of the British Association, and to submit his own 

 Criticisms thereon. 



2. To lay before the club some ideas as to the origin of the 

 Irish flora. 



3. To direct the attention of local botanists to additions that 

 have been made since the publication of the Cybele. 



The British Association, at the meeting held in Bath, ap- 

 pointed a committee of seven gentlemen, for the purpose of in- 



