6 



On 13th February, a Meeting was held for the Exhibition of Microscopes 



and Microscopic objects. 

 27th Feb. — Three Papers were read, namely : 



"A run through Galway with a Vasculum," by Mr. S. A. Stewart. 



" Vegetable Parasites," by Mr. W. H. Ferguson. 



"A notice of recently observed Glacial Markings near Belfast," 

 by Mr. William Gray 

 12th Mar. — "The Isle of Wight: its Natural History, History and 



Advantages as a Health resort," by Mr. H. Knight. 

 20th Mar. — "A Gossip about Old Belfast," by Mr. J. W. Forrester. 

 16th April—" The Iron Mines of Antrim," by J. Holden, M.D. 



A detailed account of the Excursions, and abstracts of the 

 Papers read before the Society, is appended. 



Your Committee desire to acknowledge the kindness of the 

 Council of the Natural History Society, in having granted the 

 Club the use of the Rooms at the Museum, for the past Session, 

 upon very moderate terms, as heretofore, and hope that circum- 

 stances will allow the continuance of those arrangements so 

 favourable to the interests of your Society. 



Your Committee would again remind the Members, that one 

 of the chief objects of the Club is to cultivate Scientific observ- 

 ation, and to record its results ; and that every member should 

 consider himself and herself bound to bring before the meetings 

 of the Club, either verbally, or in the form of a short Paper, such 

 information as they may from time to time acquire, in the several 

 branches of study, which it is our province to investigate. 



This year there were two competitors for the Prizes offered 

 by the Club for collections. The Prize for the best collection of 

 Cretaceous Fossils was awarded to Mr. Swanston, who collected, 

 during the year, 61 species and 4 varieties* ; and the Prize for 

 the best collection of Marine Shells was awarded to Mr. Donald- 

 son, who collected 126 species. 



Considering the excellent opportunities existing in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Belfast for making those collections, your Committee 



* In awarding this Prize, the Judges desire to state that Mr. Swan- 

 ton's collection not only deserves the award as a good representative 

 of the local Cretaceous Fanna, but also merits special commendation 

 for elegance of arrangement. 



