35 



On 12th March, Mr. H. Knight read a Paper on 



THE ISLE OF WIGHT : ITS NATURAL HISTORY, 



HISTORY, AND ADVANTAGES AS A 



HEALTH RESORT. 



Me. Knight gave a most interesting description of the Island, 

 dwelling more particularly on its Natural History. He mi- 

 nutely described its geological features, and, taking his hearers 

 on an imaginary excursion all round the Island, he introduced 

 them to the several points of interest, either to the Botanist, 

 Geologist, Archaeologist, or the ordinary tourist, and illustrated his 

 Paper by Diagrams and a profusion of Photographic views. 



On 26th March, Mr. J. W. Forrester read a Paper, entitled— 



" A GOSSIP ABOUT OLD BELFAST." 



As it was intended to have this very interesting review of the 

 History of Belfast published in another form, it was considered 

 that the short abstract which could only be included here would 

 not do justice to^the subject. 



On the 16th April, the Session was closed by Dr. Holden, of 

 Glenarm, who read a Paper on 



THE IRON MINES OF ANTRIM. 



The Iron Mines of Antrim occur in the two extremes of the 

 geological formations of the county — viz., the Basalt above and 

 the Carboniferous Limestones below. The intermediate strata 

 under the Basalt are : the Hard White Limestone, then the Green- 

 sand, the blue clays of the Lias, the Keupar Marls, and a small 

 appearance of the Coal measure. 



In an economic point of view all these rocks have been more 

 or less utilised. The Basalt, from its decomposition, forms the 



