324 C Proc « B.N.F.C., 



printing of such ; of necessity, however, these publications must 

 be intermittent. Our Proceedings continue to be much sought 

 after by other societies having objects similar to our own ; and 

 during the year new applications for exchanges have reached the 

 Secretaries from several British and Continental societies, and the 

 Club has received a considerable number of the publications of 

 other bodies. 



The Committee regret to record the fact that during the year 

 now closed the Club has lost a number of members by death — 

 perhaps a larger number than in any previous year. They would 

 point out the necessity which exists for the replacement, by new 

 members, of those who are removed by death and other causes. 

 The membership must necessarily be of a fluctuating character, 

 and on the addition of new members whose tastes are in harmony 

 with the objects for which the Club was established, much of its 

 prosperity and success must depend. Our society has its aims 

 comprehensive and well denned — the study of the various branches 

 of natural history as displayed in our own locality, and the eluci- 

 dation of the archaeology of the district. These objects we seek 

 to promote by practical methods, by field work during the summer 

 season, when outdoor meetings of the Club are held in the most 

 suitable localities for investigation ; and by evening meetings dur- 

 ing the winter season, when papers are read and the Club is made 

 acquainted with the conclusions arrived at by those members who 

 are working at special departments. It is to be regretted that 

 whilst Field Clubs are spreading extensively in England and Scot- 

 land, yet so little has been done in this direction in Ireland, whose 

 antiquities have surpassing interest, and whose fauna, flora, and 

 geology are such as to attract the special attention of some of the 

 most distinguished savans of other countries. There are, however, 

 indications of a desire for the establishment of Field Clubs in other 

 districts of Ireland, and doubtless it is only required that some 

 parties should undertake the labour of organisation in order to 





