below the escarpment of the hills might be very much increased, and that 

 on the whole the present water scheme was the best that could be adopted. 

 At the second meeting last winter, Mr. Stewart, in a short paper, gave an 

 account of some rare or overlooked species of plants found in this locality 

 during the past year, several of which have not hitherto been recorded as 

 occurring in the neighbourhood. He drew particular attention to the 

 water fennel (Ran unculus trichophyllus), which is to be found close to Belfast, 

 and which here produces floating leaves, a phenomenon of very rare occur- 

 rence, and observed only in Britain in one or two instances. He further 

 pointed out the distinctions of Ranunculus fluitans and Ranunculus pseuda- 

 fiuitans, found by members of the Club during the Excursion to Temple- 

 patrick. This station is said to be the only one in Ireland where the 

 former plant is really known to occur, and the latter is a new plant only 

 described within the last few years by the Rev. Mr. Newbould, and figured 

 by Syine, in his new edition of English botany, now publishing. Botanists 

 are divided in opinion as to the affinities of Ranunculus pseuda-fluitcma, aud 

 the position to be assigned it. Some, with Professor Babbington, con- 

 sider it a variety of Ranunculus hctcrophyllus, others, as Syme, hold it to be 

 a variety of Ranunculus peltat us, while Mr. Newbould believes it a distinct 

 species. The reader concurred with the latter, holding his to be the more 

 rational view, aud the one that will ultimately prevail. Specimens of those 

 plants were shewn, and also of Lecoq's Poppy, (Papaver Lecoqii), which was 

 stated to be of common occurrence in sandy fields about Belfast, though 

 hitherto, owing to its close resemblance to Papaver dubium, overlooked. 



Another rare British species, Barbarea intermedia, was shewn to be abun- 

 dant about Belfast, but, as in the last case, overlooked on account of 

 resemblance to one of its allies ; and further, a species was exhibited of the 

 Uierucium gothicum, discovered last summer near Cushendall, this being a 

 third locality in Ireland for this rare Hawkweed. Other plants of less note 

 were referred to. and the reader expressed his obligations to Professor 

 Babbington, Ralph Tate. F.G.S., and Alexander G. Moore, Esq., of Dublin, 

 for assistance kindly afforded in determining these difficult species. 



At the same meeting, Mr. J. W. Forrester, read a paper entitled, "Some 

 Remarks on a Stone in the Museum, said to be Con O'Neill's Tombstone." 

 This stone, which was shewn at our annual conversazione, has a beautifully 

 sculptured cross on its face, and some other rather ill-defined markings, 

 which have originated several speculations. The stone was found in the 

 wall of a cottier's old house, adjoiuiug the Moat House, in the townland of 

 Ballymechan, County Down. Mr. Forrester gave a full history of the 

 stone itself, and also the history of the celebrated Con O'Neill, and related 

 several anecdotes from the records of the time, and traditions, to illustrate 

 the character of that remarkable man. The two papers thus read on 

 different subjects, furnished matters for an interesting conversation, and 

 proved the wisdom of more frequently introducing papers of the kind, 

 which, being more suggestive than exhaustive, are very valuable, and such 

 as might be readily prepared by persons who have not the time to devote 

 to more elaborate essays. 



At the next meeting, on 25th January, 1866, Mr. W. H. Ferguson read 

 a paper on " The Geographical Distribution of Plants." 



The object aimed at by Mr. Ferguson was to draw attention to the 

 geographical grouping of plants, and to indicate the laws by which their 

 distribution is governed. He referred to the various families found 

 ted, forming more or less peculiar zones of vegetation, from the polar 

 circle to the equator. Reference was also made to the several plants which, 

 with their allies, distinguished the vegetation of North and South, and 

 gave to the floras of equal latitudes in either hemisphere general facies 

 peculiar to each. 



( in ' v. ii flora was also noticed as illustrating to some extent the law by 

 reason of which a change of plants always marks a difference of latitude 

 or a superior altitude. 



On Thursday the 8th March, Mr. Forrester, read a paper on " The 



