9 2 



butterflies. A step higher, fishes were represented; and above 

 these were the reptiles, including frogs, lizards, and serpents. The 

 latter department included a splendid stuffed specimen of the 

 formidable boa constrictor, coiled up in concentric rolls, with the 

 head radiating from the centre fold like the axle of a wheel. Above 

 the reptiles were placed admirably -stuffed birds of various hues. 

 Over these were ranged the mammals, represented by the deer, 

 lion, &c. On the top, below man, was represented the monkey 

 tribe. Thus, the animal group exhibited in its construction a 

 complete gradation, in perfect imitation of nature, from the very 

 simplest and most elementary forms of animal life to the highest 

 and most complicated developments — from the zoophyte to the 

 human species. Mr. Gray exhibited samples of coal from Bally- 

 castle and Tyrone, and lignite from Ballintoy and the Giant's 

 Causeway. These specimens were used in illustration of his paper 

 on County Antrim lignite, read before the Club. He also exhibited 

 a series of rock specimens, being a contribution for a collection of 

 Irish rocks for the museum of the Natural History Society. Mr. 

 Gray also contributed specimens of rock brought up by the diamond- 

 boring apparatus from depths reaching down to 1,000 feet. The 

 action of this wonderful borer is somewhat analogous to that of a 

 grocer's cheese-piercer. Mr. Swanston exhibited a beautiful col- 

 lection of rare ferns, for which he obtained the Club's prize. A 

 large number of extremely interesting microscopic objects were 

 shown by some very powerful microscopes. These were presided 

 over by the Rev. Dr. Macllwaine, Dr. Burden, Messrs. Anderson, 

 Swanston, Patterson, Charley, Robinson, and Gray. Mr. Young 

 contributed some curious specimens of early printing. Messrs. 

 Lockwood and Doubleday exhibited some beautiful water-colour 

 sketches ; and Dr. James Moore, H.R.H.A., a few masterly 

 sketches, delineating, with bold power and truthfulness, the natural 

 characteristics of rugged mountain scenery. Mr. Wright exhibited 

 a series of fossils procured from the chalk rocks of the County 

 Antrim, and which were similar in character to those dredged by 

 Dr. Carpenter, the illustrious Registrar of the London University, 

 and Dr. Wyville Thomson, from the deep sea. Mr. W. J. Knowles 



