240 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



(Armagh) to represent the Club on the approaching meeting 

 of the British Association ; or, in the event of Mr. Robinson 

 being unable to attend that meeting, to authorise the chairman 

 to appoint a deputy. The business being thus terminated. Dr. 

 Beck, referring to the hospitality the party had received at Coole 

 Glebe, moved — " That the very best thanks of the meeting be 

 given to their host and hostess." The motion, having been 

 supported by Mr. Mann Harbison, was passed by acclamation. 

 Mr. Smythe briefly expressed the pleasure it gave him to see 

 so many fellow-members at the Glebe, and was much gratified 

 if he had added anything to the interest or pleasure of the ex- 

 cursion. Leaving Coole Glebe, the party took the road leading 

 to Whiteabbey, where it was intended to visit the ruins of the 

 old abbey from which the place takes its name. Time would 

 not, however, permit, and the party returned to town by rail, 

 after a most enjoyable afternoon. 



On 18th September, to 



SHANE'S CASTLE FOR A FUNGUS FORAY. 



This excursion had been looked forward to with more than 

 the usual pleasant anticipations by the members. Its chief 

 feature was suggested at one of the winter meetings, when a 

 valuable paper was read on "Fungi, Mushrooms and Toadstools, 

 Disease, Blight, and Food-producing Plants." In the discussion 

 which followed the paper, it was proposed that special promi- 

 nence should be given during the summer to this rather 

 neglected but highly important department of botany. The 

 announcement, therefore, of a Fungus Foray on the historic 

 grounds of Shane's Castle was calculated to draw a good atten- 

 dance, but the officers of the Club scarcely expected so many 

 as sixty members and friends to respond to their call. The 

 9.50 a.m. train conveyed the party to Randalstown, where the 

 extensive demesne was entered ; and shortly after a halt was 



