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



and corresponding member, Dr. J. S. Holden, now of Sudbury, 

 then Mr. J. S. Holden. These classes were held in the old 

 Anatomical department of the Academical Institution. It is 

 unnecessary to refer further to the development which ensued 

 of the various Science Classes in Belfast and its neighbourhood, 

 and which have been so ably and successfully conducted by 

 Mr. Robert Barklie and others of our members. 



The practical outcome of the introduction of Science Classes 

 in Belfast, was that Mr. Tate's marked ability in imparting 

 instruction, and the novelty and fascination of attending his 

 field lectures, soon gathered around him a band of earnest, 

 active workers, who imbibed from him that thorough investi- 

 gative love of nature, which was so characteristic of him ; and 

 amongst whom are to be found those to whom our Club owes 

 its origin. Having now to some extent reviewed the work 

 accomplished by other organisations, we come to the subject in 

 which we are most interested, that of the origin of the Belfast 

 Naturalists' Field Club. 



In the month of January, 1863, a letter appeared in the 

 columns of the Northern Whig, as follows : — 



" FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUBS." 

 "Sir, — An earnest desire to awaken the Naturalists of this town, especially the 

 young ones, to the want of a ' Field Naturalists' Club,' in this our Northern Athens, 

 and which I sincerely hope will not continue long, has induced me to trouble you with 

 this letter. Field Naturalists' Clubs are formed for the furtherance of Natural History by 

 means of excursions in the Summer to some well-known provincial locality rich in 

 Nature's beauties and wonders, there to observe, collect, and admire. The locality selected 

 for an excursion is generally rich in the subject or branch of Natural History, for which 

 the object of the excursions is intended, and the members are always accompanied by 

 some of the local eminent Naturalists, who lecture to them on the subject of the day's 

 excursion. Prizes are also awarded to the party who succeeds in collecting and 

 arranging the largest variety of specimens in the day's excursion, and season prizes for 

 the best collection in every branch at the end o( the season. Throughout the Winter, 

 meetings are held in the lecture room. Clubs of this kind are now quite common in 

 England, the most prosperous being in Manchester and Liverpool, each having from be- 

 tween 600 to 700 members ; and one of the chief causes, as stated in the report, of their 

 great rise and popularity, is the admission of lady members, whose presence doubles the 

 enjoyment both of rural rambles and scientific investigation. We have a Natural History 

 and Philosophical Society, which supplies a want for our older and more enlightened 



