564 C Proc - B.N.F.C., 



species were often present in or absent from a district. Ireland 

 could be divided into several botanical districts, the features of 

 which he would next describe. Of the north-eastern district — 

 Antrim, Down, and Derry — he need not speak, as it was well 

 known to the members of this Club. South of this area 

 stretched the central plain of Ireland, a great tract of low-lying 

 limestone, extending from Dublin to Galway, and from the 

 Cavan uplands south to the mountain wall of the Galtees. This 

 was a land of vast bogs, of marshes, and pasturage, with low, 

 cultivated ridges, and in certain districts extensive lakes. 

 Lantern slides were shown illustrating the features of the central 

 plain, and specimens were exhibited of its characteristic plants. 

 The south east likewise formed a tolerably distinct area, 

 characterised by the great granite chain of Leinster, and by a 

 calcifuge or lime-avoiding flora. The southern and western 

 coasts of Ireland formed the most interesting botanical district 

 in Ireland, for here were gathered together those Pyrenean and 

 American plants of which he had spoken. It was pointed out 

 how the west coast naturally divided itself into five sub-districts 

 according to the prevalence of calcareous or non-calcareous 

 rocks, and the physical and botanical characteristics were 

 demonstrated by lantern slides and specimens. 



Turning now to the subject of botanical research in Ireland 

 a brief sketch was given of the history of Irish botany, from the 

 time when Caleb Threlkeld compiled the first Irish flora in 

 1726 down to the present day. The most recent work, the 

 second edition of " Cybele Hibernica," divided the country into 

 twelve districts, and showed the distribution of each plant 

 according to this scheme. A much more accurate knowledge 

 of plant-distribution was, however, requisite for the purposes of 

 the phytogeographer. Maps were shown illustrating how H. C 

 Watson had sub-divided England, Scotland, and Wales, into 

 112 divisions, and how, on similar lines, the lecturer had sub- 

 divided Ireland into 40 divisions. What was wanted then to 

 render our knowledge of Irish plant-distribution complete was 

 full lists of the plants growing in each of these 40 divisions. 



