624 [ Proc - B.N.F.C. 



seems very small, although it has taken 40 years to collect 

 together the parts of which it is composed. But what amount 

 of figures could tell of all the happiness that has been con- 

 nected with the ferns, whose stories I have been telling ; 

 happiness to myself and others, the pleasant days, the merry 

 hours ; hours of pain forgotten ; hours in which, when alone, 

 the soul winging itself from the material things around, has 

 flown up on bright thoughts to the blessed world whence it 

 came. 



12 April. 



The last meeting of the Session was held at the Museum, 

 J. M. Dickson, Esq., in the chair. During the half-hour gossip 

 the structural details of Belemnites, Ammonites and Nautili 

 were discussed and illustrated by a series of instructive speci- 

 mens collected by the members. 



At 8 o'clock the formal meeting commenced when Mr. 

 William Gray, M.K.I. A., submitted his report as delegate to 

 the Dover meeting of the British Association. The Belfast 

 Naturalist's Field Club is one of the corresponding societies 

 connected with the British Association which undertakes local 

 scientific investigations, and publishes notices of the results. A 

 conference of delegates is held at each meeting of the Associa- 

 tion at which matters relating to the work done by the local 

 societies are discussed, also the promotion of more systematic 

 observations and plans of operation, and greater uniformity in 

 the mode of publishing results. Mr. Gray, having referred to 

 the work done and the proposed improved arrangements for 

 the accommodation of the Annual Conference of Delegates, 

 reported on the steps taken by the Field Club for inviting the 

 British Association to Belfast, and the favourable reception 

 given to the deputation from Beltast at the Dover meeting of 

 the General Committee of the British Association. 



