A NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



the promotion of Natural History, more especially that of Ireland," 

 which the Council thought, if carried out, would he found advantageous. 



The Eeport was adopted. 



The Treasurer reported that the state of the finances was satisfactory, 

 and that there was a balance at the Society's credit. 



Notice was then given of the recommendation from Council referred 

 to in the Report, as to the alteration in Rule I., to be submitted for 

 adoption at next general meeting of the Society. 



The following extract from a letter from F. J. Foot, Esq., G. S. I., 

 Corresponding Member, addressed to Mr. Archer, Honorary Secretary, 

 was then read : — 



" If time would admit, I should be obliged if you would mention the 

 two following facts, at the meeting of the Natural History Society, on 

 Friday evening : — First — The occurrence of Cystopteris fragilis on an 

 old wall, in the townland of Clare, twelve miles E. N. E. of Athlone. 

 This is interesting, as extending the range of this Fern in Ireland. It 

 grows plentifully in Burren, and I traced it thence eastward to a point 

 near Scariff. It also grows on the Tralee mountains. I enclose a plant 

 of Cystopteris from the new place ; it is probably the variety dentata. 

 Second — The occurrence of Digitalis purpurea on the limestone near 

 Athlone, and to the north of Mullingar. All the old Floras and old bo- 

 tanists dogmatically tell us that Digitalis avoids the limestone. Doubt- 

 less it is always more plentiful on sandstone and clay formation, but it 

 is a mistake to suppose that it does not grow on limestone. It is very 

 abundant about Mullingar ; it also occurs occasionally in Burren." 



Mr. Archer said that, as no Dublin or "Wicklow locality for Cystop- 

 teris fragilis occurs in Professor Kinahan's list of Irish Ferns, published 

 in our " Proceedings" in 1 858, it might be of some interest to state that 

 he had last summer found it close to Maulin Mountain, county Wicklow. 

 "What seemed to be the variety dentata grew side by side with the ordi- 

 nary form. It would, perhaps, be interesting to botanists to know that 

 this Fern existed near Dublin. 



The ballot then closed, when the following gentlemen were declared 

 elected : — 



Patron — His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin. 



President — "William Andrews, M. R. I. A. 



Vice-Presidents — Sir Edward Borough, Bart, M. R. I. A. ; Robert 

 Callwell, M.R.I.A.; C. P. Croker, M. D., M. R. I. A. ; Rev. Samuel 

 Haughton, F. T. C. D., F. R. S., M. R. I. A. 



Council — H. M. Barton, Richard Boyle, George Dixon, William 

 Frazer, M. D. ; John Good, William Hodges, Maziere Johnston, Thomas 

 Kift, William Maziere, George B. Owens, M. D. ; George Porte, 

 M. R. I. A. ; Gilbert Sanders, M. R. I. A. ; Joseph Todhunter. 



Honorary Treasurer — R. P. Williams, M. R. I. A. 



Honorary Director of Museum — Robert J. Montgomery. 



Honorary Secretaries — J. R. Kinahan, M. D., F. L. S., M. R. I. A. ; 

 William Archer. 



