1913-1914.] 



-3 



had brought into a foremost place our knowledge of the Zoology 

 of the Belfast district, and possibly the less worked kindred 

 sciences were held to claim attention next. But notable work 

 has been done by Club members in various zoological groups, 

 such as that of Wright and Malcomson on the Foraminifera and 

 Ostracoda, and more recently that of Welch and Stelfox on the 

 Land- and Fresh-water Mollusca. 



In Archaeology it was members of this Club, such as W. J. 

 Knowles, William Gray, and W. H. Patterson who first drew 

 attention to the implement-bearing raised beaches of the district, 

 which are now so widely known; and much of the knowledge which 

 we possess of the magnificent series of Neolithic remains, for which 

 the North-east of Ireland is famous, is due to the work of our 

 members. The Club has also performed a useful service in 

 restoring and re-erecting certain monuments, such as town crosses, 

 which had long ago been broken and scattered. 



When the British Association met in Belfast in 1874, it was 

 suggested by the Club Committee that a local scientific guide- 

 book should be prepared. This was carried out by the members, 

 and it achieved a marked success — so much so that the example 

 then set in Belfast has been followed at each subsequent meeting. 

 The more recent meeting held in Belfast in 1908 was made the 

 occasion for the production by the Club of a fresh work of the 

 same kind, which forms the standard book of reference in every- 

 thing relating to local science. 



Such, ladies and gentlemen, is in brief the record of the 

 Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. I think that it is an honourable 

 record, and I feel sure that you will join with me in wishing the 

 Club another fifty years of useful work and of successful scientific 

 investigation. 



Professor James Wilson, Delegate from the Royal Dublin 

 Society, said : — Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen — I come 

 here from a society which is a little older than your society. I 



