1914-1915] I ^ r 



used and is called " Stuck." A species of Dodder {Cuscuta 

 Epithymuni) was found on the sand-hills at Kirkistown covering 

 the sward in one place with its beautiful rosy-white flowers. This 

 is the second habitat known for this plant in Co. Down, the other 

 being near Killard Point. In both places it seems native and 

 has no appearance of being an introduction. 



The second meeting was held on the ioth March, when a 

 very important paper was read by Miss M. W. Rea on " Seaweeds." 

 Miss Rea pointed out that, in the Marine Algae, colour forms the 

 first basis of classification. One group is known as Chlorophycca or 

 green seaweeds, one as Phaeophycece, or brown seaweeds, in which 

 the chlorophyll is masked by a brown colouring matter, and one 

 as Rhodophycece, or red seaweeds. The chlorophyll in this case is 

 obscured by a red pigment, which enables the seaweed to live at 

 a much greater depth than would otherwise be the case. Sea- 

 weeds have no true roots, but are attached to a substratum by a 

 disc or branching fibres. Although Seaweeds are lower in organ- 

 ization than Mosses and Liverworts, in each group may be found 

 species which have the appearance of highly-developed leafy 

 plants, e.g. Desmarestia among the browns, and Delesseria among 

 the reds. Some interesting facts were noted in connection with 

 Ulva and allied genera. A few remarks were made on the 

 Laminaria and a brown one {Colpomenid) recently discovered in 

 the South of England. The difference between the Summer and 

 Winter appearance of some Seaweeds was commented upon. In 

 this connection mention was made of the fact that like land-plants, 

 there are annual, biennial and perennial Seaweeds. The paper 

 closed with some comments on the difference which habitat makes 

 in the same species, the power which Seaweeds have of recovering 

 from injury, and a short account of the various economic uses 

 which they may serve. 



During the Summer Session the Section was well represented 

 at all the Club's Excursions, and good results were obtained. Two 

 of the best finds of the season were made by Mr. N. H. Foster, 



