FOOT — ON HYMENOPHYLLUM WILSONI AND H. TTJNBIUDGENSE. Ill 



good conglomerates, consisting of quartz pebbles in a compact sandy 

 base. These grits form a bold escarpment, two miles or so in length, 

 and facing the south-east; interstratified with them are some thin 

 seams of coal, which were at one time worked. The top of the hill 

 is a rolling moor, abounding in grouse and hares. The Hymenophyllum 

 grows on the conglomerates. It was first observed by my friend Mr. 

 James Butler, E. M., of Boyle, who mentioned the circumstance tome, 

 and kindly conducted me to the place. There was one particular spot 

 where we found it growing in the greatest abundance ; this was in the 

 townland of Barnameenagh,* half a mile south of the summit, at a height 

 of 1 700 feet or so above the sea. Here the conglomerates and grits are 

 nearly horizontal, or dip slightly to the north-west. They are traversed 

 by little ravines and gorges, and deep gullies, worn out by weather and 

 rain. It is extremely beautiful to look down into these deep gullies, 

 with their walls tapestried and their floors carpeted with a rank vege- 

 tation, consisting of liverworts, mosses, and ferns, their different shades 

 of green contrasting most exquisitely. Conspicuous among them are the 

 unusually large fronds of Hymenophyllum Wilsoni and H. Tunbridgense, 

 the size being due to the shade and moisture of the locality. These 

 ferns may here be gathered mingled in mats of almost any size. In a 

 short time we collected as much as would carpet a small room. It was 

 very rarely in fruit, which is generally the case in shady places, but 

 there was enough to make sure of both species. I am not aware 

 that the Hymenophyllum has been hitherto recorded from the coal- 

 measure formation, though there is no reason why it should not occur 

 there. At all events, conglomerate seems to be its favourite rock, 

 whatever may be its geological age. This new station is also interest- 

 ing, as extending the range of the plant. I sent some fine specimens to 

 Dr. Moore, who has at my request brought some of it here to verify my 

 record. 



Dr. Moore said, in reference to Mr. Foot's paper, that it was a 

 matter for congratulation that Mr, Foot continues his observations on 

 the rarer plants he meets whilst prosecuting his geologicaljresearches, 

 and embodies them from time to time in notes which he sends us. At 

 some future period these notes, as published in our " Proceedings," will 

 become useful for some future compiler of our Irish Flora. With regard 

 to the luxuriant examples mentioned by Mr. Foot, now on the table, it 

 will be observed that both our native species, Hymenophyllum Wilsoni 

 and H. Tunhridgense, are mixed together in the mass — hence the more 

 luxuriant appearance, H. Tunlridgense being a larger plant, when it 

 grows freely, fhaniZ". Wilsoni. Both plants were in fruit, consequently 

 easily distinguished from each other. 



Ordnance Sheet 21, Leitrh 



