112 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



After which the following paper was read : — 



Notice op the Occurrence in Ireland of Two Plants new to the 

 Irish Flora, Eriophorum alpinum and Acorus calamus. By David 

 Moore, Ph. D., P. L. S. 



I haye to-night the pleasure to produce specimens of Eriophorum alpi- 

 num, which were found growing in considerable abundance on the north 

 margin of Gurthavahra Lake, three miles west of Millstreet, county of 

 Cork, last October, by Henry J. Ryder, Esq. The specimens were sent 

 to me by Mr. John Sullivan, of the Queen's College, Cork, who received 

 them from the discoverer, Mr. Ryder. This is probably the most inte- 

 resting plant which has been added to the Irish Plora for many years. 

 Hitherto the only habitats known for it in the British Isles are two, 

 both of which are in Scotland, one near Porfar, the other near Suther- 

 landshire. In the former it has disappeared, in consequence of the lakes 

 having been drained where it grew. The new Irish locality will, there- 

 fore, be looked upon with much interest by British botanists. In Lap- 

 land and Norway it grows on low bogs and marshes, and in De Can- 

 dolle's "Botanicum Gallicum," it is stated to grow in "paludosis 

 vogesorum jurassi Alpium," &c. The county of Cork station is, there- 

 fore, intermediate, though the most westerly in Europe. It is also found 

 in North America. 



I have also to record another plant of nearly equal interest which has 

 been discovered during the present year in the north of Ireland, the 

 sweet flag, Acorus calamus. The discovery of it is due to Mr. Stewart, 

 of Belfast, who has of late years investigated the plants in his 

 neighbourhood with much ability and diligence. I saw the plant last 

 September growing in great profusion in the Lurgan Canal, between 

 Lisburn and Moira, where Mr. Stewart discovered it. Its principal 

 habitats in the British Isles are the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk ; 

 but Mr. W. Wilson, the famous muscologist, pointed it out to me in 

 September of last year growing near Warrington, in Lancashire. It 

 is one of the plants which has hitherto been supposed not to have crossed 

 the Irish Channel in its geographical range of distribution. 



Dr. H. R. de Ricci, Upper Merrion-street, was elected an Ordinary 

 Member of the Society. 



The meeting then adjourned. 



