1914 
Irish Societies, 
119 
IRISH SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Recent gifts include two Kabbits from Mr. K. F. Millard, a Brambling 
from Mr. W. J. Williams, four Peafowl from Miss M. Rafter, and a pair 
of Sable Antelope horns from Mr. E. P. Roe. .\ Rhesus Monkey has 
been born in one of the open-air cages. The young female Gorilla continues 
in excellent health, and is growing taller and stouter. She plays actively 
with her companion Chimpanzee, whom she challenges to more or less 
friendly combats by drumming on her chest. 
BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
June 14, 191 3. — Excursion to the LACiAN Canal. — Under the guidance 
of R. H. Whitehouse and J. Maxwell, a party of thirty travelled along 
the canal from Hillsborough to Lisburn and collected numerous examples 
of freshwater animals which were subsequently demonstrated and classific d 
in the biological laboratory of the Queen's University, Belfast. 
July 26. — Excursion to Garron Point. — A small party, guided by 
R. Welch and Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse went by rail to Parkmore and 
thence drove to Garron Point, where the woods and cliffs were explored 
and the geological structure of the country studied. 
November 18. — The President (Rev. Canon Lett), delivered an 
address entitled " A chat about Linnaeus." He dealt with the life and 
work of the great Swedish naturalist, and especially with liis influence 
on the progress of natural science. Rev. C. H. Waddell and W^illiam 
Gray spoke on the paper, which was preceded by an exhibition of natural 
history and archaeological specimens. 
December 16. — The Vice-President (R. Ll. Praeger), in the chair. 
G. Livens read a paper on " Plants in relation to their surroundings," 
which dealt particularly with the alternation of generations as found in 
the main groups of the vegetable kingdom. 
February 17, 1914. — Professor Augustine Henry, M.A., F.L.S., 
M.R.I. A. (Royal College of Science for Ireland), read a paper on " The 
History of Irish Woods and Trees," before a large and representative 
audience. The chair w^as occupied by the President (Rev. Canon Lett). 
Professor Henry, in the course of his lecture, said the history of the woods 
of modern Ireland began after the Ice Age, and during this period all the 
vegetation and mould were destroyed, a barren, sterile soil being ever}^- 
where left. He explained the occurrence of the submarine forests, found 
all round the coast, and of the great forests in the peat, which were formed 
in the Neolithic period, at the time when the climate was drier than now. 
