I9I4. 
hish Societies. 
159 
IRISH SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Recent gifts include a Rhesus Monkey from Miss Johnston, Badgers 
from Mrs. Sikes and Mr. R. H. M'Keown, a Palm Squirrel from Mrs. 
Cairnes, a Rabbit from Mr. B. Pringle, Bramblings from Prof. C. J. Patten 
and Mr. J. L. Dobbin, and three Peafowl from Miss Roe. Two male Lion 
cubs have been born, the parents being " Conn " and " Mitze." A Mous- 
tache Monkey, a Red -eared Monkey, and two White -nosed Monkeys from 
the Belgian Congo have been acquired by exchange. 
DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
March 3. — N. Colgan (President) in the chair. R. M. Barrington 
exhibited a number of interesting and rare birds, chiefly from light - 
stations ; after which W. B. Wright gave an address, illustrated by care- 
fully prepared blackboard diagrams, on " The Occurrence of Trees in 
Peat-Bogs." The lecturer traced the order in which the different kinds 
of trees had appeared, and correlated the succession with changes of 
sea-level and of climate, as well as with stages in the pre -historic human 
record. Prof. Henry, A. C. Forbes, R. M. Barrington, R. LI. Praeger, 
and the Chairman took part in the discussion. 
March 7. — Excursion to the Zoological Gardens. — About thirty 
members and friends collected inside the gate at 2.30 p.m., under 
the conductorship of Professors G. H. Carpenter, Dr. B. B. Ferrar, and 
Professor J. Bayley Butler. Delightful weather prevailed, and the 
gardens were seen to great advantage. Special demonstrations were 
given at the enclosure containing the Bisons, at the Monkey House (where 
the distinctions between the Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Orang-utan were 
carefully pointed out), at the Fish Hatchery, and at the Reptile House. 
By the hospitality of the President, tea was enjoyed in the Members' 
Room at the Haughton House. After tea a visit was paid to the Aye- 
aye, whose nocturnal habits forbade any earlier disturbance ; the inter- 
view with this curious animal was, however, very brief. 
April 21. — The concluding meeting of the winter session was held at 
the Royal Irish Academy House, the President in the chair. R. H. White - 
HOUSE, of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, delivered a lecture of great 
interest, illustrated with lantern slides, on "The Structure and Life- 
History of a Sea-Squirt." The history of the various discoveries and 
researches which had thrown light on the character of the Ascidians was 
told in chronological order, and special attention was drawn to the evidence 
pointing to a process of degeneration. A discussion followed, in which 
Professor Carpenter, W. F. Gunn, Miss Stephens, the President, and the 
Hon. Secretary took part, and the lecturer replied. Mr. Selbie exhibited 
a supposed larval form of one of the Hermit Crabs (Glaucothoe), and 
Mr. Whitehouse showed an ascidian {Ciona intestinalis). 
