I9I4. 
Irish Societies. 
basalt was examined. Amongst the mineral constituents pointed out 
were analcite, natrolitc, and chabazite, with crystals of calcite in cavities 
or pockets in the rock. 
Leaving the higher ground, the party then proceeded to Lisburn, where, 
after tea, a brief business meeting was held. Nevin H. Foster, M.R.I. A., in 
the chair. Five new members were proposed and duly elected. 
DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB. 
May 13. — The Club met at Leinster House, D. M'Ardle (Vice-President) 
in the chair. 
Dr. G. H. Pethybridge showed seedlings of celery plants having the 
pycnidia of the parasitic fungus Septoria petroselini var. apii on their 
cot^dedons. These seedlings were raised from celery " seeds " having 
pycnidia on their surfaces containing viable spores, and the assumption 
hitherto made that the leaf-spot disease of celery can be transmitted by 
sowing affected seed has now been proved to be well founded. 
Prof. G. H. Carpenter showed the maxilla of a new species of Machilid 
from the Seychelles, demonstrating the extreme complexity and beauty 
of the " brush " carried on the " head " of the inner lobe or lacinia ; the 
" brush " in this insect consists of more than fifty flexible spines, each 
slightly enlarged towards the tip, and then tapering to a delicate point. 
D. M'Ardle exhibited the peristome of Ceraiodon purpureus a moss 
which is conspicuous at this time of the year in exposed places on the 
Hill of Howth, where the material was recently collected ; it grows in 
large patches, yards in extent, and is attractive from a distance on account 
of the numerous bright red coloured seta or fruit stalks. It is evenly 
distributed in Ireland on wall -tops and barren ground. One slide showed 
a portion of the teeth, of which there are sixteen, deeply divided and 
composed of two differently coloured laminae, the outer one bright red, 
more solid and narrower than the inner one, which is yellow. The outer 
one is crossed by transverse ridges which are continuous at the base of 
the peristome, forming a broad ridge ; towards the apex they become 
more distant ; when mature the teeth become covered with minute 
spicules and the inner lamina shrivels up. A second slide showed the 
large annulus which is deciduous and has a double row of obovate cellules, 
sixteen cells in circumference and three or four cells thick Both parts 
of the peristome are noted by authors as beautiful microscopical objects. 
The name Ceratodon is derived from the horn-hke teeth which have been 
aptly compared to the horns of a goat. 
DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
April 25. — Excursion to the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. — About 
thirty members and friends took part in this excursion, the special object 
of which was to study the Alpine plants. Sir F. W. Moore acted as 
conductor, and earned the hearty thanks of the party by the care with 
which he explained the minutest points of interest, both at the Rock 
Garden and in the nurseries. 
