254 
The Irish NaUtralut. 
December, 1914. 
was shown in full flower, and in the same bog the local Cavduus pratensis 
was seen to be growing plentifully, and Habenaria chloroleuca was also 
found. Arriving at Lough Bray, the party walked (by special permission) 
along the north shore of the Lower Lake, and lunched under the trees 
fringing its western corner. A somewhat hurried dash was then made for 
the Upper Lake, where the effects of ice action were explained by J. de W. 
Hinch, and Isoetes Morei was recognised in abundance in the shape of 
drift. The return drive was made via Powerscourt Demesne. A halt was 
made at Fassaroe, where Mrs. Barrington entertained the party to tea, 
and a visit to the IMuseum, where so many of the rarest Irish birds are on 
view, was afterwards much appreciated. 
CORK NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 
September 19. — Excursion to Vernonmount. — Sixteen members 
and friends walked from Douglas to Vernonmount, by Inch Lane and 
Vernonmount Glen. John Griffin, who conducted, gave a " chat " on 
wayside plants, on the way. The grounds at Vernonmount were visited 
by permission of Mrs. Lane. An old but well-preserved Cedar of Lebanon 
was a conspicuous object. In the days of the old Royal Cork Institution, 
many species of plants, some of which are still represented there, were 
introduced into Vernonmount and Ballyphehane bogs, which are situated 
near what were then the Botanic Gardens. Owing to the inaccessibility 
of the bogs on the occasion of the visit, members were unable to investigate 
their flora. Vernonmount was the residence of Sir Henry Hayes, who 
was transported to Botany Bay in 1801. In " The Irish in Australia," 
by J. F. Hogan, the extraordinary statement is made concerning him 
that he banished snakes from his home near Sydney, by surrounding it 
by Irish earth, specially imported in barrels. 
