Proceedings of Irish Societies. 



37 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD OLUB. 



December 20.— The second meeting of the winter session was held in 

 the Museum, College-square, North, when there was a large attendance 

 of members and Irieuds. Previous to the meeting the usvial " Science 

 gossip half-hour " was occupied for informal discussion by members, 

 when a white Water Rail, recently shot in Co. Down, was exhibited by 

 Mr, Robert Patterson, and sample of Rhaetic bone beds of Aust, Bristol, 

 by Mr. Robert Bell. 



The President (VV. J. Fennei<i., M.R.I. A.I.,) in the chair. Rev. 

 George Foster read a paper entitled "A Talk about Moths : the Life 

 History of a Poplar Hawk-Moth, as told by herself." The Poplar Hawk- 

 moth, and other moths born and l)red on willow or poplar trees, and 

 reared by the writer, were exhibited. The paper was spoken to by 

 John Hamii^ton. 



A paper, entitled " The Feathered World," was read by NEvin H. 

 Foster, M.B.O.U., who, after dealing with the age of birds as evidenced 

 by fossils, gave a description of the structure, development, and uses of 

 feathers, and went on to describe the two divisions of modern birds, 

 Ratitce and Carinata, in some detail. Several of the more remarkable 

 forms of foreign birds were exhibited on the screen, and attention 

 directed to their peculiar forms and habits, after which a large series of 

 British birds and their nests was shown. Mr. Foster concluded his 

 paper by an appeal to those present to protect our birds, while at the 

 same time the study of birds in their native habitats was recommended, 

 the only weapon necessary for this purpose being a good field-glass. 



The paper was discussed by Robert Patterson, F.Z.S., Robert 

 Wei,ch, and the President. Two new members were elected. 



BoTANiCAi, Section. December 17.— Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A., exhibited 

 a very fine series of microscopic slides, illustrating mainly the structure 

 of plant tissues. 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



December 10. — Winter Excursion to Trinity College Botanic Gardens. 

 In spite of the exreme coldness of the day thirty-eight members and 

 friends passed a very pleasant afternoon under the conductorship of the 

 Curator of the gardens, F. W. Burbidge, M.A. (President D.N.F.C.) The 

 party visited all parts of the gardens, the exotic plants in the hot-houses 

 attracting great attention. 



December 13. — The second business meeting was held in the Royal 

 Irish Academy House, W. F. de V. Kane, D.L., in the chair. Announce- 

 ments with reference to the Annual General Meeting of the Club in 

 January were made. F. O'B. Eiyi^isON, B.A. (Hon. Sec), read an elaborate 

 paper on "Symbiosis," drawing illustrations in support of the theory 

 from both the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The paper was discussed 

 bj J. A. Ci<ARKE and the Chairman. 



