1920. 



Irish Societies. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



March 2. — S, A. J3ennett made a communication on " Our Local 

 Roses," a botanical subject of much difficulty. 



March 16. — D. C. Campbell lectured on " Birds : their Habits, 

 Haunts, and Homes," with many lantern slides. 



April 20. — The Annual Meeting was held, at which there was a much 

 larger attendance and greater interest than usual. A, M'l. Cleland 

 (President) occupied the chair. The annual report, the Treasurer's 

 statement, and the Librarian's report were read, adopted, and ordered 

 to be printed and circulated. The election of officers for the year 1920-21 

 was then proceeded with, S. A. Bennett, B.A., B.Sc, being elected 

 President, and Rev. W. R. Megaw Vice-President. Under the amended 

 Rule III., Mr. G. Donaldson, Rev. Canon H. W. Lett, M.A., M.RT.A. ; 

 and Mr. William H. Phillips, all members of long standing, were unani- 

 mously elected honorary members, A resolution in favour of the proposed 

 Plumage Bill was passed, and the Hon. Secretaries were instructed to 

 forward copies of same to the various local Members of Parliament. 

 With the election of Mrs. J. Moderate, J. J. Megaw, W. B. Hale, Miss 

 F. J. Makee, Miss Eva M'Kee, Miss S. Montgomery, and Miss G. 

 Montgomery as ordinary members of the Club the proceedings terminated. 



May 15. — Excursion to Castle Dobbs. — The first excursion took 

 place to Kilroot Old Church and Castle Dobbs, a party of fifty 

 leaving town in splendid weather, A. M'L Cleland acting as conductor. 

 On reaching Kilroot a field path was followed to the old church associated 

 with the earliest ministry of Jonathan Swift, later known as Dean of St. 

 Patrick's, Dublin. From the old church the members passed along the 

 fine tree-bordered avenue forming the approach from the main road, 

 and thence to the demesne of Castle Dobbs, permission to visit which has 

 been granted by Major A. F. Dobbs. Here the botanists were soon lost in 

 the beautiful glen, all meeting in the drying-green of the castle at 5 o'clock, 

 when an al fresco meal was partaken of, a pleiitiful supply of hot water 

 having been most thoughtfully provided by Major and Mrs. Dobbs. 



Leaving the Castle, the party was led to Dalway's Bawn, the four- 

 towered manor house of the Stuart period formerly occupied by the 

 Dalway family. Hence the route back again entered Castle Dobbs demesne, 

 passing on the way a field in which many Cowslips were found (one of the 

 few stations of this plant in the North of Ireland), and following the winding 

 ornamental paths of the upper portion of the glen. 



At the business meeting following a hearty vote of thanks was passed 

 to Major and Mrs. Dobbs and Mrs. Higgin, of Rosganna, whose kindness 

 had contributed so very largely to the afternoon's enjoyment. With the 

 election of two new members (Mrs. M'NeiJl and Miss Churchill) the pro- 

 ceedings terminated. 



May 29. — Excursion to Divis Mountain. — A party of fifty-seven left 

 town for Wolfhill village, under the conductorship of the President (S. A. 

 Bennett, B.A., B.Sc). A special car took the members to the tram 

 terminus, whence the route followed led them across the slopes of Wolfhill, 

 where the MoOnwort {Botryclmim Lunaria) was found. 



