NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 83 



where to be seen, while, in shady nooks on the cliffs, Asplenia m 

 marinum is noticed, though it is not abundant. The flora of Tory 

 would be very poor in variety but for the superior conditions for 

 existence afforded to plants by a great hollow about the centre of 

 the island, on the north side, called the Ram's Hollow, or in Irish, 

 Lagareithe. This is like a steep amphitheatre in form, and was 

 likely at one time a large cave, the roof of which has collapsed. 

 There is still an arched opening to the sea. On the sides and in 

 the bottom of this hollow may be found : — 



Solidago virgaurea. 

 Rumex acetosella. 

 A ngeliea sylvestris. 

 Thymus serpyllum. 

 Lonicera perielymeaum. 

 Bellis perennis* 

 Sedum anglicum. 

 A thyrium filix-foemiaa. 

 Hedera helix. 

 Poly gala vulgaris. 

 Tormentilla officinalis. 



As might be inferred from its position, the larger Laminariae 

 and Fuci are abundant, and of robust growth. The specific 

 gravity of the sea water at Tory is greater than near the mainland, 

 or than the water at any part of the Deny or Antrim coast. This 

 may be, and likely is, the cause of the fronds of Laminaria 

 digitata being thick and " leathery " here as compared with those 

 of other places, and of the extraordinary development of Laminaria 

 hulbosa. In the sheltered bays the Himanthalia lorea grows to 

 a length of 20 feet, and forms, at low-water, a barrier almost 

 impassable by boats. 



Thus it is that the burning of these seaweeds into kelp is carried 

 on vigorously in the months of June, July, and August, and used 

 to be the source on which the people depended for paying their 

 rents. Now, however, they appropriate the money to their own 

 uses, most of them having determined to resist such payments as a 

 relic of the dark ages. 



During the remainder of the year, when not employed at kelp 

 making, the inhabitants of Tory reap the harvest of the sea by 



* Also all over the island. 



