254 October, 



BOTANIZING IN THE ARDS. 



BY R. I,I,OYD PRAKGER., B.A., M.R.I. A. 



Thk Ards, anciently Ard-Uladhy " the High Land of Ulster," 

 is the name given to the peninsula, some 20 miles in length 

 by 3 to 4 miles in breadth, which lies between Strangford 

 Lough and the Irish Sea, in County Down. A line drawn 

 from Newtownards to Donaghadee will conveniently bound it 

 on the north, while on all other sides it is fringed by sea. 

 The area thus enclosed is about 95 square miles, or one-tenth 

 of County Down. This is a low-lying, fertile, and highly culti- 

 vated district, its average elevation being not more than 

 perhaps 100 feet, the highest point 339 feet. Silurian slates, 

 usually with a drift-covered and undulating surface, every- 

 where prevail, save for a strip of Bunter sandstone along the 

 head of Strangford I^ough. The Ards forms the most easterly 

 portion of Ireland, and its low coast-line, fringed with reefs 

 extending far out to sea, is one to which vessels going up 

 or down channel give a wide berth. 



The flora of this district, like that of the rest of the well- 

 worked north-eastern counties, has attracted many observers. 

 John Templeton botanized here occasionally in 1 793-1 806, or 

 thereabouts, with his usual perspicacity : and it was a pleasure 

 to me to verify several county-records which, during 

 the intervening century, had rested on his authority alone. 

 Later, S. A. Stewart examined the district ; and T. H. Corry, 

 C. H. Waddell, S. A. Moore, J. H. Davies, and others, have 

 also contributed to our knowledge of its flora. There were 

 indications, however, that the Ards might still yield some 

 treasures to a systematic examination, and this I had an 

 opportunity of making during the last week in July of the pre- 

 sent year. As in the case of the adjoining Ardglass district, ex- 

 amined last season, attention was concentrated on the untilled 

 ground. The outer coast of the Ards, which includes about 

 35 miles of shore-line, was examined with some care, as also 

 the greater part (especially the lower portion) of the 30 miles 

 or so of shore-line fronting Strangford Lough. In the 

 southern half of the Ards several lakes occur, also a number 

 of marshes ; these also claimed due attention. Certain good 



