124? Observations made fairing a Visit 



The only plant of interest noticed upon it was Jiiniperus 

 nana, which occurred in very small quantity. 



We observed iSaxifraga Geum in only one spot hi Conna- 

 mara, that is, by the side of a small waterfall upon the second 

 brook passed on the road from Ma'am to Lenane. 



After spending some days at Ma'am, we took a car to con- 

 vey us to Tully, Clifden, &c, and back to Ma'am. I can- 

 not, perhaps, give a better idea of the country than by stating 

 our observations during that trip of about eighty English 

 miles. Our first stage brought us to Lenane, a very small 

 hamlet at the head of the Killery Harbour. The country 

 between Ma'am and this place consists of a mass of lofty 

 mountains, covered to their very tops with herbage, and 

 affording excellent pasturage for numerous sheep and oxen. 

 The valley contains very little cultivated land, being mostly 

 occupied by bog ; but we noticed several small patches of 

 oats, which promised a plentiful return for the labour be- 

 stowed upon their culture. 



The situation of Lenane is one of peculiar grandeur. 

 The Killery Harbour is a deep narrow inlet of the sea, many 

 miles in length, and seldom more than a mile . in width, 

 bounded on both sides by lofty and precipitous mountains, 

 and curved in such a manner as to resemble a Highland lake, 

 perfectly hemmed in by rocky summits; presenting, as I am 

 informed, almost exactly the appearance of a Norwegian 

 fiord. 



At Lenane is a small inn, kept by a person named John 

 Joyce, who is well known for his extensive influence over the 

 people of that mountain district denominated Joyce's Country, 

 claiming to be the representative of its ancient chiefs. He is 

 a man of great stature and immense bodily strength ; these 

 being, indeed, the characteristics of his whole clan. I have 

 never seen a finer race of men than the Joyces of that country. 

 He is an extensive farmer, and proposes soon to enlarge his 

 house so as to make it more convenient for the reception of 

 strangers. At a short distance above Joyce's residence is a 

 small but interesting waterfall, well worthy of a visit, both 

 for its own intrinsic beauty, and the grand mountain views 

 afforded by its elevated situation. 



We observed clay slate in the neighbourhood of Lenane, 

 but had not time to ascertain its extent: and near to Mr. 

 Joyce's house there occurs a bed of clay extending for some 

 distance along the valley, of about 20 ft. in thickness, and 

 containing rounded masses of clay slate, quartz, mica slate, 

 and iron ore, in horizontal layers. Of this a good section is 

 exhibited by an excavation formed in making the new road. 



