24 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 



such places of worship. Near it are some of the ancient bee-hive houses, 

 specimens of which are met with throughout Ireland; but in other 

 places, under ground ; here, the rock being at the surface prevented 

 concealment. The stones in these houses were all laid horizontally. 

 Here there is the base of a Round Tower, thrown down by the people 

 to build their cabins, though nearly as good stones were all around 

 them naturally on the surface of the ground. Here is also a holy well, 

 at which was a woman praying, and our guide would only approach it 

 with his head uncovered, though he spoke but lightly of his priest, &c. 

 It appeared that the well belonged to his patron saint. Below this, 

 according to his account, was a monastery, which once contained 700 

 monks. They were all put to death, and their habitation razed, by a 

 rover. Further down on the shore is a remnant of a Norman-like 

 fortress of considerable extent, — according to the guide, built by Crom- 

 well. 



" I believe I did as much in natural history as was practicable, but 

 could have found employment for a week with ease. Having made a 

 scamper to the shore, I gathered more Algae, and found the Marginalia 

 lavis, purchased a pair of pomputies and more choughs. "We took leave 

 of our friends, and, mounted on the backs of stout natives, were em- 

 barked on board our boat, never, perhaps, again to visit Arran." 



This was not the case. In 1840 its productions were again ex- 

 plored by a party of naturalists, of which Ball himself was one. 



They had a prosperous voyage to Gal way of five and a half hours. 

 While there they crossed the river to look at the weirs. " Seeing some 

 fine trout in the pond, of various kinds, I determined on getting them, 

 and succeeded in procuring three, the largest weighing 9 lbs. I sent 

 them off by the coach, with orders to H. R.. to show them to Thomp- 

 son, for YarrelTs work ; or, if I were not in Dublin, to pickle the 

 heads."' 



" "We stayed up for a gentleman who was to have produced sundry 

 curiosities ; he did not come, and I employed myself in writing four 

 letters. I was there at work until long after 2 o'clock, packing up 

 my treasures to send them by the mail to Dublin, was up again a little 

 after 3 o'clock ; and having got a bowl of milk with a little whiskey, we 

 started for Connemara." 



They arrived at Flinn's half-way house. 



" While fresh horses and car were preparing, we chatted with his 



