Galway Field Club Conference, 229 



man being made responsible for the report on each group ; the result 

 of this distribution of labour is seen in the scientific reports which follow. 

 On landing at Ballyvaughan, the party were joined by Mr. P. B, 

 O'Kelly, a Ballyvaughan botanist, whose local knowledge was freely 

 placed at the disposal of members, and proved of much service, 

 Gleninagh, on the sea, three miles north-west of Ballyvaughan, was the 

 rendezvous, and the party slowly made their way along the road in this 

 direction, with the sea on the right, and the great limestone hills rising 

 steeply on the left. This was the field-day of the botanists, for the flora 

 of the Burren is most peculiar as well as rich. It was not long before 

 most of the characteristic plants were discovered. The Maidenhair was 

 found ere Ballyvaughan was a mile behind. On the low grounds Mr. 

 O'Kelly pointed out the Bee Orchis and the extremely rare Close-flowered 

 Orchis, now in fruit, for which for many years Castle Taylor in County 

 Galway was the only known British station. On the limestone hills 

 above was found abundance of the Mountain Dryas, Bear-berry, Purple 

 Helleborine, Bloody Cranesbill, Spring Gentian, and other rare plants. 

 Lunch was served at 2 o'clock under the shadow of the old castle of 

 Gleninagh, after which scientific occupations —shore-collecting, botaniz- 

 ing, insect-hunting, and geologizing — were energetically resumed. Some 

 of the party drove to Black Head, where the Maidenhair was found in 

 abundance, as well as other rarities. Mr. O'Kelly conducted one or 

 two of the party to the home of the Shrubby Cinquefoil, which grows 

 in much abundance not far from Ballyvaughan. Others, who ascended 

 to the flat summit of Cappanawalla (1023 feet) brought back strange 

 accounts of the vast stretches of bare grey limestone which extend on 

 the higher grounds. At 5.30 the steamer's whistle warned stragglers to 

 linger no longer, and when at length the last late-comer was on board, 

 the return journey was made without loss of time. After dinner, the 

 tables were again devoted to an exhibition of the day's spoil. These 

 evening exhibitions of each day's work were found of much service, 

 especially in the way of giving the less experienced members an oppor- 

 tunity of examining specimens at their leisure, of asking questions, 

 and of watching demonstrations of identification and mounting of 

 specimens. It was found that a beetle, Miaris campanula, new to the 

 Irish list, and the local moths, Anticlea cticullata and Phothcdes captiuncula, as 

 well as the striking black spider, Prosthesima Petiverii, had rewarded the 

 labours of the insect-hunters on this day, " 



Sunday, Jui,y 14TH. 



On this day, according to the Programme, members were to " make 

 their own arrangements." A party of archaeologists and conchologists 

 made an early start for Clare-Galway Abbey, and spent a profitable day 

 in that vicinity. The majority of the party attended service at the 

 beautiful old Church of Saint Nicholas. After lunch two pleasant 

 receptions awaited the members. The President of Queen's College 

 received a numerous party at the College, and conducted them through 

 the buildings and gardens, and entertained them to tea in his own house ; 

 while another large section of the members rowed up the River Corrib 



