1899] Proceedings of Irish Societies. 167 



After tea, the Chairman again constituted a formal meetiug, at which 

 the events of the day were discussed. The conductor having tendered 

 the Club's thanks, through Mr. Fanning, the Secretary, to the Armagh 

 Natural History Society, made some suggestions as to the Museum and 

 some subjects of geological inquiry, including the desirability of having 

 a typical collection of local fossil fish remains, and proposed the 

 following resolution, which was passed unanimously: — "That this 

 meeting, having noticed the neglected condition of what now remains 

 of the ancient sculptured stone crosses of Armagh, it is desirable that 

 steps should be taken to have the crosses re-erected and restored, and 

 that the B.N.F.C. should initiate the movement at an early date." Mr. 

 Fanning suitably responded to the expressions of thanks to the local 

 authorities, and promised, on behalf of the Natural History Society, to 

 give the suggestions of the Club their very best attention. 



June 10.— On the 10th instant the members of the Club held their 

 second Field Meeting of the session at the hill fort at Lurigethan, 

 County Antrim, a point out of the beaten track, but one of great interest. 

 Availing themselves of the facilities afforded by the Northern Counties 

 Railway, the party was conveyed as far as Retreat Castle, on the south side 

 of the valle} r of Ballyemon. Leaving the railway carriage the party 

 proceeded on foot up the slope and along the great ridge that separates 

 the valleys of Ballyemon and Glenariff. A walk of about a mile brought 

 the party to the ancient earthworks that constitute the important hill 

 fort at the extreme end of the ridge, which rises abruptly from the 

 coast-line, and appears from below a truncated cone 1,154 f ee t high. To 

 the geologist this point of view is of special interest, not only from the 

 varied features of physical geography that it presents, but from the 

 marked difference between the geological structure of the district to the 

 north and the area under view to the south, for whereas the district to 

 the south, with the construction of Lurigethan itself, is built up with 

 the same geological formations of the Secondary period that constitute 

 the main structure of Antrim, and are displayed in the escapment of 

 Cave Hill and the eastern coast-line, the rocks in the northern area are 

 mainly primary rocks, mica schist, and crystalline limestone, much 

 older than any other rocks in Antrim or Down, and more nearly related 

 to the rocks of the opposite side in Scotland, a relation that opens up a 

 chapter of inquir3 T of the greatest interest. To the antiquarian the fort 

 of Lurig must be of special interest, not alone for itself, as the strong- 

 hold of the chieftains of the glens, when, as Scots, thev joined the Picts 

 in resisting the Roman advance in North Britain, but also because of 

 the number of events and variety of ancient monuments called to 

 remembrance by the prospect enjoj'ed from this spot. The Club's 

 meeting at Lurig was presided over by Mr. John Vinycomb, M.R.I. A* 

 Business matters were discussed, new members elected, and one of the 

 Honorary Secretaries, who acted as conductor, pointed out the special 

 national and historic features of the locality, and reported the results of 

 recent observations in natural history by members of the Club 



