212 7 he Irish Naturalist. [September, 1899. 



with the Beech Fern and numerous other plants. An excellent section of 

 primitive limestone also occurs here, traversing the metamorphic rocks, 

 ati'l good specimens were secured, as well as very fine examples of quartz, 

 which occurs sometimes in very clear, large crystals, and is known as 

 " Dungiven diamonds." After a rest at Carniban, or the White Cairn, a 

 visit was paid to Banagher old church, said to be built by St. O'Heuey. 

 After exploring the venerable ruins the party found a good example of a 

 bullaun on the bank next the gate, and the conductor poiuted out its 

 supposed history. Returning to Dungiven, the party visited Pellipar 

 House by permission of Captain R. A. Ogilby, D.L,. From Pellipar the 

 party went on to the old church of Dungiven. On entering the grave- 

 yard there is a good example of the bullaun, which is here venerated as a 

 holy font or well, and the surrounding bushes are liberally decorated 

 with votive offerings in the shape of rags, strings, and coloured pieces of 

 cloth. 



On the 13th inst. the members started by train from Limavady for Dim- 

 given, when they were received by Dr. Moore and others as cordially as 

 on the morning of the day before. They at once proceeded to the 

 residence of Rev. S. Thomson, whose very fine collection of geological 

 specimens were arranged for inspection. The Sponges, Echinodermata, 

 and Cephalopoda are exceedingly abundant, and many of the less known 

 forms elsewhere are numerous here. Mr. Thomson was good enough to 

 accompany the party up to the quarries on Benbradagh, where a con- 

 siderable number of specimens were collected. A walk of about a mile 

 on the crest of the hill enabled the party to reach by a gradual slope the 

 highest point of the mountain, 1,536 feet high. From this point there is 

 a most extensive view, and as the atmospheric conditions were most 

 favourable, every feature of the grand panorama was distinctly visible. 

 This was the grandest view enjoyed during the trip, and very appro- 

 priately terminated the naturalists' meeting at Dungiven, a locality well 

 worthy the attention of tourists in general. 



On Wednesday morning the naturalists left Limavady by rail for 

 Dungiven. Here they were met by a number of local friends, who were 

 anxious to aid in every way. Dr. Moore, of Dungiven, and J. Kakin, 

 of Feeny, rendered special service. Moving off in vehicles Mr. Eakin 

 conducted the naturalists to Banagher, where a survey was made of what 

 remains of a vitrified fort, one of the very few that occur in Ireland. 

 Unfortunately a former rector of the parish had the main structure re- 

 moved in making what he considered "improvements" about his 

 grounds. Proceeding up through Templemoyle, where a variety of 

 plants were collected, and reaching the top of the hill a visit was paid to 

 Anglish stone circles, of which there are several. One is quite complete, 

 and composed of about 5c stones about 2\ feet high. Returning by the 

 road at Carniban, at the north end of the valley of Lignapestia, while the 

 naturalists walked through from the south. 



