1 62 The Irish Natiiralht. Septeinbef, 



all aiigurt'd well. Tory Island offered many possibilities to 

 the naturalist. The botany, indeed, at least as regards the 

 higher plants, was already known, and as regards the lower 

 plants not very much was to be expected, save in the domain 

 of marine algae, which could not be adequately explored on 

 a visit of a few hours. But as to its zoology, Tory was almost 

 a terra incognita. So small bottles of methylated spirit were 

 distributed, with many adjurations to the members to collect 

 vigorously. The President of the Belfast Club announced 

 the offer of a prize ^ for the best general collection made on tke 

 island during the day. Meanwhile Sheep Haven had been 

 crossed diagonally, and Horn Head was looming up massively 

 ahead. The steamer was ^slowed down, and crept slowly 

 along the glorious range of cliffs, stopping occasionally to 

 allow of photographs being taken (Plate 8). To see the great 

 colonies of breeding sea-birds to the best advantage, a small 

 boat which could go close in under the cliff would have been 

 necessary ; but from the steamer fine general views were 

 obtained ; while the geological and other features of the 

 headland were seen to perfection. 



When the huge rocks of " The Horn " proper were passed, 

 a course was shaped for Tory, which was hidden from view 

 by a bank of fog — a thin driving mist, blotting out everything 

 over a couple of hundred yards distant, into which the steamer 

 ran presently. Speed was reduced after a while, and a sharp 

 look-out was kept ; suddenly warning voices were heard, and 

 simultaneously a rift in the fog showed a line of bleak stony 

 shore close on the starboard bow. The engines were reversed, 

 and the invisible voices guided us to an anchoring place, with 

 high rocks dimly visible to left and right. Then a large open 

 boat manned by seven men came alongside, and the party 

 were soon ferried ashore, to find they had reached not We.st 

 Town, as they expected, but Port Doon, at the extreme east 

 corner of the island. No time was lost in getting to work. 

 Leaving out of account the time occupied by lunch — which 

 was served at Port Doon — four hours were available for ex- 

 ploring the island, and in that time the members penetrated 

 every corner of it — despite the persistent driving fog — even to 

 the summit of the lofty light-house that stands at the western 

 extremit}'. Much was accomplished by the working members. 

 Special attention was paid to the land and fre.sh-water mol- 



^ vSubsequently awarded to Miss Jeau Agnew for a collectiou including 

 38 species of animals. 



