2io The Irish Naturalist. October, 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



July 6. The Cave Hill. — The party numbered about twelve. They 

 visited the old stone fort at Ballyvaston and the ruins of the old church, 

 of which foundations only are to be seen. In the field containing the 

 fort some of the members found the Adder's-tongue fern. From the 

 summit of Cave Hill a line of forts was pointed out, one of which was 

 visited. 



AUGUST io.— Benevenagh's attractions were spoiled by a very wet 

 morning, so that only two members turned up at the station. 



July 11-13. The Antrim Coast Road. — Members and friends 

 assembled at the Northern Counties Station 011 Thursday morning in 

 time for the 9.55 train. Zoologists, geologists, and botanists were well 

 represented ; and the scientific results of the three days' work, when fully 

 worked out, promise to be creditable to the working members, and a 

 valuable addition to the " Proceedings " of the Club. 



On arrival at Larne, the drive along the Coast Road was commenced. 

 The first stopping-place was Waterloo, where the party spent some time 

 examining the Lias and Rhaetic beds. On the land side of the road the 

 overlying beds of Greensand were next visited. Resuming seats, the 

 party proceeded along the coast through the Black Cave tunnel to 

 Ballygalley Head, where the well-known "corn sacks" were noted. 

 Passing O'Halloran's Castle, a more modern structure diverted attention, 

 namely, Ballygalley Castle, a small but quaint specimen of Scottish 

 baronial architecture, built in 1625. The Ballyrudder gravels were next 

 noted, being celebrated through the investigations conducted by the 

 B.N.F.C. some years ago. At the "Madman's Window," on the south 

 side of Glenarm, a considerable time was spent. Glenarm was the next 

 stopping-place. The party visited the large Chalkquarry on the Larne 

 road, and several good fossils were picked up. The premises and work- 

 ings of the Iron Ore Company were next examined, and the processes 

 explained. 



The large landslips between Glenarm and Carnlough were observed 

 with interest. The next stopping-place was on the north side of Carn- 

 lough, where a small stream was examined and some specimens of the 

 fresh-water Limpet obtained. The best find of the day was Helix inter- 

 seda, being new to East Antrim. At Garron Point the party stopped 

 again, and, sending the luggage up to the hotel, spent some time ex- 

 amining the cliffs and rocks. 



On Friday, the 12th, the party divided, the main body continuing the 

 investigations of the previous day, examining the old fort and the 

 natural history of the undercliff. After lunch this section continued the 

 drive round the coast road and up the beautiful Vale of Glenariff. In 

 the meantime the walking party, leaving Garron Tower at 9 o'clock, 

 ascended the steep cliffs at the back, and began the examination of the 

 botany and zoology of the moorland and bogs comprising the plateau. 



