I897-] lOl 



FIELD DAYS IN ULSTER. 



BY THE REV. HILDERIC FRIEND. 



II. — Antrim and Coleraine. 

 On Wednesda}', Ma}- 27th, I was up betimes. I could not 

 understand how it was that everybod}- was so much behind 

 time. Hurr3'ing to the station I missed my way, and came 

 at last to the right spot only to find that instead of missing 

 my train I still had a quarter of an hour to wait. At last it 

 occurred to me that I had been gaining time by crossing the 

 Irish Channel, and had not put my watch right with Dublin. I 

 did so, then proceeded to Antrim for Lough Neagh. It was 

 a delightful day, and I greatly enjoj'ed the run. Arriving at 

 my first halting-place I left all my travelling baggage at the 

 station, and at once set to work. On the way down to the 

 quiet little town I found a heap of manure in front of the Hall 

 used by Orangemen. This yielded me a couple of white 

 worms (Enchytraeids), such as are usually' associated with 

 such material. 



I soon discovered that my movements were regarded with 

 some suspicion. Pushing m3^ way towards the Lodge con- 

 nected with the residence of Viscount Massereene, I found on 

 the left a short dirty lane running down to the river. Here 

 I fancied I should find a heap of treasures. It was apparently 

 the exact locality. I turned over the humid soil, pulled up 

 the weeds, examined their roots, and pryed into every spot 

 which could be the conceivable home of an annelid, but 

 without avail. Not a solitary specimen could I find, save the 

 ubiquitous green-worm {Allolobophofa chlo?'otica), and a horse- 

 leech. I made m}^ hands as decent as possible after my dirty 

 exploit and returned to the main street to fall into the hands 

 of a policeman, who politely informed me that there was to 

 be a ball-firing display or contest by the shores of the Lough, 

 and if I would like to get photographs the opportunity would 

 be a good one. 



I now hastened to the Lough — not to photograph flying 

 bullets, but to seek for trophies. I believe much good work 

 might be done here by any one living on the spot, and I trust 

 some reader of the h'ish Naturalist who resides near Lough 

 Neagh will favour me with specimens of the fresh-water 



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