2i6 The Irish Naturalist. [ August, 



PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 

 RoYAi, Zooi^oGicAi, Socip:ty, 

 Recent .e^ifts include a Rosella Broadtail from Mr. J. K. Richardson, 

 a White Peacock from Mrs. A. E. Lauder, a pair of Cockatoos from the 

 Rev. D. Greatorex, a Peacock from Mrs. Beck, a pair of Marsh Harriers 

 from Mr. H. M. vSmith, and a Cockatoo from Mr. J. B. O'Callaghan. 

 Four Golden Agoutis have been bought. 

 16,900 persons visited the gardens in June. 



The Irish FieIvD CIvUb Qnion. 



Excursion to Bai.i,ycasti.e. 

 The associated societies held their annual excursion on the 2nd, 3rd, 

 4th, and 5th of Jul}', On this occasion the menil)ers visited the north 

 coast of Antrim, making Ballycastle the centre — a district full of interest 

 to the naturalist and picturesque in the extreme. On the 2nd July the 

 members of the Dublin Club and others joined the Belfast Club at the 

 Northern Counties Railway, and took train to Ballycastle. Arriving 

 here, the party proceeded to the Antrim Arms Hotel, which was made 

 the headquarters during their stay. Early luncheon awaited the party, 

 after which brakes and cars were mounted, and the start made to visit 

 and explore the sands of White Park Bay and the neighbourhood round 

 Ballinto}'. From the new road, which was the route selected, one gets 

 a good idea of the geography and general character of the country. As 

 the summit of the road is reached, an extensive panorama of the district 

 opens up. To the north the white cliffs of Rathlin Island are seen ; to 

 the east, far in the background, lies the Mull of Cantyre, with Fair Head 

 as a middle distance, whilst in the foreground Ballycastle and the shores 

 of its bay were bathed in sunshine ; to the south and west are seen the 

 peat bogs, now white with Bog-cotton, and on the sloping hills the well- 

 tilled farms; whilst Knocklayd rises, with its basalt-covered dome, high 

 above the whole district. At White Park Bay a halt was called, when 

 the party soon scattered over the sand-dunes in search of worked flints 

 and pottery. The late storm had cleared the sand from many of the 

 likel}' sites, and soon a fair number of finds were made, including some 

 pieces of pottery with rude sunk ornament, whilst pockets in the sand 

 yielded good results to the conchologist. The botanists found the 

 beautiful Meadow Crane's-bill, or Flower of Dunluce, in brilliant bloom 

 throughout the day.- The Lias beds which occur in the bed of the 

 stream at the east end of the bay were not well exposed in situ, as much 

 weathering and slipping appeared to have taken place, but blocks of the 

 Lias which were found yielded numerous and characteristic fossils. 

 Proceeding by the shore the scenery became more rugged and the geology 

 of more interest. Here sea-stacks and tunnels in the rock were observed, 

 whilst the beds of bole and lithomarge showed as brilliant bands in 

 the dark rock. Passing Ballintoy Harbour and the quaint old wind- 

 swept church, the village was reached, where afternoon tea was served 



