2i8 The Irish Nahiralist. [August, 



Saxifrage, and Brce's-ferii. The land planarian Khynchodcnius terrestns 

 also occurred here as well as in other localities. In fresh water, Polycelis 

 cornuia was verv widel}- distributed, occurring right down to the shore, 

 although on the Continent this species frequents high altitudes. Other 

 planarians not yet identified were collected. Some of the geologists 

 went round Rue-Bane Point, and the stiff climb was well repaid by the 

 view of some splendid dykes and sills of diorite (camptonite of Rosen- 

 busch), M'hicli are here seen about six feet thick, with fragments of em- 

 bedded crystalline schists on their margins. On the return, near the 

 summit of the slopes of Murlough, a visit w^as paid to the interesting 

 conglomerate at the base of the Chalk, and overlying the brilliant red 

 beds of sandstone which have of late been the subject of investigation 

 by Dr. Hume. On reaching the road again, cars were taken for Ballj^- 

 castle, and fine views obtained of the gravels and well-marked terraces 

 of the Carey River. After a late dinner an exhibition of bat-hunting was 

 given by some members, which caused much amusement to the natives 

 of Ballycastle, and resulted in the capture of Vespenigo pipistrellus. Late 

 in the evening a conversazione w^as held, when the members made a 

 display of, and explained, their various finds, and a very beautiful collec- 

 tion of land shells obtained in the neighbourhood were exhibited by 

 Mr. Standen, of Manchester, and showed ^vhat could be done by a well- 

 directed search over this locality in a short time. Sunday was an open 

 day, and members made their own arrangements. Good weather and 

 sunshine favoured the party all through, but on Monday the weather 

 looked less favourable, and there were some showers. However, all the 

 members turned out at the sound of the whistle, and a start was made 

 for the valley of Glenshesk. The road to the bridge was taken, wdiere 

 the party dismounted, and were soon in pursuit of various objects, a few 

 to visit the micaceous schists in the bed of the stream. The damp state 

 of the ground prevented most of the members from attempting the 

 ascent of Knocklayd, which all through the morning had been capped 

 with cloud and mist, vSO attention was concentrated on the ravines and 

 burns on the eastern slopes of the mountain, which yielded, as usual, 

 some good species. The Fresh-water Limpet {Ancylns fluviatilis) was 

 noted to be unusuall}- large and fine for this count}'. Under one of the 

 bridges the nest of the Dipper was found, and some of the members ob- 

 served the bird in flight. Botanists collected the Moonwort, Stag-horn 

 moss. Mountain Buckler-fern, and Bree's-fern. All again assembled at 

 the hotel after four o'clock for dinner, after which, as this was the last 

 day of the excursion, a few remarks were made by some of the senior 

 members expressing the pleasure derived, and the many advantages of 

 combined excursions, such as the present. The 6.15 train brought many 

 of the members to Belfast, and others remained to return the next day by 

 rail or road-— the general impression that a most delightful and instructive 

 holiday had been brought to a close, one that would be long remembered 

 by those who took part in it. 



