Vol. III. NOVEMBER, 1894. No. 11. 



THE BELFAST FIELD CLUB IN DONEGAL. 



BY MISS S. M. THOMPSON. 



In splendid weather, and just in the mood for an enjoyable 

 tour, about forty members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field 

 Club started for North Donegal on the nth of last July. 

 The Club rather prides itself upon the favour shown to it by 

 the " Clerk of the Weather," and as even the warmest admirer 

 of our climate could scarcely assert that the summer of 1894 

 was a fine season, the members had much reason to con- 

 gratulate themselves upon that fortunate circumstance." 

 True, we had one heavy shower that day during the journey 

 from Deny to Fahan, but the train unaccountably stopped 

 until it was over, and a member gratefully suggested that the 

 directors wished to spare us a wetting whilst crossing Lough 

 Swilly. Very beautiful was this passage in the special steamer 

 chartered for the occasion, across the "Lake of Shadows," 

 richly deserving its name as it lay basking in the varying tints 

 and flitting lights of a most perfect summer day. 



Leaving Fahan on the right hand, Buncrana with its 

 charming golf-links soon became visible, with the grand 

 Innishowen Mountains slumbering in the sunshine ; whilst 

 the western coast, with the strange serrated ridge of the 

 Devil's Backbone culminating in the fine mass of Knockalla, 

 completed a picture not soon to be forgotten. Steaming 

 northwards, leaving Dunree Fort on the right, we presently 

 reached the merciless quartzite rocks at the entrance of 

 Ballymastocker Bay upon which H.M.S. Saldanka struck 

 during a storm in 181 1, and driving on into the bay perished 

 with all on board. But this day Dame Nature was propitious, 

 and the beautiful sandy shore was smiling a welcome to the 

 hungry travellers as Xhey reached the little Port Salon pier at 

 two o'clock, and streamed up the lawn to the hospitable 



hotel. 



A 



