258 The Irish Naturalist* September, 



explored, and a party of conchologists drove up the river to the 

 woods of Glendine, which proved first-rate collecting ground. 

 The bulk of the party drove off to Ardmore, under Dr 

 Ronayne's guidance, and thoroughly examined the highly 

 interesting antiquities of that charming spot. All re-assembled 

 at the Devonshire Arms Hotel for dinner at 7.0, and the 8,30 

 train brought them back to Cork at the conclusion of a suc- 

 cessful and pleasant day. 



Satukday, July 13. 



On this day a portion of West Cork was explored, and a 

 drizzling rain that fell lightly during the morning in no wise 

 interfered with work, but on the contrary seemed in keeping 

 with the surroundings of the moist hilly country that lies on 

 the borders of Kerry. A special tram took the members 

 across the city in time for the 9 1:5 train to Macroom, where 

 brakes and cars were in readiness, and after a two-mile drive 

 the first halt of the day was called at the edge of the Gearagh. 

 This is a unique and interesting place. The River I,ee, 

 flowing through a flat valley, branches into a number of clear, 

 swift streams, which keep dividing and joining, forming a 

 maze of water and of wooded islands, where a primitive fauna 

 and flora prevail. The islands are clothed mainly with Oak, 

 Ash, Birch, Holly, Willow, and Bird Cherry, with an under- 

 growth consisting largely of Irish Spurge and huge Royal 

 Ferns, 6 to 8 feet in height. The place is preserved, and 

 teems' with Woodcock and Wild Duck. Three large flat- 

 bottomed boats, each manned by two men armed with long 

 poles, were in readiness, and in these the party were conveyed 

 in sections down stream through the mazy waterways to 

 the bridge on the Dunmanway road. The abundance and 

 luxuriance of the vegetation all around — overhead, on the 

 banks, and in the clear swift water — and the sense of mystery 

 produced by the strange labyrinth, combined to render the 

 visit to the Gearagh one of the interesting and delightful 

 episodes of a delightful week. A party of zoologists landing 

 on one of the islands, did some good collecting, while others 

 ranged up and down the banks of the outer stream. At 12.30 



