igiS, Irish Societies. 159 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



May 18. — Excursion to Saintfield, — Under the leadership of S. A. 

 Bennett, the party visited the church and then walked through the 

 demesne of Saintfield House, by permission of Mrs. Blackwood-Price. 

 Returning through Saintfield a quarry in the Silurian grits was visited— 

 good examples of shearing and slickensides being exposed there. The 

 party then proceeded to Rowallane, kindly thrown open by Mr. H. 

 Armytage Moore. The rock garden, just in its prime, was a blaze of 

 colour. In addition to the plants in the rock garden there were many 

 other species of interest to botanists, the Rhododendrons being particularly 

 tine. The party was unusually large, 122 members and friends gathering 

 at Rowallane where tea was served. A vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. 

 Armytage-Moore terminated the usual business meeting at which six 

 new members were elected. The only wild plant seen of note was the 

 Adder's Tongue, Ophioglossitm vulgatiim. 



June i. — Excursion to the Giant's Ring.— Fifty-four members 

 and friends met the conductor (W. B. Burrowes) at Malone tram terminus 

 and walked to the Giant's Ring. Mr. Burrowes explained to the party 

 the recent research work carried out under the auspices of the Belfast 

 Natural History and Philosophical Society at this important monument. 

 A further walk of two miles brought the party to Drurabo, in the grave- 

 yard of which the ruins of a round lower remain. Mr. R. May described 

 the origin and uses of these early Christian bell-houses. After tea the 

 usual business meeting of the Club was held, the President (A. MT. 

 Cleland) in the chair. Two new members were elected. 



The botanists found Drumbo Glen interesting — Melica itniflora and 

 Polystichmn aculeatmn being noted ; also a fine plant of Vicia sepimn 

 with pure white flowers. Ulex Gallii was observed growing in a hedge 

 on the road coming from Farrell's Fort. 



June 15. — Excursion to Muckamore. — About twenty members and 

 friends travelled by the 2 p.m. train to Muckamore. A walk of about 

 two miles brought the party to Muckamore Abbey, where, by the kind 

 permission of Captain Thompson, the party visited the historic grounds. 

 Muckamore House occupies the site of the ancient priory. A small 

 portion of the ruins of the Abbey are still standing outside the garden 

 wall. Muckamore, one of the most celebrated monasteries in the diocese 

 of Connor, was founded by St. Colman Ela, late in the sixth century. 

 His mother was a sister of St. Columbkille. Mr. R. May then gave a 

 short historical account of the Abbey. The party, by the kind permission 

 of Major Maxwell, also visited the grounds of the Model Farm. 



June 29. — Excursion to Comber and Rough Island. — The party 

 of about twenty-four members arrived at Comber at 2.20 p.m., and, 

 under the conductorship of the Rev. K. Dunbar, proceeded to the Comber 

 River and to the shore half a mile from Island Hill. The estuarine marsh 

 afforded a good field for the botanists. Among the plants noted wer 

 Spergularia mpestris, Apiimi gvaveolens, Samolus Valevandi, Suaeda 



