1^11. Irish Societies* 183 



much interest, the numerous rounded hills and neat farmhouses with their 

 attendant orchards giving way toward Loughgall to great areas of grazing 

 land. Opposite the entrance gates of the Manor House the party 

 dismounted, and proceeded to the lake side. After an interval most of 

 the party visited the gardens. A splendid yew alley formed an item of 

 interest, some of the trees being reported to be over three hundred years 

 old. At 2.30 the return drive to Armagh was commenced. Tea awaited 

 the party at Loudan's Imperial Hotel, after which — Nevin H. Foster 

 in the chair — a short business meeting was held. The Chairman referred 

 to the recent formation of a junior section within the Club, and the election 

 of Miss Patchell to membership concluded the meeting. At 4.15 the 

 party set out on foot for the Palace, visiting on the way the ruins of the 

 Franciscan abbey, built during the fifteenth century. An item of 

 geological interest was here noted, the walls of the abbey being almost 

 entirely built of Old Red Sandstone boulders, which had all the appearance 

 of having been taken from some of the neighbouring masses of glacial 

 drift. Upon arrival at the Palace the party were received by the Lord 

 Primate and Mrs. Crozier. Subsequently the party returned to Armagh 

 and entrained for Belfast. 



The botanists reported several interesting plants, among which were 

 Carduns acanthoides, a somewhat local thistle ; Eupatorium cannabinum, 

 Lithospermum officinale, and Carex pendula and C. acuta, two of the less 

 common sedges. Two interesting species of shells were found at Lough- 

 gall, one of these — Zonitoides nitidiis — being an addition to the fauna of 

 County Armagh ; the other — Limniea auricularia— had not been recorded 

 from the county except from Lough Neagh. In the garden at the same 

 locality it was interesting to see Hygromia ritfescens aestivating upon 

 the trunks of the yew, apple, and other trees. Among the birds observed 

 on the lake were a couple of pairs of Great Crested Grebes, one of which 

 was accompanied by its brood of three almost full-grown chicks. The 

 four common species of woodlice were observed in the district, as was 

 also the rarer Trichoniscus pygmcBus and Porcellio pictus. In the Manor 

 House gardens T. roseus, P. dilatatus, Haplophthalnius Mengii, and 

 Mctoponorthus pruinosus were taken, a specimen of the last species being 

 also captured under some slates lying in the railway yard at Armagh. 

 H. Mengii and 71/. pruinosus had not been found previously inCounty 

 Armagh. 



August 30. — Excursion to Kells and Connor. — The party travelled 

 by the 12.25 train to Kells water station, and were met here by conveyances. 

 On reaching the site of the ancient cathedral of Connor they were met by 

 Rev. O. W. Clark, who pointed out the objects of interest to be seen 

 here. Templemoyle, a monastery formerly known as St. Mary's of the 

 Desert, was next visited. At Liminay, on Mr. James Black's farm, the 

 owner had opened a fine souterrain for the inspection, and also entertained 

 the party, providing some welcome light refreshments. A kistvaen and 

 stone circle were then visited at Ballymarlow. Ballymcna was reached 

 in good time, and tea was served in Whiteside's hotel, at which a short 

 business meeting was held. Belfast was reached in good time after an 

 interesting and busy excursion. 



