194 The Irish Naturalist. [August, 



plant proved to be common in the Cavan district. A brief 

 halt was made at Farnham House, where, by the kindness of 

 the steward, Mr. Hamilton, we visited a mineralogical museum 

 brought together by a former owner, in which there was a 

 remarkably fine collection of ambers. Pushing on, we dis- 

 mounted in Derrygid wood, with several pretty lakes flanking 

 us on the right and left. The party soon scattered in pursuit 

 of their different hobbies. The continued rains of the past 

 week, which concluded with the torrential downpour of July 8 

 and 9, had almost drowned the country, and we found all the 

 lakes and streams risen several feei above their normal limit, 

 rendering the search for aquatic and paludose species often 

 difficult and sometimes impossible. The woods did not prove 

 productive, but the stony and often-flooded margin of Farnham 

 Lough, fringed with a scrub of native Birch and Aspen, fur- 

 nished excellent hunting-ground. There at many points the 

 Buckthorn (^Rhainmis catharticus) grew, loaded down with 

 green berries. In wet ground the Purple and Yellow Loose- 

 strife {Lythnun salicaria and Lysimachia viilgaris) brightened 

 the thick growth of grass and sedges, among which the 

 beautiful and local plant, Carex Pseicdo-cyperus was conspicuous 

 by its abundance. The Great Water-dock {Rtcmex Hydrola- 

 pathuni) and Great Spearwort {Rarumcuhis Lingua) were 

 also among the species noted. 



The conchologists were well pleased by finding abundance 

 of the land shell, Claiisilia laminata, which in Ireland is con- 

 fined to a very limited area in the central portion of the 

 country. Lepidoptera also came in for a good deal of attention. 

 The best species noted were Uivptcryx savibiicaj'ia, Lasiocaiupa 

 qucrciis var. calhiiics, and larvae of Chcsrocampa elpciior. 

 Others took advantage of the picturesqueness of the scene and 

 brilliant light for sketching, and got some pretty *' bits," 

 where the tall oaks and dark pines rose above the birchen 

 thickets that fringed the calm waters of the lake. All spent a 

 profitable afternoon, and met at 9 o'clock supper, well pleased 

 with their first experience of Co. Cavan. 



Next morning the well-known whistle summoned the party 

 to breakfast at 8 o'clock, and before 9.0 we were out in the 

 brilliant sunshine and off for a long day's exploring. Driving 

 south-westward, the first halt was made at Kilmore Cathedral. 

 There the archaeologists came to the front, and discussed 



