226 The Irish Naturalist. 



BEiyFAST AND Dubinin Naturai^ists' Biei.d Ci.ubs. 



July 4th, 5th, and 6th.— The joint three-day excursion of the two Clubs 

 to Dundalk, Newry, and Carlingford, proved an unqualified success, and 

 we are glad to learn that a determination was expressed by members on 

 both sides that such meetings should be made periodic, and that the 

 southern Field Clubs also should be given an opportunity of meeting their 

 fellow-societies. On the first day, the combined party, numbering five- 

 and-twenty, assembled at Dundalk, and drove first to Ballymascanlan, 

 where one of the finest cromlechs in Ireland was inspected, and also a 

 kistvaen. Proceeding northward, a halt was called at the interesting 

 carved pillar-stone of Kilnasoggarth, which received due attention. The 

 next item on the programme was the ascent of Slieve Gullion (1,893 feet), 

 which was accomplished by a large section of the party, the others pro- 

 ceeding in wagonettes to the ancient and interesting church of Killeavy, 

 where they were subsequently joined by the mountaineers. On Slieve 

 Gullion some good plants were obtained, and some interesting insects. 

 On the way to Newry a halt was called at the Bessbrook granite quarries, 

 where Mr. Flynn, the proprietor, had a number of blasts ready, which w^ere 

 fired, and several hundred tons of rock brought down. Dinner was served 

 at the Victoria Hotel, Newry, at 9.30, and, subsequently, a presentation, 

 consisting of a beautiful morocco album filled with photographs taken 

 on the B.N.F.C. excursions, was made to Mr, R. Lloyd Praeger, by the 

 members of the Belfast Club. 



On the second day an early start was made, and the party drove to 

 Carlingford mountain, picking up some good plants on the route. While 

 the greater portion of the members ascended the mountain, a few pro- 

 ceeded by road to Carlingford town. Several hours were spent on the 

 mountain, and a large amount of collecting was done; the fungi and 

 flowering plants proved to be the groups which yielded the best results. 

 On the highest point of the mountain. Prof. Cole, F\G.S., briefly drew at- 

 tention to the geological formation of the surrounding country, which lay 

 spread out like a map on every hand. Lunch was partaken of at Carling- 

 ford, among the picturesque ruins of King John's Castle, and the part}^ pro- 

 ceeded by rail to Greenore, where a couple of hours' examination yielded 

 good results to zoologists, botanists, and geologists alike. After dinner 

 at Newry, an evening meeting was held, under the chairmanship of 

 Dr. McWeeney, President D.N.F.C, when the following communica- 

 tions were brought forward:— "Mosses and Hepatics of the district," 

 D. M'Ardle; "Flowering Plants of the district," R. Lloyd Praeger, 

 M.R.I. A.; "Local Geology," illustrated by limelight views. Prof. Cole 

 (in the regretted absence of Prof, Sollas, F,R.S., who had met with an 

 accident on Lambay island); "Antiquities of the district," F. J. Bigger, 

 Hon. Sec, B.N.F.C; "Vertebrates of the district," H. Lyster Jameson; 

 "Fungi collected on the excursion," Dr. McWeeney. 



On the third day members turned out at seven a.m., and paid an early 

 visit to the nursery garden of Mr. Thomas Smith, well known for its 

 botanical rarities. After breakfast, the party drove by the picturesque 

 upper road to the woods of Ferry-hill, where a profitable hour was spent. 

 Crossing Narrow- water ferry, Major Hall's beautiful grounds were 

 entered, and the artificial and natural beauties of the place were much 

 appreciated. Returning to Newr}^ early dinner occupied attention, after 

 which the business meetings of the respective Clubs were held, and a 

 number of new members elected, and after mutual congratulations on 

 the success of the trip, and a most kind invitation from the Dublin 

 members to their Belfast brethren to vSpend three days with them in 

 Dublin at the end of the month, the party adjourned to "The Glen," 

 where they were most hospitably entertained by Mr. Barcroft. vSubse- 

 quently members proceeded to the railway station, taking their respective 

 trains to Belfast and Dublin. 



Among the more interesting species taken on the excursion are the 

 following : — ^Flowering plants: — Cardttus crispus and Lychnis vcspertina, near 



