2o8 The Irish Naturalist. 



they turn a sod on the grave the previous day, and by this 

 means they think to avoid the misfortune attached to a burial 

 on an unlucky day. 



There are numerous sacred spots such as " saints' beds," 

 holy wells and rag-bushes at which cures can be effected and 

 miraculous help afforded. 



Amongst other survivals may be noted certain details in the 

 costume, and especially the raw hide sandals. The curraghs 

 are similar in general character to those common along the 

 west coast, the single oars are pivotted on thole-pins. Stone 

 anchors are still used, more frequently in the Middle and 

 South Islands. Querns are not now used, but it is not long 

 since they were employed. The spinning-wheel is similar to 

 that used in various places along the West, but it differs from 

 that employed in the North. 



The antiquities of the Aran Islands have never been system- 

 atically described and published ; and 3^et nowhere in the 

 British Islands are there so many and so varied remains 

 associated within a like limited area. The Islands ma}- not 

 inaptly be described as a unique museum of antiquities. 



There are many places in Ireland which are as worthy of a 

 careful study as the Aran Islands, and I hope that some of our 

 readers will pay attention to this subject. I shall be very 

 pleased to enter into correspondence with any that would like 

 to study the ethnography, sociology, or folk-lore of their 

 particular district. I^etters addressed to the Royal College of 

 Science, Stephen's Green, Dublin, will ahva3^s find me. 



Through the kindness of the Council of the Roj^al Irish 

 Academy, I am able to reproduce one of the plates of the 

 original paper, which was prepared from a photograph taken 

 by myself. 



PI.ATE 8. 



Fig. I. Colman Flaherty, Thomas, aged about sixty years, Ogliil. 



Fig. 2. Michael O'Donnell, John, aged iiftj'-three. 



N.B. — When there is more than one man of the same name in the Aran 

 Islands the individuals are distinguished by the addition of their father's 

 Christian name, as in the foregoing cases. Flaherty is a thirteenth child, 

 and according to the tradition of the island should be a piper, but he 

 cannot play the bagpipes; he is a very typical Aranite. O'Donnell's 

 ancestor came from Ulster, They are standing in front of St. Sournick's 

 thorn. 



Fig. 3. Michael MuUin, aged 21 years, Kilronan. A typical Aranite. 



