15 10 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



In certain spots it is possible to descend to sea-level, which is found to be 

 strewn with large, irregular blocks and boidders. Little seaweed vegetation, 

 however, occurs. On the cliff, colonies of sea-birds provide the conditions 

 .which favour a vigorous growth of Prasiola stipitata. 



With regard to exposure, Beetle Head (or Kinatevdilla) and the shore below 

 the north-west cliff are open to the ocean, and feel the full force of the 

 Atlantic rollers. The south side is open to the sea from the south-west, 

 and is also very exposed; but it is not subjected to quite such boisterous 

 conditions as is the north-west side. Owing to the prevalence of south- 

 westerly gales, the exposure on this shore must, however, be very severe. 

 A bend at the eastern end towards the castle affords some protection, as 

 evidenced by the change in the character of the Fucus growth. The sandy 

 bay near the harbour, which faces east, provides the only sheltered shore on 

 the island, and a few sand-loving species are found at the northern corner. 

 Beyond the bay, the stretch of rocks leading to Kinnacorra is subjected to 

 moderate wave-action, and on the whole the conditions are semi-exposed. 

 At Alnahaskilla (beyond Kinnacorra) greater exposure is met with, owing 

 to the sea coining in from the north; and for the same reason all points 

 along the north-east side are subjected to rough water, though a certain 

 amount of shelter is found in the intervening bays and inlets. In a general 

 way the north-east shore is decidedly more protected than the south, but less 

 so than Kinnacorra. 



(2) The Mainland. — When investigating the mainland, it was the usual 

 practice to begin at Boonah Point, at the south-west corner of the Clew 

 Bay, work round to Mulranny on the northern side, and then proceed to 

 Achill Sound and Bellacragher Bay. In describing the ground it will be 

 convenient to follow the same order. 



Boonah Quay faces west, and the rocky shore of Silurian slates at 

 the point is subjected to the same exposed conditions as Clare Island. 

 To the south there is a long stretch of boulder-beach, but the presence 

 of rocks in shallow water provides shelter, and there is a certain amount 

 of fairly good collecting-ground. At the point itself, small bays and 

 caves with partial shelter occur. Turning the corner into Clew Bay the 

 exposure rapidly decreases, and between this point and Bartraw there is 

 a series of beaches composed of rocks, boulders, or sand. The surf-loving 

 Xemalion is found as far in as Old Head, where steep rocks and rough 

 water occur for the last time ; shallow water then sets in, and there is 

 much sand. When the islands of the bay are reached, the tide recedes 

 for a long distance, and a certain amount of mud begins to appear, but in 

 several spots a luxuriant littoral vegetation exists. 



