THE SUBDIVISION OF IRELAND Ixxvii 



39. Antrim. 



North-eastern. Area 1191 square miles. Maritime, with an 

 extensive coast-line, much of which is exceedingly bold and 

 picturesque. Antrim includes the major portion of the great Eocene 

 lava-plateau of the north-east ; and right up the centre and east of 

 the county, from south to north, runs a broad range of high ground, 

 rising in Trostan to 1817 feet, and maintaining over a large area an 

 elevation of above 1000 feet. On the east and north, this plateau 

 descends precipitously into the sea, with deep glens running inland. 

 The western slope is more gentle, and much of the western and 

 southern portions is low and fertile. There is a large variety of 

 other rocks in the county, including Chalk, but most of them occur 

 in limited quantity, and none appear to appreciably affect the flora. 

 The western boundary is formed by Lough Neagh (half of the shores 

 of which belong to Antrim) ; by Lough Beg, and by the Bann, 

 a large river. The River Lagan, which forms part of the SE. 

 boundary, is the only other considerable stream. Excepting those 

 mentioned, lakes and rivers are unimportant. Bogs, high-level and 

 low-level, are well represented. Crops occupy 34-|- per cent, of 

 the surface, grass land 48 per cent., barren mountain land 7 per 

 cent. A varied and interesting county, which has been thoroughly 

 explored. 



Flora 777 species — the largest total of any of the Irish divisions, 

 Dublin coming next with 750, then Down with 742 species. A 

 varied flora, rich in rare plants. Northern and Scottish species are 

 comparatively frequent, and Lough Neagh brings several very rare 

 plants into the flora. 



Six species are confined to this division : — 



Eanunculus fluitans. Adoxa Moschatellina. 



Geranium sylvaticum. Carex pauciflora. 



Geranium pratense. Carex B-oxbaumii. 



Rare plants are numerous : — 



Barbarea intermedia, 5, Poterium officinale, 4. 



Cardamine amara, 6. Rosa hibernica, 3. 



Arenaria verna, 3. Eosa glauca, 4. 



Hypericum hirsutum, 4. Saidfraga aizoides, 5. 



Vicia Orobus, 4. Carum verticillatum, 6. 



