9 



heather." The berries of this species, which only ripen in 

 autumn, were found to be in some cases already well formed. In 

 the moors of North Britain, where the crowberry is produced 

 in profusion, its fruit affords a coveted food for the grouse 

 and ptarmigan, as well as for the bird whose name it bears. 

 Though used in several ways by the people in sub-Artie regions 

 to supplement their scanty list of luxuries, it is little valued hj 

 those more favourably situated. It is said to be productive of 

 headache and other unpleasant consequences when used. 



Many plants of less note were obtained, and, had the season 

 been further advanced, several other botanical rarities might 

 have been collected. As it was, however, the results were 

 eminently satisfactory. 



EXCURSION TO CUSHENDALL, 



On Wednesday, 19th June. 



Last year this excursion (fully described in the last report) 

 gave such general satisfaction, it was again selected for this 

 year's programme, and was conducted with equal success. The 

 weather for the two days was as fine as it was possible to desire 

 it, and the programme of arrangements made by the stewards 

 was equally interesting. The party was conveyed by a special 

 carriage on the Northern Counties Eailway to Larne. Here 

 Mr. M'Neill had a well-horsed van in readiness, and, starting 

 soon after eleven o'clock, the party took the entire day to 

 examine the several points of interest along the road, particu- 

 larly the various geological sections exposed, and which clearly 

 illustrate the geology of the North-East of Ireland. Several 

 formations were examined in situ, including the New Red Sand- 

 stone, the Lias, Green sand, Chalk, Trap rock, and Tertiary 

 gravels in several localities. From those beds the ladies as well 

 as the gentlemen of the party collected some very good speci- 

 mens of the characteristic fossils. Some vertebrse, bones, and 

 other Saurian remains were collected from the Lias near Glenarm ; 

 and some very good specimens of the Lima gigantea were obtained 

 at Waterloo, near Larne. The party arrived at the Glens of 



