1873-1874.] J 5 



particularly soothing effect tempered the zeal of our naturalists, 

 who, laying aside dredge, and net, and vasculum, abandoned 

 themselves to the quiet enjoyment of the surrounding beauty, 

 ploughing their way through the calm waters on their rapid home- 

 ward course. The botanical wealth of the locality visited is very 

 considerable, and specimens were collected of several rare plants. 

 The sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) was found in abundance on both 

 banks of the canal between Moira and Lisburn. The history of 

 this plant is interesting. It grows nowhere else in Ireland, but 

 was known to occur in Co. Down in 1788. Subsequently it was 

 lost sight of until 1866, when it was re-discovered by members of 

 the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. The sweet flag may not be 

 entitled to rank in the strictest sense as an indigenous plant; 

 nevertheless, the fact of its having occupied a position in the 

 country for nearly a hundred years makes it an old-established 

 denizen. Another rare plant, the bitter cress ( Cardamine amara), 

 was found growing in very small quantity on the canal banks. 

 Several species of pondweed are abundant, the rarest of which is 

 Potamageton prcelongus — quite a scarce plant. The pretty little 

 lily-like plant Villarisa nymphoeoides is also found in the canal, 

 and the flowering rush, adorns the banks with its umbels of showy 

 flowers. The gipsy wort (Lycopus europceus) occurs, with many 

 others deserving of notice. The water thyme (Anacharis Alsin- 

 astrum), an unwelcome immigrant, extends itself in dense masses 

 all through the canal ; indeed it was known here years before it 

 was noted as occurring in the sister kingdom. 



On 1 6th, 17th, and 18th July, to 



GLENRAVEL AND CUSHENDALL. 



The party went by train to Ballymena, and there a large van 

 awaited to convey them to Glenravel and Cushendall. Driving 

 first to Broughshane, they visited Dr. Grainger, the rector of the 

 parish, who kindly exhibited his very fine collection of archaeological, 



