I64 [Proc.B.N.F.C. r 



arrival at Ballynahinch, the party walked leisurely through the 

 neat town, in which there is every evidence of prosperity, to the 

 entrance to Montalto. By the courtesy of Marcus Gage, Esq., J. P., 

 the agent of the estate, the party were given full liberty to botanise 

 through the extensive and varied grounds. It having been an- 

 nounced that a member had offered a prize for the two best 

 " sporting " fronds of any species of ferns collected during the 

 day, the party were soon engaged in the exploration of the 

 extensive glades which, spreading on either hand of the principal 

 avenue, afford habitats to some of our choicest ferns. Passing 

 by the front of the mansion-house, the party proceeded to examine 

 the pond, which adjoins the lower side of the extensive lawn. 

 Its surface was covered -Ly a profuse growth of the yellow water- 

 lily, while its margin was fringed by sedges and other aquatic 

 plants, among which was conspicuous the sweet-flag ( Acoras 

 calamus), specimens of which were eagerly secured by the botanists 

 of the party for their herbaria. This rare plant was known to 

 exist in County Down so early as 1788, but the precise locality 

 was not on record. It was lost sight of till 1866, when it was 

 re-discovered by members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club 

 in the Lagan Canal, between Moira and Lisburn. As this was 

 the only known station for the plant in Ireland, it is interesting 

 to note its occurrence in a second locality, which may possibly 

 be the one from which it was originally recorded. Interesting 

 as many of the plants obtained during the day were from their 

 rarity, others of more common occurrence were equally so from 

 their unusual luxuriance. The spotted palmate orchis (Orchis 

 maculata) was obtained fully double its usual height. Miniature 

 forests of the common brake fern ( Pteris aquilina) overtopped 

 the tallest members of the party, and fronds seven or eight feet 

 in height by four or five in breadth were measured, and even 

 these had not attained their full growth. Leaving Montalto, the 

 party proceeded to the Spa. Here a visit was paid to the 

 Labyrinth, entrance to which was simple enough, but egress was 

 not so readily obtained, and there was some little difficulty in 



