1875-1876.] l6 9 



of interest along the road, and to add to the number of specimens 

 already collected. Very fine specimens of the common spleenwort 

 (Asplenium Trichomams), and the bladder fern (Cystopteris fragilis), 

 occur in profusion about the rocks and caves along the river 

 banks, where the kingfisher was started from its haunts by the 

 exploring members of the party. Dinner was ready on arriving 

 at the hotel about five o'clock, and the remainder of the evening 

 was spent about the beach, till about nine o'clock, when the 

 various collections were submitted in competition for the prize 

 offered for the best series of geological specimens. In anticipation 

 of this the competitors were for some time previous engaged in 

 cleaning, washing, and preparing the specimens. For this purpose 

 they had tubs of water, where they slopped and messed to the 

 no small amusement of the domestics. 



After a very close scrutiny of the specimens presented to them, 

 the judges awarded the prize to Mr. R. M. Gilmore, who had 

 collected 60 different forms of minerals and fossils. 



Next morning (Thursday) the party left for Glendun valley, 

 soon after breakfast, and rambling about the hedges collected 

 a variety of ferns, including the sweet mountain fern {Lastrea 

 Oreopteris). They then visited the caves at Cushendun, where 

 they collected plants of the sea spleenwort {Asplenium mari7ium). 

 In addition to the plants which have already been mentioned, 

 the following, as well as many other rarities, were found during the 

 excursion, viz., the dwarf elder (Sambuais Ebtthis) and {Lycopodium 

 selaginoides.) Returning to the hotel for luncheon the ladies' 

 bouquets of wild flowers were placed upon the table, and the prize 

 for the best awarded to Miss Davidson. This closed the business 

 of the excursion, and the party left Cushendall Math regret, and 

 highly pleased with the courtesy of the hotel manager and his 

 staff of assistants. The drive to Larne was very pleasant, and 

 had a few breaks, such as to visit the Whiting Mill at Glenarm, &c. 

 Larne was reached in time for the last train, which arrived at 

 Belfast at 9.15. 



