I7 2 [Proc. B.N.FC, 



table-land above. The rocks of the Knockagh closely resemble 

 those of the Cave Hill, and consist of steep basaltic cliffs that tell 

 of the action of the sea, which at a remote period washed their 

 bases. The restless waves have rolled against the coast with a 

 power almost resistless, and, as these escarpments testify, have 

 made considerable inroads on the solid rock itself. The caves 

 here excavated in the hard rock also indicate the action of the sea, 

 and, with the similar ones which occur at the Cave Hill and at 

 Woodbum, point to a time when the sea stood at a level relatively 

 higher than it does at present. The Chalk and other sedimentary 

 rocks which should appear below the basalt are almost entirely 

 covered up and obscured by an enormous talus or underclirT, the 

 result of many extensive slips and long-continued weathering. The 

 botany of the Antrim coast is extremely interesting to those who 

 delight in the study of our native plants. The sea cliffs yield a 

 large number of species which are not found far inland, and the 

 precipitous basaltic rocks of the Knockagh, which were once sea 

 cliffs, are tenanted by several of them. Solidago Virgaurea, the 

 only British representative of the large family of the Golden Rods, 

 was found plentifully; also the Red Broomrape (Orobanche rubra), 

 and the Sea Beet (Beta maritima). No county in the kingdom 

 can boast as many species of Hawkweeds as Antrim, and two 

 tolerably rare forms were found, viz.: — Hieracium anglicum and H. 

 marorum. In addition to the above the cryptogamic flora of this 

 hill is known to include several good species, but, as the time was 

 rather limited to admit of the minute search requisite, nothing 

 special was procured on this occasion. The edible mushroom, 

 which cannot, however, be styled a rare species, was met with in 

 some plenty and of remarkable size. One specimen found, 

 measuring eight and a-half inches in diameter, and about the same 

 height, was by far the largest that any of the party had ever seen. 

 A pleasant walk on the close sward along the top of the cliffs 

 afforded a magnificent view of the Lough and the surrounding 

 country, and the return journey brought a most enjoyable and 

 profitable afternoon's excursion to a close. It was a matter of con- 



