290 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



The localities selected for last Season's Excursions seemed to 

 give general satisfaction. They were as follow : — 



19th May. Duncrue and Woodburn. 



9th June. Slate Quarries and Greyabbey. 



30th June. Tartaraghan and Lough Neagh. 



17th, 1 8th, & 19th July. Greenore and Carlingford. 



1 8th Aug. Downpatrick, Ardglass, &c. 



8th Sept. Dundonald and Neighbourhood, 



Detailed accounts of the Excursions are appended hereto. 



Although the season was by no means a favourable one for 

 excursions, the programme was, with one exception, carried out, 

 and the attendance in some cases was much above the average. 

 The exception referred to was the excursion arranged to Greenore 

 and Carlingford. It is to be regretted that the unsuitable weather 

 which prevailed at the time, and the high charges incident to the 

 occasion, deterred all but a few from sending in their names, and 

 on the morning ol the excursion it was considered advisable to 

 abandon it for the year. 



At several of the field meetings short papers were read on 

 subjects for the study of which the localities were more or less 

 suitable. This is a feature which the Committee would be glad 

 to see more generally adopted at future excursions. 



As in the previous year, the Conversazione was held at the 

 beginning of the Winter Session, and not at its close as formerly. 

 The experience of the past two seasons fully justifies the change, 

 and warrants the Committee in recommending to their successors 

 in office the continuance of this arrangement. The general re- 

 sponse of the members and friends to the invitations, and the 

 interest evinced in the various objects exhibited and displayed 

 around the room, were highly gratifying to those who were charged 

 with the arrangements. 



The Winter Session was opened by an address from the President 

 (Rev. Canon Macllwaine, D.D., M.R.I.A.), and during the session 



