2 9 6 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



advent of a bright summer's day. A few minutes were devoted to 

 the Dun, or fort, of Dundonald, and a few more to the quarries of 

 deep red sandstone recently opened about a mile further on. These 

 are attributed to the Bunter sandstone, of which the great mass of 

 Scrabo Hill is composed. After passing Newtownards a visit was 

 paid to Mountstewart Demesne, through the kindness of J. Brown- 

 low, Esq., J. P. As on a former visit, the little fern, Ophioglossum 

 vulgatum, or Adder's tongue, was speedily detected amongst the grass. 

 The small, but very perfect Cromlech, near the outskirts of the 

 Demesne, was also visited. This originally formed the centre of 

 a large tumulus, now removed, in which were several other structures 

 nearly similar, containing sepulchral urns. 



On reaching Greyabbey the company, after a general ramble 

 among the picturesque ruins, assembled to hear a detailed descrip- 

 tion of them from Mr. J. J. Phillips, whose unsurpassed acquaint- 

 ance with the mediaeval antiquities of the County of Down, well 

 fitted him for the post of cicerone which he had so kindly under- 

 taken. The general substance of his communication was similar 

 to the paper recently read by him before the Club, and which 

 appears in the Proceedings for the Session 1874-5. To this the 

 reader is referred for full particulars of the Church, Refectory, and 

 other buildings, which have perhaps undergone fewer changes 

 from the time of their erection, towards the close of the twelfth 

 century, except from neglect and decay, than most other of the 

 Cistercian abbeys of the British Islands. The gratitude of all 

 antiquarians is due to Colonel Montgomery for having so gener- 

 ously placed funds at the disposal of Mr. Phillips for the excava- 

 tions and other researches, which produced such interesting results, 

 and to that gentleman himself for the knowledge and zeal with 

 which the works have been carried on. 



After leaving the Abbey the Slate Quarries lately opened in 

 the vicinity were visited. These have now been assigned their 

 true position in the group of Silurian rocks, stretching from the 



