1 879-1880.] 401 



which they are taken and packed for the various markets as 

 required. The fishing is conducted at night, and some idea of the 

 quantities captured may be formed from the fact that it has been 

 estimated over 70,000 eels have been taken in a single night. The 

 principal markets for the produce are London, Manchester, and 

 other large manufacturing towns in England, to which there are 

 regular shipments going on by Belfast and Larne. 



Taking boat the party went rapidly down stream, and were soon 

 in Lough Beg, which may be considered an expansion of the 

 Lower Bann. A visit was paid to Church Island, close on the 

 Derry side. In ordinary seasons this is connected with the main- 

 land by an extensive tract of good grazing ground, but this exces- 

 sive wet season has made it virtually an island, much to the dis- 

 appointment of the botanists of the party. An hour was spent 

 here examining the old ruined church, with its modern looking 

 spire, which rises so solitary over the low ground. The rag-well, 

 noted in the locality for its healing properties, was also visited. 

 The offerings, in the form of rags, tied to the overhanging thorn, 

 testify to the benefit derived from the application of a few drops of 

 the waters to the " firm believers." The cures have apparently 

 been numerous, and the offerings not extravagant, judging by the 

 bleached and tattered display. 



On the return to Toome gatherings were made of the whitish 

 earth through which the " new cut" is made. There is perhaps 

 scarcely a microscopist of any note in Britain whose cabinet does 

 not contain several "slides" of this celebrated Diatomaceous 

 deposit. Under careful manipulation and a high magnifying 

 power this dull-looking earth is resolved into a vast assemblage of 

 diatoms — the silicious remains of an order of extremely minute 

 plants — of the most delicate construction and exquisite beauty. 

 A short visit was afterwards paid to the river bank below the 

 bridge, to search for flint implements, for which the place is also 

 noted, but no success attended the search owing to the very high 



