22 



of the river, the track of an otter was observed, and the gam 2- 

 keeper said that that creature was his chief enemy, and gave 

 him very great trouble. Returning by the long avenue between 

 the house and the Maghera road, a specimen of the hay-scented 

 fern (Lastrea Oreopteris) was gathered. After thus spending 

 a quiet day's ramble, the party returned to town by train from 

 Castledawson Station. 



On Saturday, 3rd September, to 



STRANGFORD LOUGH. 



This being the last excursion for the year, and the 

 weather being rather unfavourable, only a small party 

 undertook this trip, leaving by the County Down Railway 

 for Saintfield Station. Here cars were provided, and a drive 

 through one of the best-cultivated districts in Ulster — 

 formerly " full of wood and water " — brought the party under 

 the shadow of Killyleagh Castle, that has survived the vicis- 

 situdes of many, many years, and is still a beautiful residence, 

 Its original foundations were probably laid in the reign of 

 King John ; and by varying fortunes it was sacked, burnt, and 

 battered down from time to time, and as often restored, as it 

 was successively held by the M'Cartans, Mandevilles, Whites, 

 and Hamiltons. It has recently been restored, and is now a 

 noble castellated mansion, overlooking a rich and pleasant 

 country, in which industry and progress is everywhere 

 manifest. Shrigley Mills, the extensive works of Messrs. 

 Martin, of Belfast, form one of its most prominent features, 

 and as a factory is itself a good example of the busy hives that 

 are the peculiar characteristics of Ulster. At Killyleagh the 

 members of the Club visited the birthplace of Sir Hans Sloane, 

 the celebrated physician and naturalist, who founded the 

 British Museum; he was born in Killyleagh, in 1660. The 



