how he could shoulder a musket in olden times. By the courtesy 

 of J. Brownlow, Esq., the party were permitted to go where they 

 liked through Mountstewart Demesne. Almost at the very en- 

 trance a curious forked variety of the adder's tongue fern was found, 

 that was unknown to any of the members present, not having been 

 seen at any previous excursion. The grounds of Mountstewart 

 looked really very beautiful, as, indeed, they always do, under the 

 care of Mr. Grieve, the head gardener, who kindly conducted the 

 party through, and pointed out the several objects of interest. In 

 the garden a large vine was pointed out as being next in size to 

 the very celebrated one of Hampton Court. The Mountstewart 

 vine was planted in 1769, and in 1800 the year's crop of grapes 

 weighed 1,112 pounds ; it is still in good health and production, 

 and it covers a space forty feet long, and twenty feet wide. Mr. 

 Grieve conducted the party through the plantation, and pointed 

 out some fir trees covered with aphides, or plant lice, and ex- 

 plained that for years these creatures were very destructive to the 

 trees over a very large portion of the demesne. Several of the 

 members secured specimens for closer microscopic examination at 

 home. The party were next shown through the mansion, which 

 contains several objects of interest to the naturalist and archseolo" 

 gist. Some antique bronzes were much admired, as well as the 

 very fine examples of Irish elk horns that are appropriately 

 mounted in the hall. 



Leaving Mountstewart, the entire party drove off to the beauti- 

 ful grounds of Greyabbey, but more interesting in consequence 

 of the historical reminiscences that crowd around the spot, where 

 carved slabs and sculptured effigies direct the mind backwards to 

 the days of Runnymede. The Abbey was founded in n 93 by 

 the wife of Sir John de Courcy, and daughter of Godred, King 

 of the Isle of Man. 



The effigies of De Courcy and his wife may be seen in one of 

 the side chapels of the Abbey. The party then left to explore the 

 grounds, and, as is usual on these occasions, the native plants of 

 the district visited were carefully investigated. Some disappointment 

 was felt at not finding the Irish Furze ( Ulex strict us). Mountstewart 



