is the station mentioned in the books for this peculiar form of the 

 whin, and accordingly those who came provided with vascula 

 looked forward to filling them with good specimens of at least one 

 rare plant. However, no Ukx strictus could be found, and, on 

 inquiry, those interested in the plant were informed that it does 

 not now exist at Mountstewart. It has been stated that the Irish 

 Furze is only an inconstant form of the common whin, and that 

 view is strongly supported if it has really disappeared from its 

 original habitat in so short a time. Though the search for the 

 plant above-mentioned proved fruitless, yet the botanists were not 

 unsuccessful. Near to Dundonald was found the Lamb's Lettuce 

 ( Valeriaiiclla carinata), a plant not hitherto put on record as 

 Irish. It occurs in abundance on hedge banks for about a mile 

 of an old bye-road. How long it may have existed here cannot 

 be known, but it is at all events, quite wild and well established at 

 present. Fumaria pallidiflora, one of the smokeworts, was found 

 at Mountstewart, and the Bistort (Polygonum Bistorta) at Grey- 

 abbey. A number of other plants, which it is unnecessary to 

 enumerate, were also collected during the day. 



13th and 14th June, 



NEWCASTLE AND COAST OF DOWN. 



Owing to the severity of the weather, only a small party met at 

 the County Down Railway, and started for Newcastle, where they 

 were met by W. A. Traill, Esq., and W. E. L'E. Duffin, Esq., of 

 the Geological Survey, who very kindly accompanied the party 

 along the coast, and pointed out some of the most remarkable 

 geological features, including a number of porphyritic dykes 

 traversing the primary rocks of the district. 



At Kilkeel, a visit was paid the very fine Cromlech that occurs 

 quite near the town, also the old Church from which the town 

 takes its name. 



