i6 



been planned, by which excursionists can with ease and comfort 

 visit some of the grandest coast and mountain scenery of Ireland, 

 and explore mountain passes, cliffs, glens, and mountains unsur- 

 passed in Britain for their variety, extent, or historical associations. 



Quite independent of the arrangements here referred to, the 

 Belfast Naturalists' Field Club for some time contemplated a visit 

 to Donegal, and this year " South Donegal" was set down in the 

 programme of excursions. Arrangements having been accordingly 

 made for an expedition to occupy five days, the conductor, with a 

 party of fifteen members and friends, including several ladies, set 

 out on Tuesday, the 22nd, for Stranorlar, by the train leaving the 

 Ulster Railway Station at seven o'clock in the morning. The 

 perusal of the morning papers helped to fill up the time as the train 

 hurried through the scenes already visited by the Club, from the 

 valley of the Lagan to the Silurian district of Pomeroy. Soon after 

 fresh interest was excited in passing Omagh and Newtownstewart, 

 made famous by recent events. At Strabane a change was made 

 from the Irish North- Western to the Finn Valley Railway, and 

 about an hour's run on this line brought us to Stranorlar. Bag and 

 baggage, picks, hammers, and collecting boxes were here trans- 

 ferred to the vans that awaited our arrival ; indeed, a whole crowd 

 clamoured for the honour of our patronage, and, although the 

 conductor had made his bargain beforehand, he had some difficulty 

 in determining with whom he was to go ; fortunately, he selected the 

 right man, and had no reason to regret having entrusted the party 

 to the care of Mr. M'Gerty, who " carried out the programme" to 

 the letter. He was well acquainted with the whole locality, and 

 gave the name of every peak as they unfolded themselves among 

 the hills, the origin of the names, and the legendary lore, but was 

 completely " bothered" with our questions about mica-schist, lepi- 

 doptera, or pollypodies ; and professing to know something of 

 geometry, we asked him if ever he got over the " ass's bridge." 

 He said, " No ; but I drove a pair of bays over Connolly's bridge." 



Passing up the valley of Burn Darnett, affording extensive views 

 of highland scenery, a flagstaff to the left indicated Meenglass, the 

 seat of Viscount Lifford. Further on, Lough Mourne comes in 



