l6 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



perpendicular cliff of limestone, at the base of which runs the 

 Blackwater — was about this time dismantled, and now forms a 

 picturesque, ivy-clad ruin. 



While several of the party were engaged with brush and 

 pencil, others, intent on geology, visited the limestone quarries, 

 a short distance off. A hurried glance showed that the place 

 would repay a visit with hammer and bag. Among the fossils 

 collected were specimens of Cyathophyllum ceratites^ Fennestella 

 antiqtia, ProdiLctus giganteus, P. semireticulatus^ Streptorhyn- 

 chus crenistria Pleiiroiomaria Yvanni. The walls of the old 

 castle and the limestone cliffs yielded to the botanists the 

 pepper-wort (^Lepidium campestre) and the wild wallflower 

 ( Cheiranthus cheiri). The almost total absence of hawthorn 

 blossom from the hedge-rows throughout the country this 

 season was remarked by members present, and fears were ex- 

 pressed that should the incoming winter prove rigorous, the 

 birds which depend on haws and other small fruit, for their 

 winter food, will suffer severely. Again'mounting the cars, the 

 party was, after a brisk drive to the station, soon on their way 

 home, after a thoroughly good day's work. 



On 8th July, to 



NEWTOWNARDS AND GREYABBEY. 



The third excursion of the season was held on Saturday, 

 8th July, to Newtownards and Greyabbey. The members of 

 the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland 

 were invited to join, and notwithstanding the downpour of rain 

 a large party drove via Dundonald and Newtownards to Grey- 

 abbey. A short halt was made in the former town to inspect 

 the market cross, which bears date 1636. Arrived at Greyabbey, 

 some forty archaeological students scattered through the care- 

 fully preserved ruins, and took a preliminary survey of the 

 general features of these, the most extensive abbey ruins in the 



