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



various classes, and of still more ancient character than those on 

 the mainland. Taking first the Christian structures, of which 

 there is a perfect series, the lecturer said that unfortunately 

 many are often used as quarries by the inhabitants, no respect 

 whatever being paid on the islands to buildings of antiquity 

 when their materials are found convenient for use. The Seven 

 churches, though as in the case of Kilmacduagh the number 

 Seven is by no means applicable, are the most important group 

 of this class. Strange features in some of the Seven churches 

 are stones projecting from the gables resembling handles, the 

 use or origin of which is uncertain. It was observed that these 

 early churches were not in every case in an East and West 

 position. Looking still farther back in time, the lecturer noticed 

 the Cahers or Cashels, lofty, fort-like erections, and described 

 the famous one of Dun ^ngus, which is situated on the edge 

 of a lofty precipice overlooking the Atlantic. It is considered 

 possible that this structure, now semicircular, was once fully 

 circular in form, resembling the royal fort of the Grianan of 

 Aileach in County Donegal, and that half was lost by the falling 

 away of a portion of the cliff at some distant period. This fort 

 is remarkable for its extensive chevaux-de-frise of sharp pieces 

 of limestone, set firmly into the ground to protect the narrow 

 entrance. Regret was expressed at the sad way in which this 

 most important early historical structure is suffering from the 

 entire want of sympathy of the inhabitants, and the reckless 

 way in which rabbit-hunting is carried on among its ruins. 

 The flagstone houses, and the probably still more ancient bee- 

 hive-shaped houses, were next described. After an account of 

 the physical geography of the islands, and a historical resume 

 of the many vicissitudes of war which they, in common with the 

 West of Galway, have passed through, the Canon congratulated 

 the present race on their peaceful times, but regretted that the 

 Land League, which had reached even these distant islands, 

 was making a sad change in the kindly feeling for which their 

 primitive people were so noted. 



Referring to the zoology and botany of the trip, the lecturer 



