2 30 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



of the lignite beds known to exist throughout the basaltic 

 plateau of Antrim be identified in character with these remains ? 

 It is to the patient investigation of apparently trivial details, 

 which often characterises the local student of nature, that we 

 must look for the solution of these and similar problems. 



The botanists and entomologists of the party were not idle. 

 " Island life" is proverbially devoid of insects, and no remark- 

 able captures were made. Three sets of plants found in flower 

 on the island were handed in, and that of Miss Sara T. Greer, 

 consisting of fifty-seven species, gathered in a little over an 

 hour, was declared the winner, the other collections being 

 almost as numerous. The flora possesses more variety than is 

 usally seen in an area so limited. It is especially rich in sedges. 

 Carex stricta^ which is accounted as one of the rarer sedges, 

 grows on the island very luxuriantly, and several of the other 

 carices attain a size above the average. In all, nine species of 

 Carex were found during the two hours' stay. That curious 

 and anomalous family of plants, the Characece, are also well 

 represented. In the shallow water around the shores there 

 were found Chara fragilis variety, delicatula^ and Nitella 

 opaca, together with another Nitella, which could not be at 

 once determined. The shallow waters of the lough abound in 

 fresh water moUusca. The shells of species of Cyclas occur in 

 profusion, as also several univalves, notably Planorbis margi- 

 natus. Limnea stagnalis was found, but only in scanty num- 

 bers. The party returned via the Glenavy River, ascending its 

 picturesque banks to the Glenconway Waterfall, which, how- 

 ever, owing to " business arrangements" at the adjacent works, 

 was unfortunately quite dry. The party reached Belfast again 

 about eight in the evening, after a long and most interesting day. 



On 17th and i8th July, to 

 KILLEAVY, DUNDALK, AND CARLINGFORD. 



The fourth excursion for the session was held on 17th and 

 1 8th July, the localities visited being Killeavy, Dundalk, an4 



