1884-1885.] 3^3 



to a specimen of partially silicified lignite found intercalated 

 between beds of trap at Knocknagor, near Banbridge ; and 

 specimens are said to have been found in the heart of silicified 

 blocks at Lough Neagh, resembling the lignite of Knocknagor 

 and the Giants' Causeway." Thus to a great extent all the 

 definite statements based on the observations and research of 

 previous writers, that the Silicified Wood has its source in these 

 clays are to a great extent ignored. 



In company with Mr Starkie Gardiner, I visited the Lough 

 shores frequently last summer, while the waters were low, and 

 while admitting the possibility of Silicified Wood being found 

 in the basalts, we were quite satisfied from what we saw, that 

 the Lough Neagh examples and the numerous specimens scat- 

 tered about that area are associated with the ironstone nodules, 

 and are derived from the lignite-bearing clays in question, but 

 no positive proof could be gained, and the older writers stood 

 unsupported. In December last, however, Mr S. A. Stewart 

 and myself again visited the ground, and found a pit had been 

 sunk on the margin, as near as possible to the spot so precisely 

 indicated by Dr. Barton — that is to say, Ahaness, half a mile 

 south of Glenavy River. The pit had been sunk to obtain 

 lignite for trial in some manufacturing process. We found the 

 hole full of water, but after no small labour we cleared it ; it 

 was about three feet deep. Under a foot of surface gravels and 

 some of the white tenacious clay which characterises these beds, 

 was a solid stratum of lignite. With a good deal of difficulty 

 it could be dug, as so accurately described by Dr. Barton. We 

 did not work long at the digging, as the water could not 

 be kept out, but after throwing out a quantity, had to 

 abandon the work. On asking the very intelligent farmer who 

 assisted us if he could tell us where the silicified wood came 

 from, he at once said it came from the lignite, and could prove 

 it. He said he had carted several loads of the lignite to his 

 house for fuel, and on burning a large piece he found the heart 

 of it was stone. The calcined remains of this important speci- 

 men he gave me, and pointed out the heap he had carted up, 

 and in it we found a piece, part wood and part stone, that had 



