i88S-J886.] 439 



from four different localities. The tooth of a hippopotamus 

 was also referred to as having, about thirty years ago, been 

 found in the bank of a stream one mile from Carrickfergus. It 

 is a matter of regret, however, that the precise spot and bed 

 from which it was obtained are not on record. Its value, there- 

 fore, in fixing its exact geological position, like the tooth itself, 

 is lost to science. The absence of many reptiles from Ireland 

 common to Britain was also referred to, and the frog was spe- 

 cially named, as the speaker said it was the common belief 

 among country people that it was quite a recent introduction, 

 a belief which the Rev. Canon did not seem to credit, from the 

 wide-spread abundance of the creature. The speaker concluded 

 by hoping that the attention of members would, especially on 

 excursions, be more directed to the subjects on which he had 

 touched, and that an effort would be made to examine some 

 of the caves which occur along our coasts, with a view of 

 elucidating their history. 



An interesting discussion followed, in which several mem- 

 bers joined, giving their opinions and the result of their obser- 

 vations on many of the subjects touched upon by the President. 

 Regarding the frog, it seemed to be the general opinion of the 

 speakers, that the case of its introduction into Ireland about the 

 time of Charles II. or Cromwell was well established. 



A second communication, entitled " Notes on Bally willan 

 Church, Portrush," by Mr. F. W. Lockwood, was, in his un- 

 avoidable absence, read by Mr. W. Swanston. The writer 

 directed attention to this roofless structure, standing about a 

 mile from Portrush, and carefully measured drawings of it 

 were exhibited. After describing its remaining architectural 

 features, the opinion was expressed that the date of the erec- 

 tion of the building was the latter part of the 12th century, 

 or what is known as the transition period. It would, therefore, 

 be of the same date as Christ's Church Cathedral, in Dublin, 

 and Greyabbey, in the County Down. This is, in itself, 

 sufficient to make it of considerable interest, for ecclesiastical 

 remains in the North of Ulster are comparatively rare. But 

 quite apart from any question of comparative rarity, the 



