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



The author, after giving some remarkable evidence on the 

 flexibility of the earth's crust, and its sensitiveness to such 

 outflows as producing subsidence, concluded by pointing out 

 the importance of members of the Club setting themselves to 

 examine these trap formations, with a view of ascertaining if 

 there be any rythmic succession in the character of the rocks 

 composing them, and thus, if possible, obtaining an insight 

 into the inner working and physical history of that hitherto 

 unwitnessed, but awful visitation — a fissure eruption. 



The second paper read was by Mr. F. W. Lockwood 

 descriptive of various ancient canoes found recently in Lough- 

 mourne, and presented by the Water Commissioners to the 

 Museum, as well as some found during the recent dry summer 

 in the County Fermanagh. 



Of those in the Museum from Loughmourne, one is a mere 

 fragment, being the spoon-shaped end of an oak canoe. The 

 second is a complete " cot," or flat-bottomed boat, 13 feet long, 

 2 feet 6 inches wide, and 9 inches deep. It has five holes 

 neatly bored, running longitudinally along the centre of the 

 bottom. These, it is suggested, were to receive the wooden 

 pins of a keel. The third is a regular rowing boat, rather over 

 13 feet long, 2 feet 9 inches wide, and 9 inches deep, and must 

 have been very shallow and crank. Before it shrank in drying 

 it must have been wider, as is shown by the loose seat or 

 "thwart" now remaining. Like all the others, it was "dug 

 out " of a solid oak trunk. A projecting piece was left in 

 each side of the gunwale, with two holes to take pins, through 

 two similar holes in the end of the seats, of which there 

 are two. Similar projections were left, with a large hole in 

 each, to receive a single large thole-pin (not two, as in use now). 

 Raised crescent-shaped pieces were also left in the bottom of 

 the boat for the rowers' heels to press against. There are two 

 rows of four or five holes bored right through the bottom, in a 

 straight line across from side to side, the purpose of which 

 cannot easily be explained. These boats are well worth an 

 inspection by present disciples of the oar. 



Mr. Lockwood also described a number of canoes found in 



