1888-89.] 89 



tion of the Mass during the days of the proscription. From 

 thence the route was taken towards Gilhall, but a halt was 

 made by the way at another very fine double fort, close to the 

 banks of the Lagan. Through the kindness of Mr. George 

 Brush, J. P., the party then visited the demesne of Gilhall, the 

 woods of which were just bursting into leaf, and the ground 

 was thickly carpeted with wild hyacinth. The marshy and 

 wooded ground by the riverside is well suited for a variety of 

 native plants, but the season was not yet sufficiently advanced for 

 successful botanising. The Giant Bellflower (Campanula lati- 

 folia) has been introduced to the grounds, and grows there in 

 great abundance. It was seen on the present occasion in plenty 

 by the Lagan side, but not yet in flower. 



On returning to Dromore, a visit was paid to the Cathedral, 

 where lie the remains of Jeremy Taylor and of Mr. Stott, a 

 bleacher of literary repute, whom Byron has rather unfairly 

 pilloried in his English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, under 

 the epithet of " Grovelling Stott," the adjective being presum- 

 ably intended for his standing as a poet rather than his charac- 

 ter as a man. The remains of the ancient cross, recently set 

 up adjoining the Cathedral, were then visited, and focussed by 

 the cameras of the party. The cross, which has been very 

 neatly and appropriately restored, bears the following inscrip- 

 tion : — " The ancient historical cross of Dromore, erected and 

 restored after many years of neglect, by public subscription, to 

 which the Board of Works were contributors, under the aus- 

 pices of the Town Commissioners of Dromore. — 1887." It may 

 be stated that the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club were amongst 

 the contributors to its re-erection. An adjournment was then 

 made to Malloch's Hotel, where tea was partaken of. After- 

 wards a meeting was held — Alexander Tate, Esq., C.E., in the 

 chair — when several new members were elected. The excur- 

 sion was finished up by a visit to the great fort, with triple 

 ramparts, just outside the town. The central fort is very high, 

 being on the summit of a hill which has been scarped out to 

 form ditches and ramparts. At the foot of the hill, beside the 



