1888-89.] 97 



Cemetery of Brugh na Boinne, extending from Slane to 

 Netterville, along the north bank of the Boyne. Of the many 

 tumuli included in this cemetery, only the three great mounds 

 of Knowth, New Grange, and Dowth were examined, and of 

 these the underground chambers were thoroughly explored, 

 even by the lady members of the party. A partially successful 

 attempt was made by a Belfast amateur to photograph the 

 subterranean chamber of New Grange by a magnesium flash 

 light. Leaving the ancient Royal Cemetery now forming the 

 undulating, grand, and picturesque scenery by the windings of 

 the Boyne, the party reached the Boyne Obelisk, but the falling 

 rain and limited time prevented them from tracing the various 

 features of the great battlefield of 1690 ; so, hurrying on to 

 Drogheda, they partook of a hasty dinner, and left by the last 

 train for Belfast. 



On 4th August, to the 



CAVE HILL. 



A special field meeting was held on this date, the object 

 being to examine some of the geological phenomena so well 

 displayed in the limestone quarries at Whitewell, and to 

 become better acquainted with the Flora of the Cave Hill. 

 Undeterred by the thick, close rain, and reinforced by an 

 English contingent, the party proceeded by steam tram. The 

 wet weather, however, considerably reduced the attendance and 

 prevented the full programme being carried out. The exten- 

 sive quarries at Whitewell cut deep into the hillside, and afford 

 a rare opportunity for studying the stupendous operations of 

 nature in past ages. As explained by the leader on the present 

 occasion, the sections here indicate the following order of 

 events : — 1st. Greensand deposit, which forms the floor of the 

 quarry, and is seen only at the entrance ; a coarse sandy marine 

 deposit of dark-green colour, which has been formed near a 

 shore, or at any rate in water of only moderate depth. It was 

 the home of an interesting fauna. Such shells as Exogyra^ 



