1888-89.] 99 



was held, and the election of new members was not proceeded 

 with. Though several rare plants occur on the hill, the ascent 

 was abandoned on account of the continued downpour. A 

 small consolation was afforded by the testimony of a witness 

 present to the effect that Orkney and the Hebrides have en- 

 joyed a remarkably dry season, being in fact threatened with 

 a water famine, and also that there has been a strangely dry 

 summer at Valentia. 



On 1 8th August, to 



BALLYCASTLE. 



A numerous party assembled on the platform of the Northern 

 Counties Railway, and took the early train en route for Bally- 

 castle. A fast run brought them to Ballymoney, where car- 

 riages were changed, and proceeding at a more leisurely rate 

 along the narrow-gauge line, passing Dervock, and Armoy, 

 with its round tower and ancient crosses, the summit level is 

 reached, and the train glides at a faster pace around the western 

 base of Knocklayd, and draws up at the platform at Ballycastle. 

 After a short halt at the Antrim Arms Hotel, a start is made, 

 and the party proceed to the shore. And here they feel, in- 

 deed, the delight of escaping for a few hours from the smoke 

 and dust of the city to such a spot as this. Beneath a cloud- 

 less sky, the blue waters of the xA-tlantic are raised into a 

 thousand dancing wavelets by the crisp, fresh, northerly breeze, 

 and break with a continuous murmur on the long, white 

 stretch of shining sand. Straight opposite, across the sunny 

 channel, rise the white and black cliffs and heathery hills of 

 Rathlin Island. Eastward, the grand promontory of Benmore, 

 or Fair Head, stands out into the sea with rugged boldness, 

 while to the westward the snow-white rocks of Kinbane project 

 into the azure waters. 



A short walk brings the party to the ruined abbey of Bona- 

 margy, or Bunn-na-Mairge, which figures perhaps more than 



