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



F.R.S., in his family burying-place. The ancient graveyard, 

 with the holy well of spring water in its centre, and the prettily- 

 decorated modern church, also claimed their attention. They 

 then proceeded to the fine quarry, many of the basaltic columns 

 of which almost rival those of the Causeway in regularity. 

 Here they are not perpendicular, however, but inclined at an 

 angle of 40 deg. with the horizon, their ends only appearing in 

 the quarry face. Professor Hull and other geologists have 

 suggested that this portion of Carnmoney Hill formed one of 

 the " volcanic necks" of the great plutonic outburst of the 

 North of Ireland, Slemish, the rock of Dunluce Castle, and 

 others also being similar. The members here secured a good 

 quantity of the chalcedony for which this quarry is famous. 

 The more active of the party climbed to the fort on the hill 

 above, which, though not large, is very perfect, with a high 

 rampart and deep ditch. From the quarry the route was taken 

 beneath the richly-wooded escarpment of Carnmoney Hill to 

 the remains of the Abbey Church from which Whiteabbey 

 derives its name. The little church, whose inside dimensions 

 are about thirty-six feet by eighteen or nineteen feet, has its 

 four walls still standing, with three lancet windows in the east 

 gable, all richly draped with ivy, and closely shadowed by 

 several old trees, the whole forming a strikingly interesting and 

 picturesque group, the merits of which the photographic 

 members of the party were prompt to recognise. The advent of 

 a somewhat robust bull upon the scene caused a hasty adjourn- 

 ment, and the party dispersed, not all to re-assemble until they 

 met at the old Whitehouse near Macedon Point, the " little 

 pyle" of one of the old chronicles. Before leaving, however, 

 the photographers of the party attempted to get an " instantan- 

 eous" of John Bull and several members of his bovine harem. 

 Of the old Whitehouse there are still standing the walls and 

 gables, with three circular towers, the old kitchen fireplace, and 

 the oak beams that supported the floor, and the tradition is 

 still cherished that this was one of the lodging-places of 

 King William of "glorious, pious, and immortal" memory. 



