1889-90.] 1 85 



usual in character. A close examination proves them to be 

 natural, but they might easily be mistaken for the rude stone 

 inscriptions of ancient man, and it is quite possible that similar 

 markings may ere now have figured in the note-books of enthu- 

 siastic antiquaries. The markings in this case occur on an 

 exposed protrusion of basalt, or probably portion of a large 

 basaltic dyke, and are doubtless due to the weathering of the 

 soft coatings of nodules of rock foreign to the basalt. The 

 light suiting admirably, a photograph of a portion is taken to 

 assist in further reference to them. After tea in Ballynahinch 

 a visit is paid to a castle some distance north of the town. 

 This, as is usual with such structures, is on high ground, and 

 from its remains it seems to have been a place of considerable 

 importance. The botany of the district had not been lost sight 

 of. To those in quest of lacustrine plants Loughinisland offers 

 attractions that are irresistible. A lake with gravelly bottom 

 and shallow, reedy margins, more or less sheltered by trees — 

 such are the conditions here. In such a place one may look 

 with confidence for some of the rarer plants, and will not be 

 disappointed. The Great Reed-grass (Phragmites communis) 

 grows here in immense luxuriance, and the Reedmace ( Typha 

 latifolia), popularly known as Blackheads, flourishes abundantly. 

 The Great Water Docken (Rumex hydrolapathum) occurs more 

 sparingly. These are amongst the giants of our water plants, 

 but peer close into the water in certain places and it will be seen 

 that nature has not by any means been exhausted. Unnoticed 

 by the ordinary observer, tiny plants grow on the lake floor, and 

 these minims usually have the greatest charm for the naturalist. 

 Several Charas flourish in Loughinisland, and in some parts 

 the little round leaves of the Waterwort [Elatine hexandrd) 

 form a green carpet down under the water, where the plant 

 flowers and ripens its seed without ever being in contact with 

 the atmosphere. A Bur-reed (Sparganium simplex) and many 

 other of the more common water plants were also seen. At 

 Clough some plants that prefer rocks, or stone and mortar, were 

 observed. The Black Spleen wort {Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum) 



