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



willow (Salix purpurea) and one of the interesting group of the 

 Characece {Nitella opaca). A rare butterfly, the Little Blue 

 [Polyommatus alsus), was obtained on the slopes near Whitehead, 

 and also the chrysalis of the Burnet moth. The prizes having 

 been awarded, the road was taken for the railway station, and 

 the party reached Belfast at 7.30. 



On June 14th, to 



KILLINCHY AND STRANGFORD LOUGH. 



The second excursion was made on June 14th to Killinchy 

 and Strangford Lough, and again the Club were favoured with 

 magnificent weather. The morning, indeed, was somewhat 

 gloomy, but, trusting to the indication of a high and steady 

 barometer, an unexpectedly numerous party assembled at the 

 Ulster Hall at ten o'clock, and were soon rattling through the 

 town in three well-appointed brakes, bound for the shores of 

 Strangford Lough. Nor did the weather disappoint those who, 

 overlooking its somewhat fickle disposition, had put their trust 

 in it ; by the time Dundonald was reached the party were revel- 

 ling in the bright sunshine of a perfect June day. Passing 

 through Comber, no halt was made till Balloo Crossroads, near 

 Killinchy, were reached, at which point the party dismounted 

 to visit a fine old earthen fort, or rath, which stands by the side 

 of the Saintfield road. It is still in a tolerable state of preserva- 

 tion ; the fosse which surrounds it is of considerable depth, and 

 a portion of the breastwork which surmounted the steep earthen 

 wall and protected the interior is still intact. Resuming the 

 journey, the main road was forsaken near Moorhall, and a bye 

 road led down towards the lough, which now appeared in front, 

 affording exquisite glimpses of grassy islands, and bays and 

 lagoons of intensest blue. Beyond lay the long fertile stretch 

 of the Ards peninsula, over which the blue mountains of Wigton- 

 shire and the Isle of Man were distinctly visible. A lane winding 

 by the water's edge led to Ringhaddy Castle, standing in 



