1890-91.] 273 



Thronemount on the arrival of the 2.30 steam tram. Through 

 the kindness of their courteous proprietor, the extensive grounds 

 of Mr. Armstrong were thrown open, and, passing through 

 them, the party soon reached the base of the steep rough 

 ground that stretches along the foot of the cliffs. There the 

 secretary announced that a prize, consisting of a botanist's lens, 

 would be given for the best collection of flowering plants made 

 during the afternoon, and an excellent and very close com- 

 petition was the result. Some stiff climbing now ensued, and 

 some awkward fences barred the way ; but, accustomed to 

 surmount difficulties, even barbed wire could not turn the 

 naturalists from their course, and the rough undercliff, bespangled 

 with flowers, was soon gained. The glory of primrose and wild 

 hyacinth was now long since past, and the flowers that suc- 

 ceeded them were gone likewise, but there still remained a 

 brave show of autumn flowers. The heather and ling were at 

 their best, and the ground was covered with the blue flowers of 

 the scabious, while bedstraw and harebell lent their colours to 

 the picture. On the cliffs which towered above, the purple 

 splashes of heather were diversified with yellow stars of hawk- 

 weed, which bespangled the dark basaltic rock. Below the 

 caves a half-hour's halt was called, which was spent by many of 

 the party in ascending to the summit of MacArt's Fort, while 

 others were content to spend the time in pleasant idleness, 

 leisurely contemplating the beautiful and extensive prospect of 

 land and sea that lay in front. The day was unusually fine and 

 clear, and the green and golden fields on the Scotch side could 

 be plainly distinguished. The view to the south-east, offering 

 a pleasing alternation of land and water, was especially fine. 

 Beyond the foreground of the Antrim shore and Belfast Lough 

 lay the fertile slopes of County Down, with the blue waters of 

 Strangford Lough behind, on whose further shore stretched 

 the low hills of the Ards. Further still lay the Irish Channel, 

 and beyond all the distant hills of the Isle of Man formed a 

 fitting background to the picture. Meanwhile some enter- 

 prising members had discovered a mysterious, but by no means 



