35 2 [P">c- B.N.F.C, 



the winner was declared to be Mrs. Leslie, whose collection 

 included no less than 117 species. An hour was spent in 

 visiting the cathedral, the huge dun, and the dilapidated grave 

 of St. Patrick, and the party returned to Belfast by the 7-10 

 train, well pleased with their visit to Downpatrick and neigh- 

 bourhood. 



KILLYLEAGH. 



Assembling at the County Down Railway terminus shortly 

 after nine o'clock on Saturday, July 4th, rail was taken to 

 Crossgar, where a number of brakes and cars were in readiness, 

 and a rapid drive brought the party to the picturesque little 

 seaside town of Killyleagh. Ever on the alert for rare specimens, 

 the botanists of the party scored two points ere the first halt 

 was made, their finds being the trailing dog-rose (Rosa arv en- 

 sis) and the great water-dock {Rumex hydrolapathum\ both 

 rare species in our district. Arrived at Killyleagh the first object 

 to claim attention was the ruined church of Killowen, which, 

 surrounded by a graveyard overgrown with grass and weeds in 

 true local style, stands among tall trees a short distance from the 

 main road. Of the building, which is of considerable antiquity, 

 only the eastern gable remains standing. Some time having 

 been spent in clearing the east window of the mass of dead ivy 

 that encumbered it and obscured the mouldings, several photo- 

 graphs were obtained of this relic, and two rare grasses [Bromus 

 sterilis and Trisetum flavescens) were discovered among the 

 ruins. The party then proceeded to Killyleagh Castle, where 

 by the kind permission of Colonel Hamilton, the extensive and 

 beautiful gardens and grounds were thrown open to the visitors, 

 and were much admired, special comment being excited by the 

 magnificent size of the ancient yew-trees that ornament the 

 lawns. The Castle itself, an imposing pile, is mostly modern, 

 though the two large circular towers on either side of the 

 entrance are of early date. Fragments of walls and numerous 



