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



respectively of shells and of antiquarian specimens, and the 

 members hastened to scatter themselves over the sand in the 

 search for objects of interest. White Park Bay is well known to 

 archaeologists for the abundant pre-historic objects which it 

 yields, and which show that it was an important settlement of 

 the early races. The remains consist chiefly of rude flint 

 implements, bones, fragments of pottery, and ashes ; and occur 

 in certain definite layers which represent the ancient land sur- 

 face, though now often buried below many feet of blown sand. 

 The constant shifting of the sand, under the influence of the 

 wind, exposes the old surface, and thus these traces of former 

 habitation are found on the surface, as was amply testified on 

 the present occasion. The shell collectors had comparatively 

 poor fortune. On the sand great quantities of three species of 

 snails (H. aspersa, H. nemoralis, H. virgatd) were found, and 

 a limited supply of a number of other species ; but the strand 

 was almost devoid of marine shells, contrary to general ex- 

 pectation. The extreme lateness of the season told against the 

 botanists, but they noted the great abundance of the beautiful 

 meadow cranesbill, locally designated the Flower of Dunluce 

 (Geranium pratense), and also the wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica), 

 but neither was yet in blossom. On the road from Ballycastle 

 they had found the three-nerved sandwort (Arenaria trinervia) 

 and the mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), and later in the day, on 

 the rocks at the east end of the bay, the senior secretary pointed 

 out the sea-beet (Beta maritima), still growing in a spot where 

 he had found it some years ago. Beetle-hunting and seaweed- 

 collecting meanwhile engaged the attention of other members 

 of the party. The best beetles found were Broscus cephalotes 

 at Ballintoy ; and Calathus fuscus, Bradycellus verbasci, 

 Philonthus laurinatus, P. succicola, ^S,gialia arenaria, Otior- 

 rhynchus atroafrterus, O. /igneus, and / hilopedon gemminatus 

 at White Park Bay. An interesting find of another kind was 

 the nest, or rather the eggs, of the ringed plover (^Egialiiis 

 hiaticula), four pale brown eggs, specked with black, laid in a 

 slight hollow on the bare sand. The party was now joined by 



