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



waiting at the place appointed, and a rapid and most enjoyable 

 drive past the cliffs of Pigeon Rock and the rugged slopes of 

 Slieve Muck, and away down the southern slopes of the moun- 

 tains, brought the party to Kilkeel at eight o'clock, where they 

 were hospitably received at the Kilmorey Arms Hotel. An 

 evening stroll down to the harbour brought to a close a highly 

 successful and enjoyable day, and resulted in some additions to 

 the botanists' collections, and the capture of two somewhat rare 

 moths — Acidalia mar gine-punctata and Eupithecia constrictata. 

 Another rarity, Mixodia Schulziana, had been captured on the 

 mountains earlier in the day ; and of beetles, Carabus catenu- 

 latus was taken at Hare's Gap, and C. arvensis near the summit 

 of Slieve Bearnagh. 



Next morning a number of the members turned out at 6.30 

 for a bathe, and at eight o'clock all were assembled at break- 

 fast. The early morning was beautifully fine, but the sky 

 rapidly clouded over, and ere a start was made at nine o'clock 

 it was raining. However, the barometer had fallen but little, 

 so, hoping for the best and prepared as far as possible for the 

 worst, the party started for Slieve Bingian. A five-mile drive 

 brought them to Colligan Bridge, at the foot of the mountain. 

 The wind and rain had steadily increased, and the hills were 

 completely enshrouded in driving mist, and the prospect was 

 as bleak and cheerless as possible. A council of war was held, 

 at which it was decided to send the coach on to Newcastle with 

 those of the party who did not care to face a bad day among 

 the mountains, it being arranged that they should ascend the 

 valley of the Annalong River and meet the rest of the party, 

 should the weather clear in time. Only three volunteers were 

 found for the mountain walk, who started off into the rain and 

 mist, while the rest turned and drove towards Newcastle. The 

 mountaineers traversed a rough turf road for some distance, and 

 then, crossing a high bank of gravel and sand — the terminal 

 moraine of the glacier that once filled the glen — found them- 

 selves in the Happy Valley, the most beautiful of the mountain 

 glens of the district. Before them stretched a narrow, level, 



