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



tineatus. Meanwhile others of the party had discovered an 

 extensive sea-cave which they explored, occasionally drawing 

 forth the echoes of the vaulted cavern with wild whoops — it is 

 to be hoped that no solitary wayfarer of a superstitious turn of 

 mind, wending his way home towards midnight, saw the 

 mysterious dancing lights on the water's edge, or heard the 

 muffled shrieks that disturbed the calm night air. 



The party was early astir next morning, and while a large 

 section of the male members had a pleasant bathe in the strong 

 Atlantic water, others found in sketching and photography a 

 more congenial occupation. An eight o'clock breakfast was 

 immediately followed by a start on cars for Ben Bulben and 

 Sligo. The morning was as the previous day had been — hazy, 

 but quite fine — allowing dim views of the precipitous range of 

 mountains that face the ocean. The party rattled through the 

 streets of Bundoran, and out into the country, between hedges 

 fragrant with wild roses and honeysuckle. The botanists noted 

 the great abundance of three plants which are rare in the Belfast 

 district — a thistle (Carduus pratensis), a willow (Sah'x pentan- 

 dra), and a rush {J uncus glaucus). A halt was made at Bun- 

 droose to inspect and photograph the old cross by the roadside ; 

 two uncommon plants, the dwarf elder {Sambucus ebulus) and 

 a grass (7 'risetum flavescens), were found at this place. The 

 route then lay through Cliffony and Grange to the base of Ben 

 Bulben, whose huge limestone cliffs towered up to a height of 

 over 1700 feet. A contingent from Sligo having joined the 

 party, and lunch having been disposed of, the ascent of the 

 mountain was commenced. The party passed over a boggy 

 stretch of land, then up a talus of stony debris, past the northern 

 extremity of the cliffs, and then right up the extremely steep 

 slope of the mountain. The ascent was accomplished in good 

 time, some of the ladies of the party proving themselves most 

 expert mountaineers. A number of rare plants were collected, 

 including the cushion pink {Silene acauk's), mountain sorrel 

 {Oxyria reniformis), yellow saxifrage [Saxifraga aizoides), green 

 spleenwort (Asplenium viride), and others. On the top of 



