49° [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



the peasantry at all the vantage points, and many pleasantries 

 passed between the visitors and the visited. At noon the sky was 

 clouded for a short time, but soon the weather became glorious, 

 when the views of the distant hills were most beautiful. The 

 contour of the White Mountain, Collin, Black Mountain, and 

 Divis to the left was much admired, whilst the cultivated rising 

 ground to the right lent an air of comfort and quiet pastoral 

 beauty that readily pleased the fancy. The towers of the 

 different churches enhanced the scene and acted as landmarks 

 in denoting the different parishes passed through. The first 

 stoppage was made at the Union Locks. Here the secretaries 

 announced that a prize would be given for the best collection of 

 aquatic plants made on the excursion. A number of good 

 specimens were obtained during the day in the waters of the 

 canal and the pools and ditches adjoining. The sweet sedge 

 (Acorus calamus) was noticed growing along the canal banks 

 all the way from Moira to Lambeg, attaining a maximum 

 profusion a little above Lisburn. This curious plant is not an 

 original native, but was introduced by Sir John Rawdon into 

 his gardens at Moira over a century ago, whence it has spread 

 through the waters of the district. The pretty flowering rush 

 (Butomus umbel latus) grew in profusion all along the canal, 

 and in less quantity the arrow-head (Sagittaria sagittifolia). 

 The water-radish (Armor aria amphibium), gipsy- wort (Ly co- 

 pus europceus\ and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) were 

 abundant on the damp margins, and below the water, which 

 was, unfortunately for the collectors, rather high, flourished 

 numerous pond- weeds, among which the fennel- leaved (P. 

 pectinatus) was conspicuous. Above Lisburn a single large 

 plant of the horse -bane (Cicuta virosa) was observed. Al- 

 though most of the party preferred the pleasant towing in the 

 boats, yet a goodly number took advantage of the walk along 

 the banks, the different stoppages at the locks giving them 

 ample time to botanise along the edges of the water and the 

 marshes adjoining. The town of Lisburn having been passed, 

 the banks of the river became more deeply wooded, but as time 



