494 C Proc - B.N.F.C., 



On the shore several other good plants were obtained — a rare 

 drop-wort (GLnanthe lachenalii), the sea-beet {Beta maritima), 

 the brookweed {Samolus valerandi), and a sedge {Car ex 

 distans). Presently a high projecting bank of Boulder Clay 

 was reached, and the party were called together while the senior 

 secretary drew attention to several interesting geological pheno- 

 mena in the immediate neighbourhood. These consisted of 

 vertically uptilted Silurian rocks, beautifully rounded, grooved, 

 and polished by glacial action ; overlying them a bed of bluish 

 Boulder Clay, capped by thirty or forty feet of Post-glacial 

 gravelly beds, the lower layers of which have, by the infiltration 

 of some cementing material, become consolidated into a hard 

 conglomerate. When these geological features had been 

 thoroughly examined the party again proceeded, and made their 

 way along the picturesque shore towards Ardglass, where 

 glorious views of the Mourne Mountains were obtained to the 

 south. On the downs the rest-harrow was found growing in 

 several large patches, and specimens of the centaury [Erythrcea 

 centaurium) with white flowers were obtained. Upon reaching 

 Ardglass the picturesque ruins of Margaret's Castle and 

 Catherine's Castle were examined with interest, and speculation 

 was rife as to their origin : whether they were intended as the 

 strongholds for some of the marauding followers of John de 

 Courcy, or whether they were simply fortified trading stores the 

 same as numerous others in the vicinity of Dublin ; for Ard- 

 glass, we are told, was in the olden times second only in im- 

 portance to Carrickfergus as a trading centre, Belfast not being 

 even mentioned at that time. It is quite probable that the new 

 railway will restore Ardglass to its ancient prestige. Jordan's 

 Castle was, however, the chief rallying point, and nearly all the 

 party ascended up its winding stairs to the breeze-swept turrets 

 that afford such a magnificent prospect of the beautiful harbour 

 and surrounding district. Much admiration was expended on 

 the still perfect columbarium that occupies one angular tower 

 of the castle, and which must have afforded ample breeding 

 space for the pigeons used for the Baron's table, or perhaps in 



