PROCEEDINGS 



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SUMMER SESSION. 

 EXCURSIONS. 



zoth May. 



ANTRIM AND THE MOY-LINNE VALLEY. 



The first excursion of the year was to Antrim and the Moy- 

 linne Valley, when a pleasant day was spent with enjoyable 

 weather, only slightly marred by a shower when the party 

 was at Muckamore. On arrival at Antrim by the 10-15 train 

 the road through the Massereene demesne was taken as far as 

 the junction of the Sixmilewater with Lough Neagh, where 

 a short time was spent botanising, the announcement being 

 made that two prizes would be offered for competition, one for 

 the discovery of the rare orchid, Cephalanthera ensifolia, 

 and the other for the best collection of twenty plants gathered 

 during the day. Much adverse comment was made on the 

 unpleasant barbed fences on every hand, and the disagreeable 

 texts to be seen relating to "trespassers," "dogs," and "poison." 

 Surely a kindlier feeling might be expected from the occupier of 

 this beautiful park. At the lake-shore some interesting plants 

 were observed, though the season was not sufficiently advanced 

 for many of the rarities known to grow here. The Vernal 

 Whitlow-grass (Draba verna) and Lamb's Lettuce ( Valerianella 

 olitoria) grew on gravelly banks, and in the Sixmilewater 

 flourished the rare Ranunculus fluitans, though not yet in 



