64 [Proc. B.N.F.C. 



are no such accumulations found in connection with raths ? 

 They also were the dwellings of a flesh-consuming race for 

 many centuries, for no such permanent structures would have 

 been erected for temporary use. And why can no fragments 

 be found of the wooden houses that formed the shelter of their 

 inhabitants ? The conclusion is forced upon us, that the date 

 of their occupation was so extremely remote, that metals that 

 might have resisted decay were unknown, while bones and all 

 other organic refuse have long since returned to their elements. 



As some information on this obscure subject may be found 

 in certain ancient remains near Dromore, Co. Down, a descrip- 

 tion of them may possibly have a little interest for the Belfast 

 Naturalists' Field Club ; the more so as ethnology has recently 

 been added to its programme. These earthen mounds of 

 various kinds, so widely scattered over Europe and America, 

 are often the only land-marks of forgotten races remaining for 

 the study of ethnologists; capable, perhaps, of one day becoming 

 the very alphabet of their science, they are still too often little 

 more than hieroglyphics, the key to which has been lost. 



The rath to which I wish to direct your attention is not the 

 great " Mount " of Dromore, but one locally known as " Phil's 

 Fort," lying about a mile west of the town, close to the road 

 leading to Lurgan, and within thirty yards of the River Lagan. 

 While not so large as the great " Mount," it is still of respect- 

 able dimensions, being 100 feet in diameter on the top, and 

 standing 18 to 20 feet above the bottom of its moat. The 

 peculiar circumstance about this rath which I wish you to 

 notice, is that its double moat is only carried half round. The 

 parapet, or demilune, that divides the two moats tapers to a 

 point at each end, its upper surface still coinciding, apparently, 

 with that of the natural promontory, of which the builders of 

 the rath availed themselves ; while the other half of the rath, 

 that abuts on a level meadow or holm, is quite unprotected by 

 any outwork whatever. It is evident that this parapet or 

 demilune is still complete as left by its builders. Had any 

 portion of it been removed, (by a change in the course of the 



