"894-95-3 l6 9 



remaining members in lunching round the base of the cairn, so 

 that every standing stone had its little group of appetite- 

 appeasing visitors, pleasantly chatting, and conjuring up the 

 spirits of departed Ard-Righs from the mouldering chambers of 

 Brugh-na-Boinne. 



In due time the cars were mounted and Dowth reached. 

 Here a somewhat similar chamber, on a much smaller scale, 

 was inspected and the church adjoining visited. Here are the 

 tombs of the Netterville family and the remains of their ancient 

 castle, now a charitable institution. From this church was 

 lately sent to the United States a stone to mark the grave there 

 of a prominent Irish politician. The ancient front is well 

 preserved, whilst built into the southern wall is one of those 

 curious figures known to the archaeologist as Sheelah-ny-Giggs. 

 In the adjoining gardens the mulberry and yew trees were 

 admired. The southern bank of the river was taken on the 

 return journey, and after a pleasant drive the Whitworth Hall 

 was reached in time for tea. The Laytown party, including 

 the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, had already arrived, and 

 were making up their " takes " during the day. The rare shell, 

 Helix Pisana, with varieties hitherto unnoticed, was found in 

 abundance feeding on Euphorbia portlandica and other plants. 

 This is the only known habitat for this shell in Ireland. Pupa 

 muscorum was found under stones on the sandhills, whilst in 

 the shallows of the Boyne Hydrobia ulvce was found in myriads, 

 and so was Melampus bidentatus. The botanists got some good 

 plants, including the following : — houndstongue {Cynoglossum 

 officinale), mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense), moonwort {Botry- 

 chium Lunaria), henbane {Hyoscyamus niger), Geranium 

 perenne, gromwell {Lithospermum officinale), and fennel (Fceni- 

 culum officinale), Festuca uniglumis, Artemisia maritima, 

 Euphorbia portlandica, Euphorbia paralias, Eryngium mari- 

 timum, Apium graveolens, Orobanche minor. The entomo- 

 logists took in abundance the painted lady {Cynthia Caroni), 

 and the small heath {Hipparchia Davus). Other were seen, 

 but not captured. After tea 



