278 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



shapes and sizes, which, with the Maam Turk Mountains in the 

 background, form a lovely scene. It is among this quartzite 

 that the crystalline limestone and dolomites occur, the best 

 known of which is the Serpentine or Connamara marble, 

 which is really a hydrated olivine, developed secondarily in 

 the limestone by igneous intrusion. A section recently 

 cut by the wire saw used in the marble quarry showed the 

 character to perection ; so photographs were taken of it. 

 The whole district has been heavily glaciated, fresh surfaces 

 being well seen in a cutting close to Recess station. The pure 

 stone is said to be very valuable, the quarry owner informing 

 members that he obtained ^"100 per ton for it. Many rare 

 plants occur in this district, the following being the most note- 

 worthy : — Alpine rue ( Thalictrum alpinum), London pride, St. 

 Dabeoc's heath, intermediate bladderwort {Utricularia inter- 

 media), twigrush, the exceedingly rare pipewort {Eriocaulon), 

 Osmunda and pillwort ( Pilularia ghbulifera). Many other 

 interesting plants were obtained. The entomology was also 

 interesting, an exceedingly rare Spanish grasshopper being 

 very abundant, also a rare dragonfly in some numbers. A 

 small section of the party went shell-hunting at Portnafeadog, 

 near Roundstone, and at the same time made arrangements for 

 a longer stay there to work up the antiquities and general 

 science of the district. This party was much indebted to the 

 Rev. Canon M'Cormick, D.D., the local rector, who has done 

 so much for this district ; his courtesy and attention were so 

 considerable as to render it quite doubtful whether the members 

 did not enjoy his society more even than the glories of this 

 perhaps the most beautiful and interesting little town in all 

 Connamara. The party returned by a special train to dinner 

 at eight, after which an exhibition of the finds of the day was 

 held, and much interchange of ideas took place. On the 

 following day (Saturday) a special steamer started at 9.30 

 across Galway Bay for Ballyvaughan, in that part of North 

 Clare known as the Burren. The most striking feature of the 

 whole district is its extraordinary bleakness and barrenness. 



