1900-1901.] ryy 



pepper wort (Lepidium draba) was found near Eden. The 

 rare moss, Zygodon Stir torn) was found on the wall of the 

 bridge north of Kilroot. This form is rare in Britain, and 

 seems to be confined in Ireland to the North-East. Many 

 forms of insects were captured and preserved for further identi- 

 fication. 



Leaving the shore, the party walked on to see the Garden of 

 Eden, and thence on to the Tennant Salt Mines. Here every 

 suitable arrangement was made for the descent into the mine, 

 and the whole party of ladies and gentlemen were lowered to 

 the floor ot the mine, some 335 feet from the surface. The 

 ordinary miner's lamps were supplemented by coloured lights, 

 and the grand face of salt, 46 feet thick, was very carefully dis- 

 played—so clearly indeed that a photograph was taken of the 

 scene. 



About ten years ago the Chemical Salt Company opened the 

 mine at Eden. This is the property of Sir Charles Tennant, 

 Bart., of Peebleshire, who owns large chemical works in Eng- 

 land and Scotland. The thickness of the bed of salt rock at 

 Eden is 96 feet. Of this about 50 feet is kept intact to form 

 the roof of the mine, and the lower 46 feet is worked almost in 

 one face of pure salt in a series of great spacious chambers 30 

 to 40 feet high. Mr. T. A. Walker conducted the party 

 through the workings, and explained that all the rock was 

 shipped to their works in England and Scotland. 



An interesting discussion took place in the mine as to the 

 nature and origin of the deposits and its relation to all the 

 other geological formations of the County Antrim. From this 

 it would appear that the Carrickfergus salt deposit is the result 

 of the evaporation ot sea water or salt Jakes among the deposit 

 of the new red sandstone which forms the slopes of the escarp- 

 ment along the north of the Lagan Valley, and indeed underlie 

 almost the entire area of the County Antrim. When we con- 

 sider what a small proportion of solid salt is contained in sea 

 water we may calculate what an enormous quantity of water 

 must have been evaporated to produce a solid bed of salt 96 

 feet thick, 



