1901-1902.] 11 



mined as the font from the old church of Ardtole. 

 Over the door of the chapel is built a slab of stone 

 now painted black and gilded in such a way that the 

 antiquary on the look-out for Anglo-Norman slabs would 

 have much difficulty in recognising in this sample an old 

 carved stone — an Anglo-Norman slab which was brought 

 from the same church. From Chapeltown the party pro- 

 ceeded by the lane leading to Sheepland Harbour, close to 

 which was seen St. Patrick's Well and St. Patrick's Road. 

 An interesting talk ensued on the folklore of holy wells and 

 their teaching for the past generations who resorted to them 

 for spiritual and bodily healing. The field labours of the 

 party now terminated, and a rapid drive brought them to the 

 hospitable door of the Castle Hotel in Ardglass, where tea 

 was partaken of before proceeding to Belfast. In the train 

 members were enabled to compare notes on the day in com- 

 fort, as the railway company had reserved carriages for the 

 party. Here the botanists exhibited their finds, which in- 

 cluded the sea beet {Beta maritima) and the dewberry 

 {Euhus ccesius) from Benderg. The coast thistle (Carduus 

 tenuifolius) was plentiful, and in the marshes the orchid 

 Orchis incarnata. On the sands the hound's tongue and 

 sea holly were found, as well as some rare grasses and mosses, 

 Phleum arenarium and Koelar'ia cristata. Tihrty-eight 

 species of birds were noted. In the sandy cliffs of Benderg 

 the jackdaw builds its nest at the end of sand burrows; here 

 also the sheldrake was found breeding. On Gun's Island 

 three species of tern were observed and eggs obtained, together 

 with those of the pretty little ringed plover. The concholo- 

 gists had a busy time collecting shells on the shores of the 

 two bays — one lady securing Trochus lineatus, which is a 

 local rarity. The beetles came in for some attention, and the 

 records amply rewarded the members who pursued this branch 

 of natural history. As a result of the day's work many 

 intend to revisit this comparatively new but very interesting 

 district to pursue a more detailed examination than could be 

 effected in the all too short time of a single excursion. 



