1902-1903.] 85 



tion being paid to the old fort of Sir Moses Hill commanding 

 the valley of the Lagan just above the bridge. 



On arrival at the Ring the wet state of the ground proved 

 unfavourable for collecting, but the members spent some time 

 in pleasant discussion on the features of the Ring and Crom- 

 leac, which form one of the most remarkable monuments of 

 prehistoric times in the North of Ireland. 



Mr. John Brown, F.R.S., of Longhurst, now joined the 

 members, and escorted them by the main road to the grounds 

 of Edenderry House. Here the picturesque old gardens were 

 shown, and Mrs. J. S. Brown gave a cordial welcome to the 

 visitors. Subsequently the path through the shrubberies was 

 taken, leading to the ferry. Following a private path, the 

 charming home of Mr. John Brown was soon reached. After 

 tea the visitors inspected Mr. Brown's splendid collection of 

 minerals from the Mourne Mountains. On leaving their kind 

 hosts the members took the path by the river, and again 

 reached the tramway terminus, when the excursion concluded. 



Owing to the wet state of the ground Botanising was diffi- 

 cult. One plant, a rare sedge, deserves recording — Carex 

 teretiuscula. 



MONKSTOWN AND BALLYCLARE. 



On Saturday, 16th August, the Club held its sixth field 

 meeting for the present Summer Session, visiting Monkstown 

 and Ballyclare. A party of twenty-six members left from 

 the Linenhall Library, and drove by the Shore Road to the 

 ivy-clad ruins of Whiteabbey, all that remains of the abbey 

 founded for White Canons, and which was an offshoot from 

 the Abbey of Dryburgh, in Scotland. Ascending the slope of 

 Knockagh, the party visited the ruins of Monkstown Abbey, 

 the reputed burial-place of King Fergus. There were a num- 

 ber of distinguished persons of this name, but the Fergus sup- 

 posed to be buried at Monkstown was Fergus MacErc, who 



