1902-1903.] 87 



rain or underground dwelling, which is not now accessible, 

 and from the number of stones scattered over the surface, it 

 is to be feared that the structure has been damaged, if not 

 entirely destroyed. It is to be regretted that so _iany of our 

 interesting old Irish monuments are allowed to fall into dila- 

 pidation. Among our many ancient earthworks few are more 

 worthy of preservation than Wiley's Fort. 



The forts explored on this occasion occur in a district that 

 has yielded considerable quantities of iron ore and bauxite, 

 but time did not permit the party to visit the mines where 

 the minerals are procured. As to the botany of the district 

 passed over so quickly, there was not so much variety as might 

 have been expected ; nevertheless several of the less common 

 plants were collected. The Quaking Grass, Briza media, was 

 found at Monkstown and at Ballyclare. The Water Purslane, 

 Peplis Portula, was growing plentifully in the ditch at Lisna- 

 linchy Fort, with the Water Starwort and other marsh plants. 

 The mountain form of Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris, was 

 met with at Wiley's Fort, and with it one of the less common 

 Trefoils, TrifoUum medium. At Ballyclare one of the rarer 

 Yellow Rockets, Barharea intermedia, was gathered by the 

 river bank. 



A halt was made at Baird's Hotel, Ballyclare, to prepare 

 for the return journey. No more appropriate place could be 

 selected, with its quaint garden of strange shrubs and flowers, 

 fantastic summer-houses, quiet nooks, rustic seats, decorative 

 figures, and antiquarian objects. Attendants attired in 

 ancient Irish costume marched in silence to and fro, bringing 

 up a succession of geological and antiquarian objects, stone, 

 bronze, and iron weapons, illustrative of prehistoric and 

 mediaeval times, and thus furnished the members with ample 

 materials for examination and discussion during their stay, 

 which was found to be very much shorter than the many attrac- 

 tions of the place rendered desirable. From Ballyclare the 

 party returned to Belfast by the Antrim Road, and thus com- 

 pleted a most enjoyable day's outing. 



