1903-1904.] 155 



collected, the gravelly shores of Sketrick Island yielding some 

 good shore-loving plants just coming into flower, and the 

 " variation to suit environment " of others was noted, as in 

 the case of the wind-cut and dwarfed sea-pinks on some very 

 exposed flat areas. It had been intended that some dredging 

 should be carried out, but this was found to be impracticable 

 owing to the strong-running tide and fierce head-winds 

 encountered. After tea had been partaken of, a start was 

 made for Comber Station, where the party arrived in good 

 time to take seats in the carriages reserved in the 8-2 train, 

 and duly arrived again in Belfast shortly after half -past eight 

 o'clock. 



GREYABBEY AND BALLYWALTER. 



(Half-day Excursion.) 



The third excursion took place on Saturday, 27th June, to 

 Greyabbey and Ballywalter, when, despite the unfavourable 

 meteorological conditions prevailing, upwards of sixty 

 members and friends assembled at the County Down Railway 

 Station, and proceeded to the carriages reserved for them in 

 the 1-35 train, and on arrival at Newtownards, where brakes 

 were in waiting, we were soon comfortably seated for the 

 drive to Greyabbey, our first stopping place. Passing through 

 Newtownards, we noted the remains of the old town cross, 

 an octagonal structure of Scrabo sandstone, on which is an 

 inscription, now almost obliterated, stating that the cross was 

 erected in 1636, was thrown down by the rebels in 1653, and 

 that as much of it as could be recovered was replaced in the 

 present form in 1666. After leaving Newtownards the road 

 runs close alongside Strangford Lough, and on the shore we 

 saw the " Butterlump " Rock, a huge block of black basalt, 

 estimated to weigh about 130 tons, perched on a bright red 

 bed of Triassic sandstone, an attestation of the carrying power 

 of the ice streams of the glacial epoch. The road skirts the 

 Mountstewart Demesne, and we noted the blighted appearance 

 of the whitethorn, a plant which evidently objects to its 



