384 [Proc. B.N.P.C, 



latter, a branched Blechnum spicant, and a variegated PterLs 

 aquilina were the rarities among the cryptogams. Among the 

 flowering plants the following are some of the less common 

 ones recorded on the excursion : — The cow-wheat (Melampy- 

 rum), bog pimpernel (Anagallis tenella), golden rod (Solidago 

 virgaurea), viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare), bladder campion 

 (Silene cucubalus), sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), tutsan 

 (Hypericum androsoemum), dwarf juniper (Juniperus nana), 

 guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), and the danewoxt (Sambucus 

 ebulus). 



A prize offered by the Vice-President (Mr. Robert Patter- 

 son, M.R.I. A.) for the best collection of flowers only resulted 

 in one collection being given in, and, as this was not up to the 

 standard, the prize was not awarded. 



"LONG EXCURSION" TO DUNDALK, &c. 



The Annual "Long Excursion" of the Club took place on 

 the 1 2th, 13th, and 14th July, in conjunction with the members 

 of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, the place selected being 

 Dundalk and district. Members and friends assembled 

 at the terminus of the Great Northern Railway early on the 

 morning of the 12th, and soon all were comfortably seated in a 

 specially reserved carriage, and reached Dundalk at the ap- 

 pointed time. Here they were joined by the members of the 

 Dublin Club, and the combined party were accommodated with 

 excellent quarters in the Imperial Hotel. After a much- 

 appreciated lunch brakes were entered, and the party drove to 

 the first place to be visited, Louth Abbey. Before the advent 

 of Christianity Louth was occupied by a Druids' grove. Here 

 St. Mochta founded his first church and built a cell. Louth at 

 that time must have been an ideal place for the purpose, being 

 in the midst of a fertile plain and well wooded. The Abbey of 

 Louth had a very long, useful, and checkered career, was many 

 times sacked and burned by the Danes and other enemies, until 



