382 



[Proc. B.N.F.O. 



Co. Down. Two new members, Messrs. Tait and Downing, 

 having been elected, the meeting ended. After a pleasant evening 

 spent in Larne and its vicinity, the party returned to Belfast by 

 the 8-20 p.m. train. 



PORTRUSH. 



The Geological Section visited the Portrush district on 20th 

 August, for the purpose of studying a typical section in Dr. Hume's 

 " Northern Division " of our Cretaceous area, an exposure of 

 columnar basalt, and the indurated lias at Portrush. Mr. 

 Tomlinson, chairman of the Section, acted as field conductor. 

 Leaving Belfast by the 1 2 noon express train, the party arrived in 

 Portrush at 1-40, and proceeded by electric tram to the "White 

 Rocks." Here the Chalk cliffs have been worn into beautiful and 

 varied forms — sea-stacks, arches, and caverns giving rise to very 

 striking scenery, and also affording interesting and instructive 

 studies in erosion. A few dark basic dykes stand out in striking 

 contrast, and isolated blocks of basalt may be seen in the cliffs, 

 possibly projected into the Chalk prior to its complete induration. 

 On the coast, just covered by the sea, a member pointed out 

 the spongarian layers, characteristic of the " Northern Division." 

 Fascinating as the sea cliffs proved, only a limited time could be 

 spared for their study, and the party soon followed the conductor 

 to the large quarry by the roadside. Here he drew attention to 

 the remarkable V-shaped cutting of about 60 feet in the upper 

 surface of the Chalk. This hollow is filled with spheroidal basalt, 

 and the question was discussed as to whether the lava had flowed 

 in from above or was the old neck of a crater, but it was not 

 possible to obtain sufficient evidence to decide the point. The 

 Chalk quarry with its numerous bands of flint was then examined, 

 the deep red colour of the latter noted, and also the shattered 

 appearance of the hard and splintery Chalk. Fossils were searched 

 for, and the following were found : — The phragmocone of a 



