g [Proc. B.N.F.O., 



PHANEROGAMIA. 



The Flowering Plants of the north-eastern counties are 

 already so well known that new discoveries were not to be 

 expected, especially so early in the season. The earliness of the 

 date was, however, responsible for the finding in several places of 

 one species which is reckoned exceedingly rare in the district, and 

 which, on account of its early blooming, had no doubt escaped 

 the scrutiny of observers working during the best botanical 

 months — July and August. This is Sisymbrium Thalianum, 

 which was seen in quantity on the basalt at Benevenagh, Giant's 

 Causeway, and Fair Head, and subsequently by a member near 

 Cushendall. This plant was also noted on a wall top by the 

 entrance to Donard Lodge, Newcastle. For the rest, many of the 

 rarer and characteristic species were observed in the various 

 localities visited. At Benevenagh a rare treat awaited the party, 

 Silene acaulis being just at its best, covering the short grass slopes 

 with brilliant patches of colour, varying from nearly white to deep 

 crimson. Other characteristic species seen were Draba incana, 

 Arabis hirsuta, Polygala vulgaris var. grandiflora, Dryas octo- 

 petaia, Saxifraga hypnoides, S. oppositifolia, Jtiniperus nana and 

 Orobanche rubra. 



At the Giant's Causeway the grey-blue flowers of Scilla verna 

 were very noticeable, lighting up the grass along the cliff tops, 

 intermixed with sheets of Primroses on the slopes. Other species 

 noted were Cochlearia danica, Pinguicula lusitanica, Orobanche 

 rubra. At Whitepark Bay Geranium pratense was as abundant 

 as ever. Fair Head yielded Meconopsis cambrica, Sedum Rhodiola, 

 Pyrola media, Listeta cordata, and Juniperus nana, with Saxifraga 

 aizoides on the slopes over Murlough Bay. At Armoy Draba 

 muralis was in abundance at its station on the bridge. 



