!i-3 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



soft serpentine in the Metamorphic rocks, a halt was called, and r 

 after the prescribed half-hour devoted to collecting, the President 

 briefly described the geological features of the district and 

 explained the causes which had led to the complex formations 

 observable from the spot where the party stood. Mr. Praeger then 

 proceeded to demonstrate the differences in the fauna and flora 

 easily recognisable in the plants growing in the Metamorphic area 

 as contrasted with that in the neighbouring calcareous strata. Again 

 mounting the cars, the members drove down Slish Gap to the 

 shore of Lough Gill where the members had a hour's interval for 

 collecting or strolling about till lunch was served, after which the 

 afternoon was spent as the party were inclined. Some of the party 

 walked to Doonee Rock, from the summit of which one of the 

 finest views of Lough Gill was obtained. Most of the party, 

 however, spent the time in Slish Wood, where many treasures were 

 collected. A heavy thunder shower drove most of the members 

 to various shelters, but by the time of departure the rain had 

 ceased, and they returned to Drumahaire in brilliant sunshine. 

 After dinner the usual business meeting was held. The excursion 

 had been arranged to terminate by departure from Drumahaire on 

 Tuesday afternoon, but by unanimous consent it was decided to 

 postpone the departure till Wednesday morning, thus affording a 

 longer time for the Tuesday's programme. Starting at nine o'clock 

 from the hotel, the party was driven to Shriff Point, a limestone 

 promontory at the eastern end of the lake, and here given an hour 

 for collecting. Remounting the cars they proceeded to O'Rourke's 

 Castle, an extensive ruin on the northern shore. During this 

 drive the members looked up the valley to O'Rourke's Table, on 

 which, it is said, the poet Thomas Moore stood when the view 

 inspired the line, " The valley lay smiling before me." Here the 

 members had time for an hour's collecting on the lake shore or in 

 the woods till lunch was served in the castle, and concluded in a 

 drenching downpour. The programme stated that on this day the 

 members would enjoy the tit-bit of the excursion, and amply was 



