1915-16] 



2I 3 



explained the leading features of the ancient earthworks. The 

 ramparts and trenches surrounding the central plateau in all of 

 the three raths are still in good condition after the lapse of two 

 thousand years. Between Lisvaragh and Lisnagade the members 

 had a view of the " Danes' Cast," about which there have been 

 many opinions. Probably the best authorities incline to look on 

 it simply as a boundary-mark between the ancient divisions of the 

 county. As such it was naturally the scene of many skirmish 

 raids and close to it in consequence were the sites of most of the 

 lisses or raths, the homes of the fighting chieftains of the border. 

 There seems to be strong evidence in support of the theory that 

 these all belong to a very remote period, certainly not later than 

 the early Celtic inhabitants of the country. Here they lived their 

 active lives, fighting and raiding, and here they have left the 

 monuments of their handiwork, which carry us back to the time 

 of King Connor MacNessa and to the days when the three Collas 

 seized and utterly destroyed the palace of Emania. 



After lunch the party rejoined the brakes and proceeded to 

 Aghaderg Glebe, where they were most hospitably entertained to 

 tea by Rev. Canon and Mrs. Lett. Those present had an 

 opportunity of inspecting the many rare and interesting botanical 

 specimens collected by their host in Ireland, and now growing 

 in his garden. These included Erica mcdilerranea, Meconopsis 

 cambrica, Euphorbia hiberna, Crypiogram7)ie crispa, Polypodium 

 Phegopteris, Osmunda regaiis, various Saxifrages, &c, &c. In 

 addition to above the botanical members collected during 

 the day Eosa arvensis, Galium erectum, Myosotis versicolor, 

 Melampyrum pratense, Cclerach officinarum, Lastrea Oreopteris, 

 Ophioglossiun vulgatum, as well as many common species. Elaline 

 hexandra and E. Hydropiper are known to grow in Lough 

 Brickland, but owing to the height of the water they could 

 not be reached. The zoologists were also busy, and made 

 collections in several groups of invertebrates. Four species of 

 Woodlice and nine species of Myriapods were taken, but these 

 included nothing new to Co. Down. 



