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bth February, 1883. 



The President, R. L. Patterson, Esq., in the Chair. 



A Paper was read by Mr. S. A. Stewart, F.B.S.E., on 



RATHLIN ISLAND, WITH NOTES ON ITS NATURAL 

 HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES. 



Some attention has been paid, of late, to the botanical character- 

 istics of the islands lying off the Irish coasts, and investigations, 

 set on foot by the Royal Irish Academy, have been carried on 

 by Mr. A. G. More, in Inisbofm and Inishark ; by Mr. R. M. 

 Barrington, in the Blasquets and Skellog ; and by Mr. Hart, 

 in Tory Island. The lists already published have proved inter- 

 esting, and have thrown much light on the distribution of 

 plants in this country, and it was considered desirable to have 

 a botanical survey of the Island of Rathlin. This work occupied 

 three weeks : one week in April, another at the end of June, 

 and again at the commencement of August. In this way it was 

 possible to note the various plants of Spring, Summer, and 

 Autumn, as well as to note many points of interest in other 

 departments of natural science. 



Rathlin lies off the Antrim Coast in 55 15' n. latitude, 6° 10' 

 w. longitude. The most southerly point of the island ap- 

 proaches to less than four miles from Fairhead, on the main- 

 land ; but the distance from the quay at Ballycastle to the 

 usual landing place in Church Bay, is about seven-and-a-half 



