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The hish Aaiuralist 



September, 1915. 



eastwards the members reached " Ballintoy Rocks," curious sea stacks 

 and arches showing clearly the effects of rapid marine erosion in finely 

 columnar basalts, these being the results of local volcanic action through 

 the Chalk and Plateau basalts. The party thence walked to the coast- 

 guard station, where the brakes were waiting and the return drive was 

 commenced. Ballycastle was reached by way of Ballintoy village, where 

 a pleasant cup of tea was served shortly before seven o'clock. Tuesday, 

 which was showery, was devoted to the exploration of Murlough Bay. The 

 collectors ascended the glen in search of rarities — botanical and zoological — 

 for which the place is justly famed. Others visited the great rock-talus 

 and old coal mine adits at Fair Head. The fine pot-holes on the Carboni- 

 ferous Sandstones at the Cottage also claimed attention. At 6.30 the 

 return journey was commenced. After dinner at the hotel the customary 

 business meeting was held — R. J. Welch presiding. A cordial vote of 

 thanks was passed to Mr. William Gray for his courtesy and kindness in 

 sending the photos of flint implements, &c., for the instruction of the 

 members. Robert Walsh Mussen having been elected a junior member, 

 the proceedings terminated. By the 10.30 train on Wednesday morning 

 the members left Ballycastle. Some time must elapse ere the scientific 

 results of the excursion can be ascertained. The specimens collected 

 from the kitchen -middens at Whitepark Bay will doubtless afford a basis 

 for many an argument as to the age to which they should be referred. 

 Among the more interesting plants noted were Geranium pratense and 

 Orchis pyramidalis, at Whitepark Bay ; Orobanche rubra and Lastrea aemula, 

 at Murlough Bay ; whilst Asplenium marinum was seen in both these 

 localities. At least eight or nine species of Myxomycetes (Mycetozoa) 

 were taken. During the four days fifty -four species of birds were observed, 

 but in the domain of ornithology a most interesting discovery was made 

 in the finding of a colony of Tree -sparrows {Passer montanus) nesting on 

 one of the North Antrim cliffs. In woodlice nothing new to the district 

 was seen, but it is worthy of note that a large colony of one of our rarer 

 species, Haplophthalmus Mengii, was observed in Murlough Bay. Good 

 collections of some other invertebrates were obtained, details of which will 

 duly be published in the Club's Proceedings. 



July 24. — Inch Abbey. — Aparty of thirty -five members and friends, 

 conducted by Robert May, travelled by the 1.50 train to Downpatrick. A 

 walk of about three miles from Downpatrick, on a road which leads through 

 the beautiful meadows of the Quoile, brought the party, now augmented by 

 other members and friends, to Inis-Cumhscraigh. This Cistercian house 

 was founded in the twelfth century beside an older Celtic foundation, still 

 used as a graveyard. Great interest was taken in the many beautiful 

 architectural features revealed by the recent excavations. The botanists 

 and zoologists of the party found the low marshes and the river's edge 

 happy hunting grounds, and many important finds were made and noted. 

 The party having now returned to Downpatrick, visits were made to the 

 cathedral and St. Patrick's grave. After tea at the Down Hunt Arms 

 Hotel a short business meeting was held, Joseph Maxwell, J. P., in the 

 chair. 



