104 
THE ARAN ISLANDS. 
May, 1891. 
A few illustrations from different groups of animals will 
best explain the practical bearings of the theory, and the aid 
which it affords to the zoologist in his attempts to reconstruct 
the pedigrees of animals; while these will also serve to illus¬ 
trate certain of the difficulties which have arisen in the 
attempt to interpret individual development by the light of 
past history ; difficulties which 1 propose to consider at greater 
length. 
(To be continued.) 
THE ARAN ISLANDS.* 
BY PHILIP B. MASON, F.L.S., F.Z.S., ETC. 
With Illustrations from Photographs by Messrs. J. E. Nowers 
and J. G-. Wells. 
(Concluded from page 76.) 
The most important ruin is that of the Church of St. 
Benan or Benignus, the gem of early Irish churches 
(Plate V., fig. 9). In the interior the length is only 
10ft. lOin. and the breadth 6ft. lOin. The original 
height of the gable was 17 feet. It stands nearly N. 
and S., and is constructed of huge blocks of stone— 
one block alone forming almost the whole of the western 
side. This church undoubtedly dates back to the 6th century, 
and the roof was formed by over-lapping stones. Around it 
have been other churches, especially one dedicated to the 
Blessed Virgin ; and near it is the ruin of St. Benan’s humble 
hermitage, which is partly sunk in the rock. Within a few 
yards are the ruins of a rude stone cashel, containing several 
chambers, and also a cluster of clogliauns, while at the 
bottom of the slope below it is seen the remains of St. Eany’s 
Monastery. In addition to these, all within an area of less 
than a quarter of a square mile, are to be found the stump of 
a round tower, the ruin of an Elizabethan castle, and three 
curious sepulchral monuments erected about the end of the 
seventeenth century, making Killeaney a veritable museum 
of antiquities. 
The next ruin to which I shall refer (Plate V., fig. 10) is 
situated in the private grounds of Mr. Johnstone, of Kilmurvey, 
and is another remarkable example of the cyclopean masonry 
of the 6th century, some of the stones being 10 feet long and 20 
inches thick. The doorway is shaped like that of an Egyptian 
tomb and certain of the windows are of extreme antiquity, 
with lintels formed by two leaning stones. This church is 
dedicated to St. Colman McDuagh, who founded the diocese 
