MUSEUMS
QН
143
N29

1817
ARTES
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TUE BOR
CIRCUMSPICE
STEJNO.3093
THE GIFT OF
Alexander G. Ruthven

hen make them finsan the hearth
Each under his own roof tree,
and the Hour Winds which rele che earth
They bring the smokes to he.
"avers the high hills and the sea
and all the changefand sisies
The sous Winds bring the smoke to me
Jile the teams are in my eyes.
" Until the tears are in my eyes
heart is wellingt broke
Sham thinking an old memories
Shat gather in the smoke.
"With every shift of every wind
the homesick memories come
from every quarter of mankind
Where I have madea home.
"Non times a fursaçanst the cold
Anda neof against the rain
Sonon brufold spay forfred
se dem Wirls tung ergoth.
and my

cesa
Boate (Dr. Gerard)
Molineaux (adr. Thomas)
and others.

A.
Natural HISTORY
Ο F
I R E L A N D,
IN
Three PARTS.
By Several Hands.
ducing to the Advancement of Na-
vigation, Husbandry, and other pro-
fitable Arts and Profeſſions. Writ-
ten by Gerard Boate, late Doctor of
Phyfick to the State in Ireland.
PART I. Being a true and ample De-
fcription of its Situation, Greatneſs,
Shape, and Nature ; Of its Hills,
Woods, Heaths, Bogs; Of its fruit-
ful Parts and profitable Grounds,
with the ſeveral ways of Manuring
and Improving the ſame : With its
Heads or Promontories, Harbours,
Roads and Bays ; Of its Springs
and Fountains, Brooks, Rivers,
Loughs; Of its Metals, Minerals,
Freeſtone, Marble, Sea-coal, Turf,
and other Things that are taken out
of the Ground. And laſtly, of the
Nature and Temperature of its Air
and Seaſon, and what Diſeaſes it is
free from, or ſubject unto. Con-
PART II. A Collection of ſuch Pa-
pers as were communicated to the
Royal Society, referring to ſome
Curioſities in Ireland.
PART III. A Diſcourſe concerning
the Daniſh Mounts, Forts and Tow-
ers in Ireland ; never before pub-
liſhed. By Thomas Molyneux, M. D.
F. R. S. in England.
DU B L I N:
Printed by and for GEORGE GRIERSON, at the Two Bibles in
Efex-Street. M.DCC, XXVI.

Museums
QH
143
•
N 29
Museums
Hexander Reithren

7.23-71
906562-54
The CONTENTS.
21
O F the Situation, Shape, and of the Heaths and Moors, or
Greatneſs of Ireland : It's Bogs in Ireland.
59
Diviſion into Provinces and Original of the Bogs in Ireland;
Counties: Of the Engliſh Pale: and the Manner of draining
The Principal Towns of that them practiſed there by the
Nation.
Page 1 Engliſh Inhabitants. 63
Of the principal Havens of Ire. Of the Woods in Ireland. 66
land.
6 Of the Mines in Ireland, and in
Of the leſſer Havens, and the bar- particular of the Iron-mines. 69
red Havens of Ireland, alſo of Of the Iron-works; their Faſhion,
the Roads and Anchor-places Charges of erecting and main-
upon the Coaſt, and in the lit-
taining them, and Profit com-
tle Iſlands near the Coaſt. 14 ing of them : With an exact
Quality and Faſhion of the Iriſh Deſcription of the Manner of
Coaſt or Shores, Item, a brief melting the Iron in them.
72
Deſcription of the principal Pro- Of the Mines of Silver and Lead
montories or Heads of Ire- in Ireland ; and occaſionally of
land.
the peftiferous Damps and Va-
Of the Sands or Grounds, blind pours within the Earth.
78
Rocks, and other Rocks in the Of the Freeſtone, Marble, Flints,
Iriſh Sea.
24 Slate, and Sea-coals which are
Of the Nature of the Iriſh Sea, and found in Ireland.
81
of the Tides which go in it. 28 Of the Turf, Lime, and Brick,
Of the Springs and Fountains, I. and the Manner of making
tem, of the Brooks and Rivu- thoſe things in Ireland ; item,
lets of Ireland.
32
Of the Glaſs made in Ire-
Of the Rivers of Ireland.
36
land.
84
Of the Lakes or Loughs in Ire- Of the Temperature and Qualities
land.
41 of the Air, and Seaſons in Ire-
Of the Nature and Condition of land, as for Heat, Cold, and
the Land, both for the outward Moiſture.
89
Shape, and for the internal Of the Dew, Miſt, Snow, Hail,
Qualities and Fruitfulneſs. 46 Hoar-froſt, Thunder and Light-
Of the ſeveral Manners of manur- ning, Earth-quake and Winds.
ing and enriching the Ground,
93
practiſed in Ireland. 51 Of the Healthfulneſs of Ireland,
Of the Marl in Ireland, and the and what Sickneſſes it is free
Manner of marling the Land from, and ſubject unto. 97
there.
59
Of

CO N T E N T S.
118
Of the Diſeaſes reigning in Ire- Mr. William Molyneux's Let-
land, and whereunto that Coun- ter in the Philoſophical Tran-
try is peculiarly ſubject. 99
factions, Numb. 158. pag. 554.
Of the Bogs and Loughs of Ire- concerning Lough Neagh Stone
land, by Mr. William King, and its non-application to the
Fellow of the Dublin Society, Magnet upon calcination. Be-
as it was preſented to that So- ing an Abſtract of a Letter of
ciety.
105 the ſame ingenious Gentleman
Part of a Letrer dated June 7. dated from Dublin, November
1697. giving an Account of a
25. 1684.
moving Bog in Ireland. 113 Some Obſervations upon Lough-
A true Deſcription of the Bog of Neah in Ireland. In a Letter
Kapanihane, upon the Eſtate of from Francis Nevil Eſq; to
Brook Bridges Efq; in the Coun- Lord Biſhop of Clogher. ib.
ty of Limerick, near Charlevil. An Anſwer to fome Queries pro-
le; with an Account of the Mo. poſed by Mr. William Moly-
tion thereof on the 7th Day of neux, concerning Lough. Neah:
June, 1697. in the Afternoon, by Mr Edward Smyth, Fel-
which laſted about half an Heur. low of Trinity-college in Dub-
Communicated by W. Moly-
neux, Efq;
ibid. An Inundation in Ireland, by Dr.
An Account of the ſubſiding or
Hook.
123
finking down of Part of a Hill A Letter from Mr. Neve of Magh-
near Clogher in Ireland. Com- rafelt in the North of Ireland,
municated by the Right Reve- to the Right Reverend Mr.
rend the Lord Biſhop of Clogh- William Derham, F. R. S. gi-
er, F. R. S.
114 ving an Account of fome Inun-
A Letter from the learned and in- dations in Ireland.
genious Mr. William Moly- A Relation of the ſtrange Effects
neux Secretary to the Society of Thunder and Lightning,
of Dublin, to William Muf- which happened at Mrs. Cloſe's
grave L. L. B. Fellow of New Houſe at New-Forge, in the
Colledge, and Secretary to the County of Down in Ireland,
Philoſophical Society of Ox- on the 9th. of Auguſt, 1707.
ford, for Advancement of na- Communicated by Samuel Mo-
tural Knowledge ; concerning lyneux Efq; Secretary of the
Lough Neagh in Ireland, and Philofophical Society at Dub-
its petrifying Qualities.
lin.
ibid.
An ingenuous Retractation of the A northern Streaming, by Mr.
ſeventh and laſt Paragraph of Neve of Maghrafelt in the
North
I21
124
116

CO N T E N T S.
128
North of Ireland.
126 The Gyant's Caufway, by Dr.
An Aurora Borealis at Dublin, Samuel Foley.
151
by an unknown Hand.
127
A Letter from Dr. Thomas Moly-
A Letter of Mr. Francis Nevil to neux, to Dr. Martin Lifter,
the Right Reverend St. George, Fellow of the College of Phy-
Lord Biſhop of Clogber, R. S. ſicians, and of the Royal Socie-
S. giving an Account of ſome ty, in London : concerning the
large Teeth lately dug up in Gyant's Cauſway in Ireland. 153
the North of Ireland, and by Of the Vertues of Mackenboy, by
his Lordſhip communicated to Dr. Aſhe, Lord Biſhop of
the Royal Society.
Cloyne.
160
Remarks upon the aforeſaid Let- An Account of the Manner of ma-
ter and Teeth, by Thomas Mo- nuring Lands by Sea-fhells, as
lyneux, M. D. and R. S. S.
practiſed in the Counties of
Phyſician to the State in Ire. Londonderry and Donnegal in
band: Addreſs'd to His Grace * Ireland. By His Grace the Lord
the Lord Archbiſhop of Dub- Archbiſhop of Dublin, Com-
lin.
130
municated by Samuel Moly-
A Diſcourſe concerning the large neux Efq;
161
Horns frequently found under A Letter from Dr. Thomas Moly-
Ground in Ireland : conclud- neux, Fellow of the Royal So-
ing from them that the great A- ciety,'to the Right Reverend St
merican Deer, called a Mooſe, George, Lord Biſhop of Clogher;
was formerly common in that concerning Swarms of Inſects,
Iſland, Sc.
137 that of late Years bave much in-
Extract of the Minutes of the Phi- feſted ſome parts of the Province
loſophical Society at Oxford, of Connaught in Ireland. 164
March 18. 1683-4. concerning Account of a not yet deſcribed
Iriſh Slate.
149
Scolopendra Marina, by Thom.
An Extract of a Letter from Fran- Molyneux, M.D.S. R. S. Com
cis Nevel Efq; to the Lord Bia municated by Mr. Locke. 172
fhop of Clogher, F.R. S. con- An Account of one Edmund Mel.
cerning a Quarry of Marble dif- loon, born at Port-Leiceſter in
covered by him in the County Ireland, who was of an extraor-
of Fermanagh in Ireland. 150
dinary Size, Sc.
176
Part of a Letter from Sir Richard Part of a Letter from Dr. Aſhe,
Buckley, S. R. S. to Dr. Liſter, Lord Bihop of Cloyne, concer-
concerning the Gyant's Cauſ- ning the Effects of Imagina-
way in the County of Antrim
tion,
ibid.
in Ireland.
ibid.
An

C' ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
An Extract of the Journal of the Their Situation.
ibid.
Society at Dublin ; giving an
Their Height.
ibid.
The Materials of which they are com-
Account of a periodical Evacu-
pos’d.
ibid.
ation of the Blood at the End of
Their Embelliſhments.
193
one of the Fingers. ibid.
The manner how raiſed.
ibid.
A Diſcourſe on the Diſſection of The Mounts in Ireland for Heighth
a monſtrous double Catt.
177
and Magnitude are greater than the
A Letter from Mr. St. George Aſh, Corinthian.
194
Secr. of the Dublin Society, to
Made for tombs or burying-places. 196
one of the Secretaries of the
One found near Trinity College,
Dublin.
ibid.
Royal Society ; concerning a
Another ſort for covering the Slain in
Girl in Ireland, who has ſeve-
Battle, as found at Carrickfergus. 197
ral Horns growing on her Bo- Daniſl Trumpets found. ibid.
dy.
179 A Daniſh Mount opened in the Eaſt
A Letter from William Molyneux Suburbs of Dublin.
ibid.
Eſq; to one of the Secretaries of The Danes burned the Bodies of their
the Royal Society, concerning
dead.
198
the Circulation of the Blood, Gathered their Aſhes into Urns. 199
c.
One found near Headford, 12 Miles
18
from Gallway.
ibid.
The great Age of two Perſons in Another found near Waringtown, with
Ireland, &c.
181
a large Stone, whereon they offer'd
Part of a Letter from Mr. Ray, F. Sacrifice for the Dead,
ibid.
R. S. to Dr. Sloan, giving an
Another Urn found at Knowth, near
Account of thepoyſonous Qua- Drogheda.
lities of Hemlock-water-drop- Another found at Stillorgan, 3 Miles
.
ibid.
Part of a Letter from Francis Ne- A Mount near Drogheda, 1000 Foot
in Circumference at the bottom, and
vil, Efq; to the Right Reverend
about 150 Foot high.
the Lord Biſhop of Clogher, Bafons deſigned for Altars to facrifice
containing a Relation of ſeveral to the Pagan gods, in favour of the
Urns and fepulchral Monuments dead.
204
lately found in Ireland. 183 Roman golden Coins.
206
An Account of a large Cave near
Daniſh
. Forts.
207
Drogheda
185
The Danes the firſt Introducers of
Coin into this Country.
Of the curious Contrivance of the
A Tower belonging to Kildare Church
Cathedral, 107 Foot high.
Daniſh Mounts.
I 90
Tower of Clundalkin Church, 84 foot
Their Architect more curious than
high
ibid.
the Roman.
ibid.
Tower of Swords, 73 foot high. ibid.
The Shape of the Daniſh Mounts 192
THE
200
wort.
201
202
210
212

bot
Τ Η Ε
Natural Hiſtory
Ο F
IR EL A N D
CH A P. I.
Of the Situation, Shape, and Greatneſs of Ireland: It's Di-
viſion into Provinces and Counties: Of the Engliſh Pale :
The principal Towns of that Nation.
SE C T I.
Situation of IRELAND
RELAND, by the Iriſh themſelves called Erin, and by
their neighbours the Welſh, Yverdon, lieth in the north-
weſt ocean, having on the weſt ſide no land nearer than
America, or the Weſt Indies, and thereof that part, which
above Nova Francia and Canada running northward, hath
of the Engliſh received the name of New Britain, but of
other nations before of Terra Laboratoris. The next land
over againſt it on the ſouth is Galicia, one of the king-
doms of Spain, from which it lieth divided ſome days failing. Northwards it
hath the Scotiſh iſlands, by the geographers called Hebrides or Hebudes; the
A
principal

2
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. I.
principal of which are Euſt, Lewis, Skye, Ila and Mula. On the eaſt ſide is
Great-Britain, and all the three parts of it, to wit part of Scotland, the whole
welt coaſt of Ingland, and all Wales.
S E C T. II.
cat-Brit
Diſtance betwixt Ireland and ſeveral places upon the coaſt of Great-Britain.
The ſea, which parteth Ireland from Great-Britain, being of a very unequal
breadth, is more narrow in the north end, leſs in the ſouth end, but broad in
the midſt, as far as it waſheth the Engliſh coaſt, being the full length of the
two counties of Cumberland and Lancaſhire, oppoſite againſt
which are fitua-
ted in Ireland the counties of Down, Louth, and Dublin. The ſea which is
incloſed betwixt theſe counties, and compriſeth in its middle the iſle of Man,
is well near of an equal and uniform breadth every where, not being in any place
much broader or much narrower, thau it is betwixt the havens of Dublin and
Leverpole, the diſtance betwixt which two is reckoned by the Engliſh pilots
to be of forty leagues, or fixſcore Engliſh miles. But Wales in two or three
places cometh a great deal nearer to Ireland, and in ſome as near again. For
Holy-head, being the moſt weſterly corner of the northerlieſt part of Wales,
called Angleſey, lieth juſt half way between Dublin and Leverpole or Cheſter,
being twenty leagues, or threeſcore miles, from Dublin, and ten or twelve
hours fail with a reaſonable good wind; which diſtance is no greater, than
what the eye may very well reach: for a man whoſe fight is but of an ordinary
goodneſs, may at any time in clear weather with eaſe diſcern the high and moun-
tainous coaſt of Wales from the top of the Dublin mountains. And about the
fame diſtance, as is betwixt Dublin and Holy-head, is alſo betwixt St. Davis-
head a promontory of Pembrookſhire (which ſhire is ſituated in the moſt fouth
weſt part of Wales) and the Iriſh promontory in the county of Wexford, which
the natives call Cancarne, and the Engliſh ſeamen Tuskard-point. Alſo the
promontory of Carnarvan in Wales, called Brachipult-point, and lying betwixt
Holy-head and St. Davis, is well near at the fame diſtance from the next Iriſh
thore, as either of thoſe other Welſh promontorics. But between Brachipult-
point and St. Davis-head the ſea doth much enlarge it ſelf (although nothing ſo
much as betwixt Ireland and England) making a great inlet on the coaſt of
Wales, the which here retireth it ſelf a great way backwards: whereas to the
contrary the Iriſh ſhore, which lieth oppoſite to it, extendeth it ſelf in an equal
manner, without any great bays or inlets.
As for the north part, where Ireland and Scotland are neighbours, there this
fea groweth very narrow; infomuch as Galloway, a county in that part of Scot-
land, is diftant with its moſt weſterly ſhore from the Ardes (a little country and
demy-iſland ſo named in the moſt northerly part of the county of Down in Ire-
land) nor above five leagues; which ſpace the open boats, wherein they ordi-
narily here do paſs from the one kingdom into the other, ule to fail in three or
four hours time: and Cantyre, another foreland on the weſt ſhore of Scotland,
more

Chap. I. The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 3
more to the north than Galloway, is nearer yet unto Ireland: ſo that in theſe
two places the one nation may perfectly be ſeen and diſcerned out of the other
at all times, whenfoever it is no very dark gloomy weather.
SECT. III.
Shape and Bigneſs of IRELAND.
The ſhape of this iſland is long ways ſquare, but not fully: for to ſay nothing
of ſeveral corners and forelands, which run out a great way into the ſea, nor of
divers great bays and inlets, which the ſea maketh here and there, in the three
other parts of this iſland; the fourth part, called Munſter, doth greatly alter
that figure; for in licu of ſtretching it ſelf firſt from the north to the ſouth,
and then from the ſouth to the weſt, it runneth altogether floping from the
north eaſt to the ſouth weſt; and there beſides it ſtretcheft it ſelf much further
into the ſea with its weſtern ſhores, than any other part of Ireland on the ſame
weft ſide.
As for the bigneſs thereof, queſtionleſs it is to be reckon’d among the chief
iſlands of the whole world, and of Europe the principalleſt of all, except only
Great-Britain, the which is more than twice as big: for being as long again,
as it is broad, it is at the narroweſt (which is juſt in the middle, where Dub-
lin is ſituated) no lefs than an hundred miles broad; ſeeing that Athlone, which
lieth juft half way betwixt the two feas, is fifty miles diſtant from Dublin; and
in Ulſter, where Ireland is at its broadeft, it is in moſt places ten, or twelve,
and in ſome twenty miles broader. In the length, if from the middle of the
northern coaſt one do go directly fouthward, one ſhall find it to be about two
hundred miles. But if you ſhape your courſe more to the eaſt, the length will
be found leſs by ſome miles, becauſe the coaſt of Munfter runneth fo floping,
as we have ſaid before: and to the contrary, if one meaſure the length of Ire-
land more to the weſt, it will be found to be a great deal more than two hun-
dred miles. And if the meaſure were taken not through the inland parts, as
now we have framed it, but all along the ſea ſhore, the length would amount
to a great deal more than what now we have declared (as well on the caſt as on
the weſt ſide) in regard of the inequality of the coaſt, and of the great bays and
forelands, which make it in moſt places very much run out to the ſeaward, or
into the landward: for which ſame reaſon the circuit of the whole iſland, ta-
ken alongſt the fhore, is by far greater, than otherwiſe the proportion of its
length and breadth would ſeem to require. The miles here mentioned muſt
be underſtood not of the common Engliſh ones, three whereof make one league,
or Holland mile, but of the Iriſh, the which are about one fifth part bigger,
ſo as five Iriſh miles do amount to about fix Engliſh.
A 2
SECT

4
Chap. I.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland
SECT. IV.
Diviſion of Ireland into Provinces and Counties,
This iſland is divided into four principal parts, called provinces, viz. Ul-
fter, Leinſter, Connaught, and Munſter: of which the firſt and the laſt extend
themſelves from the one ſea to the other, Ulſter in the north, and Munſter in
the ſouth. Leinſter and Connaught, lying betwixt thoſe two forenamed pro-
vinces, have the ſea only on one ſide, Connaught on the weſt, and Leinſter on
the eaſt. To theſe four moſt writers and records add a fifth, called Meath ;
but that is really a part of Leinſter, and ordinarily now is held to be ſuch.
Each of theſe provinces is again divided into divers counties. Ulſter hath
eleven, whereof fix on the ſea fide, viz. Fermanagh, Donegall alias Tircon-
nel, Colrain, Antrim, Down, Louth; and five within the land, viz. Cavan,
Monaghan, Ardmagh, Nether-Tyrone, and Upper-Tyrone. Lcinfter compre-
hendeth likewiſe eleven counties, Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford one the ſea
ſide, Eaſt-Meath, and Catherlogh or Carlo within the land, but with a little
nook reaching unto the ſea; Weft-Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, King's-county,
Queen's-county, and Longford altogether within the land. Munſter is divided
into fix counties, two within the land, viz. Tipperary and Limerick; and
the other four, Waterford, Cork, Deſmond, and Kerry, fituated on the ſea
fide, but ſtretching themſelves a great way into the land. In Connaught there
be ſix counties, viz. Clare alias Tomond, Galloway, Mayo, and Slego, fi-
tuated on the ſea, and Roſcommon, and Letrim within the land.
SE C T. V.
Of the ENGLISH Pale.
THERE is
yet another diviſion of Ireland, whereby the whole land is divi-
ded into two parts, The Engliſh Pale, and the land of the mere Iriſh. The
Engliſh Pale comprehendeth only four counties, one whereof is in Ulſter, viz.
Louth, and the other three in Leinſter, to wit Meath, Dublin, and Kildare:
the original of which diviſion is this. The Engliſh at the firſt conqueft, un-
der the reign of Henry II. having within a little time conquered great part of
Ireland, did afterwards, in the ſpace of not very many years, make themſelves
maſters of almoſt all the reſt, having expelled the natives (called the wild Iriſh,
becauſe that in all manner of wildneſs they may be compared with the moſt bar-
barous nations of the earth) into the deſart woods and mountains. But after-
wards being fallen at odds among themſelves, and making ſeveral great wars
the one upon the other, the Iriſh thereby got the opportunityto recover now this,
and

Chap. I.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S
and then that part of the land; whereby, and through the degenerating of a great
many from time to time, who joining themſelves with the Iriſh, took upon them
their wild faſhions and their language, the Engliſh in length of time came to
be ſo much weakened, that at laſt nothing remained to them of the whole king-
dom, worth the ſpeaking of, but the great cities, and the forenamed four
counties; to whom the name of Pale was given, becauſe that the authority and
government of the kings of England, and the Engliſh colonies or plantations,
which before had been ſpread over the whole land, now were reduced to fo
ſmall a compaſs, and as it were impaled within the ſame. And although ſince
the beginning of this preſent age, and ſince king James's coming to the crown
of England, the whole iſland was reduced under the obedience and government
of the Engliſh laws, and repleniſhed with Engliſh and Scotiſh colonies; never-
theleſs the name of Engliſh Pale, which in the old fignification was now out
of ſeaſon, remained in uſe, and is ſo ſtill, even fince this laſt bloody rebellion,
wherein the inhabitants of almoſt all the Pale, although all of them of Engliſh
deſcent, have conſpired with the native Iriſh, for to fhake off the government
of the crown of England, and utterly to extinguiſh the reformed Religion, with
all the profeſſors thereof, and quite to root them out of Ireland.
SECT. VI.
Cities and chief Towns of Ireland,
This iſland hath in it ſeveral cities, among which Dublin is the principal,
being the chief city of the whole commonwealth, the reſidence of the gover-
nor, the council of ſtate, all the great officers, the exchequer, judges, and
courts of juſtice; being alſo adorn’d with an univerſity, the only in all Ireland.
It is ſituated in the province of Leinſter, about the middle of the length of Ireland
(as already hath been mentioned) not far from the Sea, an inlet whereof maketh a
harbour for this city; which harbour, although none of the beſt of Ireland (where-
of in the next chapter but one ſhall be ſpoken more at large) is nevertheleſs fre-
quented with more ſhips, and hath greater importation of all things, than any
other haven in the kingdom; by reaſon that all ſorts of commodities are much
more readily and in greater plenty vented here than any where elſe, what in the
city it ſelf, being great and populous, what into the country, for in the time
of
peace
almoſt all Leinſter and Ulſter were wont to furniſh themſelves from
Dublin of all kinds of proviſions and neceſſaries, ſuch as were brought in out
of foreign countries.
Next to Dublin is Galloway, the head city of the province of Connaught,
to be reckon’d, as well for bigneſs and fairneſs, as for riches; for the ſtreets are
wide, and handſomely ordered, the houſes for the moſt part built of free-ſtone;
and the inhabitants much addicted to traffick, do greatly trade into other coun-
tries, eſpecially into Spain, from whence they uſed to fetch great ſtore of wines
and other wares every year.
In the third place cometh Waterford, ſituated in the province of Muniter;
and in the fourth Limerick, the head city of the ſaid province, both towns
of

6 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap.I.
of traffick, ſituated on goodly havens, and of reaſonable bigneſs and handſome
neſs.
Cork, in the province of Munſter, and Londonderry, in the province of
Ulſter, are leſs than any of the forementioned, but otherwiſe handſome places,
well built, and very fitly ſituated for traffick and navigation, as ſtanding upon
very good havens.
As for the reſt of the towns, Drogheda, Kilkenny, and Bandonbridge are
paffable and worthy of ſome regard both for bigneſs and handſomneſs: but Col-
rain, Knockfergus, Belfaſt, Dundalk, Wexford, Youghal, and Kinſale are of
ſmall moment, the beſt of all theſe being hardly comparable to any of thoſe fair
market towns, which are to be found in almoſt all parts of England. And as
for Caſſel, Roſſe, Liſmore, Clonmell, and Kilmallock in Munſter; Slego and
Athlone in Connaught; Mullingar, Trim, Kells, Navan, Athboy, Naas, Car-
low, Arklow, and Wicklow in Leinſter; Carlingford, Atherdee, and Down in
Ulfter, all of them walled towns, they are ſcarce worth the mentioning, be-
cauſe there are few market towns in England, even of the meaneſt, which are
not as good or better, than the beſt of them all. We could give a more per-
fect relation of this particular: but becauſe this ſerveth little to our purpoſe,
and properly doth not concern the natural hiſtory, we have thought it beft to
touch it but briefly.
CHA P. II.
Of the principal Havens of IRELAND.
S E C T. I.
Waterford Haven.
T
HE havens of Ireland are ſo many in number, and for the moſt part fo
fair and large, that in this particular hardly any land in the whole
world may be compared with this, as will eafily appear by the parti-
cular rehearſal thereof, which we are now to make, firſt of the beſt and chief-
eft in this chapter, and of the others in the next. We ſhall begin with Wa-
terford haven, the which being ſituated on the confines of Leinſter and Mun-
ſter, runneth ſome ſeven or eight miles into the land, not winding or crooked,
nor with any great nookes or inlets, but almoſt in a ſtraight line, (extending in
it felf north and north by weſt) and in moſt parts of an equal breadth, all the
way deep and clear, having no rocks or ſands, but only two or three little ones,
which lying not acroſs nor in the midſt, but by the ſides, may be ſhunned very
eaſily. Without the harbour it is eleven and twelve fathoms deep, in the mouth
feven

Chap. II.
7
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
feven and more, inwards fix fathoms. Within the eaſterly corner is a good
road, in four or five fathoms; and on the other or wefterly fide, five or fix
miles from the mouth, is another good road, very commodious as well for them
who go forth, as thoſe that will fail upward to Waterford. Upon the eaſt ſide,
about half way the length, lieth a very ſtrong caſtle called Duncannon, which
fo commandeth this harbour, as no fhips can go up or down againſt the will of
thoſe in the fort, without running extreme hazard.
This haven in the end divideth it ſelf into two arms, both a great deal infe-
rior to the principal harbour in breadth and depth, but yet ſuch as are capable
of ſhips of a good big port, eſpecially the left, which runneth weſtward to the
city of Waterford, whereof this whole haven beareth the name, being ſituated
ſome four or five miles from that diviſion, and a little below the place where
the river Shure falleth into this harbour. The right arm being the mouth of
the river Barrow, and extending it ſelf ſtraight along, goeth up to Roſs, (a
town in former times famous for trade) the which is much about the fame di-
ſtance from this diviſion, as the diviſion is from the mouth of the harbour.
SECT. II.
Carlingford Haven
On the whole coaſt of Leinſter there is not one fair large harbour, ſo as the
next good haven from Waterford northwards is that of Carlingford; which
two harbours, in failing ſtraight along the coaſt, are above an hundred miles
diſtant.
This haven is ſome three or four miles long, and nigh of the ſame breadth,
being every where very deep, ſo as the biggeſt ſhips may come there to an an-
chor; and ſo inviron’d with high land and mountains on all ſides, that the ſhips
do lye defended off all winds; ſo that this would be one of the beſt havens
of the world, if it were not for the difficulty and danger of the entrance, the
mouth being full of rocks, both blind ones and others, betwixt which the paſ-
ſages are very narrow: whereby it cometh that this harbour is very little frequen-
ted by any great ſhips, the rather becauſe there is no traffick at all, nor any good
town feated on this haven. For the town of Carlingford, whoſe name it beareth,
is a very poor place, hardly worth the ſpeaking of. About eight miles from the
mouth of the harbour is the Newry, a fine little town, untilin
this late bloody re-
bellion it was for the greateſt part deſtroyed by the Iriſh: by which town paſſeth
a little river, called the Newry-water, which diſcharging it felf into the har-
bour ſome four or five miles below the Newry, is not portable but of very lit-
tle barks and boats, and that only when the tide is in.
SECT

8
Chap. II.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
LI
S E C T. III.
in great
Strangford Haven, and that of Knockfergus.
ABOUT thirty miles northwards from Carlingford haven is the haven of
Strangford, the which in its entrance is almoſt as much incumbred with rocks of
both kinds, as that of Carlingford. It is ſome five or fix miles long, and beareth
north weſtward, being the mouth of a great lough, called Lough Cone; the which
being but two or three miles broad in moſt places, but ſome fifteen or fix-
teen long, doth ebb and flow until the utmoſt ends of it: ſo that there goeth
a very ſtrong tide in this harbour, which makes the ſame the unſafer, eſpecially
ſtorms and high winds, for which there is no great defence here. On
this haven, and on the neighbouring lough, there lyeth never a good town,
Strangford being more inconſiderable yet than Carlingford.
The next great harbour upon this coaft, and about twenty miles more to the
north, is that of Knockfergus, being a great wide bay, the which in its mouth,
betwixt the ſouthern and the northern point, is no leſs than ten or twelve miles
broad, growing narrower by degrees, the farther it goeth into the land, the
which it doth for the ſpace of fifteen miles, as far as to the town of Belfaſt,
where a little river called Layon (not portable but of ſmall boats) falleth into
this harbour. In this bay is a reaſonable good road before the town of Knock-
fergus (ſeated about nine miles within the land,) where it is good anchoring in
three fathoms, and three and a half. On the north ſide of the bay, ſomewhat
ncar the ſea, under a caſtle called Mouſe-hill, is a fand bay, where it is good
anchoring for all ſorts of ſhips, as well great as ſmall ones, for the north and
north weit winds: but bad riding for the ſouth weſt.
SECT. IV.
Sheep Haven, Lough Swilly, and Lough Foyle.
The three forementioned havens of Carlingford, Strangford, Knockfergus,
are all in the province of Ulſter, on the eaſt ſide thereof. The ſaid province
hath alſo three good havens on its northern coaſt, not very far diſtant the one
from the other. viz. Sheep haven, Lough Swilly, and Lough Foyle. Fvery
one of theſe is a Lough (which the very
name of the ſecond and third fuffici-
ently teſtifieth) opening it felt into the fea: of the which Sheep haven and
Lough Swilly altho' they be fair large harbours, as well as Lough Foyle, and
that ſhips may ride there defended off all winds, Lough Swilly being alſo of
fufficient bigneſs to contain a thouſand great veſſels, yet they are very little fre-
quented, becauſe there is not any trade nor traffick, nor any good town placed
upon or near them.
Lough

Chap. IF.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
9
Lough Foyle is of a great bigneſs, at leaſt twelve miles long, and in moſt pla-
ces five or ſix miles broad, being almoſt every where of an equal breadth, ex-
cept at the two ends, where it groweth narrow, being of an oval figure. For
at the mouth, betwixt Magilligan's point and Greencaſtle, it is hardly a mile
and a half broad: and at the other end it is much narrower yer, running from
thence with a long arm ſome miles into the country, being liker to a broad ri-
ver, than to a lough. Upon this arm, three or four miles from the great lough,
is the town of Londonderry, in a place where that arm turneth and windeth
it ſelf in that manner, as it invironeth the town on three fides. It is nothing
big, conſiſting only of two long ſtreets, the which cut one another croſs-ways
in the midft; but it is very handſome, the ſtreets being broad and well paved,
the houſes ſome ſtories high, and built for the moſt of freeſtone, with a hand-
ſome church, market place, and key: and is incloſed with a thick and very ſtrong
wall, being one of the principal fortreſſes of Ireland. It is but few years old,
having been built up from the ground by a company of London adventurers
under the reign of king James. Before the mouth of this lough lieth a great
ſand, called the Touns (upon which it burneth greatly, when the wind blow-
cth from the lea) but fo as a fair broad and deep channel remaineth betwixt the
ſaid ſand and the weſt ſide of the land, where there is at all times fourteen and
fifteen fathoms of water, as in the mouth it ſelf ſome eight or ten. Entring
into the lough, there are very great ſands on the left hand, from the one end
to the other, which are ſome miles broad from off the land; and of the right
hand are ſome little fands or ſhelves here, lying cloſe to the land. Betwixt
theſe runneth a broad channel in moſt parts three and four fathoms deep: and
in that arm, whereon Londonderry ftandeth, it is deeper yet, in ſome places
no leſs than ten or twelve, and before the town four and five fathoms: fo as
this is one of the beſt and moſt commodious harbours of all the land.
S E C T. V.
Kilbeg and Dunnagall Haven.
The country of Tirconnel, the which taketh up the whole weſt ſide of the
province of Ulſter, runnerh a great way into the ſea with its ſouthern part, on
the ſouth ſide of which foreland there are two very fair havens, the one not far
from the other, vix. Kilbeg and Dunnagall haven. Kilbeg is a fair round bay,
where the greateſt ſhips that go upon the ſeas, may at all times with their full
lading enter and come to an anchor; being diſtant about twelve miles from
Cape de Telling, the outmoſt or moſt weſtern point of that forenamed foreland
of Tirconnel. The entrance is very narrow, ſo as unto them who are coming
to it, there ſeemeth to be no opening there, until they are very near, but it is
very clean, as well in the mouth, as in the bay it felf, and nothing that can
hurt the ſhips either coming in or going forth, being entred, one may anchor
where one will, in five, fix, ſeven, eight fathoms, or more.
B
Three

IO The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. II.
Three or four miles to the ſouth from Kilbeg is a cape, calld St. John's point,
and fix or ſeven miles eaſtward from the ſaid cape is Dunnagall haven, wide and
deep enough, but in the entrance greatly incumbred with ſhelves, fands, and
rocks, ſo as great care and circumſpection is requiſite, to enter or go forth fafe-
ly. Theſe two havens have their names of villages ſeated on them, which are
very ſmall and no ways conſiderable.
S E C T VI.
Broad-haven, Achill Haven, and Galloway Haven.
The province of Connaught, extending herſelf betwixt Ulfter and Mun-
ſter, taketh up the greateſt part of the weſt ſide of Ireland, it hath alſo ſome
good ports, as namely Broad-haven: another to the north of Achill head; and
a third, ſituated between the main, and the north and eaſt ſide of Achill ifland,
in which one may ride in ſeven and eight fathoms, and be defended off all winds;
although it be rather a ſound, than an incloſed harbour: for the ſhips which
are come into it, need not go forth the ſame way again, but failing on betwixt
the main and the iſland, may at the ſouth end of the iſle come again to the open
ſea. Theſe havens are nothing famous, being very feldom reſorted unto by any
great ſhips, except ſuch as by tempeſts and foul weather, or ſome other acci-
dent, are neceffitated to ſhelter themſelves in the fame.
But the famouleſt port of this province is that of Galloway, being a very
great bay, ſome miles broad, and many more long, having in the mouth three
iſlands, (named the iſles of Aran) the which lye north and ſouth by the fide one
of the other, there remaining three channels for tu come out of the ſea into this
bay. One channel runneth betwixt the land and the northern iſland, called
therefore north found: the ſecond between the ſame northern iſland and the
middlemoſt; which channel, being the moſt uſual of the three, is commonly
ſtiled St. Gregory's found: and the third between the ſouthernmoſt iſland and
the main, named ſouth found: the channel betwixt the fouthern and the mid-
dlemoſt iſland not being paſſable by reaſon of the fands and ſhelves, wherefore
the name of falſe found hath been given to it.
The whole north fide of this bay is very foul with fands and rocks, ſo as one
may not approach the ſhore in a great way: at the end of which fand, and in
the innermoſt part of the bay, lieth a little iſland, called in Engliſh, Mutton-
iſland, and by the Iriſh, Enis Kerrigh, which hath the ſame fignification; at
the eaſt ſide whereof one may anchor in five or ſix fathoms of water; but from
thence northwards until the city of Galloway, which is the ſpace of two or
three miles, none but little veſſels and barks can go, the city ſtanding not on
the bay it felf, but on a broad water like a river, the which not far above Gal-
loway coming out of a great lake, called Lough Corbes, diſchargeth it ſelf in-
to the bay a little above Mutton ifle.
SECT.

Chap. II.
Il
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S E C T. VII.
The Havens of Limerick, Smirwick, Dingle-bay, Ventry, and Dingle-Icouſh.
The next great haven on the weſt ſide of Ireland, to the ſouth of Gallo-
way, is that of Limerick, which haven divideth the province of Connaught
from Munſter, being of a huge length, no leſs than fifty miles: for ſo far it
is from the mouth of the haven until
the city of Limerick, to whoſe walls great
vefſels may go up, without meeting with any thing elſe in all that way, fave
a many little iſles, but not any foul places, rocks, or ſands. This harbour is
nothing elſe but a great lough (half way its length growing ſomewhat narrow,
but immediately inlarging it ſelf again into a great breadth) whereinto the river
Shannon, (upon whoſe bank Limerick is ſituated) diſchargeth it ſelf a little way
below the ſaid city; although the Engliſh and the Iriſh both call it the Shan-
non all the way until the fea, as it were not a lough into which the river fal-
leth, but the river it ſelf thus inlarged.
Coming out of this harbour, the land on the left hand ſhooteth a huge way
weſtwards into the fea, on the fide of which foreland, ten or twelve miles at
this fide of the uttermoſt point (betwixt which and the iſle of Blaſques paſſeth
the ſound of the ſame name) is the haven of Smirwick, not very great, deep,
but clean, and well incloſed.
At the other ſide of this foreland, and to the northeaſt from the Blaſques, is
a fair and very large bay called Dingle-bay, the which goeth very many miles
into the land, having in it divers good havens, one whereof, called Ventry, is
four or five miles from the ſound of Blaſques eaſtwards; and three or four miles
further is Dingle-Icouſh, before the mouth of which harbour, and at the weſt
ſide of it, lieth a rock, called the Crow, round about which one may fail with-
out danger, it being always above water, but at ſpring tides, at which time the
fea doth overflow it.
S E C T. VIII.
Maire, Bantry, and Beer-haven.
AGAINST the ſoutheaſt corner of Dingle-bay lieth a great iſland, called
Valentia, betwixt which and the main is a very fair and ſafe road. And a little
way beyond that ifland goeth in another huge bay, called Maire, which ſhoot-
eth into the land a great deal farther than Dingle-bay: and ſomewhat farther
is a third bay, called Bantry, which cqualleth Maire both in breadth and length;
in both which, as well as in Dingle-bay, there be ſeveral good harbours and
roads.
B 2
Maire

12 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. II.
Maire hath in the mouth ſome fifty or five and forty fathoms of water; en-
tring in further, there be fix and twenty, twenty, and eighteen; afterwards
you come to ten, and to fix, and in the innermoſt parts to three and two fa-
thoms; being throughout very clean, and free from all kind of rocks and fands,
except in very few places.
As you enter into Bantry, ſideward upon the left hand lieth a reaſonable big
ifle, called the iſland of Beer haven, betwixt which and the main there goeth
in a fair ſound, being a great musket ſhot broad; the which in its whole length,
from where it beginneth until the place where it endeth at the further
part
of
the iſland, being the ſpace of ſome miles, ſerveth for a very good and ſafe port,
wherefore alſo it beareth the name of a haven, being called Beer haven. A good
way within the mouth lye ſome rocks in the midſt of the channel, the which
at high water are overflown, and you may fail of either ſide of them: and at
the other ſide of this found, where the ſame cometh out into the Bantry, there
lye two great rocks juſt in the mouth, betwixt which the ſhips may pals, as
alſo betwixt the fame and the land of either ſide. All the reſt of this harbour
or ſound is everywhere very clean and clear, and very good anchor ground, ten,
twelve, and thirteen fathoms deep.
SECT. IX.
Whiddy Haven and Langerf.
In the innermoſt of the Bantry lieth an iſland about three miles long, called
Whiddy, betwixt which and the main is a very fair wide bay, (being the ut-
termoft end of the great bay Bantry) where you may everywhere come to an an-
chor in three, four, five, or fix fathoms, in as much or as little water as you
will, according as you have a mind to ride near the fore or further from it,
being every where clean ground. Ships may enter into this bay or ſound in two
ſeveral places, at both ends of the iſland. But the entrance at the ſouth end is
very dangerous, becauſe that there betwixt the iſland Whiddy and the main
land it is in moſt places foul and rocky: but in the other entrance, at the nor-
thern end of the iſland, is both room and depth enough, it being much broader
than that at the ſouth end, and eight and nine fathoms deep; and there is nothing
that can do hurt, except only a row of rocks a little musket ſhot from the ſhore,
the which being covered at high water, do not begin to appear but at halfebb.
Right againſt this iſland, at the other ſide of Bantry, is a haven called Lan-
gerf, in which is every where good anchoring and good ground; only at the
one ſide, on the right hand cloſe to the mouth, lye fome foul grounds, the
which fall dry at the ebb of a ſpring tide.
From Beer haven to the northern corner of the iſland Whiddy, the Bantry
tendeth eaſt north eaſt and north eaſt, eighteen or twenty miles in length. 0-
ver againſt Beer haven, in the midſt of the fair water, it is deep forty, fix and
thirty, and thirty fathoms; beyond the iſland fifteen and fixteen; but further
in,

Chap. II.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 13
in, approaching the iſle of Whiddy, it is again twenty and five and twenty fa-
thoms deep
S E C T. X.
Downams Bay, Baltimore Bay, and Balcimore Haven.
Next to the Bantry, and only by a narrow neck of land divided from it,
is Downams bay, being great and wide (although no ways comparable to any
of thoſe three already deſcribed) a very commodious road to fave ſhips in, and
good anchor ground every where.
The land to the eaſt of this bay ſhooteth out very far to the feaward; the ut-
termoſt point thereof, called Meffan-head, being the ſouthermoſt cape of all Ire-
land. For Cape de Clare, being about twenty miles further to the eaſt, and
ſomewhat more ſoutherly, is not on the main, but in an iſland.
Beyond Meſſan-head is another bay, far greater than any of thoſe three fore-
named, but nothing like the ſame in ſhape, nor in the ſame manner running
with a long arm a huge way into the land, but rather approaching to the figure
of a half moon. In this bay is Crook haven, School haven, and ſeveral other
great havens, not only on the main land, but alſo in ſome of the iſlands, where-
of there is a great number in this bay. The moſt eaſterly of all theſe iſlands is
Baltimore, the which ſurpaſſing all the others in bigneſs, giveth its name unto
the bay.
That part of the bay which lieth betwixt this iſland and the main, having a
narrow entrance, but within of a great largeneſs, is a marvellous good road,
where ſhips may come to an anchor on either ſide, and lye defended off all
winds. It is five and fix fathoms deep on the ſides, and fix and ſeven in the midſt.
In the mouth of the harbour, next to the eaſt ſide, lieth a blind rock; and in
the midſt of it another rock, which appeareth at low water. There is nothing
elſe that can do hurt. This haven, being far the principalleſt of all this bay,
hath its name, as well as the bay it felf, of the iſland, being called Baltimore
haven. To the north of that iſland lieth another iſland, called Spain iſland,
where one may paſs betwixt thele two iſlands to the weſt, and ſo out of Balti-
timore haven go into the ſea. But only with ſmaller veſſels, becauſe half flood
there is not above twelve or thirteen feet of water in all that channel.
S E C T. XI,
Caſtle Haven, Roffe Haven, Clandore Haven, with the Havens of Kinſale and
Cork,
SOME miles beyond Baltimore bay is Caſtle haven, where ſhips may come
to an anchor in twelve fathoms of water, being of a reaſonable bigneſs, and very
clear and clean, as well in the entrance as within.
Between

14
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. H.
Between Caſtle haven and Kinfale are two other good havens, to wit that of
Roffe, and of Clandore, in which there is water enough, and very clean ground.
The haven of Kinfale is one of the famoufeft of all Ireland; ſhips may fail in-
to it, keeping in the midit of the channel, without any danger either without
or in the mouth of the harbour, except a blind rock cloſe to the eaſt point.
Within the haven, on the weſt fide, lieth a great ſhelf, which ſhooteth a great
way off from the land, but leaving a very large paſſage along by the fide of it,
in which, as in all the reſt of the narbour, it is many fathoms deep. This ha-
ven for ſome miles goeth in NNE, but afterwards turneth weſtward until the
key of Kinſale, where ſhips may ride in eight or nine fathoms of water, being
defended off all winds.
Ten or twelve miles to the eaſt of Kinſale is Cork haven, the which goeth
in NNE, being within large and wide, running a great way into the land:
for the town of Cork, until whoſe key this haven is very clean and deep, is
ſeated many miles from the ſea, and from the mouth of the harbour.
CH A P. III.
of the leſer Havens, and the barred Havens of Ireland, alſo of the
Roads and Anchor-places upon the Coaſt, and in the little Iſlands
near the Coaſt.
SECT. I.
Wexford Haven.
A А
FTER the deſcription of the principal havens of Ireland, we ſhall
come to them of leſs moment, in which number we put all thoſe,
which either in their entrance, or within, have not water enough
for the bigger ſort of veſſels; as likewiſe thoſe, the which being deep enough,
are but very little, and of a ſmall pourpriſe; and in this deſcription we ſhall ob-
ſerve the fame order as in the former, beginning with Wexford, and ſo going
northward, then weſt, afterwards fouthward, and laſtly eaſt and north eaſt-
ward, until we have gone about the whole iſland.
The haven of Wexford runneth in weſt and by north, and with her inner-
moſt part altogether northward. Juſt before this haven lye two great ſhelves
of fands by the ſide one of the other, of which that on the ſouth ſide is called
Haneman's path, and the other north grounds. There goeth a channel be-
twixt Haneman's path and the land on the ſouth ſide of the haven, and ano-
ther betwixt the north ſide and the north grounds; but this laſt hath but fix
feet

Chap. III.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 15
feet of water at full flood, and in the other eight feet with the flood of ordi-
nary tides, and ten at ſpring rides. The chief channel is that which goeth in
betwixt the two ſands, being four and five fathom deep. Beſides theſe fands
there is another ſhelf in the mouth of the harbour it ſelf; which kind of ſandy
banks lying acroſs in the mouth of harbours and rivers, are uſually called Bars;
and the havens which have them, barred havens. With a high flood there is
about ſixteen feet of water. Being paſt the bar, you have for ſome way three
fathoms of water, three and a half, and four; but afterwards for a great way
but ten feet, and ten and a half, with a high flood; although under the caſtle
where the ſhips come to an anchor, you have four fathoms, and before the town
three ; but becauſe of the forementioned ſhallows, no veſſels can go to Wex-
ford, that draw more than ten feet of water, but muft unlade and lade in a creek
near the mouth of the haven on the ſouth ſide, about three miles from the town,
where is water enough, but no ſhelter for the ſouth weſt winds, the which do
come over the land to this place.
SECT. II.
Dublin Haven.
Dublin haven hath a bar in the mouth, upon which at high flood and ſpring
tide there is fifteen and eighteen feet of water, but at the ebbe and nep tide but
fix. With an ordinary tide you cannot go to the key of Dublin with a ſhip that
draws five feet of water, but with a ſpring tide you may go up with ſhips that
draw ſeven and eight feet. Thoſe that go deeper cannot go nearer Dublin than
the Rings-end, a place three miles diſtant from the bar, and one from Dublin.
This haven almoſt all over falleth dry with the ebbe, as well below Rings-end as
above it, ſo as you may go dry foot round about the ſhips which lye at an an-
chor there, except in two places, one at the north ſide, half way betwixt Dub-
lin and the bar, and the other at the ſouth ſide not far from it. In theſe two
little creeks (whereof the one is called the pool of Clantart, and the other Pool-
beg) it never falleth dry, but the ſhips which ride at an anchor remain ever a-
float; becauſe at low water you have nine or ten feet of water there. This
haven, beſides its ſhallowneſs, hath yet another great incommodity, that the
ſhips have hardly any ſhelter there for any winds, not only ſuch as come out of
the ſea, but alſo thoſe which come off from the land, eſpecially out of the ſouth-
weft; ſo as with a great ſouth weſt ſtorm the ſhips run great hazards to be car-
ried away from their anchors, and driven into the ſea; which more than once
hath come to paſs, and particularly in the beginning of November, An. 1637,
when in one night ten or twelve barks had that misfortune befaln them, of the
moſt part whereof never no news hath been heard ſince.
SECT.

16
Chap. III.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland
S E C T. III.
The Havens of Drogheda and Dundalk.
The haven of Drogheda, or, as the word is pronounced in common uſe,
Tredagh, is very troubleſom to be got into, as having not only a bar lying a-
croſs before its mouth, over the which veſſels cannot paſs but at high water,
but alſo very narrow in the mouth: this haven not being an arm or bay of the
fea, but only a river which keepeth her own bigneſs until the end, without re-
ceiving any notable enlargement of the ſea about her mouth, as other rivers uſe
to do. Upon this bar is as much water as upon that of Dublin; and the ſhips
which can paſs the bar, may go up to the key of Tredagh; which town is feat-
ed about two miles from the mouth of this river, which is called the Boyn.
Sixteen miles to the north of Tredagh ſtandeth Dundalk, where a wide open
bay (made by the giving back and retiring of the coaſt) growing narrow, and
receiving a little river, which above Dundalk is but a ſmall brook, maketh a
kind of haven, where never is much water, and with the ebb may be paſſed
over a-foot; wherefore, and becauſe there is not any ſhelter for the winds com-
ing from the ſea, nor any uſual traffick, this road is very little frequented.
S E C T. IV.
The Havens of Dundrum, Ardglaſs, Oldfleet, Belletree, and the Bann.
A Few miles on this ſide of Strangford, are the havens of Dundrum and
Ardglaſs, the one not far from the other, both little, and not very deep, but
ſafe: and a little way beyond the northern point of the bay of Knockfergus, is
Oldfleet haven, a harbour of the ſame fort as thoſe two laſt mentioned.
Port Belletree, fix or ſeven miles to the weſt of Fair-foreland (the north-ea-
ſterlieſt point of Ireland) is as little as any of thoſe three, leſs defended of the
winds, and the ground ſharp and foul.
Some miles further is the haven of Colrain, called Bann haven, the which
is nothing elſe but the mouth of the river Bann, the which here falleth into
the ſea, keeping her own narrowneſs until the end, in the ſame manner as we
faid above of the haven of Tredagh. This river paſſing through Lough Ne-
agh, the greateſt lake of all Ireland (the which receiving ſeveral rivers, hath
no other outlet into the ſea but the Bann) carrieth a mighty deal of water, the
which being incloſed in a narrow channel, poureth it ſelf into the ſea with
great violence: for which reaſon, and becauſe of the narrowneſs of the mouth,
this haven is very hard to enter, having alſo but little depth, ſo as veſſels which
draw eight feet of water, muſt at leaſt have three quarters of the flood before
they can enter.
SECT.

Chap. HII.
17
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S E C T. V.
Telling Haven, Mackſwin's Bay, the Havens of Ballyſhannon, Slego, Endrigo,
Moy, and Niffadoy.
UPON the weſt coaſt of Ulſter, about half way between Cape Telling and
Kilbeg, is Telling haven, a round bay, with a good fand ground, which will
contain about thirty ſhips: weſt and ſouthweſt winds blow directly into it, but
off all other winds one is there defended.
Two or three miles eaſtwards from Kilbeg is Mackſwin's bay, where a ſhip
may ride ſafe without cable and anchor: but the entrance being every where
beſet with rocks, it is dangerous to go into it.
Some miles to the ſouthweſt of Dunnagal haven, is Ballyſhannon, being the
mouth of that ſhort river, by which Lough Earn, one of the greateſt Lakes
of Ireland, diſchargeth it ſelf into the ſea; which river runneth juſt on the bor-
ders of the two provinces of Ulſter and Connaught, dividing the ſame; this
having a bar before it, by reaſon whereof no bigger veſſels than of thirty or
forty tunns can enter into it.
Slego and Endrigo are two little harbours, ſituated near the one to the other,
in the north part of Connaught, very much encumbred with rocks and fands in
the entrance, but otherwiſe reaſonably deep; for a ſhip of two hundred tunns
may come and ride before the town of Slego.
About half way between the town of Slego and Broad-haven is Moy, being
the innermoſt of a great bay, divided from the reſt by a little iſland ſomewhat
long, the which lieth croſs in that manner, that only one channel remaineth,
whereby to go out of the great bay into the leffer, or the haven, which chan-
nel is twelve foot deep; but in the haven it ſelf, being nothing elſe but two
little creeks, divided afunder by ſome ſands lying betwixt them, it is about fif-
teen or fixteen foot deep; but in the little channel which pafſeth into the in-
moſt creek, being neareſt to the village Moy, there is but nine foot of water
at full flood with an ordinary tide.
Some miles to the ſoutheaſt of Slime head, (a famous cape in Connaught, and
ſituated about half way the length of that province) is port Niffadoy, a reaſo-
nable good harbour, but very dangerous to get into the ſea there round abouts
being full of rocks both blind ones and others.
SE C T. VI.
The Havens of Tralee, Youghal, and Dungarvan: item of Wicklow, Arklow,
Malahide, &c.
Ar Tralee, half way between Smerwick and the mouth of the haven of Li-
merick, is a fair haven but none of the biggeſt.
С
About

18
Chap. III.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
About the...
... middle way between Cork and Waterford is the haven of Youg-
mall, before the which lieth a bar, not to be paſſed but at high water.
Twelve miles eaſtwards from Youghall, is Dungarvan, being a narrow tide-
haven, whoſe mouth is full of rocks, many of which do not appear, and ſo
more dangerous, and at low water it falleth dry, fo as one muſt go into it at
high flood, and paſs amidſt the rocks.
As for the havens of Arklow (where with high water it is but fix feet deep)
of Wicklow (where at full flood you have but ten feet of water) Malahide, a
little to the north of the bay of Dublin; Coledagh haven, and Red haven, the
firſt betwixt Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, and the other betwixt Lough
Swilly and Sheeps haven; Milk haven, not far from Slego; Mablin haven, be-
twixt Waterford and Wexford; and ſome others of the ſame nature: they are
ſo little, that they will hardly ſerve for other than fiſher boats, and therefore
ſcarce merit the name of havens.
S E C T. VII.
Roads upon the coaſt of Ireland, from Waterford to Fair-foreland.
Besides this great number of havens in Ireland, there are many good
roads, where ſhips at need may ſave themſelves, and commodiouſly come to an
anchor, not only upon the coaſt of the main land, but alſo in the moſt
part of
the little iſlands, which lye round about Ireland.
To begin with thoſe on the main. From the point of Waterford to Carne-
ſore, being the ſpace of about twenty miles, the coaſt is full of bays, where
one may come to an anchor. Under Carnefore ſhips anchor in fix and nine fa-
thoms. In St. Margaret's bay, three miles from Carnefore it is good anchor-
ing in five and fix fathoms, fand ground. A little further is the bay of Gree-
nore, where you may anchor as near the land as you will, in fix, five, four, or
three fathoms.
Some miles from Wexford to the point of Glaſcarick, from which place to
the bay of Dublin, being about fifty miles, the coaſt is full of inlets, where it
is very good anchoring, in good fand ground, eſpecially to the north of Ark-
low head (in a fair fand bay everywhere in eight, ſeven, or five fathoms) and
between Arklow and Miſfen head, being the ſpace of ſix or ſeven miles.
In the mouth of the bay of Dublin, at this ſide of the bar, is good anchor-
ing, as well on the ſouth ſide, before the village Dalkee (which place is known
by the name of Berton road) as on the north ſide, round about that great cape,
named the head of Hoath.
Between Strangford haven and the bay of Knockfergus are divers good an-
choring places; but all that coaſt is very foul with rocks, and blind rocks.
To the north of Knockfergus are divers inlets, where one may come to an an-
chor; there are ſome rocks, but they all ſtand above the water, ſo as eafily they
they may be ſhunned.
SECT.

Chap. III.
Ig
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S E C T. VIII.
The reſt of the Roads upon the coaſt of Ireland.
To the weſt of Fair-foreland the coaſt is flat and clean, ſo as there ſhips
may anchor every where in eight and nine fathoms. Under the point of Eni-
fton on the weſt ſide one may anchor for eaſterly winds, or to ſtop the tide.
Between Lough Swilly and Sheep haven is an inlet where ſhips may come to
an anchor; but the ground is ſomewhat foul.
On the weſt ſide of cape Horn ſhips may ride at anchor for eaſterly winds :
and along the whole coaſt between cape Horn and the iſles of Aran is every where
good anchor-ground; as alſo upon the weſt coaſt between St. John's point and
Dunnagal haven, being the ſpace of five or fix miles.
In the ſound of Blaſques it is good anchoring on the ſouth ſide of the point
for northern and weſtern, and on the north fide for the contrary winds.
On both ſides of the old head of Kinſale, by the Dutch mariners called cape
Velho, ſhips may anchor as deep or ſhallow as they will.
There is alſo a good inlet for to anchor in a few miles beyond the haven of
Cork, and on the eaſt ſide of Ardimore head is a bay, where it is good riding
for wefterly winds in ſeven or eight fathoms.
There is alſo a good anchoring place or two betwixt Dungarvan and the ha-
ven of Waterford.
SECT. IX.
Roads in the Iſlands of Saltees, Dalkee, Ireland's Eye, and Lambay.
AS FOR the roads in the iſlands; about half way betwixt Waterford haven
and Carneſore lie two little iſlands, a mile or two from the land, callid Saltees :
the ſouth moſt whereof, which lieth furtheſt from the land, is much bigger
than the other: ſhips may paſs between theſe two iſlands in five, fix, and ſeven
fathoms. On the eaſt ſide of the leſſer iſland is a good road to come to an an-
chor in ſeven or eight fathoms, where ſhips may ride in ſafety for ſouth weſt,
weſt, and north weſt winds: and on the north weſt ſide of the bigger iſland
ſhips may anchor in ſeven, eight, or nine fathoms, the road being defended off
ſouth ſouth eaſt, and eaſt fouth eaſt winds. Cloſe by the ſouth point of Dub-
lin bay lieth a ſmall iſland, called Dalkee, betwixt which and the main land
paſſeth a ſound ſeven, eight, and nine fathoms deep, in which you may anchor
under the iſland. On the north ſide of the head of Hoath lyeth another ſmall
iſland, ſcarce half a mile in compaſs (wherein, as alſo in Dalkee, no body inha-
biteth, both ſerving only for to feed cattle ) having a decayed chappel on the
weſt fide, over againſt which ſhips may come to an anchor.
Three
C2

20
Chap. III.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Three or four miles beyond Ireland's Eye lieth the iſle of Lambay, belong-
ing to fir William Uſher of Dublin, who hath there a fine little caſtle of free
ſtone, and cloſe by it a village, wherein dwell divers families, of fiſhers and
husbandmen, who plow part of this iſland, and upon the reſt feed cattle and
ſheep. The whole iſland, being about three miles in compaſs, is high land, where-
fore it may be ſeen a great way off
. On the north fide of this iſland ſhips may
anchor in twelve and thirteen fathoms for a ſoutherly wind. For a ſea-wind the
fhips muſt ride on the weſt ſide, over againſt the caſtle: but that road is not
very good, becauſe always in that found, being about three miles broad, goeth
a great ſea.
S E C T. X,
Roads in the reſt of the little Iſlands about Ireland.
Right againſt the promontory of Fair-foreland lieth the iſland Raghling
where ſhips may fail round about, as well at the outſide, as betwixt it and the
land, according as the wind and tide ſerve. On the ſouth weſt fide is a fair
bay with very fine fand ground, where ſhips may ride defended off all winds.
A little way on this ſide and to the eaſt of Bann haven lieth Skires Portruſh,
a rocky iſland, the which on the ſouth ſide hath a fair bay, very good fand
ground, where ſhips may anchor in fix or ſeven fathoms, being ſheltred off all
winds, except the eaſt north eaſt wind, the which along the coaſt doth directly
blow upon it.
There is a good road on the ſouth eaſt ſide of the iſle of Aran, ſituated on
the north weſt ſide of Ireland: and betwixt this iſland and the main there lye
three or four ſmall ifles, where ſhips may anchor in divers places, and be ſecu-
red off all winds.
There is alſo a good road for ſome winds under Eneskie iſland; the middle-
moſt of the three iſlands ſituated betwixt Achill head and Slime head, called
Boche, where is good anchoring in four fathoms; under the northernmoſt if-
land of thoſe three lying in the mouth of the bay of Galloway; under Ennis
Morrow, one of the Blaſques; under Dorfes iſland, lying betwixt the bays
of Maire and Bantry, in the found which paſſeth betwixt the ſame iſle and the
main land.
Ten or twelve miles to the eaſt of Cork haven lieth an iſland called Bally-
cotton, where ſhips may anchor in five or ſix fathoms for wefterly and ſoutherly
winds. There is alſo a good road on the eaſt ſide of Capel ifland, a little ifle,
lying three or four miles from the mouth of the haven of Youghall.
c H A P.

Chap. IV.
21
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CHAP. IV.
Quality and Faſhion of the Iriſh Coaſt or Shores, Item, A brief De-
ſcription of the principal Promontories or Heads of Ireland.
SECT. I.
T
Of the low and ſtrandy Shores of Ireland.
He Iriſh coaſt is not every where alike; but of ſeveral ſorts : in ſome
places the land along the ſea is low and flat, having a broad ſandy
ſtrand, with a row of ſandy hills, the which doth part the land from
the ſtrand, in the ſame manner as it is upon all the coaſt of Holland and Flan-
ders (where theſe kind of hills are called Duynen or Downs) only with this dif-
ference, that they are not ſo large nor high, as in the Low-Countries, and that
the rows of them take up but a little ſpace in breadth. This kind of ſtrand is in
moſt parts of Fingall (being a portion of the county of Dublin northwards to-
wards Tredagh, and a good way beyond that, and elſewhere. In other places
lye no downs or ſandy hills, nor any other heights, betwixt the ſtrand and the
land, it being only defended from the overflowing of the ſea byan unſenſible riſing.
S E C T. II.
Of the high and billy Shores of Ireland.
In other places the land is high and hilly on the ſea fide; part whereof
doth deſcend by degrees towards the ſea, having a ſtrand below; but elſe-
where the land is high and ſteep, being waſhed underneath by the deep ſea,
fo as fhips of great burthen may fail cloſe by it; the which may be obſer-
ved not only in the heads or capes, the moſt part whereof are thus faſhioned,
but in many other places, and in great extents of the coaſt. For as concern-
ing the ſaying of Giraldus, that Ireland every where upon the coaſt is very
low, Ej per omnia ſui latera marináque littora terra valde demiſſa, that is evident-
Jy repugnant to the truth. Some of theſe high fhores are bare naked rocks,
covered with very little or no earth, ſo as ſcarce any thing groweth upon them
but dry graſs and heath; others are ftony within, but have at the top a reaſo-
nable dcep mould, and all over cloathed with good graſs; ſome of them being
to exceeding ſteep towards the ſea fide, that it is impoffible for man or beaſt,
being

22 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. IV.
being come to the further end, to go one ſtep further, without falling down
and being loft. So as it hath happened, that cattle and ſheep feeding in thoſe
places, when they were come to the top, and following the graſs, ſuddenly
tumbled down, falling headlong into the ſea, or upon the hard ſharp rocks
ſtanding at the bottom.
S E C T. III.
Capes on the eaſt ſide of Ireland.
The heads or capes of Ireland are in great number, and many of them very
obſervable, to the great commodity of the fea-faring men. In the ſouth eaſter-
lieſt point of Ireland is the cape of Greenore, five or fix miles to the ſouth of
the bay of Wexford, being not very high, but ſteep, and flat at the top: and
three or four miles to the ſouth weſt from it is the point of Carneſore.
Betwixt Wexford and Dublin there be five heads: that of Glaſcarick, which
the Dutch mariners call the Blew point, and the Steep point, twelve miles to
the north of the bay of Wexford, being of no great height. That of Glasker-
men or Arklow being well near at the ſame diſtance from the head of Glaſca-
rick, as that is from the bar of Wexford. Miſſen head, ſome nine or ten miles
further to the north. The head of Wicklow, ſix miles beyond Miſſen head, being
ſteep and rocky, divided at the top into two little hillocks. And the fifth and
laſt of all, that of Bray, about fifteen miles beyond Wicklow, and five or fix
miles to the ſouth of the bay of Dublin, being a great and high cape, ſhooting
a good way into the ſea, and ſo ſteep, that it is ten fathoms deep there cloſe
under the land.
On the north fide of Dublin bay is the head of Hoath, a great high moun-
tain, three or four miles compaſs in the botom; having the ſea on all ſides, ex-
cept the weſt fide, where with a long narrow neck it is joined to the land;
which neck being low ground, one may from either ſide ſee the ſea over it, ſo
that afar off it ſeemeth as if it were an iſland. This head may be ſeen a great
way off at fea; for even upon the land one may very perfectly ſee it, not only
upon the key of Dublin which is ſix miles from thence, but nine or ten miles
further weſtward.
Upon all the coaſt from the head of Hoath to Dundrum, being about the ſpace
of 60 miles, is none conſiderable. But ſome miles beyond Dundrum, and three
or four miles at this ſide the haven of Ardglaſs, is St. John's point, a head and
foreland which ſhooteth a good way into the ſea.
The next head beyond St. John's, is the point at the north ſide of the haven
of Strangford, which the Dutch mariners by a notable miſtake call the point
of Ardglaſs,
All theſe capes lye on the eaſt ſide of Ireland, whoſe utmoſt point north ward
is the promontory of Fair-foreland.
SECT.

Chap. IV.
23
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
SECT. IV.
Capes on the north ſide of Ireland.
ABOUT fifty miles to the weſt of Fair-foreland, and well near the middle
of the north coaſt, is the head of Eniſton, which with the land next adjoyn-
ing lieth much more northward, and runneth further out into the ſea than any
other land upon this coaſt, being of a great height, ſo as it may eaſily be known
by any that once have ſeen it.
Some forty miles more weſtward beyond this promontory lieth the cape which
is known by the name of Horn head, being a hill with two hommocks at the
top, in faſhion ſomewhat like unto two horns, from whence it hath received
its denomination.
SE C T. V.
Capes on the weſt ſide of Ireland.
UPON the weſt ſide of the Iriſh coaſt are four principal heads, viz. Telling
head, lying about thirty miles to the ſouth weſt of the Iſles of Aran, the which
are ſituated over againſt the north weſterlieſt point of Ireland. Achil head,
ſome miles to the ſouth of Broad-haven, being not on the main, but in an if-
land. Slime head, which by the ſea-faring men is called Twelve-pence, be-
cauſe the land ſheweth it ſelf in twelve round hommocks, being ſituated well
near in the middle of the weſt coaft: and Lupis head, which is the northern
point of the haven of Limerick.
As for the other heads upon the ſame weſt fide, namely thoſe three betwixt
the haven of Slego and Broad-haven, by the Iriſh pilots called Can Moyn, Can
Killala, and Can Jores, (Can in Iriſh betokeneth a head in all ſorts of ſignifi-
cations) Renilira and Clegin, between Achil head, and Slime head (which laſt
the Iriſh call Can Leme) Brain and Calew, ſituated to the ſouth of the bay of
Galloway; and Can Sanan, being the ſouth point of the bay of Limerick; thoſe
are leſs conſiderable.
S E C T. VI.
Heads on the ſouthern coaſts of Ireland.
Upon the ſouth weſt ſide of Ireland, the principal heads are cape Dorfes
(ſituated in an iſland of the ſame name, betwixt the two great bays of Maire
and Bantry) and Miſſen head, ſituated betwixt the bays of Bantry and Baltimore;
being the ſame, in Camden's opinion, which Ptolomy calleth Notium, that is
ſouthern, it being the moſt ſoutherly point of all Ireland.
Upon

24
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. V.
Upon the ſouth eaſt ſide is the head of Clare, ſtanding in an iſland on the
eaſt ſide of the bay of Baltimore; and a great way from thence, the old head
of Kinſale, called cape Velho by the Dutch mariners; which head, to thoſe
that come failing along the land afar off, ſeemeth to be an iſland, being a point
which ſhooteth a great way into the ſea, whoſe utmoſt, or moſt ſoutherly end
is very high and ſteep.
Upon the ſame fide ſtandeth the head of Ardmore, which runneth a great
way into the ſea from the land on both ſides, and becauſe of its height may be
ſeen many miles off.
CH A P. V.
Of the Sands or Grounds, blind Rocks, and other Rocks in the Iriſh
Sea.
S E C T. I.
Of the Grounds before the Coaſt betwixt Dublin and Wexford.
HE ſea which invironeth Ireland, is as free from ſhelves, ſands, or
grounds, as any in all the world, not alone upon the other ſides, where
the fame is wide and open, far diſtant from all other lands, but upon
the eaſt ſide where the ſame is incloſed betwixt Ireland and Great Britain, in
which whole ſpace it hath not any other ſands than thoſe ſituated along the
coaſt between Dublin and Wexford. Theſe indeed are of a huge extent, but
not turning and winding as moſt part of the grounds in other places, but in a
ſtreight line, NNE, and SSW, being fartheſt from land with their north
end, and as they go ſouthward, ſo they do come nearer to the land; and near
the Tuskard, a rock right againſt the point of Greenore, in which place they
end, they are not much more than two miles diſtant from the land; whereas
the diſtance betwixt the north end, near the iſland Dalkee (which iſland, as
before we have ſhewed, lieth at the entrance of Dublin bay, about threeſcore
miles from the Tuskard) is above eight miles. They are all of a ſtony ground,
in ſome places but one fathom deep, and a fathom and a half; but in the north
end two fathoms and a half, and three fathoms.
Betwixt theſe grounds and the land lye two or three little fands, beſides thoſe
which lye in, and before the mouth of the bay of Wexford: one betwixt the
ſouth end and Greenore; another to the ſouth of the head of Glaſcarick, a
good mile from the land, called Roſs and Ram; and a third one mile to the
ſouth of Arklow head, called Glaskermen, ſomewhat more than half a mile
from the land, and about two miles long.
SECT

Chap. V.
25
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S E C T. II.
Of the Channel betwist the Land and the forenamed Grounds.
The channel betwixt the great grounds and the land is very deep all over,
ſo that the biggeſt veſſels may paſs through it from Dublin to Wexford, and
from Wexford to Dublin, taking care only that they do not come too near the
grounds, the which being very ſteep on the inſide ( as they are alſo without,
or on the eaſt ſide, where ſhips may not come nearer to them than in twenty
four and twenty five fathoms, becauſe that in twenty fathoms one is cloſe by
them) it is requiſite not to go further off from the land, than in ſeven or eight
fathoms, in which depth ſhips may within a cable's length fail all along the coaſt,
the which here everywhere is very clean, and free from all danger. And even
between the land and the forenamed ſmall grounds, Glaskermen and Roſs and
Ram, the ſea is very clean and deep, fo as moſt ſhips do paſs betwixt them
and the land, and not about by the outſide of them.
Theſe fands in four ſeveral places are cut thorough with fair, broad and deep
channels, whereof the one is over againſt the bay of Wexford; the other againſt
Glaſcarick, being no leſs than fifteen or fixteen fathoms deep; the third right
againſt Arklow, in which channel it is about ſeven or eight fathoms deep; and
the fourth is directly againſt Wicklow.
S E C T. III.
Blind Rocks upon the coaſt of Ireland from the Saltees unto Wicklow.
There are fome blind rocks in this fea, but lye for the moſt part cloſe un-
der the land, or near ſome of the little iſlands or high rocks, ſo as they may
eaſily be ſhunned, the rather, becauſe moſt of them do at low water appear ei-
ther in part or altogether. To ſpeak a little of theſe in order: the Saltees, two
little iſlands ſituated half way between the haven of Waterford and the head of
Carneſore (of the which hath been ſpoken heretofore ) have both at the north
fide ſome blind rocks; whereof thoſe which lye near the bigger and ſouther-
moſt iſland, fall dry at low water. About three miles to the ſouth of the ſame
bigger iſland lieth a blind rock called Kingmore, of the bigneſs of a ſhip, at
halt ebb it cometh above water, and is ſo ſteep, that with the ſide of a ſhip
one may lye cloſe againſt it, and have fourteen fathoms of water, fo as with-
out any danger one may fail very cloſe by it. To the ſoutheaſt of the forena-
med bigger iſland doth alſo lye ſome blind rocks, called the Furlas, the which
may be teen at low water, and ſhips may paſs thro' the midſt of them. About
half a mile from blackrock (a noted rock whereof ſhall be ſpoken anon) lieth a
blind rock, called the Barrel, of the which one muſt take heed very carefully,
D
A little

26
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. V.
A little to the weſt of Carneſore lieth a ſmall rocky foul, cloſe under the land.
Betwixt Carneſore and St. Margaret's bay it is foul and rocky, but the foul grounds
do not reach far into the ſea.
SSE from St. Margaret's bay lieth a blind rock, called Caliogh, the which
at low water falleth dry. From the point of Greenore a riffe of blind rocks
and ſtones runneth almoſt the length of a mile into the ſea, the which at low
water falleth dry a good way from the land. At the north ſide of the head of
Arklow lieth a little ſtony row, the which is ſhunned very carefully by the
ſhips, not daring to come nearer to it than in five fathoms of water.
SECT. IV.
The reſt of the blind Rocks upon the coaſt of Ireland.
Just to the ſouth of the head of Wicklow, a little way from the land, li-
eth a rocky fand called Horſe ſhoe; betwixt which and the land ſhips may fail
thorough, if need be: but that being full of danger, it is done very ſeldom;
and a little further to the ſouth lieth a little blind rock cloſe by the land, cal-
led the Wolf, the which at half ebb cometh above water; betwixt which and
the land fiſhers boats do paſs.
The like blind rocks and rocky fands lye upon the coaſt betwixt Tredagh and
Dundalk, as alſo betwixt Dundalk and Carlingford, in both places cloſe under the
land: at both the points of the havens of Carlingford and Strangford under St.
John's point, ſituated half way between thoſe two havens : on both ſides of thoſe
two great rocks, a little way beyond Strangford haven, called Southrock and
Northrock : between the iſlands of Copland iſles and the land, at the ſouth point of
the bay of Knockfergus: round about thoſe great rocks over againſt Oldfleet, cal-
led the Nine Maids: to the weſt of the little iſland called Sheeps iſland: betwixt
port Belletree and Skires Portruſh, which rocks are called the Chickens: half way
betwixt Lough Swilly and Sheep haven, a mile or two from the land, which
rocks the flood doth cover, but at ebb they come above water; and in ſeveral
other places upon the weſt coaſt and the ſouth coaſt the which it would be te-
dious all to particularize: wherefore we will conclude this rehearſal of the blind
rocks with that which to the weſt of St. John's point (a point ſituated three
or four miles ſouthward from Kilbeg haven) doth lye fomewhat more than a
mile off from the land, upon which the ſea breaketh with great noiſe, and ne-
vertheleſs one may freely and without any danger fail between the ſame and
the land.
SECT.

Chap. V.
27
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
S E C T. y.
Rocks in the Iriſh Sea, upon the eaſt ſide and the north Side of the Coaſt.
THERE be alſo divers rocks that always ſtand above water, the which as
they are dangerous in the dark night, and in miſty weather, ſo at other times
they are rather profitable than hurtful, foraſmuch as they ſerve the ſea-faring
men for ſea marks, and help them to diſcern the ſituation and diſtances of the
coafts; wherefore alſo the moſt part of them have received peculiar and pro-
per names. The principal of this whole number is the Tuskard, a great black
ſmooth rock, of faſhion like unto a ſhip turned the upſide downwards, but as
big again, lying ſouth eaſtwards from the point of Greenore the ſpace of three
miles. To the ſouthweſt of the Tuskard a great way, and about a mile and a
half from the bigger of the Saltees, is the rock Kingbeg. To the north eaſt
of the Saltees ſtand two rocks not far the one from the other, of which the one
of its ſituation is called Northrock, and the ſouthermoſt the Tuns. To the
eaſt of theſe two, and about three miles from the point of Carneſore, lieth
Blackrock, being clean of all ſides, ſo as ſhips may freely fail round about it
without any fear or danger.
A mile or two to the
north of Lambay lieth a great rock called rock Abill,
about which ſhips may fail of all ſides.
Two miles beyond the north point of the haven of Strangford are two great
rocks, the one called Northrock, and the other, diſtant two miles from it to
the ſouth, Southrock: the Northrock is a number of rocks lying cloſe toge-
ther, divers whereof are covered at high water. From the end of theſe two
fhoot out riffs of foul and rocky ground; but betwixt them goeth a broad,
clean, and deep channel, through which all manner of ſhips, even the biggeſt,
may paſs.
Šix or ſeven miles to the north of the bay of Knockfergus, and three miles
from the land, are the Nine Maids, being great rocks that lye but a little above
the water, or low rocky iſles, with a great number of blind rocks about the
fame, ſo as ſhips may come no nearer to them than within five or fix miles.
Of the ſame kind of low rocks, or little rocky iſlands, are alſo thoſe who
are called Enefterhull iſlands, being ſituated before the moſt northerly point of
Ireland, betwixt Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly.
SECT. VI.
Rocks in the Iriſh Sea upon the weſtern and the ſouthern Coaſt.
NEAR the iſlands of Aran upon the north weſt coaſt of Ireland, lye ſeveral
high rocks, called the Stags of Aran; and ſuch other rocks, called the Stags
of Broad hayen, lye three or four miles from the northern point of Broad haven.
D 2
Three

28
Chap. VI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Three miles to the north weſt of Achil head lieth Blackrock, a great, high
and black rock, with ſeveral other rocks near unto it.
On the north fide and weſt ſide of the iſlands Blaſques, lying over againſt the
moft weſterly point of Ireland, are ſeveral great rocks, ſome whereof are called
the Horſes, and others the Bucks.
Seven or eight leagues to the ſouth of Blaſques lye three great rocks, called
the Skellighs, the eaſterlieſt about three miles, and the weſterlieſt fix or ſeven
miles from the land; the which, to thoſe that come from the ſouth, when firſt
they begin to ſee them, reſemble the fails of ſhips.
Without the head of Dorfes lye three other great rocks, whereof the utter-
moſt, or the moſt weiterly, is called the Bull, the middlemoſt the Cow, and
the third the Calf, being clean round about, ſo as without any danger one may
fail between them.
Five or fix miles weſt and by ſouth of the head of Clare lieth a high ſteep
rock alone in the fea, called Faſtney, the which at the firſt appearing looketh
like the fail of a ſhip.
Two or three miles to the eaſt of Baltimore, and a mile or two from the
land, lye five or fix high ſteep rocks called the Stags, as thole of Aran and
Broad haven, to thoſe that come from the eaſt along the land, when firſt they
begin to have them in fight, they reſemble fomeſpires or pointed ſteeples ſtand-
ing together.
Two miles eaſtwards from the mouth of the haven of Kinſale, lye two great
black rocks, the one ſomewhat farther from the land than the other.
There lye alſo ſeveral rocks near the little iſlands of Dalkee and Ireland's-eye,
the one fituated before the north point, and the other before the ſouth point
of the bay of Dublin, as heretofore we have thewed. Likewiſe on both ends
of the iſle of Lambay, half way betwixt the ſame iſland and Tredagh haven,
cloſe by the land; near the iſland Raghlin, near Skires Portruſh, and in ſeveral
other places, but the principal and moſt conſiderable are thoſe whereof we have
ſpoken.
CH A P. VI.
Of the Nature of the Iriſh Sea, and of the Tides which go in it.
SECT. I.
The Iriſh Sea not ſo tempeſtuous as it it is bruited to be.
HAT part of the Iriſh fea which divideth Ireland from Great Britain,
is
very
much defamed both by ancient and modern writers, in regard
of its boyſterouſneſs and tempeſtuouſneſs, as if it were more ſubject to
ſtorms and raging weather than any other, and conſequently not to be paſſed
without
T

Chap. VÌ.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 29
without very great danger: Mare quod Hiberniam & Britanniam interluit, undo-
ſum inquietumque, toto in anno non niſi paucis diebus eft navigabile : That is, The
Tea which paſſeth betwixt Ireland and Britain, is boyſterous and reſtleſs, ſo as but
few days in the year ſhips can go upon it; faith Solinus: with whom Giraldus (who
ſeveral times went to and fro betwixt England and Ireland) fully agreeth, writ-
ing in this manner, Hibernicum mare concurrentibus fluctibus undofiſimum, fere
femper eſt inquietum, ita ut vix etiam æſtivo tempore paucis diebus ſe navigantibus
tranquillum præbeat : That is, The Iriſh ſea being very boiſterous through the con-
courſe of the waves, is almoſt always reſtleſs, so as even in the ſummer time it is
hardly for a few days quiet enough to be failed upon. Likewiſe alſo Camden and
Speed give unto this ſea the ſurnames of boyſterous and tempeſtuous. Yea it is
a common proverb in England, As unquiet as the Iriſh ſea. Nevertheleſs it is
nothing ſo bad as they make it; and the words of Stanyhurſt, in his annotati-
ons upon Giraldus, Mare Hibernicum ſatis tranquillum eft, niſi ventorum vi agite-
tur, & non folum æftate, ſed etiam fumma hyeme vectores ultro citroque navigant :
The Iriſh ſea is quiet enough, except when by high winds it is ſtirred, ſo as not only
in the ſummer, but even in the midſt of winter people do paſs it to and fro, are alto-
gether true, and confirmed by daily experience. True it is that ſome fhips do
perith upon this, but the ſame happeneth alſo upon other feas, who are all ſub-
ject to the diſaſter of tempeſts and ſhipwracks.
SE C T. II.
oil
Cauſes of the Loss of ſuch Ships as periſh upon this Sea.
The common cauſe of the caſting away of thips upon this ſea, and upon
the eaſt coaſt of Ireland, is this, that in the long dark winter nights (when this
diſaſter is more frequent than at other times of the year) fome furious ſtorm a-
riſing, the ſhips are daſh'd againſt the rocks, againſt the rocky ſhores, or againſt
thoſe grounds which extend themſelves betwixt the Tuskard and the bay of
Dublin, whilſt the ſteermen and pilots by reaſon of the darkneſs not being able
to diſcern the land, or any of their wonted marks, do not know which way to
fteer to fhun thoſe dangerous places, and to keep themſelves in the open
ſea.
ES E C T. III.
Nature of the Ground of the Iriſh Sea.
The ground of the Iriſh fea, as well in the midſt, as under the land, is al-
moſt every where clear fand; but in ſome places black and muddy or oozy
earth: in very few places rough and ſharp; and ſcarce any where elſe but in
the bay of Wicklow, ſo hard and ſtifly compacted, that the anchors can take
no hold of it.
SECT.

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. VÌ.
SECT. IV.
of the Tides in the Iriſh Sea.
WHAT concerneth the ebbing and flowing in this ſea, which invironeth
Ireland: upon all the weſt ſide it floweth againſt the land, and the ebb falleth
back from it into the ſea; the flood from, and the ebb towards the weft; for
which reaſon very great tides, as well of ebb as flood go upon all this coaſt,
not only the open thores, but in the bays and inlets (even thoſe which go a
great way into the land, as the haven of Limerick) ſo as thoſe, who have been
at Galloway, do aſſure us, that it doth ſo mightily ebb and flow there, that at
high water great veſſels may fail over thoſe rocks, the which with the ebb come
above water.
Upon the other ſide of Ireland it ebbeth and floweth along the land; for
upon the north ſide of Ireland the ebb and flood falleth in the ſame manner as
upon the weſt fide, flowing from, and ebbing towards the weſt. But upon
the eaſt fide, from Fair-foreland unto Carlingford, the flood cometh from, and
the ebb falleth to the north: as upon the reſt of this eaſt fide, to wit, from Car-
lingford to Carneſore, it floweth from the ſouth, and ebbeth from the north.
For although upon all this fide the flood runneth along the land, yet doth it
not take its beginning from one and the ſame, but two contrary points; the
which two floods coming the one out of the main ſea in the north, and the o-
ther out of the main fea in the ſouth, do meet and ſtop one another before the
haven of Carlingford.
From Tusicard and Carneſore as far as to the head of Clare, being the whole
ſoutheaſt coaſt of Munfter, the flood falleth along the coaſt ENE, and the ebb
WSW. But upon the reſt of the coaſt of Munſter, beyond the head of Clare
weſtward, which coaſt lieth W and by S, the flood falleth eaſtward, and the
ebb to the weſt.
SE C T. V.
Strong Tides in the Sounds. Srange Property of the Bay of Wexford in the matter
of Tides.
THAT which the ſea-faring men do witneſs, that in the ſound of Blaſques,
of Dalkee, and in that of Lambay, as alſo in ſome other narrow channels of
this fea, there goeth a very ſtrong tide, as well of the ebb as food, is no other
than may be obſerved almoſt every where elſe in places of the like nature.
But it is much to be wondred, what the ſame do relate of the channel or en-
trance of the haven of Wexford, to wit, that it ebbeth and floweth there three
hours ſooner than without in the open ſea; ſo as when it is high water in the
channel

Chap. VỊ.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
31
channel of that haven, and upon the bar of the ſame, the flood doth ſtill for
half a tide, or three hours after, ſtrongly run by it to the north; whereby it
cometh to paſs that the end of Haneman's path (a great fand lying juſt before the
haven of Wexford) is caft up more and more to the north; and that the chan-
nel which paſſeth by the north ſide of that fand, being the entrance of the ha-
ven, is now more to the north than it hath been formerly. And as it floweth
three hours longer in the open ſea than upon the bar and in the channel of this
haven, in the like manner alſo, the ebb in the ſea falleth to the ſouth three
hours after that it is low water in the ſame place, but not ſo ſtrongly as the
flood.
S E C T. VI.
Some other ſtrange Particulars about the Tides in the Iriſh Sea, related by Giraldus,
but found not to be true.
More ftrange it is what Giraldus writeth of the havens of Wicklow and Ark-
low, to wit, that in Wicklow haven it ever floweth, when in the ſea it eb-
beth; and that it ebbeth there when it floweth in the ſea. And that in the
ſame river (this haven being nothing elſe but the mouth of a little river) the
water is ſalt as well when the ebb is at the loweſt, as at the flowing and high
water: and that to the contrary in that rivulet, which at Arklow diſchargeth
it ſelf into the ſea, the water keepeth its ſweetneſs at all times (never receiving
the mixture of any faltneſs) as well with the flood and high water, as with the
ebb. But experience ſheweth theſe things to be repugnant to the truth; as
alſo what he writerh of a rock not far from Arklow, at the one ſide whereof
he ſaith that it always ebbeth, when it doth flow on the other; and to the
contrary. Alſo that in Milford haven (ſituated in the ſouthernmoſt
Wales, in a manner over againſt Waterford) and upon the next coaſts, it eb-
beth and floweth at quite contrary times to what it doth at Dublin, and the
coaſt thereabouts; ſo that it ſhould begin to ebb in Milford haven, when in
the bay of Dublin it beginneth to flow, and to flow in Milford haven when it
beginneth to ebb at Dublin : which how untrue it is, all thoſe can witneſs,
who having been in both places, have had the curioſity to obſerve the times
and hours, at what age of the moon foever, wherein it doth begin to ebb and
to flow there.
part of
C H A P.

32
Chap. VII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CH A P. VII.
Of the Springs and Fountains, item, of the Brooks and Rivulets of
Ireland.
SE CT. I.
H Н
Of the Springs and Fountains.
AVING fufficiently ſpoke of the ſea wherein Ireland lieth, and of
whatſoever belongeth thereunto; we ſhall now, before we come to
treat of the land it ſelf, ſpeak of the waters within the land; firſt of
the ſprings and brooks, afterwards of the rivers, and laſtly of the loughs or
lakes.
As for the firſt, to wit, fountains and ſprings, Ireland is very full of them eve-
ry where, not only in the mountainous and hilly parts, but even in the flat and
champain countries: which ſprings for the moſt part are all of one and the ſame
faſhion, being like unto a ſmall pit full of water up to the brim; at the lower
ſide whereof the water doth run forth, without making any noiſe or bubling.
For that kind of fountains which forcibly burſt out of the fide of a rock, or
ſpout their water on high, are very rarely to be found in this kingdom. The
water of theſe well-ſprings is for the moſt part cool, clear, and pure; free from
all ſtrange ſmell and taſte: in which properties nevertheleſs, and in the whol-
fomneſs of the water, the fame differences are found, and for the ſame cauſes, as
in other countries. For thoſe which ſpring out of a gravelly or fandy ground are
purer than thoſe that ſpring out of earth or clay; thoſe that riſe out of a ſtony or
rocky ground, cooler than any of the former ; thoſe that are expoſed to the ſun,
and freely receive the beams thereof, eſpecially of the morning ſun, have lighter
and wholſomer water, although leſs cool than thoſe which are contrarily ſeated;
and ſo for the reſt.
SOLO
S E C T. II.
Spaws and Holy-wells in Ireland.
A few years ſince ſome fountains have been diſcovered in Ireland, ſome of
them not far from Dublin, and others in other parts, whoſe veins running thro'
certain minerals, and waſhing off the vertue of the ſame, yield a medicinal wa-
ter,

Chap. VII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 33
ter, apt to open the obſtructions of man's body, and to cure other accidents
thereot; which kind of fountains are commonly called Spaws, a name borrow-
ed of a certain village in the country of Liege, in which there is a ſpring of
that ſort, abſolutely the principalleſt, and the moſt effectual of all thoſe of the
ſame kind, and therefore of very great renown in near and in far countries. Be-
ſides theſe ſpaws there are alſo a great number of other fountains throughout all
the land, called holy wells by the inhabitants, whoſe water not differing from
that of other wells, in ſmell, taſte, or in any other ſenſible quality, neverthe-
leſs is believed to be effectual for the curing of ſeveral diſeaſes. But experience
doth ſhew, that thoſe vertues are not found in the ſprings themſelves, but only
in the vain imagination of the ſuperſtitious people; the which alſo having de-
dicated every one of thoſe to ſome particular ſaint, do expect the ſuppoled ver-
tue rather from the power of them, than from any natural efficaciouſneſs inhe-
rent in the water it felf.
SECT. III.
Of the fabulous Fountains of Giraldus Cambrenfis.
As for thoſe wonderful ſprings mentioned by Giraldus Cambrenſis, one in
Munſter, whoſe water preſently maketh them grey that waſh their head or beard
there with; one in Ulſter, of quite contrary vertue, ſo that the perſons waſhed
therewith never come to be grey; one in Connaught, whoſe water good and
commodious for the drinking, and other uſes of men, is hurtful, yea deadly to
cattle, ſheep, horſes, and all other ſorts of beaſts; and yet another in the ſame
province, the which being on the top of a high hill, far from the ſea ſide, ebbeth
and floweth twice a day, in the fame manner as the ſea, I could not hitherto
come to the ſpeech of any, who in our times had ſeen thoſe fountains, or ob-
ſerved any ſuch thing in them, which maketh me doubt, that that good man
hath been deceived herein by his credulity, as in innumerable other things, the
which being evidently untrue and fictitious, are by him related for certain truths.
As in this matter, who ſeeth not the idleneſs of that fiction concerning a cer-
tain fountain in Munſter, whereof he writeth, that as ſoon as any body doth
touch it, or but look at it, it beginneth preſently to rain moſt heavily over all
the province, and continueth ſo to do, until a certain prieſt, appointed for that
purpoſe, and who hath never loſt his maidenhead, do appeaſe the fountain, in
finging a maſs in a chappel ſtanding not far from thence, and built expreſly for
that end; and in beſprinkling the ſame fountain with holy water, and with the
milk of a cow of one colour.
E
S E C T.

34
Chap. VII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
SE C T. IV.
Of the Brooks in Ireland.
No country in the world is fuller of brooks, than Ireland, where the ſame
be numberleſs and water all the parts of the land on all ſides. They take their
beginning three ſeveral manner of ways. Some have their ſource of fountains,
the which for the moſt part are very ſmall, not only thoſe who carry the wa-
ter but of one ſpring (moſt of which are rather like unto a gutter, than a brook)
but even thoſe into which the water of ſeveral fountains doth flow together.
Others riſe out of bogs, the which beſides their own univerſal wetneſs being
tull of ſprings, and by reaſon thereof gathering in them more water than they
are able to drink in or contain, do neceſſarily ſend out the fame in convenient
places, and ſo give a beginning unto rivulets and brooks. The third ſort take
their beginning out of certain ſmall loughs, which brooks ordinarily are of a
reaſonable bigneſs, and far ſurpaſs the other two ſorts; although there do not
want ſome, even of this kind, which are very little. And there is very few of
any of theſe kinds, who come to any notable bigneſs, as long as they continue
to be folitary, and until having received the water of ſeveral other brooks, do
thereby grow more conſiderable than they were in their firſt original.
Theſe brooks, beſides the great good they do the land in watering the ſame,
and beſide the commodity they afford of drenching the cattle and other beaſts;
do alſo greatly ſerve the inhabitants for another good uſe, to wit, the grind-
ing of their corn, whereunto the windmills are very little uſed in Ireland, be-
cauſe they have the conveniency, through the great number of brooks, to erect
watermills in every quarter where it is neceſſary: which bring a great profitto
the owners, being kept and maintained with leſs coſt and labour.
SECT. V.
Of the ſwelling and overflowing of the Brooks.
Some of the brooks do flow in an equal bigneſs all the year long, without
receiving any notable increaſe or diminiſhing: but far the major part do change
according to the wet or dry ſeaſons of the year, and as many of them as come
out of the mountains, or run through hilly countries, ſwell ſo exceſſively, when
any great rain doth fall, that they not only overflow the next low grounds, do-
ing many times great damage in them, but alſo bring the way-faring men in-
to great diſtreſs; for it cometh to paſs very oft, that a brook, which ordina-
rily is very Thallow and ſtill, riſeth ſo mightily through the multitude of the
rain water, which from the next mountains and hills deſcendeth into it, that a
good horſe cannot paſs without ſwimming, where at other times a child eaſily
may

Chap. VII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 35
may wade over: and with that abundance of water is commonly joined ſo ſtrong
and impetuous a current, that man and horſe are often carried away with it,
to their extreme danger; and whatſoever we ſay herein of the brooks, is much
more to be underſtood of the rivers, the which otherwiſe in convenient places
or fords may be paſſed over; wherein the aforeſaid danger is greater yet: ſo
that few years paſs in Ireland, in the which fome perſons are not drowned in
that faſhion.
S E C T. VI.
Strange Invention of a Man to paſs a Brook, greatly riſen by the abundance of Rain.
It ſhall not be improper to inſert here a particular obſerved by a very credi-
ble and reverend perſon, Theophilus Buckwort, biſhop of Dromore, the which
he hath ſeveral times related to my brother and others, being this; The La-
gon, a little river or brook, which paſſeth by the town of Dromore, upon a
certain time being greatly riſen through a great and laſting rain, and having
carried away the wooden bridge, whereby the ſame uſed to be paſſed at that
town; a country fellow who was travelling that way, having ſtayed three days
in hope that the water would fall, and ſeeing that the rain continued, grew im-
patient of ſtaying longer, and reſolved to paſs the brook whatever the danger
was; but to do it with the leſs peril, and the more ſteadineſs, he took a great
heavy ſtone upon his ſhoulders, whoſe weight giving him ſome firmneſs againſt
the violence of the water, he paſſed the ſame without harm, and came ſafe to
the other ſide, to the wonderment of many people, who had been looking on,
and given him all for a loft perſon.
S E C T. VII.
Of the Brooks of Drumcondra and Rathfarnum by Dublin.
Of theſe dangerous brooks there are two hard by Dublin, both running in-
to the haven ſome what more than a mile from the city, the one at north ſide
thereof, a little below the village Drumcondra, which is ſeated upon the high-
way from Dublin to Drogheda; and the other at the ſouth ſide, cloſe by the
Rings-end. This called Rathfarnum water of the village by which it paſſeth two
miles from the ſea, and the ſame diſtance from Dublin, is far the worſt of the
two, as taking its beginning out of thoſe great mountains ſouthwards from Dub-
lin, from whence after any great rain ſuch abundance of water is deſcending to
it, that the ſame, which at other times is of very little depth, groweth there-
by ſo deep, and exceeding violent, that many perſons have loſt their lives there-
in; amongſt others Mr. John Uſher, father to fir William Uſher that now is,
who was carried by the current, no body being able to fuccour him, although
E 2
many

36
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. VIII.
many perſons, and of his neareſt friends, both a-foot and horſeback were by
on both the ſides. Since that time a ſtone bridge hath been built over that
brook (as over Drumcondra water there hath been one from antient times) up-
on the way betwixt Dublin and Rings-end, which was hardly well accompli-
ſhed, when the brook in one of thoſe furious riſings quite altered its channel
for a good way, ſo as it did not paſs under the bridge as before, but juſt before
the foot of it, letting the ſame ſtand upon the dry land, and conſequently mak-
ing it altogether uſeleſs: in which perverſe courſe it continued, until per force
it was conſtrained to return to its old channel, and to keep within the fame.
To go from Dublin to Rathfarnum, one paſſeth this river upon a wooden bridge;
the which although it be high and ſtrong, nevertheleſs hath ſeveral times been
quite broke, and carried a way through the violence of ſudden floods; although
at other times, and when that brook doth only carry its ordinary water, a child
of five years may eaſily and without danger wade through it; and a tall man on
horſeback riding underneath it, not being able to reach it; in the great foods
the water many times riſeth ſo high, as that it doth not only touch, but flow-
eth quite over the bridge.
CH A P. VIII.
Of the Rivers of Ireland.
SECT. I.
B.
Of the Shannon.
ESIDES the exceſſive number of brooks wherewith Ireland is water'd,
it hath a good many rivers, the which being broader and deeper than
the brooks, are conſequently navigable, although the major part are not
portable of any great ſhips nor barques, but only of ſmall veſſels and boats.
The principalleſt of all is the Shannon, who taking his original out of Lough
Allen, and in his courſe dividing the province of Connaught from Leinſter, and
afterwards alſo from Munſter, paſſeth through two other great loughs, to wit,
Lough Ree, whereout the cometh juſt above Athlone (a mean market town,
but adorned with a ſtately and ſtrong caſtle, the ordinary reſidence of the pre-
fidents of Connaught) and Lough Dergh, about half way betwixt Athlone and
Limerick, and a little below the faid town ſhe diſchargerh her ſelf again into
another lough, by far the biggeſt of all, the which extending it ſelf from Li-
merick unto the ſea, and above fifty miles long, it is held by the Iriſh as well
as the Engliſh not for a lough, but for the Shannon it ſelf, and conſequently
called with that name; whereof hath been ſpoken in the ſecond chapter.
This

Chap. VIII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
37
This river is wide and deep every where, ſo as ſhe would be navigable in her
whole length, not only with boats of all forts, but with reaſonable big thips,
to the great commodity of them that inhabit near it, were it not for the impe-
diment of a certain rock, fome fix miles above Limerick, the which ſtanding
acroſs in the channel, and the river with great violence falling downwards over
it, all communication of navigation betwixt the upper and the lower parts of
it is thereby abſolutely hindred.
Sir Thomas Wentworth, lord Wentworth, and afterwards earl of Strafford, he
that in the beginning of this preſent parliament was beheaded, having been go-
vernor of Ireland many years, firſt in the quality of lord deputy, and afterwards
of lord lieutenant, had a deſign to take away that let, in cauſing of a new chan-
nel to be digged for a little way, whereby the river being made to alter her
courſe, ſhould have avoided that rock; and to that purpoſe ſent certain skilful
men thither to view thoſe parts, and carefully to examine whether it were fea-
fible, who made report that it might be done, and would not coſt above ſeven
or eight thouſand pounds ſterling, a fum not very conſiderable in compariſon of
the great profit which afterwards would have been reaped from that work:
nevertheleſs it was never taken in hand, the intents of publick utility having
been diverted and ſmothered by thoſe of private profit, as commonly it falleth
out.
Sec T. II.
The Rivers Suck, Sure, Oure, Broad-water, Barrow and Slane,
THERE are ſeveral other rivers in the province of Connaught, but none of
them is any ways comparable with the Shannon for length, breadth, or depth,
and little to be ſaid of them, but that the Suck, the which falleth into the
Shannon a little way below Athlone, is the principalleſt of all.
The two chief rivers of Munſter are Sure and Broadwater, the city of Wa-
terford being ſituated upon the firſt of thoſe two, the which clofe by it diſchar-
geth herſelf into that arm of the ſea which is known by the name of Waterford
haven. The other paſſeth by Liſmore, and falleth into the ſea by Youghal,
where it maketh a tide haven. Next to thoſe two is the river of Cork, and
then that of Kinſale, the which is but of ſmall moment, as alſo are the reſt of
the rivers of this province.
In Leinſter is the Nure or Oure, the Barrow, the Slane, the Liffy, and the
Boyn, beſides fome others of leſs moment.
The Oure and Barrow do mingle their waters at the town of Roſs, from
whence having paſt a little way together, they diſcharge themſelves into the
right arm of the haven of Waterford, and ſo in a manner do meet the Sure,
who falleth into the other arm: for which confideration theſe three rivers were
wont to be called the three ſiſters, as Giraldus witneſſeth. Both the Oure and
the Barrow are portable many miles into the country; the Oure only with lit-
tle boats, and with cots (they call in Ireland cots things like boats, but very
unſhapely, being nothing but ſquare pieces of timber made hollow) but the
Barrow

38
Chap. VIII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Barrow with good big boats. The Slane falleth into the haven of Wexford,
being like unto the Oure for length and bigneſs.
SECT. III. Of the Liffy and the Boyn.
The Liffy is the princeſs of the Iriſh rivers, not for her bigneſs (for not on-
ly the Shannon, but the Boyn, Barrow, and ſeveral others, do far ſurpaſs her
therein) but becauſe Dublin, the chief city of all Ireland, is feated upon her
bank: a mile below which city, at a place called Rings-end, ſhe loſeth her ſelf
in a bay of the ſea, which is called Dublin haven. With the help of the flood,
ſhips of fifty and threeſcore tunns can make a ſhift to come up to the key of
Dublin, but when the tide is out, and at the loweſt, the ſmalleſt boats find
hardly water enough to go between Dublin and Rings-end, becauſe the chan-
nel being very broad there, the water ſpreadeth it ſelf too much, and by reaſon
thereof groweth very ſhallow. But in the city it felf, where ſhe is incloſed be-
twixt the keys on both ſides, and from the bridge of Dublin until the bridge of
Kilmainham, and a little further, being ſomewhat more than a mile (in which
ſpace ſhe runneth between her own banks) great boats may go upon her at any
time. She would be navigable with boats ſome three or four miles further; but
the weres, made in her a little way above the bridge of Kilmainham, do hinder
that. This river taketh her beginning in the mountains lying to the ſouth of
Dublin, not above ten miles from it; but fercheth ſuch a compaſs (bending her
coaſt firſt to the weſt, afterwards to the north, and laſtly, for ſeven or eight miles,
eaſtward) that from her original to her mouth is the ſpace of no leſs than forty
or fifty miles.
The Boyn the river whereon Tredagh is ſeated, hath her beginning in King's
county, cloſe by the original of the Barrow, although the place where the Bar-
row falleth into the haven of Waterford, is above fourſcore miles diſtant from
the mouth of the Boyn. This river is almoſt of an equal bigneſs in far the great-
eſt part of her courſe, and would be portable of good big boats very many miles
into the land, if that were not hindred by the weres.
SECT. IV. Of the Bann and Blackwater.
The principal river in Ulſter of thoſe that fall directly into the ſea, is the
Bann, the which as in her mouth, ſhe is incumbred with ſeveral inconvenien-
cies, as we have declared above in the third chapter, ſo ſhe is portable but a few
miles from the ſea, becauſe of a certain rock, the which running acroſs the chan-
nel from the one bank to the other, ſtoppeth all manner of paſſage, not only of
bigger veſſels and barks, but of the ſmalleſt boats, which dare not come near
the lame rock, becauſe it being ſomewhat high, and the water from it falling
downwards with great violence, it goeth for ſome ſpace with a mighty current.
This rock or cataract, called vulgarly the ſalmon-leap (for a reaſon hereafter to
be declared) and the fall, becauſe of the falling down of the water, is not above
four

Chap. VIII. The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 39
four miles from the ſea, hindring all manner of communication between the ſame
and Lough Neagh, from the which this cataract is diſtant about three miles :
whereas otherwiſe, if the paſſage of this river from the ſea to the lough were
open, ſhips might by that means go a great way into the land, not only the
whole length and breadth of Lough Neagh (which every where is very deep,
and navigable even for great fhips) but even a good many miles farther (with
good big boats) by means of ſome rivers that fall into it, eſpecially the Black-
water, which is the principalleſt of them all. For the Bann, although ſhegi-
veth the name to the river going out of the lough, is not comparable to the
Black-water for breadth nor depth, being rather a brook than a river, the which
being very ſhallow at other times, doth riſe fo exceſſively upon the falling of
much rain, that it is one of the moſt dangerous and terrible brooks of all Ire-
land, in the which therefore from time to time many men and horſes have been
drowned at the paſſing of it.
SECT. y. Of the Lagon and Newry-water: Tide Rivers.
BESIDES the Bann and the Black-water, there is ſcarce any other river in
Ulſter, but that which paſſing by Strabane and Londonderry, dichargeth it felf
into Lough Foyle. For the Lagon, heretofore mentioned by us, which by Bel-
faſt falleth into the ſea; the Newry water, whereof we have ſpoken in the de-
fcription of Carlingford haven; and ſome others of that nature, are properly
brooks, and not portable by reaſon of their own water, but of that which out
of the ſea floweth into them; as appeareth clearly when the tide is out. For
then they are as ſmall, and as little portable in thoſe places, where the boats and
bigger vefſels do país at high water, as are they at all times in thoſe places unto
which the tide doth never reach: which kind of tide rivers or brooks, which
only by the coming in of the tide are made navigable for a little way, are to be
found in all the provinces of Ireland.
SECT. VI. Of the Cataraxts in the Iriſh Rivers.
Besides that the navigable rivers are but rare in Ireland, and that the moſt
part of them are only portable of very ſmall veſſels and boats, not of any bigger
ſhips or barks, as appeareth by the former relation, there be very few rivers,
who have not ſome impediment or other in them, whereby it cometh that they
are not portable ſo far as otherwiſe they would be. Theſe impediments are
chiefly three in number, cataracts, weres, and fords; whereof the laſt two do
only concern the leſſer rivers. The firſt, to wit, the cataracts, are incident to
the greateſt rivers as well as to others, as may appear by what we have ſaid con-
cerning them in the deſcription of the Shannon and the Bann; whereby alſo
fully may be conceived the manner and nature of the ſaid cataracts, ſo as it is
needleſs here again to delineate them.
Such a cataract or fall there is found in the Liffy, ſeven miles from Dublin,
and about a quarter of a mile above the village and caſtle of Leſlip, the deſcrip-
tion

40 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. VIII.
tion of which as holding it not improper for this place, we ſhall here ſet down
as it came to our hands from thoſe who have obſerved it very exactly. The ſaid
river running thereabouts along a narrow and deep valley, being hemmed in at
both ſides with high hills of a long continuance, hath a very rocky channel,
and beſides that the bottom is overſpread in ſeveral parts with great inafſy ſtones,
there is in two or three places, at no great diſtance, a continual rocky bulk
reaching from one fide to the other, leaving but one or two narrow paſſages,
through which the ftream runneth with a very ſtrong current, and a mighty
noiſe, but the third and laſt bulk, like a cataract hath the channel cloſe to it,
a great deal lower (by far more than the other, at leaſt by ſeven or eight feet)
which is the cauſe that the ſtream doth not ſo much run Iwift here, or paſſeth
with a current through narrow channels, as in the two firſt bulks, but as ſoon
as it is got over the rock it falleth ſteep down with great violence, the ſpace
of three or four paces in breadth; whereas the remainder of the main channel
is altogether ſtopp'd by the ſaid rock. In winter and other very rainy ſeaſons,
when the water doth increaſe much, it paſſeth over all the ſaid rocks ſmoothly
and without noiſe, where the ſame is exceeding great, thoſe times, when the
Liffy runneth with a ſmall ſtream.
There is alſo a cataract in a ſmall tide river in the county of Cork in Mun-
fter, the which falleth into the innermoſt corner of the great bay Bantry, and
one in the haven of Ballyſhannon, which haven being in effect nothing elſe but
the mouth of Lough Earn, commonly is counted for a river, and called by the
name of Trowis.
Sect. VII. Of the Fords in the Rivers of Ireland a ſecond Impediment of their
Navigableneſs.
CONCERNING the fords; it is to be obſerved, that not every where, where
the high-ways meet with great brooks or ſmall rivers, bridges are found for to
paſs them, but that in very many places one is conſtrained to ride through the
water it ſelf, the which could not be done, if the rivers kept themſelves every
where incloſed between their banks; wherefore they are not only ſuffered in
ſuch places, to ſpread themſelves abroad, but men help thereto as much as they
can, to make the water ſo much the ſhallower and conſequently the eaſier to
be paſs’d: whereby it cometh many times to paſs, that a river which above and
below the ford is deep enough to be portable of great boats, through the ſhal-
lowneſs of the fords lying between, will bear none but of the very ſmalleft; or
where otherwiſe the ſame would carry ſmall boats is not portable at all; this in
moſt places might eaſily be remedied, in raiſing of dikes or artificial banks,
where the natural ones failing do miniſter opportunity unto the rivers for to
ſpread themſelves; and making bridges to paſs over. Some fords, do not greatly
impair the channel of the rivers, but leave the ſame almoſt in her full depth,
eſpecially in the midſt: but the ſame, as they are more incommodious for the
traveller, ſo they are not very frequent, but in far leſs number than the others.
SECT.

Chap. IX.
41
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Sect. VII. Of the Weres, a third Impediment of the Navigableneſs of the Ri-
vers in Ireland.
The weres, a third let of the navigation of the Iriſh rivers, are thus order-
ed: they ſet up very big ſtones in the river, cloſe together from the one ſide
of the river to the other, leaving only one hole, either in the midſt, or near
one of the ſides, before which hole a basket being laid, they take therein
a great quantity of fiſh; for coming to the weres, and finding their way ſtopt
by the ſtones, they take their courſe to that place where they find an opening.
Theſe rows of ſtones do not directly croſs the river from the one ſide to the o-
ther, but do go very much floaping, that the ſtream with leſs force may beat
againſt them: and the ſame alſo do ſtand but very little above the water, to the
end that when the floods come the water may find a ready paſſage over them,
without which they would not be able to ſubſiſt againſt the force thereof, but
eaſily be thrown down and ſcattered.
Some weres are ſet up, not ſo much for the taking of fiſh, as for mills, and
that the courſe of the water thereby being in part ſtopp'd in the main channel,
may be made to go into ſome little by channel, cut exprefly for to conveigh
the water to the mill: many weres ſerving for both thele uſes jointly.
Some rivers have only one of theſe impediments, as the Shannon and the Bann,
each a fall or cataract: the Boyn, weres ; having only fords many miles from
the ſea. The greateſt number have weres and fords, and commonly each of them
in ſeveral places. Some have all three, as the Liffy by name, which hath not
only weres and fords in ſeveral places, but alſo a cataract or falmon-leap, as hath
been mentioned above.
CH A P. IX.
Of the Lakes or Loughs in Ireland.
SE C T. I.
Of the little Loughs.
OUGHS there is a very great number in Ireland, eſpecially in the pro-
vinces of Ulſter and Connaught, we may diſtinguiſh them into three
ſeveral forts, great, middle fort, and the leaſt. Under this laſt we
comprehend all ſuch whoſe parts diſcover it ſelf to the eye all over at one time.
This ſort of loughs are found in ſeveral places of the other provinces, but no-
thing near ſo many as in Ulſter. Every one of theſe commonly ſends forth a
brook, and ſome more than one, being all of them very deep (the very leaſt
F
L
not

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. IX.
not excepted) and well ſtored with fiſh: ſo as they are not only delightful, eſpe-
cially ſuch as are ſituated in fome dale or valley, or environed round about, or
on ſome fides with pleaſant little hills ( as it falleth out in the greateſt part of
them) but alſo commodious and profitable, affording good opportunity to build
houſes and caſtles upon their borders, which was done in many places by the Eng-
liſh and Scots, who had made ſeveral fair plantations, and would have done more,
if it had not been hindred by that horrible rebellion of the bloody Iriſh; in the
beginning of which many of them which were already built have been deſtroy-
ed by thoſe barbarians.no
Many of thoſe little loughs have a little iſland in the midſt, which is both
commodious and pleaſant. Some wherein little iſlands do float, not keeping
long any certain place, but removing to and fro as the force of the wind doth
drive them for a 157000
CHI
di tovalle
Sud 2001
SECT. II. Of the middle fort of Loughs.
The middle fort of loughs we underſtand to be ſuch as far exceeding the
forementioned in bigneſs, nevertheleſs are not to be compared with the biggeſt
fort, of which we ſhall ſpeak preſently: of this kind are Lough Fin and Lough
Dirg in the county of Dunnagal in Ulſter, Lough Mugney in the county of
Monaghan, and Lough Silline in the county of Cavan, both in the ſame
pro-
vince; Lough Ramore in eaſt Meath: beſides ſeveral others in other counties
of Leinſter, eſpecially in Queen's county, Longford, and weſt Meath, having
little or nothing worthy of obſervation.
nomin103 OR OUT
Sect. III. Of the great Loughs, and firſt of thoſe of ſalt Water.
The great loughs are of two forts, either of ſweet water, as all the former ;
and ſome of ſalt water; theſe laſt being ſuch through the mixture of the ſea
the which finding an open entrance, and twice a day with the tide fully flow-
ing into them, maketh the water ſo falt. And it would be no great error to
take all thoſe loughs wherein that happeneth, (viz. Lough Cone, in the county
of Down; Lough Foyle, in the county of Colrain; Lough Swilly, in Tircon-
nel; and the lough of Cork) rather for inlets of the ſea than for lakes, altho"
the inhabitants hold them all to be loughs, and give them the name of loughs:
and in this number is alſo to be put that great lough betwixt Limerick and the
ſea, through which the Shannon diſchargeth it ſelf into the ſea; of the which
we have already ſpoke once or twice heretofore.
SECT. IV. Of Lough Earn, Lough Neagh, and the reſt of the great Loughs.
olhe
AMONGST the great loughs of ſweet water, are far the principalleft Lough
Earn and Lough Neagh, the firſt of which is ſituated in the confines of Ulſter
and Connaught, being in effect two different loughs, joined together only by
a ſhort and narrow channel; of which two, that which lieth fartheft within
the

Chap. IX.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
43
the land, doth extend it ſelf in a manner directly north and ſouth; but the ſe-
cond, which is next to the ſea, doth lye eaſt and weft; ſo that both together
they have the faſhion of a bended elbow, being both very broad in the midſt,
growing by degrees narrower towards both the ends.
Lough Neagh lyeth in the north eaſterly part of Ulſter, bordering upon the
counties of Tyrone, Ardmagh, Down, Antrim, and Colrain, being of a round,
or rather ſomewhat oval figure.
Next in bigneſs to theſe two is Lough Corrie, the ſame on whoſe nether
end the city Galloway is ſeated: the two loughs thorough which the Shannon
paſſeth, Lough Ree, and Lough Dirg: item, Lough Fingarrow in Connaught,
betwixt the counties of Mayo and Roſcommon.
In the laſt place, as the leaſt of this fort, are Lough Allen, out of which the
Shannon taketh his original, being nine miles long, and three miles broad:
Lough Maske, ſituated betwixt Lough Fingarrow and the lough of Galloway;
and Lough Larne, in the county of Kerry in Munſter, not far from the upper
end of thoſe two famous bays Dingle and Maire. The leaſt of theſe is ſome
miles long and broad, and many miles in circuit; but the biggeſt are of ſo vaft
a compaſs, that they are more like a ſea than a lough.
Sect. v. Of the Iſlands in the Loughs.
ca
Most of theſe great loughs are very full of little iſlands, and above all Lough
Earn, in which the ſame are numberleſs. In Lough Cone alſo there is ſo great
a number, that thoſe who inhabit about it, affirm them to be two hundred and
threeſcore. Lough Ree, and Lough Dirg are likewiſe very full of them: and
there is alſo a good many in Lough Fingarrow, Lough Larne, and Swilly. But
Lough Foyle is very free from them, and in the lough of Cork there is not a-
bove one or two, as likewiſe in Lough Neagh, in which they lye near to the
fides, leaving the midſt altogether free.lt
Very few of theſe iſlands are inhabited or planted; but the moſt part being
plentifully cloathed with very ſweet graſs, ferve for paſtures to ſheep and other
cattle, the which do thrive wonderfully well in them, and the fame befalleth
alſo in the middle ſort of loughs, amongſt which likewiſe there be very few that
have not ſome of theſe little iſlands in them.
In ſome few of theſe iſlands, eſpecially of Lough Earn and Lough Ree, are
fome dwellings, whereunto perſons who love ſolitarineſs were wont to retire
themſelves, and might live there with much contentment, as finding there not
only privacy and quietneſs, with opportunity for ſtudies and contemplations,
but there beſides great delightfulneſs in the place it felf, with variety of very
ſweet paſtimes in fowling, fiſhing, planting and gardening. In one of the great-
eſt iſlands of Lough Earn, fir Henry Spoteſwood had a fine fear, with goodly
buildings, gardens, orchards, and a pretty little village, with a church and ſtee-
ple belonging to it, which whether it is in being yet, or deſtroyed by the bar-
barians and bloody rebels, I am not informed. In Lough Silline in the county
of
F 2

44
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland Chap. IX.
of Cavan in an iſland not far from the bank where the river Nannei runneth
into it, is a caſtle built of form four ſquare, which covereth the whole iſle,
much after the manner of the fort Enniskilling in Lough Earn, and ſo many
more too long to be rehearſed.
Sect. VI. Of Saint Patrick's Purgatory.
ONE of theſe little iſlands ſituated in Lough Dirg (one of the middle ſort of
loughs) hath been very famous, for the ſpace of ſome ages, over almoſt all Chri-
ſtendom; becauſe the world was made to believe, that there was the ſuburbs of
purgatory, into which whoſo had the courage to go, and remain there the ap-
pointed time, did ſee and ſuffer very ſtrange and terrible things: which perſua-
ſion having laſted until our times, the matter hath been diſcovered within theſe
few years, and found to be a meer illuſion. This diſcovery was made during
the government of Richard Boyle, earl of Cork, and Adam Loftus, viſcount of
Ely, and lord chancellor of Ireland : which two being lords juſtices of that king-
dom in the laſt years of king James, and deſirous to know the truth of the bu-
ſineſs, ſent ſome perſons of quality to the place, to inquire exactly into the truth
of the whole matter.
Theſe did find, that that miraculous and fearful cave,
deſcending down to the very purgatory and hell, was nothing elſe but a little
cell, digged or hewn out of the rocky ground, without any windows or holes,
ſo as the door being ſhut one could not ſee a jot within it; being of ſo little
depth, that a tall man could but juſt ſtand upright in it, and of no greater ca-
pacity, than to contain fix or ſeven perſons. Now when that any perſon defi-
rous to go that pilgrimage to purgatory, was come into the iſland, the friars,
ſome ſmall number whereof made their conſtant abode there for that purpoſe,
made him watch and faſt exceſſively: whereby, and through the recounting
of ſtrange and horrible apparitions and fantaſms, which he would meet withal
in that fubterranean pilgrimage, being well prepared, they did ſhut him up in
that little dark hole, and being drawn out again from thence after ſome hours,
altogether aſtoniſhed and in a maze, he would be a good while before he came
again to himſelf, and afterwards the poor man would tell wonderful ſtories, as
if in very deed he had gone a great way under the ground, and ſeen and ſuffered
all thoſe things, which his weak imagination, altogether corrupted by the con-
currence and fequel of ſo many caules to weaken the brain, did figure unto
him.
To prevent this deluſion in future times, the ſaid lords juſtices cauſed the fri-
ars to depart from thence, their dwelling quite to be demoliſhed, and the hole
or cell to be broke open, and altogether expoſed to the open air, in which ſtate
it hath lain ever ſince: whereby that pilgrimage to purgatory is quite come to
nothing, and never hath been undertaken fince by any.
To beget the greater reputation to this fictitious purgatory, the people was
made to believe, that Saint Patrick, by whom the Iriſh were converted to the
chriſtian faith about four hundred years after the nativity of Chriſt, had caufed
the

Chap. IX.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 45
the ſame, and obtained it of God by his prayers, to convince the unbelievers
of the immortality of the ſoul, and of the torments which after this life are pre-
pared for the wicked perfons; wherefore alſo they gave it the name of Saint
Patrick's purgatory: But it is very certain, that nothing of it was known in
Ireland during the life of that holy perſon, nor in a huge while after, it having
been deviſed ſome ages after his death, when that the general darkneſs of the
times miniſtred a great opportunity of ſuch like inventions, to thoſe kind of
men that knew how to abuſe the blind devotion of ignorant and ſuperſtitious
people to their own profit and filthy lucre.
Sect. yii. Of the Property of Lough Neagh, of turning Wood into Stone.
Before we make an end of this chapter, we muſt ſay ſomething of the
wonderful property which generally is aſcribed to Lough Neagh, of turning
wood into ſtone; whereunto fome do add, to double the wonder, that the wood
is turned not only into ſtone, but into iron; and that a branch or pole being
ſtuck into the ground ſomewhere by the ſide where it is not too deep, after a
certain ſpace of time one thall find that piece of the ſtick which ſtuck in the
ground, turned into iron, and the middle, as far as it was in the water, into
itone; the upper end, which remained above the water, keeping its former na-
ture. But this part of the hiſtory I believe to be a fable: for my brother, who
hath been ſeveral times in places not far diſtant from that lough, and who of
the Engliſh thereabouts inhabiting hath enquired this buſineſs with fingular di-
ligence, doth aſſure me, that he never could learn any ſuch thing; but that the
turning of wood into ſtone was by every one believed for certain, as having been
tried divers times by ſeveral perſons : ſaying moreover to have underſtood of
them, that the water hath this vertue only at the ſides, and that not everywhere,
but only in ſome few places, eſpecially about that part where the river Black-
water diſchargeth herſelf into the lough. He could never come to ſpeak with
any perſons, who themſelves had tried this matter ; but with ſeveral, who af-
firmed, that to their knowledge it had certainly been done by others of their
acquaintance. For further confirmation of this particular (which in it ſelf is
credible enough, ſeeing that in many parts of the world there are found waters
indued with that vertue) ſerveth, that here and there upon the borders of that
lough are found little ſtones of a pretty length, ſome of them round in their
compaſs, others flat, or flattiſh, and ſome angulous, the which being looked
on, as well near as from afar off, ſeem to be nothing elſe but wood, and by e-
very one are taken for ſuch, until one come to touch and handle them: for then
by their coldneſs, hardneſs and weight, it appeareth that they are not wood but
ſtone: whereby it may probably be conjectured, that the ſame formerly having
been wood indeed, and lo having kept their old ſhape and faſhion, in length of
time have been turned into a ſtony ſubſtance by the vertue of that water, where-
into they were fallen through the one accident or other,
Giraldus

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. X.
Giraldus writeth, to have heard of a well or fountain in the north quarters
of Uliter, the which in ſeven years fpace turneth into ſtone the wood caſt into
ir: but ſeeing that no body now a days knoweth of any ſuch well, and that
with all my enquiries I could never come to hear any news of it, I will believe,
that Giraldus hath becn misinformed, and that they have told him that of a well
which was proper unto this lough.
CH A P. X.
Of the Nature and Condition of the Land, both for the outward Shape,
and for the internal Qualities and Fruitfulneſs.
SE CT. I.
Diſtinction of Ireland into champain Lands, Hills, and Mountains.
HE lands of this iſland, as of moſt all other countries, are of a various
kind and faſhion: for ſome parts are goodly plain champain, others are
hilly, ſome mountainous, and others are compoſed of two of theſe forts,
or of all three together, and that with great variety, the which alſo is very
great, in thoſe three uncompounded ſorts.
T
Sect. II. A neceſſary Obſervation about the Uſe of the Words Hill and
Mountain.
To avoid all ambiguity, and make our ſelves clearly underſtood in what we
have ſaid, and are further to ſay upon this ſubject, we think it neceſſary to fore-
warn our reader, that we do uſe the word hill in a narrower fignification, than
what is given to it in the ordinary uſe of ſpeech. For whereas all, or moſt o-
ther languages, both thoſe which are now in vulgar uſe, and thoſe which are
only preſerved in books, have two ſeveral words for to ſignify thoſe obſervable
heights which appear above the ground, calling the bigger ſort by one name,
and the lefſer ſort by another: the Engliſh language uſeth one and the ſame
word for both, calling hills as well the one as the other, without any other di-
ftinction, but that ſometimes the word ſmall or great is added. Now becauſe
this word ſo indifferently uſed would cauſe ſome confuſion in the matter we
treat of, that hath made us reftrain it to one of the forts, and to call hills on-
ly the leſſer fort, called in Latin collis, in French colline, in Dutch heuvel, and
in Iriſh knock. As for the other and bigger ſort, whoſe name in the aforeſaid
four languages is mons, mountain, berg, New, we call them mountains: which
word mountains, although it be good Engliſh, yet in common ſpeech it is fel-
dom

Chap. x.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
47
dom made uſe of in that ſenſe whereunto we apply it, but only to ſignify a
country wholly conſiſting of thoſe great hills, eſpecially when the ſoil thereof
is lean and unfruitful.
SECT. II. Of the Mountains of Ireland, and firſt of the lower fort.
The difference betwixt hills and mountains conſiſting in bigneſs, is of two
forts; for in the number of mountains are counted not only thoſe which lift up
themſelves very high into the air, ſo as they may be ſeen many miles off, but
alſo thoſe, the which take up the more in length and breadth, what is want-
ing to them in height, aſcending flopingly by degrees.
The mountainous parts of Ireland do for the moſt part conſiſt of this ſecond
part of mountains, moſt of them in one quarter being much what of the ſame
height, ſo as ſometimes one ihall ride ſome hours together, through the moun-
tainous country, without meeting with any one mountain that greatly excel-
leth in height above the reſt: the which in particular may be obſerv'd in the
mountainous country of the Fewes, betwixt Dundalk and Ardmagh; in that of
Mourne, betwixt the Newry and Dundrum (each of theſe two being above
twelve miles long) in all that ſpace which is betwixt Kells, a wall’d town in
the county of Eaſtmeath, and Kilacolly, alias Bailieborrough, in the county of
Cavan, which being ten miles long, is almoſt nothing elſe but a continuance
of hills of no great bigneſs, all very fruitful land both paſture and arable. In
the county of Weſtmeath, from Lough Crew to Lough Silline, and beyond it,
as far as Ballaneach, where Mr. William Fleving had built a fair houſe and farm
ten years before the late deteſtable maſſacre and bloody rebellion of the Iriſh.
Theſe hills are for the moſt part low and ſmall, yet ſome of a good height and
bigneſs; the ground lean, in many places very ſtony, in ſome rocky, not of
any one continual rock, but by piecemeals here and there riſing and appearing.
Yet are theſe hills in ſeveral places wet and mooriſh, as well in the rocky as o-
ther parts. Theſe hills ſerve only for paſture of ſheep. In the major part of
the mountainous country of Wicklow, the which beginning five miles to the
ſouth of Dublin, doth extend it ſelf above fifty miles in length; and in ſeveral
It hath been obſerved in many parts of Ireland, but chiefly in the county of
Meath, and further northward, that upon the top of the great hills and moun-
tains, not only at the ſide and foot of them, to this day the ground is uneven
as if it had been plowed in former times. The inhabitants do affirm, that their
forefathers being much given to tillage, contrary to what they are now, uſed
to turn all to plow land. Others ſay that it was done for want of arable, be
cauſe the champain was moſt everywhere beſet and overſpread with woods,
which by degrees are deſtroyed by the wars. They ſay further, that in thoſe
times, in places where nothing now is to be ſeen, but great logs of a vaſt ex-
tent, there were thick woods, which they collect from hence, that now and
then trees are digged out there being for the moſt part fome yards long, and
fome of a very great bigneſs and length.
SECT.
other parts.
long

48
Chap. X.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Sect. iv. Of the higher ſort of Mountains in Ireland.
AS FOR thoſe other mountains, the which with an exceſſive height riſe up
towards the skies, they are not very common in Ireland; and yet fome there
be, which although not comparable with the Pyrenæi, lying between France
and Spain, with the Alpes, which divide Italy from France and Germany, or
with other mountains of the like vaſt height, nevertheleſs may juſtly be counted
among the lofty mountains. Of this number are the mountains of Carlingford,
betwixt Dundalk and Carlingford, the which in a clear day may eaſily be ſeen
from the mountains to the ſouth of Dublin, the which are more than forty miles
diſtant from them; the mountains about Lough Swilly, in the north parts of
Ulſter, the which may be ſeen many miles off in the fea; the Curlews, that
ſever the counties of Slego and Roſscommon in Connaught; the twelve moun-
tains in the north quarter of the county of Tipperary in Munfter, the which far
exceeding the reſt of the mountains there, are known by the name of the twelve
bills of Phelim ghe Madona; Knock Patrick, in the weſt part of the county of
Limerick, not far from the bay of Limerick, which mountain can be ſeen by
the thips, which are a huge way from the land yet; the mountains of Brandon
hills, in the county of Kerry, to the eaſt of the haven of Smerwick, the which
are diſcovered by the ſea-faring men, when they are above fifty miles from the
land; in the northweſt quarter of the county of Waterford, called Slew Boine ;
that in the mountainous country of Wicklow, which for its faſhion's fake is
commonly call?d the Sugar-loaf, and may be ſeen very many miles off, not only
by thoſe that are upon the ſea, but even into the land.
Sect. v. Nature of the Ground in Ireland, and of the fruitful Grounds.
Next to the foregoing diviſion of Ireland taken from the faſhion and out-
ward form of the land, cometh to be conſidered that which conſiſteth in the
nature of the ſoil or ground; ſome parts of the country being fruitful, and o-
thers barren.
The fertile ſoil is in ſome places a blackiſh earth, in others clay, and in ma-
ny parts mixt of both together : as likewiſe there be ſundry places, where the
ground is mixt of earth and ſand, ſand and clay, gravel and clay, or earth; but
the chalk ground and red earth, which both are very plentiful and common in
many parts of England, are no where to be found in Ireland.
Theſe grounds differ among themſelves in goodneſs and fatneſs, not only ac-
cording to the different nature of the ſoil whereof they conſiſt, but alſo accor-
ding to the depth of the mold or uppermoſt good cruſt, and the nature of the
ground which lieth next to it underneath: for the beſt and richeſt ſoil, if but
half a foot or a foot deep, and if lying upon a ſtiffy clay or hard ſtone, is not ſo
fertile, as a leaner foil of greater depth, and lying upon fand or gravel, through
which the fuperfluous moiſture may defçend, and not ſtanding ſtill, as upon
the

Chap. X.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
49
the clay or ſtone, make cold the roots of the graſs, of corn, and ſo kurt the
whole.
There be indeed ſome countries in Ireland, where the ground underneath be-
ing nothing but ſtone, and the good mold upon it but very thin, it is never-
theleſs very fruitful in corn, and bringeth ſweet graſs in great plenty, fo as ſheep
and other cattle do wonderful well thrive there; which kind of land is very
common in the county of Galloway, and in ſome other counties of Connaught,
as alſo in fundry parts of the other provinces. But the reaſon thereof is in thoſe
parts, becauſe the ſtone whereon the mold doth lye ſo thinly, is not free-ſtone,
or any ſuch cold material, but lime ſtone, which doth ſo warm the ground,
and giveth it ſo much ſtrength, that what it wants in depth, is thereby largely
recompenſed
Sect. VI. Cauſes hindring the Fruitfulneſs of the Ground, where the Soil other-
wiſe is not bad.
EXCEPT in the caſe now by us declared, neither corn nor graſs will grow
kindly, where the ground, though otherwiſe good, is not deep enough, as al-
fo where it hath a bad cruſt underneath: from whence it cometh, that in ma-
ny places, where the graſs doth grow very thick and high, the fame neverthe-
leſs is ſo unfit for the food of beaſts, that cows and ſheep will hardly touch it
(eſpecially if they have been kept in better paſtures firſt) except that by extreme
famine they be compelled thereto; and that by reaſon of the coarſneſs and four-
neſs of the graſs, cauſed by the ſtanding ſtill of the water, the which through
the unfitneſs of the nether cruft, finding not a free paſſage downwards, mak-
eth cold the good mold, and the crop and grafs degenerate from its natural
goodneſs.
For the ſame reaſon the land in many parts, where otherwiſe the foil in it
ſelf would be fit enough to produce good wheat or barley, will hardly bear any
thing elſe but oats, or rye, and that none of the beſt: as in other parts, the
fault is in the ſoil it ſelf, and by the leanneſs thereof it cometh, that nothing
elſe but coarſe graſs, and the worſt kinds of grains will grow there. And un-
to theſe cauſes may be joined another yet, the overſhadowing of high and ſteep
mountains and hills, whereby the ſides thereof, and the lands lying cloſe under
them, being deprived of the free and ſeaſonable acceſs of the ſun beams, and
ſo wanting convenient warmneſs, cannot afford to the things growing thereon
ſuch good and well concocted nouriſhment, as unto the producing of the beſt
and richeſt forts of grains and graſs is requiſite.
SECT. VII. Ireland a very fruitful country, eſpecially for Graſs.
These defects are not peculiar to Ireland, but common to other countries,
and no ways general in it, but only here and there in diſtant parts; and where
they are, they may be amended by the means fit and uſual for that purpoſe,
whereof by-and-by we ſhall ſpeak particularly: therefore they cannot hinder,
G
that

50
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. X.
that Ireland ſhould not juſtly be counted among the fruitfulleſt countries of the
world. And although Orofius, who preferreth it even before England in this
particular (Hibernia ſolis coelique temperie magis utilis Britannia, are his words) go-
eth too far, yet fully true is the ſaying of Stanyhurſt, in the preface of his Iriſh
chronicle, Cum Hibernia, cæli ſalubritate, agrorum fertilitate, ubertate frugum,
paſtionis magnitudine, armentorum gregibus, conferre paucas, anteferre nullas vale-
as: that is, With Ireland for wholfomneſs of air, fruitfulneſs of lands, great ſtore
of corn, abundance of paſtures, and numerouſneſs of cattle, few countries may be com-
pared, none preferred: as alſo that of Giraldus, Gleba præpingui uberique frugum
proventu fælix eſt terra, & fæcunda frugibus arva, pecore montes: that is, This
country is happy in very rich ground, and plentiſul increaſe of grains, the fields being
fertile in corn, and the mountains full of cattle. But although Ireland almoſt in
every part, where the induſtry of the husbandman applieth it ſelf thereto, bring-
eth good corn plentifully, nevertheleſs hath it a more natural aptneſs for graſs,
the which in moſt places it produceth very good and plentiful of it ſelf, or with
little help: the which alſo hath been well obſerved by Giraldus, who of this
matter writeth thus: Paſcuis tamen quam frugibus, gramine quam grano fæcundior
eft inſula, This iſland is fruitfuller in graſs and paſtures, than in corn and grains.
And Buchanan in the ſecond book of his hiſtory of Scotland calleth the paſture
ground of Ireland pafcua fere totius Europæ uberrima, the fruitfulleſt paſture ground
of moſt all Europe.
Sect. VIII. More of the Plenty and Goodneſs of the Iriſh Paſtures.
The abundance and greatneſs of the paſtures in Ireland, doth appear by the
numberleſs number of all ſorts of cattle, eſpecially of kine and ſheep, where-
with this country in time of peace doth ſwarm on all ſides, whereof in another
place ſhall be ſpoken more at large: and the goodneſs of the fame is hereby ſuf-
ficiently witneſſed, that all kind of cattle doth thrive here as well in Ireland,
and give as good milk, butter, and cheeſe (with good handling) as in any other
country.
It is true, that the Iriſh kine, ſheep, and horſes, are of a very ſmall fize: but
that that doth not come by reaſon of the nouriſhment and graſs, but through
other more hidden cauſes, may eaſily be demonſtrated by the goodly beaſts of
the forenamed 'kind, that are brought thither out of England, the which not
only in themſelves, but in all their breed, do fully keep their firſt largeneſs and
goodneſs, without any the leaſt diminution in any reſpect, fo that before this
laſt bloody rebellion the whole land, in all parts where the Engliſh did dwell,
or had any thing to do, was filled with as goodly beaſts, both cows and ſheep,
as any in England, Holland, or other the beſt countries of Europe: the great-
eſt part whereof hath been deſtroyed by thoſe barbarians, the natural inhabi-
tants of Ireland, who not content to have murthered or expelled their Engliſh
neighbours (upon whom with an unheard of and treacherous cruelty they fell
in the midſt of a deep peace, without any the leaſt provocation) endeavoured
quite to extinguiſh the memory of them, and of all the civility and good things
by

Chap. XI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. SI
by them introduced amongſt that wild nation; and conſequently in moſt places
they did not only demoliſh the houſes built by the Engliſh, the gardens and en-
cloſures made by them, the orchards and hedges by them planted, but deſtroy-
ed whole droves and flocks at once of Engliſh cows and ſheep, ſo as they were
not able with all their unſatiable gluttony to devour the tenth part thereof, but
let the reſt lye rotting and ſtinking in the fields.
The goodneſs of the paſtures in Ireland doth further appear by this, that both
beef and mutton there, as well that of the ſmall Iriſh, as that of the large Eng-
liſh breed, in ſweetneſs and favourineſs doth ſurpaſs the meat of England it ſelf
(as all thoſe, who have tried that muſt confeſs) although England in this parti-
cular doth ſurpaſs almoſt all the countries of the world.
Nevertheleſs the ſaying of Pomponius Mela, that the graſs here is ſo rank and
ſweet, that the cattle do burſt, if they be ſuffered to feed too long, wherefore
they be fain every day to drive them betimes out of the paſtures, Fuverna adeo
luxuriofa herbis, non lætis modo, fed etiam dulcibus, ut fe exigua parte diei pecora
impleant, & niſi pabulo prohibeantur, diutius paſta diſſiliant: the which alſo hath
been repeated by Solinus, Hibernia ita pabuloſa, ut pecua ibi, niſi interdum à paf-
cuis arceantur, in periculum agat ſatias : that is, Ireland bath ſuch excellent paſtures,
that cattle there are brought into danger of their lives by over-feeding, except now and
then they be driven out of the fields; is a mere fable, no ways agreeable to the
truth: for all kinds of cattle here, as in other countries, are continually left in
the paſtures day and night: neither do they through their continual feeding e-
ver burſt, or come into any danger of buriting.
C H A P. XI.
Of the ſeveral Manners of manuring and enriching the Ground
practi.
ſed in Ireland.
SECT. I.
T
In ſome part of Ireland the Ground never needs dunging.
O amend the lean and faulty grounds, to enrich both them and the good
ones, and to keep both the one and the other in heart, in preſerving
them from being exhauſted, the dunging of the ground is uſual in Ire-
land as in other countries. It is true, that as approved authors aſſure us, in the
iſland of Zealand, part of the kingdom of Denmark, the natural richneſs of the
ground is fuch, and ſo laſting, as it needeth not the ſuccour of
helps, but is very fruitful, and aye preſerveth its fertility, without putting the
husbandman to the labour and coſts of dunging. That likewiſe there is ſome
part
any artificial
G 2

52 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. XI.
part in the province of Munſter in Ireland, where very credible perſons have
affured me, of their own knowledge, that the land never needeth any dunging;
ſo as the inhabitants thereof never trouble themſelves to keep the dung of their
beafts, but from time to time fling it into a river which runneth by them. But
this happineſs and richneſs of ſoil as it is very rare over all the world, ſo in Ire-
land too, being confined to very narrow bounds, all the reſt of the kingdom is
neceſſitated, for the ends aforeſaid, to help and improve their lands by dung-
ing; the which they do ſeveral manner of ways.
SECT. 11. Of Sheeps Dung.
The commoneft fort of manuring the lands in Ireland, is that which is done
with the dung of beaſts, eſpecially of cows and oxen, and alſo of horſes mixed
with a great quantity of ſtraw, and having lain a long while to rot and incor-
porate well together: whereof, as of a matter every where known and uſual,
it is needleſs to ſpeak further.
Only thus much ſeemeth good to us not to paſs over in filence, that if ſheep
here, as in other countries, were houſed and kept up in ſtables for any long time
together, their excrements would make better dung, than that of any other
four-tooted creatures. For the land on which ſheep have fed for two or three
years together, or longer, is ſo greatly enriched thereby, that when it cometh
to be plowed, it bringeth a much fairer and plentifuller crop, than if from the
beginning it had been made arable, and dunged after the ordinary manner.
Wherefore alſo great ſheep-maſters may ſet their land, where the ſheep have
been feeding ſome years together, as dear again by the acre, than what at the
firſt they could have got for it of any body:
Wherefore alſo it is an uſual thing in Ireland, as well as in England, to drive
the ſheep upon the fallow, and to keep them there until all the herbs which
may miniſter any food unto the ſheep be by them conſumed; which doth the
ground a great deal of good, and giveth it heart to bring afterwards the better
increaſe. And the fame alſo helpech greatly for to make good graſs grow upon
the arable, when the ſame is turned into paſture and meadow; a thing ordina-
rily uſed in fundry parts of Ireland, and many times neceſſary for to keep the
lands in heart: for ground being plowed, and the ſheep driven thither as ſoon
as any herbs grow upon it, they do not only conſume the thiſtles, and other
uſeleſs herbs, but cauſe good grafs to grow up in lieu thereof, and that ſpeedi-
ly. For in all places where their dung lighteth, of the beſt and ſweeteſt forts
of graſs do grow, and that within the firſt year, which otherwiſe would not
have come in much longer time, and that nothing near ſo good generally.
SECT. III. An uſeful Obſervation about Cows Dung.
There is a notable difference betwixt ſheep dung and that of other cattle,
as in the goodneſs and richneſs it felf, ſo in the particular laſt mentioned by them.
For that of oxen and cows is no ways fit for dunging until it is grown old, and
hath

Chap. XI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 53
hath lain a ſoaking with ſtraw a great while: daily experience ſhewing in Ire-
land, as in England and other countries, that in thoſe places of the paſtures
where the freſh cow dung falleth and remaineth, the graſs. the next year doth
grow ranker and higher than in the reſt of the fame fields, but ſo foure and un-
pleaſing, that the beaſts will not offer to touch it; ſo as ordinarily you ſhall ſee
theſe tufts of graſs ſtanding whole and undiminiſhed in the midſt of paſtures,
that every where elſe are eaten bare and to the very ground. The which as in
part it may be imputed to the quantity of the dung, the which being greater
than the earth can well digeſt, and conveniently unite with it ſelf, cannot be
turned into ſo good and ſweet nouriſhment; ſo doth it alſo without doubt come
in part through the very nature of the dung, the which of it felf, and without
a long preparation and alteration, is not ſo fit to nouriſh the ground, as that
of ſheep
Sect. IV. Of Pigeons Dung.
PIGEONS dung alſo is very convenient for the improvement of the ground;
and I know ſome in Ireland, who having tried that, have found a wonderful
deal of good in it, incomparably more than in that of any four-footed beaſts,
and of heep themſelves. But the pigeon houſes no where in Ireland being ſo
big as to afford any conſiderable quantity, and never having heard of any body
there who could dung more than an acre or two with all the pigeons dung
which had been gathering the ſpace of a whole twelvemonth, it cannot well
be reckoned among the common ſorts.
SECT. y. Of Aſhes and Mud.
Besides the dung of beaſts there are uſual in Ireland, or were before this
rebellion, five or fix other forts for to manure and improve the ground, where-
of ſome are as good as the dung conſiſting of the excrements of beaſts, and o-
thers do far ſurpaſs it. One of theſe forts is afhes, and mud another.
As for the firſt, I have underſtood of Engliſhmen, who had lived many years
in Ireland, and all that while had exerciſed husbandry, that they had uſed to
gather all their aſhes of their hearths, bake-houſes, and brew-houſes, being
wood aſhes, and to lay them of a heap ſomewhere in the open air, from whence
at convenient times they would carry them upon their grounds, and there ſpread
them in the fame manner as other dung, but nothing near in ſo great a quanti-
ty; wherein they affirmed to have found as much and more good than in any
dung of beaſts.
And I know ſeveral other Engliſh, who living in Ireland, did uſe to take the
ſcouring of their ditches, together with other mud digged out of the bogs, and
having let it lye a good while a rotting in great heaps, did afterwards carry it
upon their lands in lieu of dung: the which they found very good and uſeful
for that purpoſe.
Theſe

54 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. XI.
Theſe two forts were never yet brought into common uſe, but only practi-
ſed by ſome few perſons, eſpecially that of the aſhes, although in other coun-
tries they have been known long ſince; ſo as Pliny, who lived about fifteen
hundred years ago, writeth in the ninth chapter of the ſeventeenth book of his
natural hiſtory, that in his time in that part of Italy which is ſituated between
the Alpes and the river Po (comprehending thoſe countries which now are known
by the names of Piedmont and Lombardy) aſhes were more uſed and commend-
ed for the manuring of the grounds, than the dung of beaſts.
As concerning the burning of the heath, and other dry herbs ſtanding upon
the ground, for to manure the land with the aſhes thereof, that not properly
belonging to this place, ſhall be ſpoke of more at large in ſome of the enſuing
chapters.
SECT. VI. Of Lime.
The Engliſh living in Queen’s county in Leinſter, having ſeen that in fun-
dry parts of England and Wales, eſpecially in Pembrookſhire, lime was uſed by
the inhabitants for the manuring and enriching of their grounds, begun ſome
years ſince to practiſe the ſame, and found themſelves ſo well thereby, that in a
ſhort time the uſe thereof grew very common amongſt them, ſo as many of them
ever after uſed no other kind of dung.
The manner of it was thus. Having firſt plowed their fields, they carried
the lime on them, and laid it in many ſmall heaps, leaving a convenient diſtance
between, in the ſame manner as uſeth to be done with the dung of beaſts; and
having let them lye for ſome months, they plowed the land again to convey
the lime into the ground.
This made it ſo rich, that in a great while after nothing elſe needed to be
done to it, but to let the land at a certain revolution of time lye fallow, no o-
ther manuring at all being requiſite for ſome years after: and all that while the
land was very fruitful, more than it could have been made with any ordinary
dung, and very free of all ſorts of bad herbs and weeds (eſpecially for the firſt
years) bringing corn with much thinner husks than that growing upon other
lands.
They found that the lime carried upon the land hot out of the kiln, did more
good in all the forementioned particulars, than when they let it grow cold firſt.
And this they could do very eaſily, becauſe lime ſtone is very plentiful in that
county, eſpecially in the town of Montrath, where there is a whole hill of that
ſtone, of that bigneſs, that if all the adjacent country did continually fetch it
from thence for the forenamed uſe, it would for ever hold out ſufficiently.
The land thus manured and improved by lime, ſhewed its fruitfulneſs not on-
ly in the following years, but even in the firſt, except the lime had been laid
on in undue proportion, and in greater quantity than was requiſite; for in that
caſe the lime burnt the corn, and the firſt years crop was thereby ſpoiled.
In ſome places where the land was not cold and moiſt enough to be able to
endure mere lime, they mixed the lime with earth digged out of pits, and let
that

Chap. XI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 55
that ſtuff lye a mellowing in great heaps for ſome months together, and after-
wards carried it on the land, and manured that therewith.
SECT. VII. A remarkable Hiſtory concerning the Excellency of Lime for the ez-
riching of the ground.
How incredibly the land was enriched by this kind of manuring, may be ga-
thered by the enſuing particular, the whole lordſhip of Montrath was thirty
years ago ſet by one Mr. Downings (whoſe it was, and who afterwards ſold it
to fir Charles Coot) for fifty pounds iterling by the year, and nevertheleſs after
a while the farmers ſurrendred it unto him, complaining that they could not
live by it but were quite impoveriſhed: whereas they who farmed it next after
them (being people newly come out of England) and gave an hundred and fif-
ty pounds ſterling for it, did not only live very freely upon it, yea grew rich
and wealthy, but withal did ſo far forth improve the land, partly indeed with
building, planting, hedging, and the like, but chiefly by this kind of manuring,
that at the time when this laſt horrible rebellion broke forth, the ſame lord-
ſhip, if it had been to let out then, might have been let for five hundred pounds
ſterling a year: as it hath been aſſured me by fome, who themſelves had been
farmers of that land.
Sect. VIII. Another Hiſtory, Shewing the Efficacy of Lime in this particular.
2010
BEFORE we give over this diſcourſe of lime, we ſhall add to what hath
been ſaid already, that in ſome other parts of Ireland, where this manuring with
lime was not uſed nor known, the vertue of lime in this particular hath been
found out by mere chance. For ſome perſons known to me, who lived but a
few miles from Dublin, having underſtood that the crows ( wherewith they
were much plagued, and who did uſe to make very great ſpoil of their grains)
would not touch the corn wherewith the lime was mixed, did caufe unſlaked
lime to be mingled with water, making it as thin as if it had been for the whi-
tening of walls, and very well beſprinkled the corn therewith, before it was
carried to the fields to be fown, and that after this manner, the corn lying on
a heap, one turned it with both hands, whilſt another ſprinkled on the foreſaid
ſtuff, doing ſo until the whole heap was thoroughly beſprinkled; at other times
they mingled dry lime with the corn, and afterwards beſprinkled the whole heap
with fair water through and through, for the fame purpoſe, and hereby they
did not only obtain the aforeſaid end, of preſerving the corn from the crows,
but had thereby a fairer and better crop, than ever before their land had pro-
duced.
Sect. ix. Of Sea Sand.
Lime is much uſed in the province of Munſter, as in other parts of Ireland,
for to manure the ground withal, where the ſea ſand likewiſe is greatly uſed
to

56
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland Chap. XII.
to the ſame end, not only in places lying on the ſea fide, but even ten, twelve,
and fifteen miles into the land, whither it was carried in ſome places by boats,
and in others upon carts, the charges being ſufficiently recompenſed by the pro-
fit coming from it. For they uſed it for the moſt part only upon very poor
land, conſiſting of cold clay, and that above half a foot deep: which land ha-
ving been three or four times plowed and harrowed (in the ſame manner as is
uſual to be done with fallow) the ſand is ſtrowed all over very thinly, a little
before the ſowing time: the which being done, that land bringeth very good
corn of all ſorts, not only rye and oats, but even barley and wheat, three years
one after another; and having lain fallow the fourth year, for many years after
it produceth very clean and ſweet graſs; whereas formerly, and before it was
thus manured, it produced nothing but moſs, heath, and ſhort low furze: which
herbs are fired upon the ground, and the ground ſtubbed, before it be plowed
the firſt time.
It is not any peculiar ſort of ſea fand, nor out of any particular places, which
is uſed for this purpoſe, but that which every where lyeth on the ſtrands. And
this manner of manuring the land with ſea ſand is very common in the two
moſt weſterly ſhires of England, Cornwal and Devonſhire, from whence thoſe,
who firſt practiſed it in Ireland, ſeem to have learned it.
Sect. x. Of Brine or Pickle.
The goodneſs of the ſea fand conſiſteth chiefly in its faltneſs, for which rea-
ſon pickle it ſelf is very good for this purpoſe: it being very well known to fe-
veral Engliſh dwelling about the Bann and Colrain, that were farmers of the
ſalmon fiſhing there, who uſed every year carefully to keep the foul pickle,
coming off the falmon at their repacking, and having poured it among the or-
dinary dung of cattle and ſtraw they did let them lye a good while a mellow-
ing together. Hereby it was greatly ſtrengthened and enriched, ſo that the
land being dunged with it, did bear much better and richer crops than that
which was manured only with common dung without the mixture of it.
CHA P. XII.
S E C T. 1.
Of the Marl in Ireland, and the Manner of marling the Land there.
ARL is a certain ſort of fat and clayiſh ſtuff, being as the greaſe of
the earth; it hath from ancient times been greatly uſed for manuring
of land both in France and England, as may appear out of Pliny in
the ſixth, ſeventh, and eighth chapters of his ſeventeenth Book. The ſame
allo
M

Chap. XII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 57
alſo is ſtill very uſual in fundry parts of England, being of an incomparable good-
neſs: the which cauſed the Engliſh, who, out of ſome of thoſe places where
Marl was uſed, were come to live in Ireland, to make diligent ſearch for it, and
that with good ſucceſs at laſt; it having been found out by them within theſe
few years, in ſeveral places; firſt in the King's-county, not far from the Shan-
non, where being of a grey colour, it is digged out of the bogs; and in the coun-
ty of Wexford, where the uſe of it was grown very common before this rebel-
lion, eſpecially in the parts lying near the fea; where it ſtood them in very good
ſtead, the land of it ſelf being nothing fruitful. For although the ground (for
the moſt part) is a good black earth, yet the fame being but one foot deep, and
having underneath a cruſt of ftiff yellow clay of half a foot, is thereby greatly
impaired in its own goodneſs. In this depth of a foot and a half next under the
clay, lieth the Marl, the which reacheth ſo far downwards, that yet no where
they are come to the bottom of it. It is of a blew colour, and very fat (which
as in other ground, ſo in this, is chiefly perceived when it is wet) but brittle and
duſty when it is dry.
SECT. II. The Manner, Charges, and Profit of marling the Ground.
The marlis laid upon the land in heaps, by ſome before it is plow'd, by others
after, many letting it lye ſeveral months ere they plow it again, that the rain
may equally divide and mix it; the ſun, moon, and air mellow and incorporate
it with the earth. One thouſand cart-loads of this goeth to one Engliſh acre of
ground; it being very chargeable, for even to thoſe who dig it out of their own
ground, ſo as they are at no other expences but the hire of the labourers, every
acre cometh to ſtand in three pounds ſterling. But theſe great expences are ſuf-
ficiently recompenſed by the great fruitfulneſs which it caufeth, being ſuch, as
may ſeem incredible; for the marled land, even the very firſt year, fully quit-
teth all the coſt beſtow'd on it. There beſides it is ſufficient once to marl, where-
as the ordinary dunging muſt be renewed oftentimes.
Sect. II. The Uſage of the marled Land, praktiſed by them of the County of
Wexford.
The good uſage of the marled land, to keep it in heart for ever after, doth
confift, in the opinion and practice of ſome, in letting it lye fallow at conveni-
ent times, but the ordinary manner, commonly practiſed by the inhabitants of
the county of Wexford, and counted the beſt by them, is, that having ſowed
it five or fix years together, with the richeſt forts of corn, to wit, wheat and
barley (eſpecially that ſort which in ſome parts of England, and generally in Ire-
land, is peculiarly called bear, being a much richer grain than the ordinary bar-
ley) it being afterwards turned to paſture, whereunto it is very fit, foraſmuch as
it bringeth very ſweet graſs in great abundance: for the marl is alſo uſed on mea-
dows at the firſt, with very good ſucceſs, improving the ſame moſt wonderfully.
H
If

58 8
Chap. XII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
It the marled land be thus uſed, and by turns kept under corn, and graſs, it
keeps its fruitfulneſs for ever ; where to the contrary, if year after year it befow-
ed till the heart be drawn out, it's quite ſpoiled, ſo as afterwards it is not poſſi-
ble to bring it again to any paſſable condition by any kind of dunging, or marl-
ing. This would ordinarily be done in the ſpace of ten years; for ſo long to-
gether the marled land may be ſowed, and bring every year a rich crop of the
beſt corn.
Nevertheleſs this is not general, but taketh place only in the worfer kind of
ground; for where the land of it felt is better and richer, there after marling,
wheat and other corn may be fow'd, not only for ten years together, but longer:
for very credible perſons have aſſured me, that ſome parts of the county of Wex-
ford having born very good corn for thirteen years together, and afterwards be-
ing turned to paſture, it was as good and fertile as other marled grounds that had
been under corn but five or fix
years.
SECT. IV. Of the Marl in Connaught.
The province of Connaught (by what hath been diſcoverd) is much more plen-
tiful in marl, than Leinſter, as in other counties, ſo in thoſe of Roſcommon,
Slego, and Galloway, almoſt in every part of it. It is there of three ſeveral co-
lours, fome being white as chalk, other grey, and ſome black; but none blew,
as that in the county of Wexford. It lieth nothing deep under the upper-ground,
or ſurface of the earth, commonly not above half a foot; but its own depth is
ſo great, that never any body yet digged to the bottom of it.
The land which they intend to marl in this province, is commonly plowed in
the beginning of May, and lying five or fix weeks (until it be fufficiently dried
and mellowed by the ſun and wind) they harrow it, and then having brought the
marl upon it, five or fix weeks after it is plowed again, and a third time about
September: After which third plowing they fow it with wheat or barley, where-
of they have a very rich crop the next year.
SECT. V. Property and Uſage of the marled Lands in Connaught.
LAND marled in that manner as we have ſaid, may be fowed ten or twelve
years together; the firſt eight or nine with wheat, and bear, or barley, and the
remaining three or four years with oats, afterwards the land is turned to paſture,
and having ſerv'd fome years in that kind, it may be marled anew, and made as
good for corn as at the firſt.
For the obſervation of thoſe of the county of Wexford, that land may not be
marled more than once, doth not take place in Connaught, where it is an ordi-
nary thing, having ſome ſpace of years to make it again. I know fome gentle-
men who have cauſed ſome parcels of land to be marled thrice in the ſpace of
twenty years, and have found very good profit by it. But whether this be cau-
fed by the difference of the ground and Marl (appearing alſo hereby, that in Con-
naught

Chap. XII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 59
naught they ſcarce lay the fourth part of the quantity of Marl on the ground
of what they do in the county of Wexford) or by the careleſneſs or want of
experience of thoſe of that county, I am not yet fully inform’d. But thus much
is known as well in Connaught as other parts, that thoſe who fow the marled
land until it can bear no more, and be quite out of heart, will find it exceeding
difficult, if not altogether impoſſible ever to amend or improve the ſame again
by any means whatſoever.
CH A P. XIII.
Of the Heaths and Moors, or Bogs in Ireland.
S E C T. I.
Of the moory, or boggy Heaths.
H
AVING ſpoke of the fruitful lands of Ireland, it followeth that we
treat of thoſe which are neither fit for the bringing of corn, or feed-
ing of cattle; ſome being ſuch for want of good foil, and others thro'
fuperfluous moiſture.
Of the firſt fort are thoſe places where the ground conſiſting of mere rock,
ſand, or earth, naturally unfruitful hath no good mold at the top fufficient for
corn or graſs to root, and to draw convenient nouriſhment out of it, the ground
being bare, or over-grown only with moſs, heath, furze, brakes, thorns, ru-
ſhes, and the like.
The places whoſe ground is bare, are nothing frequent, nor of any great big-
neſs in Ireland, and rather on the ſea fide than within the land. But the other
are very common throughout the whole kingdom, not only in the mountains
(many whereof do for the moſt part conſiſt of nothing elſe) but alſo in the hil-
ly quarters, the plain countries, and in many places of great extent, taking up
ſome miles in length and breadth. Moſt of theſe waſtes in the plain countries
and valleys, as alſo fome on the mountains and hills, are moory and boggy, fit
for to dig turf out, to the great commodity of the inhabitants, in places where
other fuel is wanting. So that theſe parts of land, although barren and produ-
cing no kind of thing for the food of man or beaſts, may not be reckoned in
the number of thoſe which are altogether unprofitable, being of good uſe in
the parts far diſtant from the ſea, where they can have no ſea coals, and where
woods are wanting, nor well live. Some of theſe dry, or red bogs, as com-
monly they are called (the firſt, in compariſon of thoſe whereof preſently ſhall
be ſpoken, the other, becauſe the earth in them for the moſt part is reddish,
and overgrown with moſs of the ſame colour) are in ſome parts of a vaſt ex-
tent;
H 2

60 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XIII.
tent; inſtance that by the Shannon fide, beginning hard by Athlone, and fol-
lowing the courſe of the river down towards Limerick, which being two or
three miles broad in moſt parts, is ſaid to be upwards of fifty miles in length.
Sect. II. Of the dry Heaths.
There are ſome dry heaths in Ireland, for the moſt part on the moun-
tains, and very few in the plain countries; to the contrary of England, where,
as well as in Netherland, Germany, and other countries, thoſe heaths on plain
ground are very common in ſundry parts of the land, and many of them of a
great extent, having very many miles in compaſs; and where any ſuch dry
heaths are in Ireland, the land for the moſt part is not altogether barren, but
graſſy between and at the bottom of the heath; ſo as the heath being burnt (a
thing much uſed in Ireland both by the Engliſh and Iriſh) the land bringeth
reaſonable good and ſweet graſs, fit for ſheep to feed on; and with a little ex-
traordinary labour and coſts brought to bear corn.
Others of theſe heaths are graſſy, having the graſs growing not all over a-
mong the heath, but in ſpaces by it ſelf: as upon the heath between the town
of Kildare and the Liffy; which is famous over all Ireland by the name of the
Currough of Kildare, being a hilly ground, at its higheſt near the ſaid town,
from thence towards the Liffy deſcending by degrees, about three miles long,
and two or three broad, divided into rows, of heath and graſs; which being
of no great breadth, and many in number, do lye by the ſide one of another
throughout the whole earth, each of thoſe rows extending it ſelf in length from
the one end of the Currough to the other, the rows of heath are about a ſtone
caſt over in ſome places, in ſome more, in others leſs: but thofe of graſs a good
deal narrower than the others, being always alike green and dry, in the win-
ter as well as the ſummer, and cloached with ſhort graſs, but very ſweet and
good, very convenient for ſheep to feed on; of the which always in time of
peace, a very great number is grazing here, the whole Currough being a com-
mon.
SECT. 11. Of the wet Bogs.
The places barren through fuperfluous moiſture, are bogs called by the Iriſh
Moones, whereof Ireland is full. There is three or four different forts of them;
graſſy, watry, muddy, and haſſocky, as appeareth more largely by the follow-
ing deſcription. But the Engliſh Iriſh have given the name of bogs, not only
to the wet, of which we are now to treat, but as well to the turf moors of all
forts, not excepting the red bog, which in moſt places is firm enough to bear
a man, or unfhod nagge going over it, but is not for any great weight. But
we ſhall in the following chapters ſpeak in order of the four forts of wet bogs,
which above we have mentioned, and afterwards in its due place treat of the
turt and red moors, as occaſion ſhall require.
Sect.

Chap. XIII.
61
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
SECT. iv. Of the graſſy Bogs.
The graſſy bogs are all over covered with graſs, looking fair and pleaſant,
as if they were dry ground and goodly meadows; whereby many, who not
knowing the nature of thoſe places, and becauſe of the greenneſs ſuſpecting no
evil, go into them to their great trouble, and many times to the extreme dan-
ger of their lives, for the earth being very ſpungy can bear no weight, but as
well men as beaſts, as ſoon as they ſet foot on it do ſink to the ground, fome
knee deep, others to the waſte, and many over head and ears: for all or moſt
bogs in Ireland having underneath a hard and firm gravel are not of an equal
depth, which in ſome is only of two or three feet, in others five, fix or more,
infomuch that thoſe who fall into the deepeſt places of theſe bogs, can hardly
eſcape, but for the moſt part do periſh, being pitifully ſmothered.
Some of theſe bogs do ſo dry up in the ſummer that they may be paſſed
without danger; the which in particular falleth out in the great mountains in
Munſter in the county of Kerry, called Slew Logher, upon which all kind of
cattle do graze the ſummer long being every where full of good and ſweet graſs,
knee deep in moſt places ; whereof not the tenth part being eaten (for if all the
cattle of that province were driven thither and left all the ſummer upon the
place it would hardly be conſumed) the reſt is ſpoiled when the wet weather
cometh in, and ſtayeth the rain water from deſcending; through which the
ground rotteth in that manner, that all winter long it is unpaſſable for men and
beaſts.
But the deepeſt bogs are unpaſſable in the ſummer as well as in the winter,
yet moſt of them have firm places, in narrow paths, and in ſome larger par-
cels; by the means whereof thoſe, unto whom they are known, can croſs them
from one ſide to another, where others who are not uſed to them do not know
in what part to ſet one ſtep; in which nimble trick, called commonly tread-
ing of the bogs, moſt Iriſh are very expert, as having been trained up in it from
their infancy.
The firm places in paſſing, or but lightly ſhaking them, tremble for a great
way, which hath given them the name of ſhaking bogs; and where they are
but of a Imall compaſs, quagmires.
SECT. v. Of the watry Bogs, and of the miry Bogs.
The watry bogs are likewiſe clothed with graſs, but the water doth not
fink altogether into them, as into the former, but remaineth in part ſtanding
on the top (in the fame manner as in ſome of the graſſy bogs, and in all the low
paftures and meadows of Holland) by reaſon whereof theſe bogs are not dange-
rous; for every one at the firſt ſight may eaſily diſcern them from the firm
ground.
Theſe

62 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. XIII.
Theſe two forts are in many parts found apart, and in others mix'd and inter-
laced; and likewiſe parcels both of the one and the other are found up and down
in the moory heaths and red bogs.
Both theſe ſorts, as well the watry as the green bogs, yield for the moſt part
very good turf, much better than the red bogs, whereof more ſhall be ſpoken
hereafter.
The miry bogs do conſiſt of mere mud and mire, with very little or no graſs
upon them. Theſe are commonly of a very ſmall compaſs, whereas moſt part
of the other two are of a notable extent, and ſome of ſeveral miles in length
and breadth.
SECT. vi.
Of the haſocky Bogs.
HASSOCKY bogs we call thoſe, whoſe ground being miry and muddy is
covered over with water a foot or two deep, in ſome places more, in others leſs;
foas one would ſooner take them for loughs, were it not that they are very thick
overſpread with little tufts or iſlets, the which conſiſting of reeds, ruſhes, high
fowre graſs, and ſometimes with little ſhrubs, for the moſt part are very ſmall,
and have but a few feet in compaſs; ſome of them being of the bigneſs of a rea-
ſonable big chamber. Theſe little iſlets or tufts being ſo many in number, and
ſpread over all the bog, there remaineth nothing between them but great pla-
thes of water (in regard whereof theſe bogs might well be called plaſhy bogs)
in ſome places wider, in others narrower, ſo as from the one, men may well
ſtep or leap to the other; that which thoſe who are expert in it know how to
do very nimble, and ſo to run from one part of the bog to another: for the
roots of the ruſhes, reeds, and other things growing on thoſe tufts, are ſo in-
terwoven, that they can eaſily bear a man who lightly treadeth upon them, al-
tho' they have very little earth, and are wondrous ſpungy; ſo as they, when
the water being drained, the bog is dried round about, may eaſily be pluck'd from
the ground.
The Engliſh inhabiting in Ireland have given theſe tufts the name of haf-
ſocks, and this ſort of bogs, hafſocky bogs: of which bogs Munſter and other
provinces are not altogether free, but moſt of them are found in Leinſter, e-
ſpecially in King's and Queen’s.county, where alſo the other forts of bogs are
very common; whereas otherwiſe Connaught is generally fuller of bogs than
any of the other provinces.
C H A P.

Chap. XIV.
63
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CH A P. XIV.
Original of the bogs in Ireland; and the Manner of draining them
practiſed there by the Engliſh Inhabitants.
SE C T. I.
V
Of the Original of Bogs in this country.
ER Y few of the wet bogs in Ireland are ſuch by any natural property,
or primitive conftitution, but through the ſuperfluous moiſture that
in length of time hath been gathered therein, whether it have its origi-
nal within the place it ſelf, or become thither from without. The firſt of theſe
two caſes taketh place in the moſt part of the graſſy bogs, which ordinarily
are occaſion'd by ſprings; the which ariſing in great number out of ſome par-
cel of ground, and finding no iſſue, do by degrees foak through, and bring it
to that rottenneſs and ſpunginels, which nevertheleſs is not a little encreaſed
through the rain water coming to that of the ſprings.
But the two other forts, viz. the watry and haſſocky bogs, are in ſome pla-
ces cauſed by the rain water only, as in others thro'brooks and rivulets running
into them, and in ſome thro' both together; whereunto many times alſo com-
eth the cauſe of the graſſy bogs, to wit, the ſtore of ſprings within the very
ground: and all this in places, where or through the ſituation of them, and
by reaſon of their even plainneſs or hollowneſs, or through ſome other impedi-
ment, the water hath no free paſſage away, but remaineth within them, and
ſo by degrees turneth them into bogs.
SECT. II. Retchleſsneſs of the Iriſh, Cauſe of moſt of the Bogs. Of Trees found
in Bogs.
So that it may eaſily be comprehended, that whoſo could drain the wa-
ter, and for the future prevent the gathering thereof, might reduce moſt of
the bogs in Ireland to firm land, and preſerve them in that condition. But this
hath never been known to the Iriſh, or if it was, they never went about it,
but to the contrary let daily more and more of their good land grow boggy
through their careleſnefs, whereby alſo moſt of the bogs at firſt were cauſed.
This being otherwiſe evident enough, may further be confirm'd by the whole
bodies of trees, which ordinarily are found by the turf diggers very deep in the
ground, as well of other trees, as of hazels: likewiſe they meet ſometimes with
the very nuts themſelves in great quantity, the which looking very fair and
whole

64 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XIV.
whole at the outſide, as if they came but newly from the tree, have no kernel
within the ſame, through the great length of time being conſumed and turned
into filth.
And it is worthy of obſervation, that trees, and trunks of trees, are in this man-
ner found not only in the wet bogs, but even in the heathy ones or red bogs, as
by name in that by the Shannon fide, whereof hath been ſpoken above: in which
bog the turf diggers many times do find whole fir trees deep in the ground;
whether it be that thoſe trees, being fallen, are by degrees ſunk deeper and deep-
er (the earth of that bog almoſt every where being very looſe and ſpungy, as
it is in all ſuch bogs) or that the earth in length of time be grown over them.
Sect. III. Draining of the Bogs practiſed by the Engliſh in Ireland.
But as the Iriſh have been extreme careleſs in this, ſo the Engliſh, intro-
ducers of all good things in Ireland (for which that brutiſh nation from time to
time hath rewarded them with unthankfulneſs, hatred, and envy, and lately
with a horrible and bloody conſpiracy, tending to their utter deſtruction) have
ſet their induſtry at work for to remedy it, and having conſidered the nature
of the bogs, and how poſſible it was to reduce many of them unto good land,
did ſome years ſince begin to go about it all over the land, and that with very
good ſucceſs; fo as I know gentlemen, who turn'd into firm land three or four
hundred acres of bog, and in caſe that this deteſtable rebellion had not come
between, in a few years there would ſcarce have been left one acre of bog, of
what was in the lands and poſſeſſion of the Engliſh; except only thoſe places
whoſe ſituation is altogether repugnant to draining, becauſe that the water ei-
ther through the hollowneſs of the place, as in the incloſed vallies and deep
dales between the hills and mountains, or through the too great evenneſs and
plainneſs of the ground, not inclining to any one part more than another, can-
not be drawn away at all; and except ſuch parcels as needs muſt have been kept
turf, and red bogs who are very unfit for draining, for the trenches being made,
the earth on both ſides will ſink into them again, and choak them up,
Sect. IV. Profit reap'd by the draining of Bogs.
This draining of the bogs as it tended not a little to the general good of
the whole land, by amending of the air (whereof we ſhall have occaſion to ſay
more in ſome other place) and otherwiſe, ſo it brought great profit unto the
authors, for the land or ſoil of the bogs being in moſt places good of it felf, and
there beſides greatly enriched by the lying ſtill and the ſoaking in of the water
for the ſpace of ſo many years, the fame being dried through the draining of the
water, is found to be very fit either to have corn fowed upon, or to be turn'd
into paſtures; making alſo excellent meadows: ſo as thoſe, who have tried that,
do affirm, that the meadows gain'd out of the bogs might be compared with
the very beſt of their other meadows, yea many times ſurpaſſed the ſame in
goodneſs: and this took place chiefly in the graffy bogs or ſhaking bogs, whoſe
fruit-

Chap. XIV
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 65
fruitfulneſs in this particular, and in the plentiful production of very ſweet and
deep graſs, after the draining off the water, was very wonderful; and all this
without any other trouble or cofts beſtowed upon theſe meadows, than that
they dunged them the firſt year, to warm them the better and the ſooner, and
more thoroughly to amend the remainders of chat coldneſs and rawneſs contract-
ed through that long and conſtant continuance of the water upon them; after
which once dunging, afterwards for a good many years nothing elſe needed to
be done to them.
Sect. v. The Manner of draining the Bogs.
This draining of the bogs was performed in the manner following. On
that ſide of the bog, where the ground was ſomewhat ſloping, they cut abroad
deep trench, beginning it in the firm ground, and advancing it unto the en-
trance of the bog, into which trench the water would ſink out of the next
parts of the bog in great abundance, and that many times ſo ſuddenly, as if a
great fluice had been opened, ſo as the labourers were conſtrained to run out
of it with all ſpeed, left the force of the water ſhould overwhelm and carry
them away. Some part of the bog being by this means grown reaſonably dry
within a ſhort ſpace of time, opportunity thereby was miniſtred to advance the
trench further into the bog; and ſo by little and little they went on with it
until at laſt they carry'd it quite acroſs the bog, from the one ſide to the other:
and having done this, they made a great many leſſer trenches out of the main
one, on both ſides of the ſame; the which bringing the water from all the
parts of the bog unto the main trench, did in a little while empty the bog of
all its ſuperfluous moiſture, and turn it into good and firm ground.
Sect. VI. Obſervation about the Falling and Settling of the Bogs at their
Draining.
The green or graſſy bogs, the which having all their moiſture and water
inwardly, are thereby wonderfully ſwelled and puft up, uſe by means of this
draining to fall very much, and to grow a great deal lower, and that not only
apparently, ſo that the ground which before the draining was five or ſix feet
high, cometh at laſt to be not above two or three feet high; but ſometimes
alſo ſuddenly, and within the ſpace of four and twenty, or eight and forty hours;
whereas ordinarily that uſeth to come to paſs in greater length of time; and
although the ground by falling in this manner, may ſeem thereby to have been
ſubject to return to its former boggy condition on the leaſt occafion; never-
theleſs there was no danger of that, as long as the trenches were kept open, and
thereby the paſſage kept free for the water, which from time to time would from
all parts of the drained bog be finking into them. This water, as at the firſt
draining, ſo ever after, was by the main trench carry'd unto fome brook, ri-
ver, or lough, according as one or other of them was next at hand, and the fi-
tuation of the land would give opportunity.
I
CH A P.

66
Chap. XV.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CHA P. XV.
Of the Woods in Ireland.
S E c T. I.
Woods in Ireland are reckon'd among the barren Lands, and the Reaſon thereof.
A
Mongſt the barren parts of Ireland the woods muſt alſo be counted, ac-
cording to the uſual diviſion of the lands of that kingdom, whereby
reckoning for fruitful only the meadows, arable grounds, and paſtures,
they count all the reſt for barren, comprehending them under theſe three ge-
neral heads, bogs, barren mountains, and woods. Which diviſion as it is in
the mouth of all them that have any inſight into the matters of that land, and
do, or have lived there, ſo it is further confirmed by a number of writings and
monuments, both of ancient times, and late ones, in the which it is very com-
mon and familiar: as for inſtance may appear by thoſe ſeveral acts, which fince
this laſt rebellion of the Irish have been made by the parliament of England in
the behalf of the adventurers who have laid out their mony for the reconquer-
ing of the revolted parts of that kingdom.
For although the land which the woods do take up, is in it ſelf very good
in moſt places, and apt to bear both corn and graſs plentifully (whereof more
ſhall be laid by and by) yet as long as the woods remain ſtanding, it is unfit not
only to be made either arable or meadow (as in it ſelf is moſt evident) but even
for pafture, by reaſon of the overmuch moiſture, the roots of the trees ſtaying
the rain water, ſo as it hath not the liberty to paſs away readily, and their ftems
and branches hindering the free acceſs of the wind and fun, whereunto cometh
in many parts the ground's own watrineſs, occaſioned by ſprings there ariſing,
and by its ſituation apt for the gathering and keeping of water, which maketh
them for the moſt part ſo muddy and boggy, that cattle cannot conveniently
feed in them.
SECT. II. Woods much diminiſhed in Ireland fince the firſt coming in of the
English
In ancient times, and as long as the land was in the full poffeffion of the Iriſh
themſelves, all Ireland was very full of woods on every fide, as evidently ap-
peareth by the writings of Giraldus Cambrenſis, who came into Ireland upon
firſt conqueft, in the company of Henry II. king of England, in the year of our
ſaviour
the

Chap. XV.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
67
faviour 1171. But the Engliſh having ſettled themſelves in the land, did by
degrees greatly diminiſh the woods in all the places where they were maſters,
partly to deprive the thieves and rogues, who uſed to lurk in the woods in great
numbers, of their refuge and ſtarting-holes, and partly to gain the greater ſcope
of profitable lands. For the trees being cut down, the roots ſtubbed up, and
the land uſed and tilled according to exigency, the woods in moſt part of Ire-
land may be reduced not only to very good paſtures, but alſo to excellent ara-
ble and meadow.
Through theſe two cauſes it is come to paſs in the ſpace of many years, yea
of fome ages, that a great part of the woods, which the Engliſh found in Ire-
land at their firſt arrival there, are quite deſtroyed, ſo as nothing at all remain-
eth of them at this time.
SECT. III. Diminiſhing of the Woods during the laſt peace.
AND even ſince the ſubduing of the laſt great rebellion of the Iriſh before
this, under the conduct of the earl of Tirone (overthrown in the laſt years of
queen Elizabeth by her viceroy fir Charles Blunt, lord Mountjoy, and afterwards
earl of Devonſhire) and during this laſt peace of about forty years (the longeſt
that Ireland ever enjoy’d, both before and ſince the coming in of the Engliſh)
the remaining woods have very much been diminiſhed, and in fundry places
quite deſtroyed, partly for the reaſon laſt mentioned, and partly for the wood
and timber itſelf, not for the ordinary uſes of building and firing (the which e-
ver having been a-foot, are not very conſiderable in regard of what now we ſpeak
of) but to make merchandize of, and for the making of charcoal for the iron-
works. As for the firſt, I have not heard that great timber hath ever been u-
ſed to be ſent out of Ireland in any great quantity, nor in any ordinary way of
traffick; but only pipe-ſtaves, and the like, of which good ſtore hath been uſed
to be made, and ſent out of the land, even in former times, but never in that
vaſt quantity, nor ſo conſtantly as of late years, and during the laſt peace, where-
in it was grown one of the ordinary merchantable commodities of the country,
ſo as a mighty trade was driven in them, and whole ſhip-loads ſent into foreign
countries yearly; which as it brought great profit to the proprietaries, ſo the
felling of ſo many thouſands of trees every year as were employed that way, did
make a great deſtruction of the woods in tract of time. As for the charcoal, it
is incredible what quantity thereof is conſumed by one iron-work in a year: and
whereas there was never an iron-work in Ireland before, there hath been a very
great number of them erected ſince the laſt peace in ſundry parts of every pro-
vince: the which to furniſh conſtantly with charcoals, it was neceſſary from
time to time to fell an infinite number of trees, all the loppings and windfals
being not ſufficient for it in the leaſt manner.
SECT. IV. Great part of Ireland very bare of Woods at this time.
THROUGH the aforeſaid cauſes Ireland hath been made fo bare of woods
in many parts, that the inhabitants do not only want wood for firing (being
there-
I 2

68 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XV.
therefore conſtrained to make ſhift with turf, or ſea-coal, where they are not
too far from the ſea) but even timber for building, ſo as they are neceffitated
to fetch it a good way off, to their great charges, eſpecially in places where it
muſt be brought by land : and in ſome parts you may travel whole days long
without ſeeing any woods or trees except a few about gentlemens houſes; as
namely from Dublin, and from places that are ſome miles further to the ſouth
of it, to Tredagh, Dundalk, the Newry, and as far as Dromore; in which
whole extent of land, being above threeſcore miles, one doth not come near
any woods worth the ſpeaking of, and in ſome parts thereof you ſhall not ſee
ſo much as one tree in many miles. For the great woods which the maps do re-
preſent unto us upon the mountains between Dundalk and the Newry, are quite
vaniſhed, there being nothing left of them theſe many years ſince, but one only
tree, ſtanding cloſe by the highway, at the very top of one of the mountains,
ſo as it may be ſeen a great way off, and therefore ſerveth travellers for a mark.
SECT. V. Many great Woods ſtill left in Ireland.
Yet notwithſtanding the great deſtruction of the woods in Ireland, occafi-
oned by the aforeſaid cauſes, there are ſtill fundry great woods remaining, and
that not only in the other provinces, but even in Leinſter it felf. For the coun-
ty of Wicklow, King's-county, and Queen’s-county, all three in that province,
are throughout full of woods, ſome whereof are many miles long and broad.
And
part
of the counties of Wexford and Carlow are likewiſe greatly furniſh-
ed with them.
In Ulſter there be great foreſts in the county of Dunnagal, and in the north
part of Tyrone, in the country called Glankankin. Alſo in the county of Fer-
managh, along Lough Earn; in the county of Antrim; and in the north part
of the county of Down; in the two countries called Killultagh and Kilwarlin;
beſides ſeveral other leſſer woods in fundry parts of that province. But the
county of Louth, and far the greateſt part of the counties of Down, Ardmagh,
Monaghan, and Cavan (all in the ſame province of Ulſter) are almoſt every
where bare, not only of woods, but of all ſorts of trees, even in places which
in the beginning of this preſent age, in the war with Tyrone, were encumbred
with great and thick foreſts.
In Munfter where the Engliſh, eſpecially the earl of Cork, have made great
havock of the woods during the last peace, there be ſtill ſundry great foreſts
remaining in the counties of Kerry, and of Tipperary; and even in the county
of Cork, where the greateſt deſtruction thereof hath been made, ſome great
woods are yet remaining, there being alſo ſtore of ſcattered woods both in that
county, and all the province over.
Connaught is well ſtored with trees in moſt parts, but hath very few foreſts
or great woods, except in the counties of Mayo and Slego.
C H A P.

Chap. XVI.
69
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CH A P. XVI.
Of the Mines in Ireland, and in particular of the Iron-mines.
SE CT. I.
T T
All the Mines in Ireland diſcovered by the New-Engliſh,
HE Old-Engliſh in Ireland, that is, thoſe who are come in from the
time of the firſt conqueſt, until the beginning of queen Elizabeth's
reign, have been ſo plagued with wars from time to time, one while
inteſtine among themſelves, and another while with the Iriſh, that they could
ſcarce ever find the opportunity of ſeeking for mines, and ſearching out the
metals hidden in the bowels of the earth. And the Iriſh themſelves, as being
one of the moſt barbarous nations of the whole earth, have at all times been fo
far from ſeeking out any, that even in theſe laſt years, and fince the Engliſh
have begun to diſcover ſome, none of them all, great nor ſmall, at any time
hath applied himſelf to that buſineſs, or in the leaſt manner furthered it.
So that all the mines which to this day are found out in Ireland, have been
diſcovered (at leaſt as for to make any uſe of them) by the New-Engliſh, that
is, ſuch as are come in during, and ſince the reign of queen Elizabeth. Several
whereof having begun to give their minds to it during the laſt peace, have in
a few years found out a great many iron-mines in ſundry parts of the kingdom,
and alſo ſome of lead and ſilver; which greatly confirmeth the opinion of many
knowing perſons, who hold that the mountains of Ireland are full of metals,
and that it the ſame induſtry and diligence had been uſed by the inhabitants of
that country in former ages, as there hath been ſince the beginning of the pre-
ſent, many more mines might have been diſcovered, not only of the fame mi-
nerals as have been found out hitherto, but of others alſo, and perhaps even of
gold it ſelf.
SECT. II. Grounds to believe that there are Gold-mines in Ireland.
I believe many will think it very unlikely, that there fhould be any gold-
mines in Ireland; but a credible perſon hath given me to underſtand, that one
of his acquaintance had ſeveral times aſſured him, that out of a certain rivu-
let in the county of nether-Tyrone, called Miola (the which riſing in the
mountains Slew-galen, and paſſing by the village Maharry, falleth into the
northweſt corner of Lough Neagh, cloſe by the place where the river Bann
comcth.

mango The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XVI.
cometh out of it) he had gathered about one dram of pure gold; concluding
thereby, that in the aforeſaid mountains rich gold mines do lye hidden.
For it is an ordinary thing for rivers, which take their original in gold-bear-
ing mountains, to carry gold mixt with their fand; the which may be confirm-
ed by many inſtances, and to ſay nothing of ſeveral rivers of that kind, menti-
oned by Strabo, Pliny, and other old geographers and hiſtorians, nor of Pacto-
lus and Hermus in Lydia, and Tagus in Spain, whereof all the old poets are full;
it is certain, that in our very times ſeveral rivers in germanie, as the Elbe,
Schwarts, Sala, and others, do carry gold, and have it mix'd with their fands;
out of the which by the induſtry of man it is collected.
Sect. II. Three forts of Iron-mines in Ireland: and firſt of the firſt fort,
Bog-mine.
But to let alone uncertain conjectures, and to content our ſelves with the
mines that are already diſcovered, we will in order ſpeak of them, and begin
with the iron-mines Of them there are three forts in Ireland, for in fome places
the oar of the iron is drawn out of moores and bogs, in others it is hewen out
of rocks, and in others it is digged out of mountains: of which three forts the
firſt is called bog.mine, the other rock-mine, and the third with ſeveral names
white-mine, pin-mine, and ſhel-mine.
The firſt fort, as we have ſaid, and as the name it ſelf doth ſhew, is found
in low and boggie places, out of the which it is raiſed with very little charge,
as lying not deep at all, commonly on the ſuperficies of the earth, and about a
foot in thickneſs. This oar is very rich of metal, and that very good and tough,
nevertheleſs in the melting it muſt be mingled with ſome of the mine or oar of
ſome of the other forts : for elſe it is too harſh, and keeping the furnace too
hot, it melteth too ſuddenly, and ſtoppeth the mouth of the furnace, or, to
uſe the workmens own expreffion choaketh the furnace. Whileft this oar is
new, it is of a yellowith colour, and the ſubſtance of it ſomewhat like unto
clay, but if you let it lye any long time in the open air, it groweth not only
very dry, as the clay uſeth to do, but moldereth and diſſolveth of it ſelt, and
talleth quite to duſt or fand, and that of a blackiſh or black-brown colour.
Sect. iv. Of the ſecond ſort of Iron-mine, called Rock-mine.
The ſecond fort, that which is taken out of rocks, being a hard and meer ſto-
ny ſubſtance, of a dark and ruſtie colour, doth not lye ſcattered in ſeveral pla-
ces, but is a piece of the very rock, of the which it is hewen: which rock be-
ing covered over with earth, is within equally every where of the ſame ſubſtance;
ſo as the whole rock, and every parcel thereof, is oar of iron. This mine, as
well as the former is raiſed with little trouble, for the iron-rock being full of
joints, is with pick-axes eaſily divided and broken into pieces of what bigneſs
one will: which by reaſon of the fame joints, whereof they are full every where,
may eaſily be broke into other lefſer pieces, as that is neceſſary, before they be
put into the furnace.
This

Chap. XVI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
This mine or oar is not altogether fo rich as the bog-mine, and yieldeth very
brittle iron, hardly fit for any thing elſe, but to make plow-ſhares of it (from
whence the name of colt-ſhare iron is given unto it) and therefore is ſeldom
melted alone, but mixed with the firſt of the third fort.
Of this kind hitherto there hath but two mines been diſcovered in Ireland,
the one in Munſter, near the town of Tallow, by the earl of Cork's iron works;
the other in Leinſter, in King's-county, in a place called Deſart land, belong-
ing to one ferjeant major Piggot, which rock is of ſo great a compaſs, that be-
fore this rebellion it furniſhed divers great iron-works, and could have furnish-
ed many more, without any notable diminution; ſeeing the deepeſt pits that
had been yet made in it, were not above two yards deep. The land, under
which this rock lieth, is very good and fruitful, as much as any other land there-
abouts, the mold being generally two feet and two and a half, and in many pla-
ces three feet deep.
SECT. v. Of the third ſort of Iron-mine.
The third ſort of Iron-mine is digg’d out of the mountains, in ſeveral parts
of the kingdom; in Ulſter, in the county of Fermanagh, upon Lough Earn;
in the county of Cavan, in a place called Doubally, in a dry mountain; and in
the county of nether-Tyrone, by the ſide of the rivulet Lifhan, not far from
Lough Neagh; at the foot of the mountains Slew-galen mentioned by us up-
on another occaſion, in the beginning of this chapter: in Leinſter, in King's-
county, hard by Mountmelick; and in Queen’s-county, two miles from Mon-
trath: in Connaught; in Tomound or the county of Clare, fix miles from Li-
merick; in the county of Roſcommon, by the ſide of Lough Allen; and in
the county of Leitrim, on the eaſt ſide of the ſaid lough, where the mountains
are ſo full of this metal, that thereof it hath got in Irish the name of Slew Ne-
ren, that is, mountains of iron: and in the province of Munſter alſo in fundry
places.
This fort is of a whitiſh or grey colour, like that of aſhes; and one needs not
take much pains for to find it out, for the mountains which do contain it with-
in themſelves, do commonly ſhew it of their own accord, ſo as one may ſee the
veins thereof at the very outſide in the ſides of the mountains, being not very
broad, but of great length, and commonly divers in one place, five or fix ridges
the one above the other, with ridges of earth between them.
Theſe veins or ridges are vulgarly called pins, from whence the mine hath
the name of pin-mine; being alſo called white-mine, becauſe of its whitiſh co-
lour; and thell-mine, for the following reaſon: for this ituff or oar being nei-
ther looſe or ſoft as earth or clay, neither firm and hard as ſtone, is of a middle
ſubſtance between both, fomewhat like unto flate, compoſed of ſhells or ſcales,
the which do lye one upon another, and may be ſeparated and taken afunder
very eaſily, without any great force or trouble. This ſtuff is digged out of the
ground in lumps of the bigneſs of a man's head, bigger, or leſs, according as
the vein affordeth opportunity. Within every one of theſe lumps, when the
mine

72
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XVII.
mine is very rich and of the beſt fort (for all the oar of this kind is not of equal
goodneſs, fome yielding more and better iron than other) lieth a ſmall kernel,
which hath the name of hony-comb given to it, becauſe it is full of little holes,
in the ſame manner as that ſubſtance whereof it borroweth its appellation.
The iron coming of this oar is not brittle, as that of the rock-mine, but
tough, and in many places as good as any Spaniſh iron.
Sect. VI. Iron-works erected by the Engliſh.
The Engliſh having diſcovered theſe mines, endeavoured to improve the
ſame, and to make profit of them, and conſequently ſeveral iron-works were
erected by them in ſundry parts of the land, as namely by the earl of Cork in
divers places in Munſter; by ſir Charles Coot in the counties of Roſcommon and
Letrim, in Connaught, and in Leinſter by Montrath, in Queen’s-county; by
the earl of Londonderry at Ballonakill, in the ſaid county; by the lord chan-
cellor fir Adam Loftus, viſcount of Ely, at Mountmelick, in King's-county ;
by fir John Dunbar in Fermanagh, in Ulſter; and another in the ſame county,
by the ſide of Lough Earn, by fir Leonard Bleverhalet; in the county of To-
mond, in Connaught, by ſome London merchants; beſides fome other works
in other places, whoſe firſt erectors have not come to my knowledge.
In imitation of theſe have alſo been erected divers iron-works in ſundry parts
of the ſea coaſt of Ulſter and Munſter, by perfons, who having no mines upon
or near their own lands, had the oar brought unto them by ſea out of England;
the which they found better cheap than if they had cauſed it to be fetch'd by
land from ſome of the mines within the land. And all this by Engliſh, whoſe
induſtry herein the Iriſh have been ſo far from imitating, as ſince the beginning
of this rebellion they have broke down and quite demoliſhed almoſt all the
forementioned iron-works, as well thoſe of the one as of the other fort.
CH A P. XVII.
Of the Iron-works; their Faſhion, Charges of erecting and maintain-
ing them, and Profit coming of them: With an exact Deſcription
of the Manner of melting the Iron in them.
SECT. 1.
The Faſhion of the Iron-works.
HE faſhion of the iron-works, of whoſe erection we have ſpoke in the
end of the foregoing chapter, is ſuch as followeth. At the end of a
great barn ſtandeth a huge furnace, being of the height of a pike and
a half, or more, and four-ſquare in figure, but after the manner of a malt-
kiln,
T

Chap. XVII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 73
kiln, that is narrow below, and by degrees growing wider towards the top,
to as the compaſs of the mouth or the top is of many fathoms. This mouth is
not covered, but open all over; ſo that the flame, when the furnace is kindled,
riſing through the ſame without any hindrance, may be ſeen a great way offin
the night, and in the midſt of the darkneſs maketh a terrible fhew to travellers,
who do not know what it is.
Theſe ovens are not kindled with wood, nor with fea-coal, but merely with
charcoal, whereof therefore they conſume a huge quantity: for the furnace be-
ing once kindled, is never ſuffered to go out, but is continually kept a burning
from the one end of the year to the other: and the proportion of the coals to
the oar is very great: for the mine would not melt without an exceeding hot
fire; the which that it may be the more quick and violent, it is continually
blown day and night without ceaſing by two vaft pair of bellows, the which
reſting upon main pieces of timber, and with their pipes placed into one of the
fides of the furnace, are perpetually kept in action by the means of a great wheel,
which being driven about by a little brook or water-courſe, maketh them riſe
and fall by turns, ſo that whilſt the one pair of bellows doth ſwell and fill it
ſelf with wind, the other doth blow the ſame forth into the furnace.
Sect. II. Of the leſer Iron-works, called Bloomeries : Of the Hammer-works :
And of the Caſting-works.
THERE is another and leſſer ſort of iron-works, much different from the
former: for inſtead of a furnace they uſe a hearth therein, altogether of the fa-
fhion of a ſmith's hearth, whereon the oar being laid in a great heap, it is cover-
ed over with abundance of charcoal, the which being kindled, is continually
blown by bellows that are moved by wheels and water-courſes, in the ſame man-
ner as in the other works.
Theſe works, commonly called bloomeries, are in uſe, or were ſo before this
rebellion in ſundry places of the north parts of Ulſter.
Beſides theſe two forts of works, where the iron-mine is melted, there is a
third fort, where the iron after the firſt melting is hammer'd out into bars,
of which we ſhall have occaſion to ſpeak more in the latter end of this preſent
chapter.
There were alſo in ſome parts of Ireland yet another kind of iron-works dif-
fering from all the former, where the iron was caſt into ordnance, pots, ſmall
round furnaces, and other things; of which works Mr. Chriſtopher Wandſworth,
maſter of the rolls of Ireland, and in his latter days lord deputy of the ſame king-
dom under the earl of Strafford, then lord lieutenant thereof, had one upon his
lands by Idough in the county of Carlow; whereof we cannot give the reader
any particulars, becauſe we have not yet been informed thereof.
SECT. II. Conveniencies requiſite to the erecting of an Iron-work.
In the erecting of theſe works men ſeek to make them as near to the mine
as may be, to get the more profit by them: for the greater the diſtance is, the
K
greater

74 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. XVII.
greater are the charges in having the oar brought from the mine to the fur-
nace, eſpecially where all muſt be carried by land, the which doth fall out ſo
in far the moſt places.
But many times one is neceffitated to make the works a good way further
from the mine, than otherwiſe one would, becauſe of the water courſes, the
which being of very great conſequence in the well ſettling of a work, and ab-
ſolutely neceſſary (the wheels being all moved by water) thoſe places muſt be
made choice of, where one may have the conveniency of water-courſes. And
beſides all this, regard muſt be had to the nearneſs of the woods, partly by rea-
ſon of the timber, a great deal whereof is neceſſary for the erecting of one of
theſe works, and chiefly for the char-coals fake, of which a vaſt quantity con-
tinually is requiſite, as before we have ſhewed.
SECT. iv. The charges of erecting and maintaining an Iron-work.
It is to be obſerved, that although there be wood enough upon ones land,
and that not very far from the mine, together with the conveniences of water-
courſes, ſo as the water needeth not to be brought from very far off, never-
theleſs the charge is very great, both of erecting and ſtocking one of the iron-
works, and of maintaining it and keeping it afoot, and that by reaſon of the
great number of workmen and labourers of ſeveral ſorts, which thereunto is re-
quiſite; a liſt of whoſe names and offices here followeth: wood-cutters, who
fell the timber; fawyers, to ſaw the timber; carpenters, ſmiths, maſons, and
bellow-makers, to erect the iron-works, with all the appurtenances thereof, and
to repair them from time to time; water-leaders, or water-courſe-keepers, to
ſteer the water-courſes, and to look to them conſtantly; basket-makers, to make
baskets for to carry the oar and other materials; boat-men, and boat-wrights
to make the boats, and to go in them; diggers, who work in the mine, and
dig the ſame; carriers, who carry the oar from the mine; colliers, who make
the char-coal; corders, who bring the char-coal to the work; fillers, whoſe
work it is from time to time to put the mine and the coals into the furnace;
keepers of the furnace, who look to the main work, rake out the aſhes and cin-
ders, and let out the molten metal at convenient times; finers, who look to
the works where the iron is hammered; hammerers, whoſe work is to ſee the
iron hammered out: beſides ſeveral other labourers, who having no particular
task, muſt help to put their hand to every thing: of all which forts of men fir
Charles Coot the elder, that zealous and famous warriour in this preſent war a-
gainſt the Iriſh rebels (wherein having done many memorable exploits, he loſt
his life in the firſt year thereof) did continually keep at work fome five and
twenty or fix and twenty hundred, at his iron-works, being three in number.
Whereby may eaſily be gathered the greatneſs of the expences in erecting and
maintaining of iron-works: and for all this the owners thereof did greatly gain
thereby, ordinarily no leſs than forty in the hundred per annum.
SECT

Chap. XVII.
75
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Sect. y. Of the profit of the Iron-works inſtanced in thoſe of Sir Charles Coot
by Mountrath.
To ſpeak ſomewhat more particularly both of the charges and profits of theſe
iron-works, we ſhall inſtance the matter in one of the works of the ſaid fir Chare
les Coot, namely that which he had in the lordſhip of Mountrath, in Queens-
county. At that work the tun (that is twenty hundred weight) of rock-
mine at the furnace head came in all to ſtand in five ſhillings fix pence fter-
ling, and the tun of white-mine, which he had brought him from a place two
miles further off in ſeven ſhillings. Theſe two were mixed in that proportion,
that to one part of rock-mine were taken two parts of white-mine: for ifmore
of the rock-mine had been taken, the iron would not have been ſo good, and
too brittle; and being thus mixed, they yielded one third part of iron: that
is to ſay, of two tuns of white-mine, and one ofrock-mine, being mingled and
melted together, they had one tun of good iron, ſuch as is called merchants-
iron, being not of the firſt, but ſecond melting, and hammered out into bars,
and conſequently fit for all kinds of uſe.
This iron he ſent down the river Oure (by others called the Nure) to Roſſe
and Waterford in that kind of Iriſh boats which are called cots in that country,
being made of one piece of timber: which kind of ill favoured boats (menti-
oned alſo by us above) are very common throughout all Ireland, both for to
paſs rivers in, and to carry goods from one place to another; and not only up-
on ſhallow waters, ſuch as the aforenamed river is in the greateſt part of its
courſe, but even upon the great rivers and loughs.
At Waterford the iron was put aboard of ſhips going for London, where it
was ſold for fixteen, otherwhiles for ſeventeen pounds ſterling, and ſometimes
for ſeventeen and a half; whereas it did not ſtand fir Charles Coot in more than
betwixt ten and eleven pounds ſterling, all charges reckoned, as well ot dig.
ging, melting, fining, as of carrying, boat-hire, and freight, even the cuſtom
alſo comprehended in it.
Sect. VI. Some other particulars about the ſame ſubjeet, of the profit of the
Iron-works.
In moſt of the other places did a tun of the iron-mine or oar come to ſtand
in five, five and a half, and fix ſhillings ſterling at the furnace head; and it
was an ordinary thing, as well where they uſed white-mine, as where they mix-
ed rock-mine with it, to have a tun of good iron out of three tuns of oar: in
ſome places, where the mine was richer, they would have a tun of iron out of
only two tuns and a half of oar. Nevertheleſs few of them gained more or as
much as fi r Charles Coot, becauſe they had not the ſame conveniency of tranſ-
portation: And he himſelf did not gain ſo much by his iron-works in Con-
naught, as by that near Mountrath, although the mines there afforded a richer
oar, and that the tun thereof did coſt him but three ſhillings at the furnace
K 2
becaule,

76 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XVII.
becauſe that Lough-Allen, whereunto the fame mines and works are contigu-
ous, gave him the opportunity of carrying the oar by water from the mine un-
to the work, and that in boats of forty tuns.
The earl of Cork whoſe iron-works being ſeated in Munſter, afforded unto
him very good opportunity of ſending his iron out of the land by ſhipping,
did in this particular ſurpaſs all others, ſo as he hath gained great treaſures there-
by: and knowing perſons, who have had a particular inſight into his affairs,
do aſſure me, that he hath profited above one hundred thouſand pounds clear
gain by his faid iron-works.
Sect. VII. The manner of melting the Iron-oar.
The manner of melting the iron, uſual in Ireland, is thus. The furnace is
not filled to the top, but ſome ſpace is left empty, and to put new ſtuffinto it
they do not ſtay until the former be quite conſumed, but only until it be ſome
what deſcended, and then they caft into it ſome charges or basketfuls of coals,
and at the top of them the fame quantity of mine: and thus they do from
time to time, ſo as the furnace is in a manner always in one and the ſame eftate;
where is to be obſerved, that in moſt furnaces they add unto the oar and coals
ſome quantity of iron-cinders, and in others of lime-ſtone, whereby the melting
of the iron is greatly furthered, and the furnace made to work more mildly.
Within the barn, at the bottom of the furnace, ſtand conſtantly two men,
one of each ſide, the which with long iron hooks, through holes left for the
purpoſe, do every quarter of an hour draw out the unburnt coals, aſhes, and
cinders; which cinders are great lumps of a firm ſubſtance, but brittle, of a
blackiſh colour, ſhining, but not tranſparent; being nothing elſe but the re-
mainder of the iron-oar, after that the iron which was contained in it, is melt-
cd out on't.
The iron it ſelf deſcendeth to the loweſt part of the furnace, called the hearth;
the which being filled, (ſo that, if one ſtayed longer, the iron would begin to
ſwim over through the aforeſaid holes) they unſtop the hearth, and open the
mouth thereof (or the timpas the artſ-men call it) taking away a little door,
of faſhion like unto that of a baker's oven, wherewith the ſame was fhut up ve-
ry cloſe. The floor of the barn hath a mold of fand upon it, wherein, before
they open the furnace, a furrow is made, of ſufficient breadth and depth, thro?
the whole length of the barn, from the bottom of the furnace until the barn's
door: into which furrow, as ſoon as the furnace is opened, the molten iron
runneth very fuddenly and forcibly, being to look on like unto a ſtream or cur-
rent of fire. It remaineth a long time hot, but doth preſently looſe its liquid-
neſs and redneſs, turning into a hard and ſtiff maſs, which maſſes are called
ſowes by the workmen.
SECT.

Chap. XVII.
77
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Sect. VIII. Of the different Bigneſs of the Iron Sowes.
These maſſes or ſowes of iron are not always of one and the ſame weight
and bigneſs, but there is them of all ſizes, from one hundred weight until thir-
ty hundred: which difference doth chiefly depend on the different bigneſs of the
furnace and hearth, and partly on the will and diſcretion of the workmafter or
founder, and according as he either ſtayeth until the hearth be full, or letteth
out the iron ſooner ; but ordinarily they do not uſe to caft, or to open the
hearth, under leſs than twelve hours, nor to ſtay much longer than four and
twenty.
And here is to be obſerved, that even in furnaces of the fame bigneſs, yea in
the ſelf fame furnaces, the fame quantity of iron is not always caſt in the ſame
ſpace of time: but that varieth both according to the nature of the oar, and
according to the different ſeaſons of the year. For within the fame compaſs
of time you ſhall caſt a greater quantity of iron out of a rich mine or oar, than
out of a lean one; and in the ſummer time, when the coals come in dry and
freſh, than in the winter.
SECT. IX. Of the refining of the Sow-Iron, and the hammering it into Bars.
The Sowes are with teams of oxen drawn to the hammer-works, where
being put into the fire again, they melt them into the finery, the finer turn-
ing the melted ſtuff to and fro, till it come to be a ſolid body, then he carri-
eth it under the hammer, where it is hammered out into ſuch flat narrow and
thin bars, as are to be feen every where: the hammers being huge big ones,
and never ceaſing from knocking day nor night, as being kept at work by the
means of certain wheels, turned about by water-courſes in the ſame manner as
the wheels of the bellows.
By means of this ſecond melting, and of that mighty hammering, the iron is
freed from a mighty deal of droſs and dregs which it kept ſticking to it, tho-
rough its whole ſubſtance, in the firſt melting; and ſo of impure called low-
iron, becometh to be uſeful, ſuch as is accuſtomed to be delivered unto mer-
chants, being therefore called merchants-iron; one tun whereof is uſually had
out of a tun and a half of fow-iron; but if that be of the beſt fort, and caſt of
the beſt oar, two hundred pounds leſs of it will yield the aforeſaid quantity of a tun
of merchants-iron.
O CH A P.
ar togel sdt yd

8
Chap. XVIII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CHA P. XVIII.
Of the Mines of Silver and Lead in Ireland: and occaſionally of the
peftiferous Damps and Vapours within the Earth.
SECT. I.
Of the ſeveral Mines of Silver and Lead, and in particular that of Tipperary.
M
INES of lead and ſilver in Ireland have to this day been found out,
three in number; one in Ulſter, in the county of Antrim, very rich,
foraſmuch as with every thirty pounds of lead it yieldeth a pound of
pure ſilver ; another in Connaught, upon the very harbour-mouth of Slego, in
in a little demy-iſland commonly called Conny-iſland; and a third in Mun-
fter. The firſt two having been diſcovered but a few years before this
preſent rebellion, were through ſeveral impediments never taken in hand yet;
wherefore we ſhall ſpeak only of the third.
This mine ftandeth in the county of Tipperary, in the barony of upper-Or-
mond, in the pariſh of Kilmore, upon the lands of one John Mac-Dermot O-
kennedy, not far from the caſtle of Downallie, twelve miles from Limerick,
and threeſcore from Dublin. The land where the mine is, is mountainous and
barren; but the bottoms, and the lands adjoyning, are very good for paſture,
and partly arable; of cach whereof the miners had part, to the value of twen-
ty pounds ſterling per annum, every one. It was found out not above forty years
ago, but underſtood at the firſt only as a lead-mine, and accordingly given no-
tice of to Donogh earl of Thomond, then lord preſident of Munſter, who made
uſe of ſome of the lead for to cover the houſe which he then was building at
bunrattie: But afterwards it hath been found, that with the lead of this mine
there was mixed ſome filver.
Sect. II. The manner of digging this Mine : the nature of the Oar, and what pro-
portions of Silver and Lead it yields.
The veins of this mine did commonly riſe within three or four ſpits of the
ſuperficies, and they digged deeper as thoſe veins went, digging open pits ve-
ry far into the ground, many fathoms deep, yea caſtle-deep; the pits not be-
ing ſteep, but of that faſhion as people might go in and out with wheel-bar-
rows, being the only way uſed by them for to carry out the mine or oar. The
water did feldom much offend them; for when either by the falling of much
rain, or by the diſcovering of ſome ſpring or water-ſource, they found them-
ſelves

Chap. XVIII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
79
ſelves annoyed by it, they did by conduits carry it away to a brook adjoyning,
the mountain being ſo ſituate, as that might be done eaſily.
This mine yields two different forts of oar; of which the one, and that the
moſt in quantity, is of a reddiſh colour, hard, and gliſtering; the other is like
a marl, ſomething blewiſh, and more ſoft than the red; and this was counted
the beſt, producing moft ſilver, whereas the other, or gliſtering fort, was very
barren, and went moſt away into litteridge or droſs.
The oar yielded one with another three pound weight of ſilver out of each
tun, but a great quantity of lead, ſo as that was counted the beſt profit to the
farmer.
Beſides the lead and ſilver the mine produced alſo ſome quickſilver, but not
any alom, vitriol, or antimony, that I could hear of.
SECT. III. Profits of this Mine. It bath been deſtroyed by the Iriſh Rebels.
The ſilver of this mine was very fine, ſo as the farmers ſold it at Dublin for
five ſhillings two pence fterl. the ounce; as for the lead, that they ſold on the
place for eleven pounds fterl. the tun, and for twelve pounds at the city of Li-
merick. The king had the fixth part of the filver for his ſhare, and the tenth
part of the lead, the reſt remaining to the farmers, whoſe clear profit was eſti-
mated to be worth 2000 ſterl. yearly.
All the mills, melting-houſes, refining-houſes, and other workhouſes, ſtood
within one quarter of a mile at the furtheſt from the place where the mine was
digged, every one of them having been very conveniently and ſufficiently built
and accommodated by the officers and ſubſtitutes of fir William Ruſſel, fir Ba-
fil Brook, and fir George Hamilton, which three perſons ſucceſſively had this mine
in farm from the king, but in the beginning of this preſent rebellion all this
hath been deſtroyed by the Iriſh under the conduct of Hugh O-kennedy, brother
of John Mac-Dermot O-kennedy, on whoſe lands the mine was ſituated: which
rebels not content to lay waſte the mine, and to demoliſh all the works there-
unto belonging, did accompany this their barbarouſneſs with bloody cruelty a-
gainſt the poor workmen, ſuch as were employ'd about the melting and refin-
ing of the oar, and in all offices thereunto belonging the which ſome of them
being Engliſh, and the reſt Dutch (becauſe the Iriſh having no skill at all in a-
ny of thoſe things, had never been employ'd in this mine otherwiſe than to dig
it, and to do other labours) were all put to the ſword by them, except a very
few, who by flight eſcaped their hands.
SECT. IV.
This Mine free from deadly Vapours, the which otherwiſe in Ireland
are bred within the Earth, as well as in other countries, as is inſtanced in a very
remarkable Hiſtory.
I have not heard that any of the miners hath been ftified in this mine, a thing
ordinary enough in other countries: the reaſon whereof I conceive to be, be-
cauſe the work was done in wide and open pits, wherein the like noxious va-
pours

80 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XVIII.
appeared in the
pours can neither be ſo caſily engendred, and when they ariſe find a free paf-
fage into the open air, to the contrary of thoſe cloſe and narrow vaults uſual in
the moſt part of other mines.
For elſe that the earth of Ireland is ſubject, as well as that of other coun-
tries, to breed dangerous damps within her felf, is undoubted, as evidently it
year
fixteen hundred thirty ſeven, by this following accident.
A maulter living in the ſuburbs of Dublin in St. Francis-ſtreet cauſed a well
to be digged three yards deep, which yielding but little water, and that not
very ſweet nor clear, reſolved to have it made deeper; and enjoyned a ſervant
of his, to work at it at ſpare times, which he doing, and having digged a yard
and half lower, the water of it begun the 24th of Auguſt to bubble up in a
ſtrange manner, making great noiſe; which having continued two days, with-
out any notable increaſe, hardly coming half-way the knees; he went down a-
gain into the well, to dig there according to his cuſtom. But having wrought
but a little while, and being taken with a ſudden giddineſs in his head, and
faintneſs at his heart, made hafte to get out, and being revived, returned to
fetch away his fpade and other inſtruments; but coming to the bottom he fell
into a deadly fown, which being ſeen by thoſe that were preſent, one of them
went down to help him up; unto whom the ſame accident happened. All the
fpectators being greatly aſtoniſhed, and their tumult having drawn on a great
concourſe of people, the place where the well was being an open yard, looking
into the main ſtreet; a certain man, newly come to town, and caſually paſſing
by that way, not affrighted by the example of thoſe two, had the courage to
go down to fetch the former out, but with as ill ſucceſs as they themſelves.
The wonder and amazement being hereby increaſed among the people, there
was nevertheleſs a butcher (a bold robuſtuous man) who having drunk ſome-
what liberally, would notwithſtanding theſe fad accidents go in, which at the
firſt not being ſuffered, and he continuing in his reſolution, was at laſt permit-
ted on condition that he let a ſtrong cord be tied about his waiſt to pull him
out, if he found himſelf ill; the which to fignify he was to hold up his right
hand. But being come to the bottom; and ſuddenly taken with a deadly faint-
neſs, that he had neither time nor power to give the appointed fign, falling from
the ladder; and being haled out with all poſſible ſpeed, found to be in a deep
trance, but with perfect ſigns of life: wherefore being carried to his own houſe,
put into his bed, and care taken of him, it was nevertheleſs twenty four hours
before he came to himſelf.
The dead bodies being drawn out of the well it was filled with earth by or-
der of the magiſtrate of the ſaid city.
Sect. v. Relation of an accident like the former happened at London.
The like accidents have at ſeveral times been ſeen in other countries, where-
of we could alledge many inſtances, but paſſing by all other we ſhall make men-
tion of one lately befaln here at London. Without Aldeſgate, there is a little
court called carpenters-yard, in the midſt of which there ſtood a pump; the
water

Chap. XIX.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 81
water whereof not being good for to dreſs meat, was uſed by the neighbours
only for the waſhing and cleaning of their houſes, and the like. But in length
of time being grown ſo thick and muddy that no uſe could be made o'nt, it was
reſolv'd that the well, whereout the pump drew its water, ſhould be made clean,
to which purpoſe the pump being taken down, in the latter end of July anno
1644, a labourer was let down with a cord into the well, being little and nar-
row, to take out the mud by pails full, who aſſoon as he came to the bottom
preſently fell ſtark dead. Thoſe that had let him down, ſeeing this, and ſuf-
pecting nothing elſe, but that a ſudden faintneſs had overcome him, let down
another to ſee what he ailed, and to bring him out. But he iped no better than
the firſt, which when the people perceived, no more went into the well, un-
til three or four hours after, in which middle ſpace of time a great iron pan or
plate, heaped up with burning charcoal, had been let down into the well, and
ſeveral times as the fire did ſlacken, renewed, that through the heat thereof
that mortiferous vapour might be overcome and diſperſed, the which according-
ly fell out; ſo that the perſon who afterwards went down to fetch away the
dead bodies, got no hurt at all. A great covered or vaulted gutter, whereby
the ordures of the ſtreets are under ground convey'd into the city ditch, paſſeth
under the yard wherein the ſaid well, (damm'd up ſince this fad accident) did
ſtand; ſo as it may be probably believed that that deadly infection of the air
within the ſame well had partly been cauſed through the nearneſs of the ſame
fewer.
CH A P. XIX.
Of the Freeſtone, Marble, Flints, Slate, and Sea-coals which are
found in Ireland.
SE CT. I.
H
Of the Freeſtone.
AVING in the precedent chapters treated of the metals and minerals,
which are found in Ireland, we ſhall now go on to ſpeak of ſeveralo-
ther ſubſtances, raiſed out of the ground there, of a leſs noble nature,
but nevertheleſs profitable and ſerving for ſeveral good uſes.
To begin with Freeſtone, there is two forts of it, the one being grey or aſh-
coloured, and the other blew; which both for the moſt part lying in the up-
permoſt parts of the ground, covered over with very little earth, are raiſed with
ſmall labour and charge, whereas in moſt other countries it is as much labour
to dig freeſtone as the metals themſelves. The blew freeſtone is not very abun-
dant, and as little in requeſt, as unfit for great buildings; it lying for the moſt
L
part

82 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XIX.
part in ſmall unſhapely pieces; and when they are bigger, commonly broke in
the raiſing and hewing, partly through the unskilfulneſs of the workmen there,
and chiefly becauſe they are exceeding hard, and cannot well endure the iron.
The grey freeſtone which is found very abundantly in moſt parts of the land is
of a contrary nature; and may eaſily be cut out into ſtones of all bigneſs or fa-
fhion, wherefore alſo this ſort hath been uſed by the Engliſh, to all the chur-
ches, caſtles, and edifices, which ſince the conqueſt have been builded by them;
for the Iriſh themſelves, never had the skill nor induſtry to erect any
conſidera-
ble buildings of freeſtone, brick, or other the like materials, their dwellings
being very poor and contemptible cottages. True it is, that the Engliſh at their
firſt coming found ſeveral maritime towns in Ireland with ſtone walls and hou-
ſes, the churches alſo, not only in thoſe, but in many other towns being of the
ſame; but built by ſtrangers, who being come out of the northern parts of Ger-
many, and other neighbouring countries, had ſettled themſelves there, inhabit-
ing ſeveral parts of the ſea coaſts, fome ages before the Engliſh conqueſt; which
people called themſelves Oaftmans, or eafterlings; all thoſe countries of the
which they were come being ſituated to the eaſt of Ireland.
SECT. II. Certain evil Properties of the Iriſh Freeſtone.
This ſort of grey freeſtone in Ireland hath a bad quality, that it draweth
the moiſture of the air continually to it, and ſo becometh dank and wet both
in and out-fide, eſpecially in times of much rain. To mend this inconvenience
the Engliſh did wainſcot thoſe walls with oak or other boards, or line them
with a thin cruſt of brick.
SECT. III. Of the Marble.
BESIDES the freeſtone, which is almoſt in every part of the land, there is
marble found in many places of ſeveral ſorts; one is red, ſtreaked with white
and other colours, ſuch as with a peculiar name is called Porphyry; other black,
very curiouſly ſtreaked with white, and ſome all of one colour.
The firſt two ſorts are found but in ſmall quantity, eſpecially the ſecond; but
the laſt is very abundant in ſome places, but moſt about Kilkenny, where not
only many houles are built of the ſame, but whole ſtreets are paved with it.
SECT. I. Deſcription of the Marble Quarry at Kilkenny,
The quarry out of which they have their marble at Kilkenny, is not above
a quarter of a mile diſtant from the town, and belongeth to no body in parti-
cular, lying in common for all the townſmen, who at any time may fetch as
much out of it, as ſeemeth good unto them, without paying any thing for it:
it is in faſhion like unto quarries of freeſtone, to wit, a wide open pit, where-
out ſtones and pillars of great thickneſs and heighth may be digg’d. This mar-
ble, whilft it is rude, and as it cometh out of the ground, looketh grayiſh, but
being

Chap. XIX.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
83
being poliſhed it getteth a fine blewiſh colour, drawing ſomewhat towards the
black.
Sect. v. Of the Flint.
ALTHOUGH flints are not digged from under the ground, yet ſhall we give
them a place next to the freeſtone and marble, becauſe of the affinity which
they have with them. They are found in every part of Ireland in
great
abun-
dance near the ſea fide, within the land, upon the hills and mountains, and in
the rivers, many of which have not only their banks covered with them, but
alſo the bottom of their channels, and that for great ſpaces together, which as
they are of all ſizes and faſhions, fo of very different colours.
SECT. VI. Of the Slate.
In ſundry parts of Ireland flate is found in great abundance, and that nothing
deep within the ground, juſt in the ſame manner as the freeſtone, ſo as it may
be raiſed with little charge and labour; wherefore at all times it bath been much
uſed by the Engliſh inhabitants for the covering of their houſes and other buil-
dings. Nevertheleſs ſome years ſince in places near the ſea, eſpecially at Dub-
lin, that kind of Holland tiles, which by them are called Pannen begun to be
uſed generally, the merchants cauſing them to be brought in from thence in
great abundance, becauſe in Ireland they had neither convenient ſtuff to make
them of, nor workmen skilful in that buſineſs: although the common tiles uſual
in many parts of England and other countries, were made and uſed in ſeveral
places within the land.
Beſides theſe there was another kind of covering in uſe, both for churches
and houſes, to wit, a certain ſort of wooden tiles, vulgarly called Shingles; the
which are tight enough at the firſt, but do not many years continue fo, it be-
ing neceſſary to change them often: which thing properly not appertaining to
this chapter, we nevertheleſs for affinity's fake have thought not amiſs here to
mention.
Some years ago another kind of flate hath been diſcovered in Ireland, which
for the colour's fake is called black-flate, being of a blackiſh colour, which is
come into great efteem, not ſo much for the ordinary uſe of covering houſes,
for which they are no better than common flate, but becauſe it hath been found
by experience, very good and medicinal againſt ſeveral diſeaſes, eſpecially to ſtay
all kind of bleeding, and to hinder that after falls and bruiſes the blood do not
congeal within the body.
SECT. VII. Of the Sea-coal.
The trees and woods having been ſo much deſtroyed in Ireland, as hereto-
fore we have ſhewed, and conſequently wood for firing being very dear in
dear in great
L 2
part

84
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XX.
Part of the land, the inhabitants are neceſſitated to make uſe of other fuel, viz.
of turf, and of ſea-coals. Of the turf we ſhall ſpeak in the next chapter. As for
ſea-coals, they are the ordinary firing in Dublin and in other places lying near
the ſea, where the ſame in time of peace are brought in out of England, Wales,
and Scotland, in great abundance, and therefore reaſonable cheap; which is the
reaſon, that the leſs care hath been taken to find out coal mines in Ireland it
ſelf, whereas otherwiſe it is the opinion of perſons knowing in theſe matters,
that if diligent ſearch were made for them, in fundry parts of the land good coal
mines would be diſcovered. This opinion is the more probable, becauſe that
already one coal mine hath been found out in Ireland, a few years ſince, by
mere hazard, and without having been fought for. The mine is in the pro-
vince of Leinſter, in the county of Carlow, ſeven miles from Idof, in the ſame
hill where the iron mine was of Mr. Chriſtopher Wandſworth, of whom hath
been ſpoken above. In that iron mine, after that for a great while they had
drawn iron oar out of it, and that by degrees they were gone deeper, at laſt in
lieu of oar they met with tea coal, ſo as ever ſince all the people dwelling in
thoſe
parts
have uſed it for their firing, finding it very cheap; for the load of an
Iriſh car, drawn by one garron, did Itand them, beſides the charges of bringing
it, in nine pence only, three pence to the digger, and fix pence to the owner.
There be coals enough in this mine for to furniſh a whole country; never-
theleſs there is no uſe made of them further than among the neighbouring in-
habitants; becauſe the mine being ſituated far from rivers, the tranſportation is
too chargeable by land.
Theſe coals are very heavy, and burn with little flame, but lye like charcoal,
and continue ſo the ſpace of ſeven or eight hours, cafting a very great and vio-
lent heat.
In the place where this mine ftandeth, do lye little ſmith-coals above the
ground, diſperſed every where in great quantity, from whence the ſmiths dwel-
ling in the parts round about did uſe to come and fetch them even before the
mine was diſcovered.
CH A P. XX.
.
Of the Turf, Lime, and Brick, and the Manner of making thoſe things
in Ireland; item, Of the Glaſs made in Ireland.
S E C T. I.
T
Of the two forts of Iriſh Turf.
Urf being very much uſed throughout all the land (as we have ſaid be-
fore) is of two forts, according to the difference of the bogs out of
the which it is taken. That which is taken out of the dry bogs, or
red

Chap. XX.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
85
red bogs, is light, ſpongy, of a reddiſh colour, kindleth eaſily, and burneth
very clear, but doth not laſt.
The other to the contrary, which is raiſed out of the green or wet bogs, is
heavy, firm, black, doth not burn ſo foon, nor with ſo great a flame, but laſt-
eth a great while, and maketh a very hot fire, and leaveth foul yellowiſh aſhes.
It is the obſervation of women, that the linnen which is dried by a fire made
of this laſt ſort of turf, getteth a foul colour, be it never ſo white waſhed and
bleached, and groweth yellowiſh in that manner as that it can hardly be got
out again.
SECT. II. The Manner of making the Turf.
The firſt ſort of turf coſteth but little pains in the making; for being dig-
ged, and having lain ſome days a drying (firſt ſpread out thin and ſingle upon
the ground, and afterwards piled up in little heaps) it is brought into the barn.
But black turf cannot be made without more trouble. Firſt they mark out
convenient places; for only thoſe are fit for it to which ſome paths do lead,
and which in themſelves are not too miry, and too deep, but have a firm and
fandy ground underneath, within the ſpace of four or five feet, or thereabouts.
Having found out ſuch a place, if it be too watry, they make ſome trenches,
into which the water deſcending out of that part of the bog wherein they in-
tend to work, may by them be carried to ſome place fit for to receive it; to
the end that the bog being thereby grown ſomewhat dryer and firmer, may the
better bear the labourers without ſinking too deep into it. Then they fall to the
buſineſs, dividing it ſo among the labourers, that one part of them do dig out
the earth, or rather the mud (for all the earth whereof this turf is made, is thin
and muddy) and by ſpades-full caſt it on a heap, either by the ſide of the pit,
or ſomewhere within the ſame, where others ftand, who very well work it,
turning it to and fro, and then with their ſhovels fill it into certain wooden
trayes, amongſt the Engliſh in Ireland peculiarly called Loſſels; the which be-
ing full, another part of the labourers draw the ſame, with great cords faſten-
ed to them, to ſome dry place within the bog, or by the ſide thereof, where
having poured out the mud, they go back to fetch more, and ſo go to and fro
all day long. On that dry place where the mud is poured forth, fit certain
women upon their knees, who mold the mud, uſing nothing elſe to it but their
hands; between the which taking a part of it, they preſs them together in that
manner, that their hands meeting above, the turf is faſhioned flat and broad
beneath, growing narrower towards the top; which being done, the turf is
let lye upon the ground the ſpace of a week or more, according as the weather
is, and being realonably well dryd, it is piled up in little heaps, leaving every
where empty ſpaces between, that the air and the wind paſſing through them,
they may dry the fooner,
SECT.

86
Chap. xx.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Secr. 11. The charges of making Turf.
IRELAND is full of bogs, that every man almoſt hath bog enough upon his
own land to make turf for his family and for all his tenants; ſo that the turf
doth coſt moſt men no more than the hire of the labourers who are employ-
ed about it. Thoſe that begun early in the year, whilſt the labourers had
but little employment, gave ordinarily, beſides meat and drink, three pence
ſterling a day to every man, and two pence to every woman; four pence a day
being the ordinary price, and when it was at the deareft, five pence. Twenty
men made in two or three days as much turf as was ſufficient for the whole years
firing of a great family; of which number five men did dig and caſt up the
mud, five wrought it and filled it into the trays, and ten were buſied in draw-
ing the trays to the place where the turt was molded by the women; who
went ſo nimbly to work with it, that only two of them were ſufficient to keep
twenty men at work.
Sect. vr. Of the Lime, and the manner of making it of Lime-ſtone.
ALL the lime in Ireland is made not of the ſhels of all ſorts of ſhel-fiſh, as
in Holland, and ſome other countries, but only of ſtone; and the grey free-
ftone, whereof we have ſpoken in the precedent chapter, is very fit for it, e-
ſpecially when it is not newly come out of the quarry, but taken off old build-
ings. But a peculiar fort of ſtone properly called lime-ftone, is beſt for it.
This ſtone is of a grey colour, tending to a dark blew, which being broke, a
white duſt out of it doth fly abroad; and it is very common throughout all Ire-
land, but eſpecially in the provinces of Munſter and Connaught, lying not deep
within the ground, but very near to the ſurface of it, and in many places above
ground.
The manner of burning it into lime, uſual over all Ireland, is this; in the
ſide of ſome little heighth they make a great pit, round or ſquare according as
conveniency is offered; of that bigneſs as may hold forty or fifty barrels, and
of that faſhion that being many feet wide at the top, it doth by degrees grow
narrower towards the bottom, in the ſame manner as the furnaces of the iron-
works. The inſide of this pit they line round about with a wall built of lime
and ſtone, at whoſe outſide near the bottom a hole or door is left, by which
to take out the aſhes; and above that an iron-gate is laid, which cometh cloſe
to the wall round about: upon this they lay a lay of lime-ſtone (being firft
knockt aſunder with a great iron hammer, and broke into pieces of the bigneſs
of a fift, or thereabouts) and upon that a lay of wood or turf, or a certain
fort
of ſea-coal, the which being wonderful ſmall, and peculiarly called comb, is
hardly uſed for any other purpoſe. Upon that they lay another of lime-ſtone,
and lo by turns, until the whole kiln be filled, ever obſerving that the out-
moſt

Chap. xx.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
87
moſt lay be of wood, turf, or comb, and not of lime-ſtone: which being done,
the kiln is fet afire until all be burnt.
Sect. y. Another manner of burning Lime uſed in Ireland.
THERE is another manner of burning lime uſed in Ireland, in kilns built al-
together above ground, and incomparably bigger than the other, inſomuch as
to the quantity of three hundred barrels of lime at once is made in them. In
theſe kilns they burn whole ftones without breaking them into pieces as the o-
thers, and that only with wood (turf or comb not being fit for it) whereof
they conſume a huge deal, it being neceſſary from time to time to put new
wood into them, to which end three or four men day and night do ſtand by
the kiln to keep the fire from decaying or ſlackning.
Theſe (called French-kilns, becauſe the uſe of them was firſt received from
thence) have ever their walls made of lime-ſtone, the which in the ſame man-
ner are turned into lime, ſo as there remaineth nothing ſtanding of theſe kilns
after that the work is accompliſhed, and the lime taken away.
Now albeit that in theſe kilns a very great quantity of Lime is made at a time,
nevertheleſs it hath been found by experience, that they are much more unpro-
fitable than the others, becauſe they conſume much more firing in proportion,
through the continual renewing of the fire, and require the conſtant labour of
ſeveral men all the while they are burning, which commonly is the fpace of
three days and nights. For theſe reaſons was the uſe of theſe kilns, which ne-
ver had been very general in Ireland, more and more left off in theſe laſt years,
and the others almoſt only made uſe of; in the which the lime came to ſtand
them, who burnt it, in no more than four pence the barrel at the moſt, all man-
ner of expences being reckoned; and but three to them who had the beſt con-
veniencies.
SECT. VI. Of the Brick.
In every part of Ireland there is found a kind of clay very fit for to make
bricks, and all ſorts of potters-ware, although the Iriſh never had the wit or
induſtry to make uſe of it for either of theſe two ends; yea they have ever been
ſo far from making any earthen veſſels, that even the uſe thereof hath been ve-
ry rare amongſt them, and to the moſt part unknown, not only before the com-
ing in of the Engliſh, but alſo fince, yea even until thele very laſt times; al-
though a great number of Engliſh potters in ſeveral parts of the land had ſet
up their trade, ſo as all kind of earthen ware was very common, and to be had
at very eaſie rates.
And as for the brick, they have been little uſed in Ireland even among the
Engliſh themſelves for a great while; but of late years they begun to be very
common, as well in the country, as in the cities, eſpecially Dublin, where all
the new buildings (the which not only in handſomneſs, but alſo in number,
do

88 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XX.
do ſurpaſs the old) are all made of brick. But that which is made in Ireland,
for the moſt part is not ſo good, as that of other countries, not ſo much for a-
ny unfitneſs in the clay it felf, as for want of handling and preparing it aright;
as may eaſily be conceived by the following deſcription of the manner they uſe
to make it.
SECT. VII, The manner how they make their Brick in Ireland.
The y dig a great ſquare pit, taking away all the uppermoſt earth until they
come to a good clay (which commonly lyeth one or two ſpits deep) this they
digg up throughout the whole pit, and having broke it very ſmall with the
ſpade, they do by degrees pour a great deal of water amongſt it, working and
labouring it together with the ſpade and their feet, till the whole maſs become
uniform, firm and tough like ſtiff dough; the which then in wheel-barrows is
carried out of the pit to a place where certain long tables are ſet up, to each of
which tables is allotted one man, one woman, and one boy. The woman tak-
cth up the clay by handfulls, from the heaplying upon the ground, and reach-
eth it unto the man, who thruſteth it into a little wooden form without bot-
tom, ſtrawing now and then ſome fand upon the table, that the clay may not
ſtick to it: and ſo having given them their due faſhion, the boy doth carry
them from thence to a place, where he layeth them all upon the ground, not
under any covert, but in the open air. After they have lain ſome days, and
are ſomewhat dryed, they are piled upin ſmall heaps, twenty or thirty in a heap,
making the heaps tranſparent in the ſame manner, as we have ſhewed above of
the turf, fome days after thoſe little piles are made into greater, which are ma-
ny feet long, and five or fix feet high, but not above two feet, or two and a
half broad (making the lays tranſparent, with ſome empty ſpace between brick
and brick, even ſo as in the ſmall piles) the which at the top are covered over
with ſtraw, laying upon the ſtraw broad green ſods, to keep off the rain. Hav-
ing lain ſo until they be quite dry, they make great ovens or kilns of them,
filling them within the ſame, ftrawing betwixt them of that ſmall ſort of ſea-
coal, whereof we have ſpoken heretofore, called comb or coome, and having
covered over the kiln with the ſame clay, whereof the bricks are made, the
thickneſs of two handbroads or there-abouts, they ſet it afire with wood under-
neath, and continue the fire until not only all the bricks piled within the kiln,
but all the walls quite through, and at the out-fide as well as at the in-ſide, be
perfectly burnt, and turned into good brick: wherein oftentimes, through
the unskilfulneſs or neglect of thoſe who make and fill theſe kilns, and of thoſe
that govern the fire, there is great loſs, and that two manner of ways. For
ſometimes great part of the bricks is found not to be ſufficiently nor uniformly
burnt; and on the other ſide it falleth out oftentimes, that great quantities are
reduced into one, being burnt, or half-burnt into great unſhapely maſſes or
lumps which are good for nothing.
They

Chap. XXI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
89
They do commonly burn in thoſe kilns two or three hundred thouſand bricks
at a time, the which for the moſt part, all charges being reckoned, come to
ſtand betwixt fix and eight ſhillings ſterling the thouſand.
Sect. VIII. Of the Glaſs made in Ireland.
We ſhall conclude this chapter with the glaſs, there having been ſeveral
glaſs-houſes ſet up by the Engliſh in Ireland, none in Dublin or other cities,
but all of them in the country; amongſt which the principal was that of Bir-
re, a market town, otherwiſe called Parſons-town, after one fir Lawrence Par-
fons, who having purchaſed that lordſhip, built a goodly houſe upon it; his
ſon William Parſons having ſucceeded him in the poſſeſſion of it; which town
is ſituate in Queens-county, about fifty miles to the ſouth-weſt of Dublin, up-
on the borders of the two provinces of Leinſter and Munſter: from this place
Dublin was furniſhed with all ſorts of window and drinking glaſſes, and ſuch
other as commonly are in uſe. One part of the materials, viz. the ſand, they
had out of England; the other, to wit the aſhes, they made in the place of aſh-
tree, and uſed no other. The chiefeſt difficulty was, to get the clay for the
pots to melt the materials in; this they had out of the north.
CH A P. XXI.
Of the Temperature and Qualities of the Air, and Seaſons in Ireland,
as for Heat, Cold, and Moiſture.
SECT. I.
Of the Cold weather, and the Froſts.
A
LTHOUGH the climate of Ireland is ſomewhat northerly, the land
i
extending it ſelf from the beginning of the one and fiftieth degree of
latitude, until the end of the five and fiftieth, nevertheleſs is the air
there very temperate, and nothing ſubject to violent colds (not only in Munſter,
Leinſter, and Connaught, but even in the moſt northern part, to wit the pro-
vince of Ulſter) much leſs than any other land lying in the fame height or la-
titude, yea
countries of a much more ſoutherly climate.
True it is, that the cold weather doth commonly begin here ſomewhat ſoon,
namely in the beginning of October, and ſometimes in the middle or latter end of
September, continuing ordinarily the ſpace of five or ſix months, until the
midſt or latter end of March, and ſometimes alſo good part of April; during
which whole ſpace of time all ſuch perſons as are chilly and cold of nature, and
do fit ſtill much, can hardly be any long while without a fire.
M
But
than many

90
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXI.
But again on the other ſide, it is very feldom violently cold there, and freez-
eth but little: there are commonly three, or four froſts in one winter; but they
are very ſhort, feldom laſting longer than three or four days together, and with.
all at their very worſt nothing near fo violent as in moſt other countries, ſo
that ſome all winter long hardly come near a fire once in a day; and that not
only in the ordinary cold weather, but even whilſt it is a freezing.
Yea many times the cold is so flack even in the midſt of the winter-months,
that by walking only, or doing fome other moderate exerciſe, you ſhall find
your ſelf as warm, and the air as ſweet and pleaſant, as if it were in the month
of May.
There bath been ſome winters, wherein it hath frozen ten or twelve days
together, fo as the Liffie, and other the like rivers were quite frozen, and might
be gone upon by men and beaſts: but those are altogether extraordinary, and do
come very ſeldom, hardly once in the ſpace of ten or twelve years.
But how mild they ordinarily be, and how little ſubject to exceſſive cold,
may appear hereby, that all kind of beaſts and cattle, as cows, horſes, and
ſheep, do there all winter long remain abroad, and do feed in the fields, where
they are left in the night-time as well as in the day, and that many herbs, which
in England and Netherland do dye every winter, here continue all the year
long
SECT. II. Of the warm Weather.
AND as the cold in winter is very moderate and tolerable, ſo is alſo the heat
in ſummer; the which is ſeldom ſo great, even in the hotteſt times of the year,
as to be greatly troubleſome. And it falleth out oft enough in the very ſummer-
months, that the weather is more inclinable to cold than to heat, ſo as one may
very well endure to come near a good fire. And this cometh to paſs only dur-
ing the wet weather, for elſe, and whilft it is fair, it is very warm all ſummer
long, albeit ſeldom over-hot: and ſo it is many times alſo even on the rainy
days, whereas for the moſt part it is very cool in them, and the heat much leſs
than the ſeaſon doth require.
SECT. III. Of the Rain and wet Weather.
The rain is very ordinary in Ireland, and it raineth there very much all the
year long, in the ſummer as well as in the winter. Commonly in the ſpring of
the year it is very fair weather, with clear fun-fhine from morning till night,
for the ſpace of five or ſix weeks together, with very little or no interruption;
which fair weather beginneth commonly in the month of March, fome years
in the beginning, other years in the midſt, and ſometimes in the latter end of
it. But the fame being once paſt, it raineth afterwards very much all the fum-
mer long, ſo as it is a rare thing to ſee a whole week paſs without it; and many
fummers it is never dry weather two or three days together. Which incon-
ſtancy and wetneſs of the weather is not only troubleſome to men, but alſo
hurtful

Chap. XXI.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 91
hurtful to all things growing out of the ground for mans behoof. For the heat
never being very great, and there beſides often interrupted by the intervention
of the foul weather, hath neither time nor ftrength enough to ripen them ſo
well and ſo foon, as otherwiſe it would; whereby it cometh to paſs, that as well
the fruits of trees, as the corn and graſs, here commonly much later do come
to perfection, than in the moſt part of other neighbouring countries. And as
the ripeneſs of the fruits and other increaſe of the earth is greatly retarded by
the abundance of unſeaſonable rain; ſo it doth alſo fall out oftentimes, that the
ſame being come to ripeneſs, it is difficult to get them in, by reaſon of the ex-
ceeding ſtore of rain which doth come down during the hay-time and the har-
veſt. Wherefore it behoveth one here to be wonderful diligent, and not to
loſe any part of the fair weather: For elſe one would run great hazard to ſuf-
tain great loſſes, and to have all ſpoiled. But thoſe that are vigilant and care-
ful, and that loſe no occaſion at all, do commonly in the end get in their in-
creaſe well enough, notwithſtanding all thoſe great hinderances; fo that there
be as few years of dearth in Ireland, as in any other country of chriſtendom;
and moſt years there is not only corn enough got for the fuftenance of the inha-
bitants, but a great deal over and above, for the ſending out of great quanti-
ties of grains into other countries.
Sect. iv. Of the fair weather in the latter end of Autumn. In the foul weather
the nights are often fair.
In the latter end of autumn weather is commonly fair again for ſome weeks
together, in the ſame manner as in the ſpring, but not ſo long; which as it
doth ſerve for to dry up, and to get in the corn and hay, which till then hath
remained in the fields, the too much wet having hindered it from being brought
away ſooner; ſo it giveth the opportunity of plowing the ground, and ſowing
the winter-corn; the which otherwiſe would very hardly be done.
For that ſeaſon being once paſt, you have very little dry weather the reſt of
the autumn, and during all winter. And although it doth ſeldom rain continu-
ally for many days together, yet is the wetneſs very great, and few weeks do
paſs, wherein are not two or three rainy days. And it is to be obſerved, that
ordinarily it raineth in Ireland much more by day than by night, and that ma-
ny times when it doth rain two or three days together, the nights between are
very clear and fair; the which alſo many times falleth out in other foul wea-
ther, and when all day long the skie is overcaſt with clouds and miſts.
Sect. V. Some dry Summers in Ireland, but hardly ever any too dry.
But although it is ordinarily thus in Ireland; yet the fame inconſtancy and
variableneſs of years and ſeaſons, which is obſerved in moſt other countries, doth
alſo here occur, and that more in regard of the ſummers and dry weather, than
of the winters and cold. For it is marvellous ſeldom to have there a hard win-
ter and long froſt; but fummers have been which were full of very dry, and
M 2
fair,

92 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXI.
fair and pleaſant weather. But as winters cruelly cold, fo likewiſe over-dry
fummers do in this iſland hardly come once in an age; and it is a common ſay-
ing in Ireland, that the very dryeft fummers there never hurt the land: for
although the corn and graſs upon the high and dry grounds may get harm, ne-
vertheleſs the country in general gets more good than hurt by it: and when a-
ny dearths fall out to be in Ireland, they are not cauſed through immoderate
heat and drought, as in moſt other countries, but through too much wet, and
exceffive rain.
SECT. VI. Amendment of the wet Air in Ireland how to be expeeted.
So that the Iriſh air is greatly defectuous in this part, and too much ſubject
to wet and rainy weather, wherein if it were of ſomewhat a better tempera-
ture, and as free from too much wet, as it is from exceſſive cold, it would be one
of the ſweeteſt and pleaſanteft in the whole world, and very few coun-
tries could be named, that might be compared with Ireland for agreeable
temperateneſs. And although it is unlikely, that any revolution of times will
produce any conſiderable alteration in this (the which indeed in ſome other
countries hath cauſed wonderful changes) becauſe that thoſe who many ages
ago have written of this iſland, do witneſs the ſelf ſame things of it in this par-
ticular, as we do find in our time: there is nevertheleſs great probability that
this defect may in part be amended by the induſtry of men, if the country be-
ing once inhabited throughout by a civil nation, care were taken every where
to diminiſh and take away the ſuperfluous and exceſſive wetneſs of the ground,
in all the watery and boggy places, whereby this too great moiſtneſs of the
air is greatly increaſed, and partly alſo occaſion'd.
This opinion is not grounded upon ſome uncertain fpeculation, but upon af-
ſured experience; for ſeveral knowing and credible perſons have affirmed to
Ine, that already fome years ſince good beginnings have been ſeen of it; and
that in ſome parts of the land well inhabited with Engliſh, and where great ex-
tents of bogs have been drained and reduced to dry land, it hath been found by
the obſervation of ſome years one after another, that they have had a dryer air,
and much leſs troubled with rain, than in former times.
Here with agreeth what we read in that famous writer Pliny, in the fourth
chapter of the ſeventeenth book of his natural hiſtory, concerning that part of
Macedonie, wherein the city Pilippi was feated; where the air formerly having
been very rainy, was greatly amended by the altering the wetneſs of the ground:
His words are theſe, Circa Philippos cultura ſiccata regio, mutavit coeli habitum :
that is word for word, the country about Philippi being dryed up through tillage,
bath altered the quality of the air.
СНА Р.

Chap. XXII.
93
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CHA P. XXII.
Of the Dew, Miſt, Snow, Hail, Hoar-froſt, Thunder and Lightning,
Earth-quake and Winds.
S E C T. I.
Of the Dew.
T T
HE naturaliſts and geographers do aſſure us, that it deweth exceedingly in
the hot and dry countries, and that the leſs it uſeth to rain in a country, the
dew doth fall there the more abundantly; whereby it ſhould ſeem to fol-
low, that in the wet climate it deweth very little, and conſequently that in Ireland,
where it raineth ſo very much, the dew muſt be very ſcanty. But there is as
much dew there, as in other countries that are a great deal hotter and dryer.
Only thus much experience doth ſhew in Ireland (and it may be as well in o-
ther countries, whereof I have not yet informed my ſelf) that when it is to-
wards any great rain, little or no dew doth fall; ſo as in thoſe times going forth
early in the morning into the green fields, you will find them altogether dry,
and that even in that ſeaſon, wherein the dew in Ireland, as in other neigh-
bouring countries, uſeth to fall more abundantly, than in any other time of the
year, to wit in the months of May and June : this is a certain ſign to the inha-
bitants, that great rain is to fall ſuddenly; and commonly after ſuch a dry and
dewleſs night it uſeth to rain two or three days together. But the preceding
rain doth not hinder the dew in that manner, as that which is imminent; and
it is found ordinarily, that in a clear night following a rainy day (the which is
very ordinary, as we have ſaid in the preceding chapter) the dew cometh
down as liberally as if it had not rained the day before.
SECT. II. Of May-dew, and the manner of gathering, and preſerving it.
The Engliſh women, and gentlewomen in Ireland, as in England, did uſe
in the beginning of the ſummer to gather good ſtore of dew, to keep it by
them all the year after for ſeveral good uſes both of phyſick and otherwiſe,
wherein by experience they have learnt it to be very available. Their man-
ner of collecting and keeping it was this
. In the month of May eſpecially, and
alſo in part of the month of June, they would go forth betimes in the morn-
ing, and before ſun-riſing, into a green field, and there either with their hands
diftrike

94 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXII.
ſtrike off the dew from the tops of the herbs into a diſh, or elſe throwing clean
linnen cloaths upon the ground, take off the dew from the herbs into them,
and afterwards wring it out into diſhes; and thus they continue their work un-
til they have got a fufficient quantity of dew according to their intentions. That
which is gotten from the graſs will ſerve, but they chuſe rather to have it from
the green corn, eſpecially wheat, if they can have the conveniency to do ſo, as
being perſuaded that this dew hath more vertues, and is better for all purpoſes,
than that which hath been collected from the graſs or other herbs. The dew
thus gathered they put into a glaſs bottle, and to ſet it in a place where it may
have the warm ſun-fhine all day long, keeping it there all the ſummer; after
fome days reft ſome dregs and dirt will ſettle to the bottom; the which when
they perceive, they pour off all the clear dew into another veſſel, and fling a-
way thoſe ſetlings. This they do often, becauſe the dew doth not purge it ſelf
perfectly in a few days, but by degrees, ſo as new dregs (fevered from the pu-
rer parts by the working of the dew, helped on by the ſun-beams) do ſettle a-
gain; of the which as often as thoſe good women ſee any notable quantity, they
ſtill pour off the clear dew from them: doing thus all ſummer long, until it be
clear to the bottom.
The dew thus thoroughly purified looketh whitiſh, and keepeth good for a
year or two after.
Sect. iv. Of the Miſts and Fogs.
We have ſhewed how much Ireland is ſubject to rain, and ſo it is likewiſe
to dark weather, and overcaſting of the air even when it raineth not, which
continueth ſometimes many days together, eſpecially in winter time.
But as for the togs and miſts, Ireland is no more troubled with them than o-
ther regions, eſpecially in the plain country, for in the mountains they are much
more frequent, ſo that oftentimes they are covered with them for a great way
the ſpace of ſome hours together, when at the ſame time there is none in the
neighbouring plain country, and in the high mountains it cometh many times
to paſs that in a fair day the top thereof for a long time together is covered o-
ver with a thick miſt, when not only the adjacent country, but even the low-
er part of thoſe mountains do enjoy a clear ſun-fhine. And ſometimes it befal-
leth the tops as well as the lower parts being free from them, the middle parts
are quite covered therewith: as my brother in his travels hath many times ob-
ſerved in ſeveral parts, eſpecially upon thoſe high mountains between Dundalk
and Carlingford, as well in the midſt of the ſummer, as at other times of the
year.
And in many places it is found by experience, that the like fogs upon the
of the mountains is a fore-runner of rain in the next country: whereof all thoſe
who have lived any time at Dublin, may have good knowledge. For ſeldom
a miſt appeareth upon the top of the Wicklow
mountains, ſituated ſome five
or fix miles to the ſouth of Dublin, or of the head of Hoath, without being
followed with rain at Dublin and the adjacent parts within 24 hours: where-
in
tops

Chap. XXII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 95
in is obſervable, that a fog quite covering thoſe mountains all over is not ſo ſure
a ſign of rain, as when it is only upon the top: and that thoſe general miſts up-
on the mountains are often ſeen without any following rain, the which very
feldom or never happeneth in the others.
There be two forts of miſts or fogs in Ireland: the one is uniform and con-
ftant, quite filling the air of all ſides, whereby all manner of proſpect is taken
away, and continuing after the ſame faſhion, until it vaniſh by degrees, either
aſcending up into the air, or falling to the ground; whereof here, as in other
countries, the firſt is commonly followed with rain, and the ſecond with fair
weather.
In the other fort are great parcels or flakes of foggy vapours ſcattered up and
down the air, with clear ſpaces betwixt: the which flakes do not keep one
place, but fly to and fro, according as they are driven by the wind, and that
ſometimes very ſwiftly; this kind of fog dotlt ariſe not only upon the ſeaſide
but alſo within the land, and upon the mountains : oftentimes turning into a
general mift.
SECT. v. Of the Snow, Hail, and Hear-froſt.
For the moſt part there falleth no great ſtore of ſnow in Ireland, and ſome
years none at all, eſpecially in the plain countries. In the mountains there is
commonly greater plenty of ſnow, than in other parts, ſo that all kind of cat-
tle, do all winter long remain there abroad, being ſeldom troubled with very
great froſt or ſnow, and do feed in the fields night and day, as we have related
more amply above; yet it hath happened that in a winter, one of many, abundance
of ſnow hath faln, inſtance that of the year 1635, where about the latter end
of January and the beginning of February great ſtore of ſnow did fall to the
great damage of the cattle, chiefly in the northern parts (where it did ſnow moft
exceedingly) ſo as the people were put to hard ſhifts to bring their cattle in
ſafety to their folds and other covered places. One hiſtory among the reſt by
reaſon of the ſtrangeneſs of it, I think will not be improper to relate as it hath
been aſſerted to me by very credible perſons, A gentleman living about Balla-
neah in the county of Cavan, took great pains to ſave his ſheep, yet miſſed ele-
ven of them; fome days after being come forth to courſe, his man ſaw from
afar off upon a hill, in a hollow place of a rock, part of it being covered with
the top hanging over it, ſomething alive and ſtirring, they thought it had been
a hare or a fox, but coming near they found it was the loft ſheep, the which
had near eaten away all the wool from one anothers back (being deſtitute of all
other food, all round about being covered with deep ſnow) and which is more
wonderful one of them being dead, the reſt did eat her ficth, leaving nothing
but the bare bones.
It doth alſo longer continue there : ſo as it is an ordinary thing in thoſe by
Dublin, and all other high mountains throughout the land, to ſee the ſnow
lying upon the tops of them many days, yea weeks, after that in the nether
parts and plain country it is thawed and quite vaniſhed,
It

96
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXII.
It haileth there but ſeldom, and in thin ſhort ſhowers, the hail-ftones alſo
being very little.
As for the hoar-froſt, that is as common here as in other countries, and that
not only in the coldeſt months, and during the froſt, but even in the ſpring:
ſo as commonly during all the fair weather of that ſeaſon, of ſome weeks toge-
ther, whereof we have ſpoke heretofore, every morning all the green herbs of
the gardens and fields are quite covered over with it.
SBCT. V. Of the Thunder, Lightning, and Earthquakes.
IRELAND is as little fubject to thunder and lightning, as any other coun-
try in the world, for it is a common thing, to ſee whole years paſs without
them, and in thoſe years, wherein any are, one ſhall feldom have them above
once or twice in a ſummer, and that with ſo weak noiſe of the thunder, and
fo feeble a ſhining of the lightning, that even the moſt fearful perſons are hard-
ly frightned at all thereby, much leſs any harm done to men or beaſts.
From earthquakes this iſland is not altogether exempt; but withal they are
ſo ſeldom, that they hardly come once in an age: and it is ſo long ago fince
the laſt of all was, that it is as much as the moſt aged perſons now alive can
even remember.
Sect. VI. Of the Winds,
With winds it is in this country almoſt as with rain, Ireland not only ha-
ving its ſhare in them, as other countries, but being very much ſubject to them,
more than moſt other parts of the world. For the winds blow very much at
all times of the year, eſpecially in the winter months, when alſo there are ma-
ny ſtorms, which ſometimes do continue ſeveral days together.
And it is worth the obſervation, that not only ſtorm-winds, but others alſo,
do in Ireland much ſeldomer blow out of the eaſt, than out of the weſt, eſpe-
cially in the winter; ſo that commonly there is no need of a wind to be waft-
ed over into England: where to the contrary, thoſe, who out of England will
come over into Ireland, very ordinarily are conſtrained to wait two or three
weeks, and ſometimes five or fix weeks, yea it hath faln out fo more than once,
that in two whole months, and longer, there hath not been ſo much eaſt wind,
as to carry ſhips out of England into Ireland: notable inſtances whereof the hi-
ſtory of the firſt conqueſt of Ireland, and that of the lord Mountjoy, ſubduer
of Tyrone's rebellion, doth afford.
But in the ſummer time, and chiefly in the ſpring, and in the months of
March, April, and May, one is not ſo much ſubject to that incommodity, as
in the other times of the year.
And as the weſt winds are much more common in Ireland, cſpecially upon
this coaft lying over againſt Great-Britain, than the eaſt; ſo likewiſe the ſouth
winds are much more ordinary there, than the north: which two winds there
do

Chap. XXII.
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 97
do ſeldom blow alone, but for the moſt part do accompany one of the two o-
ther, eſpecially the north wind, the which alſo doth oftner join it ſelf with the
eaſt than with the weſt wind.
CHAP. XXIII,
Of the Healthfulneſs of Ireland, and what Sickneſſes it is free from,
and fubjeét unto.
SECT. I.
A
Many old and healthful People in Ireland.
LTHO' Ireland is obnoxious to exceſſive wetneſs, nevertheleſs it is ve-
ry wholſome for the habitation of men, as clearly doth appear by that
there are as few fickly perſons, and as many people live to a great age,
as in any of the neighbouring countries: for both men and women, ſetting
thoſe aſide who through idleneſs and intemperance do ſhorten their days, at-
tain here for the moſt part to a fair age, very many living to be very old, and
to paſs not only the age of fourſcore, but of fourſcore and ten; and ſeveral there
are found at all times, who do very near reach an hundred years, ſome out-liv.
ing and paſſing them. And the moſt part of thoſe aged perſons are in very good
diſpoſition, enjoying not only their health, but alſo the uſe of their limbs, ſen-
ſes, and underſtanding, even to their utmoſt years. Among the women there
are ſeveral found, who do retain not only their cuſtomary purgations, but even
their fruitfulneſs, above the age of fifty years, and fome until that of fixty:
my brother hath known fome, who being above threeſcore years old, have not
only conceived, and brought forth children, but nurſed them, and brought
them up with their own milk, being wonderful rare and almoſt unhcard of in
other countries.
SECT. II. Ireland free from ſeveral Diſeaſes.
IRELAND's healthfulneſs doth further appear by this particular, that ſeve-
ral diſeaſes, very common in other countries, are here very rare, and partly al-
together unknown. For the ſcurvy, an evil fo general in all other northerly
countries confining upon the ſea, is until this day utterly unknown in Ireland.
So is the quartan ague, the which is ordinary in England, and in ſeveral parts
of it doth very much reign at all times.
As for the tertian ague, it was heretofore as little known in Ireland as the
quartan: but fome years ſince, I know not through what ſecret change, it hath
N
found

98
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXIII.
found acceſs into this iſland, ſo that at this time fome are taken with it, but
nothing near ſo ordinarily as in other countries.
The plague, which fo often and ſo cruelly infecteth England, to ſay nothing
of remoter countries, is wonderfully rare in Ireland, and hardly ſeen once in an
age.
SECT. III. The Immunity from certain Diſeaſes confiſteth in the Air, not in the
Bodies of the People.
It is obſervable concerning the forementioned particular, that this privilege,
of being free from ſeveral diſeaſes, doth not conſiſt in any peculiar quality of
the bodies of men, but proceedeth from ſome hidden property of the land and
the air it ſelf. This is made manifeſt two manner of ways, firſt, in that ſtran-
gers coming into Ireland do partake of this fame exemption; and as long as they
continue there, are as free of thoſe evils, from which that climate is exempt,
as the Iriſh themſelves. Secondly, in that the natives, born and brought up in Ire-
land, coming into other countries, are found to be ſubject unto thoſe diſeaſes as
well as other people, and I have known leveral of them, who being come hi-
ther into England, have fallen into the quartan ague, and have as long and as
badly been troubled with it, as ordinarily any Engliſhman uſeth to be.
And credible perſons have affirmed unto me the ſame of Scotland, name-
ly that the quartan ague never having been ſeen there, the Scotſmen neverthe-
leſs in other countries are as obnoxious to it, as people of any other nation.
Sect. IV. The moſt part of all kind of Diſeaſes are found in Ireland as in other
Countries.
TRUE it is, notwithſtanding that privilege of being exempt from certain e-
vils, that the moſt part of diſeaſes and infirmities, whereunto man's body is ſub-
ject in other countries, are alſo found in Ireland, as well outward as inward;
and in the number of the inward not only the ſuddain ones, and thoſe that in a
few days or weeks come to an end, being called Morbi acuti by the phyſicians,
as namely feavers, caſting of blood, apoplexies, and others of that nature; but
alſo thoſe of long continuance, as the falling-fickneſs, the palſy, all ſorts of
gout, coughs, the conſumption of the lungs, the ſtone of the kidnies and of the
bladder, the cholick, the jaundice, the dropſy, the grief of the ſpleen, and ſe-
veral ſorts of looſeneſſes, with all which evils it is here as in other countries,
ſome of them being very cominon here, and others happening but feldom, and
in few perſons: the more particular relation whereof we will leave for the books
of phyſick, and for thoſe obſervations, which perhaps my brother fome time
or other will publiſh, of what he hath found concerning theſe matters, in an
ample and flouriſhing practice of eight years, which he hath lived in Dublin.
indicated to
С НА Р.

Chap. XXIV.
99
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
CHA P. XXIV.
Of the Diſeaſes reigning in Ireland, and whereunto that Country is
peculiarly ſubject.
SE CT. I.
Of the Iriſh Agues.
A
S Ireland is ſubject to moſt diſeaſes in common with other countries, ſo
there are fome, whereunto it is peculiarly obnoxious, being at all times
ſo rife there, that they may juſtly be reputed for Ireland's Endemii
Morbi or reigning diſeaſes, as indeed they are generally reputed for ſuch.
Of this number is a certain fort of malignant feavers, vulgarly in Ireland cal-
led Iriſh agues, becauſe that at all times they are ſo common in Ireland, as well
among the inhabitants and the natives, as among thoſe who are newly come
thither from other countries. This feaver commonly accompanied with a
great pain in the head and in all the bones, great weakneſs, drought, lofs of
all manner of appetite, and want of ſleep, and for the moſt part idleneſs or
raving, and reſtleſneſs or toſſings, but no very great nor conſtant heat, is hard
to be cured, for thoſe that underſtand the diſeaſe, and ſeek to overcome it,
do it not by purging, which cannot be uſed at any time without great and
preſent danger; for the fermentation of the humours which cauſeth the diſeaſe,
is hereby mightily encreaſed, and the patient weakned; and hardly with bleed-
ing, which feldom is uſed with ſucceſs otherwiſe than in the very beginning;
but with ſtrengthning medicines and good cordials: in which caſe, and if all
neceſſary preſcriptions be well obſerved, very few perſons do loſe their lives;
except when ſome extraordinary and peſtilent malignity cometh to it, as it be-
falleth in ſome years, with fo great violence, that notwithſtanding all good
helps, ſome are thereby carried to their graves; the ſame doth ordinarily come
to paſs, that it proveth deadly, if the fick do fall into unskilful hands, or ne-
glect all help, or do not obſerve good directions, in which cafes many do pe-
riſh: and others, who come off with their lives through robuftuouſneſs of na-
ture, or hidden cauſes, are forced to keep their beds a long time in extreme
weakneſs
, being a great while before they can recover their perfect health and
ſtrength.
og SECT.
,
Goog om
N

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Chap. XXIV.
SECT. II. Of the Loofenefs.
The looseneſs doth alſo greatly reign in Ireland, as well among thoſe of the
country as among the ſtrangers, wherefore the Engliſh inhabitants have given
it the name of the country-difeafe. Many are a great while troubled with it,
and yet get no other harm; and thoſe that betimes do make uſe of good medi-
cines, are without any great difficulty cured of it. But they that let the looſe-
neſs take its courſe, do commonly after ſome days get the bleeding with it,
whereby the diſeaſe doth not only grow much more troubleſome and painful,
but a great deal harder to be cured; and at laſt it uſeth to turn to the bloody
Aux, the which in ſome perſons, having laſted a great while, leaveth them of
it ſelf; but in far the greateſt number is very dangerous, and killeth the moſt
part of the fick, except they be carefully aſſiſted with good remedies.
That this diſeaſe, as alſo the other, viz. the malignant feavers, are ſo rife in
Ireland, doth partly come through the peculiar diſpoſition and exceſſive wet-
neſs of the air; but partly alſo through the errors which people do commit in
eating and drinking, and other particulars: as manifeſtly doth appear by that
a very great number, not only of the natives, but alſo of the ſtrangers coming
thither, who take careful heed to themſelves in abſtaining from hurtful things,
never are troubled with either of theſe infirmities
Sect. II. Of the Rickets.
À MONG the reigning diſeaſes of Ireland the rickets alſo may with good rea-
ſon be reckon'd, a diſeaſe peculiar to young children, and ſo well known toe-
very body in England, as it is needleſs to give any deſcription of it; and yet to
this day never any phyſician, either Engliſh or of any other nation, made any
the leaſt mention of it, no not in thoſe works which are exprefly written of
all manner of diſeaſes and accidents of little children.
In Ireland this diſcaſe is wonderful rife now, but it hath nothing near been
ſo long known there as in England, either through the unskilfulneſs or neglect
of the phyſicians (the moſt part whereof in both kingdoms to this day are igno-
rant not only of the manner how to cure it, but even of the nature and proper-
ty thereof) or that really it is new there, and never before having been in Ire-
land, hath got footing in it only within theſe few years, through ſome ftrange
revolution or conſtellation, or God's immediate ſending: which kind of chan-
ges ſeveral times have befaln in divers countries, and in Ireland it ſelf we have
already ſhown ſome ſuch matter in another fickneſs, namely the tertian ague.
This evil being altogether incurable, when it is gone too far, is hard enough
to be cured even in the beginning, except it be very carefully look'd unto, and
uſe made of the beſt remedies; nevertheleſs this grief, as well as moſt others,
hath its peculiar medicines, the which being applied betimes, and with conve-
nient care, do with God's bleſſing for the moſt part produce the effect deſired.
SECT.

Chap. XXIV.
IOI
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Sect. iv. Of the Leproſy.
The rickets are of late very rife in Ireland, where few years ago unknown;
ſo on the contrary it hath been almoſt quite freed from another diſeaſe, one of
the very worſt and miſerableft in the world, namely the leproſy, which in for-
mer times uſed to be very common there, eſpecially in the province of Muns
ſter; the which therefore was filled with hoſpitals, exprefly built for to receive
and keep the leprous perſons. But many years ſince Ireland hath been almoſt
quite freed from this horrible and loathſome diſeaſe, and as few leprous perſons
are now found there, as in any other country in the world; ſo that the hoſpi-
tals erected for their uſc, having ſtood empty a long time, at length are quite
decayed and come to nothing. The cauſe of this change is not ſo obſcure nor
unknown, as it is in moſt other changes of that nature. For that this ſickneſs
was ſo general in Ireland, did not come by any peculiar defect in the land or in
the air, but merely through the fault and foul gluttony of the inhabitants, in
the ſucceſſive devouring of unwholſome ſalmons. The common report in Ire-
land is, that boiled ſalmons eaten hot out of the kettle in great quantity, bring
this diſeaſe, and uſed to be the cauſe why it was ſo common: and ſome famous
authors have not ſtuck to relate as much for a truth. But that is a fable, and
ſalmons have not that evil quality, which way ſoever they be eaten and prepa-
red, but when they are out of ſeaſon, which is in the latter end of the year, af-
ter they have caſt their ſpawn: upon which they do not only grow very weak
and faggy, but ſo unwholſome, that over their whole body they break out in
very filthy ſpots, juſt like a ſcald man's head, ſo as it would loath any man to
ſee them; nevertheleſs the Iriſh, a nation extremly barbarous in all the parts of
their life, did uſe to take them in that very ſeaſon, as well as at any other time
of the year, and to eat them in very great abundance, as eaſily they might, eve-
ry river and rivulet in moſt parts being very full of them, and by that means that
horrible diſeaſe came to be ſo common amongſt them. But the Engliſh having
once gotten the command of the whole country into their hands, made very ſe-
vere laws againſt the taking of ſalmons in that unwholſome ſeaſon, and ſaw them
carefully obſerved; whereby hindring thoſe barbarians againſt their will to feed
on that poiſonous meat, they were the cauſe that that woful ſickneſs, which
uſed fo mightily to reign amongſt them, hath in time been almoſt quite aboliſh-
ed: which great benefit, with ſo many others, that hateful people hath rewar-
ded with ſeeking utterly to exterminate their benefactors.
Sect. VI. Of the Leaguer Sickneſſes.
In the Engliſh armies, which ſince this bloody rebellion went over into Ire-
land to fight againſt that murdering nation, were not only the looſeneſs and the
malignant feaver, whereof we have ſpoken above as of Ireland's reigning diſea-
ſes, very common, but there beſides ſeveral other infirmities, viz. violent coughs
and of long continuance, ſtopping of the breath, called in latin Diſpnoea, lame-
neſs

IO 2 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. Chap. XXIV.
neſs of the thighs or Sciatica, paintul ſtranguries, all which griefs ſeized on ſo
many perfons, that they might well have been taken for fickneſſes reigning in
that land; as I have many times underſtood of my brother, who at that time
not only dwelling and practiſing at Dublin, but being phyſician general of the
Engliſh forces, had but too much occaſion to know that perfectly.
But withal he hath aſſured me, that thoſe diſeaſes had their original not from
any defect of the climate, but of the cold, and other hardſhips, which the fol-
diers ſuffered in their marches; for they many times going to the fields in cold
and foul weather, and ſometimes marching whole days long, yea ſeveral days
together, in very dirty and wet ways, where their feet and legs were continu-
ally cold and wet, beſides that they were ſometimes conſtrained to paſs through
the water up as high as the knees and waiſt, and after all that hardihip endured
in the day-time, to lye in the night upon the wet ground in the open air, this
cauſed the aforenamed diſeaſes, and ſeveral others amongſt them, in ſo great
number, it being to be wondred at, that many more did not fall into them.
And without doubt in any other country of the world, where all the ſame cau-
ſes did concur, and where an army endured the like hardſhip, the ſame effects,
it not worſe would follow: ſo that in this behalf the land it ſelf is not at all to
be blamed.
А

A
COLLECTION
OF SUCH
P A P E R S
As were communicated to the
ROYAL SOCIETY,
Referring to ſome Curioſities in
IRELAND
DVB L I N:
Printed by and for GEORGE GRIERSON, at the Two
Bibles in Elex-Street. M, DCC, XXVI.

U
а MALE

[ 105 ]
O
0
HE
ec
دي
А
COLLECTION
0 F
P A P E R S
Communicated to the
Royal SOCIETY, &c.
c.
Of the Bogs and Loughs of Ireland by Mr. William King, Fellow of the Dublin
Society, as it was preſented to that Society.
E live in an iſland almoſt infamous for bogs, and yet,
I do not remember, that any one has attempted much
concerning them; I believe it may be of uſe to con-
fider their origin; their conveniencies, and inconve-
niencies; and how they may be remedy'd, or made
W
uſeful.
I fall give you my thoughts, and obſervations on
each of theſe; tho’ I am ſatisfy'd, that what I ſhall
be able to ſay, will be very little, in reſpect of what
would be required, on ſuch an important ſubject, and
fo very neceſſary to the improvement of the king-
dom. As to the origin of bogs, it is to be obſerved, that there are few places,
in our northern world, but have been famous for bogs, as well as this; every
barbarous ill-inhabited country has them: I take the loca paluftria, or paludes, to
be the very fame we call bogs: the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britains retiring,
when beaten, to the paludes, is the very fame that we have experienced in the
Iriſh, and one ſhall find thoſe places in Italy, that were barbarous, ſuch as Ligue
ria, were infeſted with them; and therefore I believe the true cauſe of them is
want of induſtry; at leaſt induſtry may remove, much more prevent them. There
O
are

Io6
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
are many bogs of late ſtanding in Ireland; when Odonal and Tyrone came to the
relief of King ſale, they waſted the country, eſpecially as they came through Con-
naught, which by the means of the earl of Clanrichard, was generally loyal; and
there is a great tract of ground now a bog, that was then plowed land; and there
remains the manſion houſe of my lord
in the midit of it: now if want
of induſtry has in our remembrance made one bog; no wonder if a country, fa-
mous for lazineſs, as Ireland is, abound with them. To fhew you, how want of
induſtry cauſes bogs, you muſt remember, that Ireland abounds with ſprings; that
theſe ſprings are generally dry, or near dry, in the ſummer time, and the graſs and
weeds grow thick about the places where they burſt out. In the winter they
ſwell; and run and ſoften, and looſen all the earth about them; now that ſwerd
or ſcurt of the earth, that conſiſts of the roots of graſs, being lifted up and made
fuzzy by the water in the winter, (as I have at the head of ſome ſprings ſeen it
lift up a foot or two,) is dried in the ſpring: and doth not fall together, but wi-
ther in a tuft, and new graſs ſprings through it; which, the next winter is again
lift up, and ſo the ſpring is more and more ſtopt, the ſcurf grows thicker and
thicker till at firſt it makes that which we call a quaking bog: and as it grows
higher, and dryer, and the graſs roots and other vegetables become more putrid
together with the mud and ſlime of the water it acquires a blackneſs, and grows
into that which we call a turf bog. I believe when the vegetables rot the ſaline
particles are generally waſhed away with the water, as being apt to be diluted in
it; but the oily or fulphureal are thoſe that chiefly remain, and ſwim on the
water, and this is that which gives turf its inflammability. To make this appear,
'tis to be obſerved that in Ireland our higheſt mountains are covered with bogs, as
well as the plains; becauſe our mountains abound more with ſprings than could
be imagined: I remember one high mountain, in the north of Ireland, has four
loughs on the ſide of it near the top; now no body living on our mountains; and
no care being taken to clear the ſprings; the whole mountains are over-run with
bogs, as I have deſcribed.
2. It is to be obſerved, that Ireland doth abound in moſs more than, I believe,
any kingdom; inſomuch that it is very troubleſome, being apt to ſpoil fruit trees,
and quickſets; I do not remember, that they, who have written of gardening,
or orchards, mention it, which I am ſure they would, had they been as much
troubled with it, as we are; now this moſs is of divers kinds, and that which
grows in bogs is remarkable, your light ſpungy turf is nothing but a congeries
of the threads of this moſs, as I have frequently obſerved, before it be ſufficient-
ly rotten, (and then the turf looks white and is light,) I have ſeen it in ſuch quan-
tities and ſo tough that the turf ſpades could not cut it: in the north of Ireland,
they, by way of joke call it old wives tow, and curſe her that bury'd it, when it
hinders them in cutting the turf, it is not much unlike flax: the turt-holes in
grow up with it again, and all the little gutters in bogs are generally filled
with it; and truly I chiefly impute the red, or turf bog to it; and from it even
the hardened turf when broken, is ftringy; tho there plainly appear in it parts
of other vegetables: it is obſervable that both vegetables and animals have very
different
time

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
107
different forms, when they are kept under and when out of the water; and I am
almoſt (from ſome obſervations,) tempted to believe that the feed of this bog-
moſs, when it falls on dry and parched ground begets the heath: however the
moſs is ſo fuzzy and quick growing a vegetable, that it mightily ſtops the ſprings,
and contributes to thicken the ſcurt eſpecially in red bogs, where only I remem-
ber to have obſerved it.
3, It is to be obſerved, that the bottom of bogs is generally a kind of white
clay, or rather fandy marl; a little water makes it exceeding ſoft; and when it is dry
it is all duſt; and this contributes much to the ſwelling of the bogs; for the roots
of the graſs do not ſtick faſt in it; but a little wet looſens them, and the water
eaſily gets in between the ſurface of the earth and them, and lifts up the ſurface,
as a dropſy doth the skin.
4. 'Tis to be obſerved, that bogs are generally higher than the land about
them, and higheſt in the middle: the chief ſprings that cauſe them being com-
monly about the middle, from whence they dilate themſelves by degrees, as one
would blow a bladder; but not always equally, becauſe they ſometimes meet
with greater obſtacles on one fide than on the other: whoever has ſeen bogs, can-
not doubt of this; and beſides if you cut a deep trench thro' a bog, you will find
the original ſpring, and vaſt quantities of water will run light, and the bog ſub-
fide; the bog at Caſtle Forbesy (as I was informed) ſubſided 30 foot; I could hardly
believe that; but found by computation, that it could not be much leſs than
half of it: I believe theſe, and other obſervations that might be made being laid
together, it is hardly to be doubted, but that I have given the true origin of
bogs: thoſe hills, that have no ſprings, have them not; thoſe that have ſprings,
and want culture, conſtantly have them: where ever they are, there are great
ſprings: the turf generally diſcovers a vegetable ſubſtance : it is light, and im-
pervious to the water ; the ground under it is very pervious: and all theſe are
plainly accountable from the cauſes I have given.
I muſt confeſs there are quaking bogs, cauſed otherwiſe; when a ſtream, or
ſpring runs thro' a flat; if the paſſage be not tended, it fills with weeds in fum-
mer, trees fall a-croſs it, and dam it up; then, in winter, the water ftagnates
farther and farther every year, till the whole flat be covered; then there grows
up a courſe kind of graſs peculiar to theſe bogs; this graſs grows in tufts, and
their roots conſolidate together, and yearly grow higher, inſomuch that I have
ſeen of them to the heighth of a man; the graſs rots in winter, and falls on the
tufts, and the feed with it, which ſprings up next year, and ſo ſtill makes an ad-
dition; ſometimes the tops of flags and graſs are interwoven on the ſurface of the
water, and this becomes by degrees thicker, till it lye like a cover on the water;
then herbs take root in it, and by a plexus of the roots it becomes very ſtrong,
ſo as to bear a man; I have gone on bogs that would riſe before and behind, and
fink where I ftood to a conſiderable depth; under was clear water, as ſome of
us experienced by falling in with one leg up to the middle, and that by breaking
the ſurface of the earth where we ſtood: even theſe in time will grow red bogs;
but may eaſily be turned into meadow, as I have ſeen ſeveral times, merely by
clearing a trench to let the water run away.
Thc
O 2

108 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
The inconveniencies of theſe bogs are very great; a conſiderable part of the
kingdom being rendred uſeleſs by them; they keep people at a diſtance from one
another, and conſequently hinder them in their affairs, and weaken them; for
it is certain, that if ſuppoſe 1000 men live on 4 contiguous acres, they can
both better aſfilt, and defend one another, than if they lived on 4 not contigu-
ous : and therefore it were good for Ireland, the bogs were ſunk in the ſea, ſo
their good land were all contiguous; but it is further obſervable here, that ge-
nerally the land, which ſhould be our meadows, and fineft eveneft plains, are co-
vered with bogs; this I obſerved through all Connaught, but more eſpecially in
Long ford, and likewiſe in Weft-meath, and in the north of Ireland. Theſe bogs
are a great hindrance in paſſing from place to place; in as much as that you are
forced to go far about to avoid them, and on this account the roads are very
crooked in Ireland; or forc'd (by vaſt charges to the country) thro' bogs; by
theſe means they are long, and hard to find.
The bogs are a great deſtruction to cattle, the chief commodity of Ireland;
in the ſpring time when the cattle are weak and hungry, the edges of the bogs
have commonly grafs; and the cattle venturing in to get it, fall into pits or
floughs, and are either drown'd, or (if they are found) ſpoilt in the pulling out ;
the number of cattle loſt this way is incredible.
4. They are a ſhelter and refuge to tories, and thieves, who can hardly live
without them.
T, The ſmell and vapours that are from bogs, are accounted very unwholſome;
and the fogs that riſe from them are commonly putrid, and ſtinking: for the
rain that falls on them will not ſink into them; there being hardly any ſubſtance
of its ſoftneſs more impenetrable by water than turf, and therefore rain-water
ſtands on them, and in their pits; it corrupts there, and is exhaled all by the
ſun, very little of it running away, which muſt of neceſſity affect the air.
6. They corrupt our water, both as to its colour and taſte; for the colour of
the water that ſtands in the pits, or lies on the ſurface of the bog, is tinctured
by the reddiſh black colour of the turf; and when a ſhower comes, that makes
theſe pits overflow, the water that runs over tinctures all it meets, and gives both
its colour and ſtink to a great many of our rivers; as I obſerved through all the
north of Ireland.
The natives heretofore had nevertheleſs ſome advantage by the woods and bogs;
by them they were preſerved from the conqueſt of the Engliſh; and I believe it
is a little remembrance of this, makes them ftill build near bogs: it was an ad-
vantage then to them to have their country unpaſſable, and the fewer ſtrangers
came near them, they lived the eaſier; for they had no inns, every houſe where
you came was your inn; and you ſaid no more, but put off your brogues and fat
down by the fire; and ſince the natural Iriſh hate to mend highways, and will
frequently ſhut them up, and change them, (being unwilling ſtrangers ſhould
come and barthen them;) Tho they are very inconvenient to us, yet they are of
ſome uſe; for moſt of Ireland have their firing from them; turf is accounted a
tolerable ſweet fire, and we having very impolitickly deſtroyed our wood, and
not as yet found ſtone coal, ſave in few places, we could hardly live without
fome

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
109
ſome bogs: I have ſeen turf charc'd, it ſerves to work iron, and as I have been
inform’d, will ſerve to make it in a bloomery or iron-work: turf charc'd I rece
kon the ſweeteſt and wholſomeſt fire that can be ; fitter for a chamber, and
conſumptive people, than either wood, ſtone-coal or charcoal.
I know not if it will be worth the obſerving, that a turf bog preſerves things
ſtrangely; a corps will lye intire in one for ſeveral years; I have ſeen a piece of
leather
pretty
freſh dug out of a turf bog, that had never in the memory of man
been dug before; butter has been found, that had lain above 20 years, and tho'
not fit to be eaten yet ſerv'd well enough to greaſe wool: trees are found found
and intire in them, and thoſe birch, or alder that are very ſubject to rot. The
trees are ſuppoſed by the ignorant vulgar to have lain there ever ſince the flood,
but the truth is, they fell on the ſurface of the earth; and the bog, as I ſhewed
in the beginning of this diſcourſe, ſwelling by degrees, at laſt covered them; and
being of an oyly vegetable ſubſtance, it, like a balſam, preſerves them; the trees
burn very well, and ſerve for torches in the night: I have ſeen them us'd as lights
in catching of ſalmons: I have ſeen of the trees half funk into the bogs, and not
quite covered.
I am in the laſt place to fhew you how theſe inconveniencies may be remedi-
ed, and our bogs made uſeful; 'tis certain the thing is poſſible ; it has been
done in England, France, and Germany ; and if we had the ſame induſtry, we
may promile our ſelves the fame ſucceſs. I know men commonly diſtinguiſh
between bogs that have no fall to carry away the water from them, and thoſe
that have; and determine the laſt drainable, but not the firſt: but I muſt pro-
fefs I never obſerved one bog without a fall fufficient to drain it, nor do I
believe there is any. But the great and weighty objection againſt them is the
charge; and it is commonly thought, that it will coſt much more than would
purchaſe an equal ſcope of good ground; an acre of good land in moſt parts
of Ireland, is about four Mill
. per annum, and the purchaſe 14 or is years; and
therefore three pound will purchaſe an acre of good land; and it is very doubt-
ful, with moſt, whether that ſum will reduce a bog: this reafoning paſſes cur-
rent, and is the great obſtacle and impediment of this work, but if theſe things
following were done and conſidered, I verily believe it would be removed.
1. An act of parliament ſhould be made, ſuch as was for the building of Lone
don; that who did not in ſuch a time, make ſome progreſs in draining their bogs,
ſhould part with them to others that would, and allow a paſſage to them thro
their lands; rather than gentlemen would let others come into their bounds, they
would purchaſe their bogs at double the rate, as they do patches of land with-
in them.
2dly. 'Tis to be conſidered, that quaking bogs, tho' land be never fo cheap,
never fail to be worth the draining; one trench drains many acres; and when
dry, it is generally meadow, or the beſt grazing ground.
3dly. Every red bog has about it a deep marſhy ſloughy ground, which they
call the bounds of the bogs, and which never fails to be worth the draining :
one deep trench round the bog, doth it; by this cattle are kept out of the bog,
and all the bounds of the bog turned into meadow, as I have frequently ſeen.
4thly

IIO
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
foot deep
4thly. As to red bogs, I remember one of 60 acres, which a gentleman drai-
ned; the land about it was 4 s. 9 d. per acre; it was not worth any thing, but
rather pernicious to his cattle; he reduced it to good grazing ground worth 35.
an acre, for 25 1. which is leſs than 3 years purchaſe.
sthly. Gentlemen ought to conſider, that what they lay out this way, goeth
by degrees, and they are not ſenſible of it; it goeth among the tenants, and en-
ables them to pay their rent the better : 'tis a work of charity, and imploys
hands, and conduces to both the ornament and general profit of the kingdom;
and therefore they ought to diſpenſe with it, tho' ſomewhat dear.
6thly. That even red bogs might be made fit for grazing, at a much cheaper
rate, than they have been hitherto, if theſe rules were obſerved: 1. a deep trench
muſt be made round the bog, as before; this reduces all the bounds of the bogs,
goes a great way to dry the bog it ſelf; and hinders at leaſt its growing: it
ſerves likewiſe as a common fink, into which all your drains vent themſelves.
2dly. In the bog, obſerve which way the litele floughs run; be ſure to cut
their drains a-croſs them; one drain ſo cut doth more, than 3 or 4 long ways;
as I ſaw by Experience.
3dly. The firſt drains on the bog, ought not to be above 2 or
3
or wide; deep trenches ought by no means to be attempted at firſt; for the bog
is ſo ſofr, that they will not ſtand, but fill up again; neither can any body ſtand
well in them to cut them deep: but when the ſurface of the bog is cut in little
trenches, ſuppoſe at 20 or 40 perch, diſtance, it is hardly credible how much
it will be dried: I remember ſuch a little trench, drawn thro' a bog, that was
very wet, dried it, ſo that cattle could graze on it all Summer ; and the bog
ſubſided, for an hundred yards, on each ſide, ſo viſibly, that one would have
believed it a natural valley.
4thly. A year or two after the little trenches are made, and the bog a little
dry; they are (at leaſt every other trench as one fees occaſion is,) to be made fix
foot deep and ſix wide, if the foftneſs of the bog will permit; if not, then fix
foot wide and 4 deep is enough; and this will certainly make the bog uſeful
for grazing: in a year or two after, you may attempt to cut one or two of the
trenches to the bottom of the bog; for till that be done, I do not reckon the
bog ſecured.
Sthly. A gentleman ought to oblige all his tenants to cut the turf in his
trenches, and likewiſe cut his own fo, for this is juſt ſo much gain, and pre-
vents that pitting of bogs, that renders them deformed and pernicious to the
cattle.
6thly. Where a bog is pitted, he is to cut a paſſage from one pit to the next
for the water, and ſo make a communication to the common drain, and if his
pits be once dried, there will grow graſs or heath at the bottom, fit for gra-
zing; and they will be ſhelter for cattle in ſtorms.
7thly. When his bog is dried, it is thereby made better turf: and then he is
to ſet out a part of it for that uſe, and to oblige them to cut it clear away; and
the bog being removed, the bottom will make good meadow; as I have ſeen in
the county of Long ford.
8thly.

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
III
ز
8thly. If he would improve his bog any further than grazing; he muſt do it
either by cutting off the ſurface of the bog and burning it, or elſe by bringing
earth and laying on it: fanding or rather indeed gravelling is a great improve-
ment in this country; the land ſo manured will bring corn 12 or 14 years, and
would bring graſs, if people did not plow it ſo long, as to conſume all the ſub-
ftance of it, and deſtroy the roots of the graſs, which are not to be recovered
in many years, and then they ſay gravelling is bad for graſs; but the contrary
apparent, eſpecially in bogs. I have obſerved by the way ſide where thoſe
ways paſs thro' bogs, if a little earth hath fallen on the bog, as ſome times there
doth fall a little of that which they bring to mend the high way, it has turn-
ed the bog into a green ſod, with a very fine fcutch graſs on it and I doubt
not but the fame charges, that ſands or gravels land, would reduce a dried bog;
even to be arable: but this requires time and experience, which I doubt not but
will find out many compendious and eaſy methods of performing theſe things,
more than we can think of.
"Twere natural to add ſomething concerning loughs, and turloughs : the na-
tural improvement of loughs, or lakes, is firſt to drain them as low as we can;
and then turn the reſidue of the water into fiſh-ponds, by planting a few trees
about them, and ordering them thus, they may be made both uſeful, and orna-
mental.
As to thoſe places we call turloughs, quaſi Terreni lacus, or land-lakes; they an-
fwer the name very well, being lakes one part of the year of confiderable depth;
and very ſmooth fields the reft: if my memory does not fail me, Dr. Brown de-
fcribes exactly the like in Hungary, or elſe in the way between Vienna and Ve-
nice; there are in theſe, holes out of which the water riſeth in winter, and go-
eth away towards ſummer, many hundred acres being drowned by them; and
thoſe the moſt pleaſant, and profitable land in the country: the ſoil is common-
ly a marl, which, by its ſtiffneſs, hinders the water from turning it into a bog:
and immediately when the water is gone, it hardens, ſo that you ride thro' an
even graſsy field; theſe, if they could be drained, would be fit for any uſe, would
make meadow, or bear any grain; but eſpecially rape; which is very profitable.
They are chiefly in Connaught; and their cauſe is obvious enough, it is a ſtony
hilly country; the hills have cavities in them, through which the water paſſes :
it is common to have a rivulet ſink on one ſide of a hill, and riſe a mile, or half
a mile, from the place: the brooks are generally dry in ſummer; the water that
ſhould be in them, finking between the rocks, and running under ground ; in
ſo much as that in ſome places where they are overflowed in winter, they are
forced in ſummer to ſend their cattle many miles for water. There is one place
on a hill near Tuam, between two of theſe turloughs, where there is a hole the
fuperſtitious people call the Devils Mill, and make fables concerning it: if you
ſtand by this place, you will hear a great noiſe, like that of a water under a
bridge: where there is a flood in winter, one of the turloughs overflows, and
vents it ſelf into the hole, and the noiſe doth, in all likelyhood, proceed from
a ſubterraneous ſtream; which in ſummer has room enough to vent all ics wa-
cer;

II 2
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
bras
ter; but in winter, when rains fall, the paſſages between the rocks cannot vent
the water, and therefore it regurgitates, and covers the flats.
A
A
B NB Grace
D N D
H Η
G
Let G H be a plain parallel to the horizon; let A A A be a hill; B N B a
fat; CCC another hill; DND another ffat; and E E E another hill: let
LIM be a ſubterraneous rivulet, that runs under the ſurface of the earth ; at
M let there be a narrow paſſage, which can only vent ſuch a quantity of wa-
ter; the head of the river above L is ſuppoſe higher than the flat B N B or
DN D, the current ſuppoſe is ſwoln with rain, and brings more water to M,
than can país: it is plain the reſt muſt fill the paſſage L I and at laſt burſt out
at N N, the holes ſuppos’d in the flats, and cover the flats: and by theſe means
the whole country in the winter ſeems full of lakes; and again in ſummer, when
the paſſage M is big enough for the water of the rivulet, the water ſubſides
and falls thro' the holes N N into the fubterranean paſſages, and in a little time
leaves the flats dry till the next year.
Theſe turloughs are hard to drain, often they are encircled with hills, and
then 'tis not to be expected: often they have a vent by which they ſend out a
conſiderable ſtream, and then it is only making that paſſage as low, as the bot-
tom of the flat, and that will prevent the overflowing: it ſometimes happens
that the flats are as low as the neighbouring rivulets, and in probability are fil-
led; and then it is not only neceſſary to make the paſſage from the flat to the
rivulet, but likewiſe to ſink the rivulet, which is very troubleſome: common-
ly the paſſage to be cut is rocky, having never ſeen any of them cut, I can on-
ly ſay thus much;
1. Before they begin, a ſurveyor ought to take the level of the flat with the
place into which the vent is to be made, and if the place be lower the vent is
poſſible.
2. A good computation ought to be made, what the vent will coſt ? how
much land it will drain? what the land is worth per acre, as it is? and what it
will yield when drain’d? and by that he will ſee, whether it be worth the while
to attempt it.
3. The holes N N ought to be opened, and digged, and fenced about, that
graſs, and other dirt, may not get into them: for by this means the water will,
in its ordinary courſe, get fooner away: and laſtly, they are to be eaten very
bare towards the end of ſummer, that as little graſs as is poſſible may be ſpoilt
by the water.
I. Part


Page 113
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40
North
60 Perches, each Perch 21 Foot.
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6.

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
113
I. Part of a Letter dated June 7. 1697. giving an Account of a moving bog in
Ireland.
N the 7th day of June, 1697. near Charleville, in the County of Limerick,
O
in Ireland, a great rumbling, or faint noiſe was heard in the earth, much
like unto the ſound of thunder near ſpent ; for a little ſpace the air was fome-
what troubled with little whisking winds, ſeeming to meet contrary ways :
and ſoon after that, to the great terror and Afrightment of a great number of
fpectators, a more wonderful thing happened; for in abog ſtretching north and
ſouth, the earth began to move, viz. meadow and paſture land that lay on the
ſide of the bog, and ſeparated by an extraordinary large ditch, and other land
on the further ſide adjoining to it; and a riſing, or little hill, in the middle of
the bog hereupon funk flat.
This motion began about ſeven of the clock in the evening, fluctuating in
its motion like waves, the paſture-land riſing very high, ſo that it over-run the
ground beneath it, and moved upon its furface, rowling on with great puſh-
ing violence, till it had covered the meadow, and is held to remain upon it 16
feet deep.
In the motion of this earth, it drew after it the body of the bog, part of it
lying on the place where the paſture-land that moved out of its place it had be-
fore, ftood; leaving great breaches behind it, and ſpewings of water that caſt
up noiſom vapours: and ſo it continues at preſent, to the great wonderment of
thoſe that paſs by, or come many miles to be eye witneſſes of ſo ſtrange a thing.
I.
A true deſcription of the bog of Kapanihane, upon the eſtate of Brook Bridges Eſq;
in the county of Limerick, near Charleville; with an account of the motion
thereof on the 7th day of June, 1697. in the afternoon, which laſted about half
an hour. Communicated by W. Molyneux, Eſq.
the ,
and 32 perches; D firm pafture-land (but of a courſe, boggy ſubſtance)
containing 4 acres 3 roods. The line 1, 2. was a hedge of large ath and wil-
low trees between the meadow and the firm land. 3, 4. was the edge of the
bog next to the paſture. The prickt lines from 3, to s. and from 4, to 6. few
the limits or bounds of the bog.
2. The meadow C was lower by a deſcent of 5 foot than the paſture D, and
the paſture D was lower by 6 foot than the ſurface of the bog: and there was
yet a conſiderable riſing and hill, as at E, the height whereof was above 10
foot above the ſurface of the bog; ſo that there was a deſcent from E to the
meadow.
3. Now I come to its motion, and will prelume to ſew the cauſe in brief.
A more than ordinary wet ſpring occaſion’d a prodigious ſwelling of the height
of the bog at E, and at length moiſten’d the whole, but chiefly the under part
P
there-

114
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
thereof, the water foaking to the bottom. By this means the turfy hill E be-
ing as it were undermin’d, naturally funk down, and conſequently preſs’d the
bog on all hands, chiefly towards the deſcent; till the paſture D was forced on
the meadow C, overturning the intermediate hedge. So that the line 3, 4. is
now become 1, 2, and the meadow and the whole bog are level, only there are
chalms and great cracks throughout the whole ſurface of the bog, repreſented
by the ſtroaks about E. The bog contains 40 acres.
Whereas ſome conceive that this motion cannot be naturally explained, for
two reaſons; Firſt, That no quantity of water was diſcovered on the ſaid Mo.
tion. Secondly, That no conſiderable deſcent appears now to the ſpectators.
As to the Firſt, I know that there was a quantity of water. And as to the Lat-
ter, I know alſo that there was a deſcent, as I have deſcribed it. My cauſe of
knowledge is, that I hold farms from the ſaid Brook Bridges Eſq; joining to,
and bounding with the ſaid bog, and was acquainted with the ſame before the
motion.
An Account of the Subſiding or Sinking down of Part of a Hill near Clogher in
Ireland. Communicated by the Right Reverend the Lord Biſhop of Clogher,
F. R. S.
ET S. T. in the Figure 2. repreſent part of the ridge of an hill, gradually
L
the hill, with a declivity from S. to U. and from T. to W. The perpendicular
height at X. to the plain of the bottom at Y. Iso feet, and the ſlope line or
hypotenuſe X. Y. 630 feet.
The declivity pretty uniform from X. to L. and from L. to Y. conſiderably
ſteeper: The bank A. E. F. D. overgrown with ſhrubby wood: All the ground
on the ſide of the hill being firm, green, and arable; of a mix'd foil, clay and
gravel, but more clayey.
On Tueſday the roth of March, 1712-13. in the morning, the people obſer-
ved a crack in the ground like a furrow made with the plough, going round
from A. by B. C. to D. They imputed this to ( what they call) a thunderbolt;
becauſe there had been thunder and lightning on Monday night. But on Tuef-
day evening an hideous dull noiſe raiſed their curioſity; and they obſervềd that
the whole ſpace A. B. G. D. containing about three Iriſh(i.e. 4. Engliſh) acres,
had been all day in a gentle motion: And the noiſe continued all night, occafi-
oned by the rubbing of buſhes, tearing of roots, rending and tumbling of earth.
The motion ceas’d on Wedneſday after noon; when they ſaw the buſhes on the
bank E. F. were remov’d, ſome ſtanding and fome overthrown, to the plain
meadow.Y... The green ground above E. F. when it came to the top of the
ſteep part at E. F. rent with hideous chaſms, ten, fifteen, or twenty feet deep,
and tumbled down in rolls of a yard or two thick, and ten or twenty long and
broad


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The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
IIS
broad; not unlike a ſmooth water breaking over a cataract, and tumbling in
waves below.
There was a precipice at the top X. *. 65 feet perpendicular, making the
ſlope line X. X. 126 feet. The ground from x.to L. was made more level, the
whole perpendicular height of x. not exceeding the plain of L. above 30 feet;
but the ground at L. in the whole line from E. to F. was mounted above 20
feet higher than the unmoved ground on either fide at E. and F. and the height
of L. above the plain of y. is 55 feet.
There was a ditch H. I. went croſs the ground; which being broken off at
0.0.is removed together with the moving part 34 feet lower down than the
immoveable; but at the bottom y. it is tumbled 60 feet over the plain meadow.
The breadth at the bottom a. b. is 400 feet, and at c. d. about 300.
The whole face of the precipice X. x. is of a blue clay, mix’d with many little
blue ſtones. The mettal is very hard when dry; but upon any rain ſoftens to a
kind of mortar, without the degree of toughneſs and ſtiffneſs that is natural to
clays. It is very much like that gravel or fand (as they call it) which is ſome-
what of a grey marly nature, and with which of late they ſo much improve the
plow'd land in this country.
About x. there are chaſms or gapings full of water, which make a rill down
the Hiatus B. E. A. but in no greater quantity than might have been expected
from a well funk to a leſs depth. Though I was told that there were holes in
the higher mountains, that received water under ground; yet I can find no ſuch
thing, nor any ſymptoms of a current under ground, either where it enters or
riſes, in all the neighbouring ground for ſome miles.
It ſeems to me that there has been no vacuity under ground to receive the
ſubſiding earth; for what the bank E. L. F. is raiſed higher, and what is tum-
bled down to the plain a. b. may very well compenſate the ſubſiding at the pre-
cipice X. x.
But I forgot to mention, that before the rupture the declivity from X. to L.
was not altogether uniform, but was hollower where x. is now, than the adja-
cent parts : It might have been, by the deſcription I have from the people, 10
feet deep in the middle, and 100 feet diameter; and they have a tradition, that
this was made by a ſubſiding before the forty one wars, (the oldeſt epocha the
the country Iriſh know.)
It lyes in the lands of Slat-beg, two Engliſh miles ſouthweſt of Clogher, on Mr.
Mowtray's eſtate.
I have enquired diligently of the neighbours, if they found any ſhocks or in-
dications of an earthquake, but don't find the leaſt appearance of any.
They impute it to the great and conſtant rains we have had laſt harveſt and
winter, which have foak’d and ſteep'd all the ground, but cannot gueſs after what
manner they ſhould produce this effect; for it is impoſſible any water ſhould
ſtand on the ground or in the vicinity, it being all on the declivity of the hill.
P a
A Letter

116
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I
A Letter from the learned and ingenious Mr. Will. Molyneux Secretary to the Society
of Dublin, to Will. Muſgrave L.L.B. Fellow of New Colledge, and Secretary
to the Philoſophical Society of Oxford, for advancement of natural Knowledge ;
concerning Lough Neagh in Ireland, and its petrifying Qualities.
SIR,
N anſwer to the Oxford Society's query concerning our Lough Neagh and its
petrifying qualities, I make this return.
1. That it is generally agreed by all the inhabitants thereabouts, that it
has that quality, but yet I have a letter by me from a gentleman (unknown to
me, and therefore I will not promiſe for his credit or the fidelity of his enquiry)
that poſitively denies that there is any ſuch thing, but afferts that the ſtones, thao
are brought to us as petrify'd wood, are found deep in fand hills in the country
adjoyning to the lough, alledging as an experiment, that a gentleman of his ac-
quaintance, ſtuck an oak ſtake into the lough twenty years ago, which there re-
mains unaltered. But I conceive this aſſertion to be without ground, and the
experiment falſly made; for firſt 'tis agreed by all that no wood will petrify in
this lough, except holly, ſo that his applying an oak ſtake was improper; ſe-
condly, for their being found in ſand hills, they may eaſily be ſuppoſed in pro-
ceſs of time to have been brought thither, and left there: for I do not find he
aſſerts that they are found ſo deep in thoſe hills that have not been dug up; and
thirdly, it is with ſome probability aſſerted (and I have a letter from an under-
ftanding perſon thereabouts confirming it) that the earth about Lough Neagh has
this petrifying quality, and we may well imagine that thefe fand hills eſpecially,
are not deſtitute thereof; for I am certainly informed, that a gentleman of the
country about this lough a little before the rebellion cut down ſome timber for
building, and amongſt others cut down a large holly tree, but being diverted by
the rebellion from building, his timber lay on the ground in the place where it
was felld, upon the banks of the lough, all the miſerable time of the war; till
at laſt, the kingdom being ſettled, the gentleman went to look for his timber,
and found the other timber overgrown with moſs, and the holly petrified, tho?
the water of the lough had never reach'd it.
query whether the holly it felf, that grows upon the banks of this lough,
may not be more apt to be petrifi’d, than the ſame wood growing other where,
and brought thither, and put into the lough, for certainly if the ground has this
quality, this is very likely to follow.
3. That what we call Lough Neagh ſtone was once wood, is moſt probable on
theſe accounts, first it will not ſtir with acids, which is a property obſerved by
Dr. Grew on fome petrify'd woods, in the Muſeum R. S.p.270. tho' the doctor
does there make it an argument for his ſuſpecting they are Lapides ſui generis.
Secondly, the Lough Neagh ſtone will burn and flame; and the ſmoak of it ſmells
like the ſmoak of wood. Thirdly, when burnt it betrays the very grain of wood,
with the other veſſels belonging to vegetables. But that which confirms mea-
bove all, that theſe ſtones were once wood is, becauſe I have many of them by
me of various degrees of petrification, I ſuppoſe according to the time they re-
mained
2.
I

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
117
mained in the water, which I could never hear juſtly determined; ſome that
have clearly loſt the colour of wood, and are become perfectly black, and very
hard; others that are not ſo black nor hard; but one more eſpecially was ſent
me about a year ago, which is a parallelepiped of about four inches long and an
inch thick, cut I ſuppoſe whilſt wood into that ſhape purpoſely, whoſe outward
coat is very black and finooth, but this is merely ſuperficial, for being cleft
longwiſe thro' the middle (which it fuffer'd far more eaſily than that which is
more throughly petrify’d) I there diſcovered the whole body perfectly of the co-
lour and grain of holly, for I can ſcrape it with my nail; but what was moſt
ſurprizing in it was the diſcovery of the pith, as plainly and as perfectly diſtinct
in colour and texture from the reſt (but it alſo was petrify’d) as it could poſſibly
have been ſeen in the natural wood; that this piece when wood was cut into
this ſhape on purpoſe to try the experiment, I am induced to believe on theſe
accounts, firſt no tree grows in the ſhape of the parallalepepid; and that this is
not a ſtone appears from the inward texture, differing ſo much from the out-
ward coat, and from the ſmoothneſs of the outward coat, and roughneſs inward-
ly, which ſmoothneſs could never be induced ſince it was a ſtone, for if you
grind it, ſo as in the leaſt to wear off the outward black coat, the rough white
inſide ſhews it ſelf immediately.
4. What the learned phyſician Anſelm Boetius aſſerts in his Hiſtoria lapidum &
gemmarum is certainly falſe, viz. that that part of the wood that is buried in the
mud will become iron, that part touch'd by the water becomes ſtone, and that
above the water remains wood, for I never have ſeen or could hear of any part
of the ſtone in the leaſt reſembling iron.
F. I have uſed ſome endeavours to procure a piece of this Lough Neagh ſtone
to which the wood was yet faftned, but I never could attain it, tho’ſome aſſert
they have ſeen pieces two or three foot long with about eight or ten inches of
ſtone and the reſt wood. Tho' I am apt to believe this may be ſtretching the
matter too far, for I conceive that that humour that pecrifics one part, when it
begins to operate, infinuates it ſelf foon throughout the whole body.
6. 'Tis obſerved that this petrifying quality is not equally diffuſed throughout
the whole lough (which is about is or 16 miles long, and 8 or 9 miles broad
in all places) but is moſt ſtrong about that part where the black water (a river fo
call’d) empties it ſelf into this lough, that is about the ſouthweſt corner; as like-
wife 'tis ſaid to be more ſtrong about the edges of the lough, than further into
the water.
7. It was queried a while ago by an ingenious and learned member of the R.
S. Mr. Hally, whether Lough Neagh ſtone were not magnetical, for he was told
it was; but upon tryal I find it is not, for it will not ſtir a needle, or ftecl fil-
ings, neither will it apply to the magnet, in pouder or calcin'd.
This is all that offers it ſelf at preſent relating to the query of the Oxford ſom
ciety, if any thing more occur, they ſhall be informed thereof by
Their moſt obliged humble Servant,
William Molyneux..

118
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
An ingenuous Retractation
of the ſeventh and laſt Paragraph of Mr. William Mo-
lyneux's Letter in the Philoſophical tranſactions, Numb. 158. pag. 554. concerning
Lough Neagh Stone and its non application to the Magnet upon calcination. Bea
ing an abſtract of a Letter of the ſame ingenious Gentleman dated from Dublin
November 25. 1684.
.
T!
IS now a good while ſince I gave you ſome account of our Lough
Neagh ſtone and its petrifying qualities, which I hear you have
thought worthy to inſert in one of your Tranſactions; in which diſcourſe I muſt
defire you to correct one paragraph, and undeceive the world in a particular there
mentioned; which is that Lough Neagh ftone, neither crude nor calcin'd, would
apply to the magnet: that it will not do ſo crude, I ſtill affirm; but that it does
not apply calcin’d, I muſt retract: for I find by further tryal, that it applies cal-
cin’d moſt briskly, and in great quantities, to the magnet: the occaſion of my
former error being, that I did not calcine it long enough. If upon a fit oppor-
tunity you would do me juſtice in this particular, you will much oblige me, and
vindicate my credit. Sir, I am
Your moſt humble Servant,
William Molyneux.
Some Obſervations upon Lough-Neagh in Ireland. In a Letter from
Francis Nevil Eſq; to the Lord Biſhop of Clogher.
Belturbet, Feb. 12. 1712-13.
I
My Lord,
Hope it will not be amiſs to give your lordſhip an account of what I have
heard and obſerv'd of our conſiderable lake Lough Neagh, ſo much talk'd
of for its changing wood into itone, which report is too much credited by
fome, who do yet live near the lough; but I can aſſure your lordſhip, there is
no ſuch petrifying quality in that water. I lived fourteen years in Dungannon,
within five miles of it, and was very often there, about the skirts, for many
miles, and in a boat upon it ſeveral times. I have taken the ſurvey of a great
part of the ſhore thereof, when I drew the ſcheme for making the Glan-bog na-
vigable, from the lough thro' part of the upper Bann to Newry; which was
done at ſuch a time as the waters were very low, and a large ſtrand left in ſeve-
ral places: and many trees lay in the verge of the lough, which I believe might
ſome of them have lain there ſome hundreds of years, which had been overturn'd
by

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
119
by the lough's encroaching on the land, where great woods had grown; and
many roots of great trees were ſtanding in their proper places, where the water
had prevailed on the land, and no alteration in the wood at all, but it was firm,
found wood, without any petrifaction.
I have had an occaſion, among other things, to talk to Mr. Brownlow upon
this ſubject, a great part of his eſtate in Ardmagh, lying contiguous to the lough';
and he told me, that he did believe that there was not any petrifying quality in
the water; for that he had made ſeveral tryals, and had ordered holly itakes to
be driven into the ground within the verge of the lough, and that ſome of them
continued there many years, but that he found no alteration.
Yet notwithſtanding all this, there has been great quantities of ſuch fort of ſtone,
like unto wood, found upon the ſtrand after great floods and ſtorms of wind,
which have put the lough into a ferment; the waves breaking down the banks,
incroaching on the land and tumbling over trees, by which incroachment this fort
of ſtones are diſcovered: and if ever they were wood, they were petrified by the
earth, and not by the water, of which kind I have ſeen ſeveral pieces big and
little, ſome like oak, fome aſh, and ſome like holly, with bark, grain, and knots
like wood; ſo that any by the eye would judge it wood, till they come to try
it. I had a piece about fixteen inches long, that look'd as if it had been a great
chip cut out of the ſide of an oak block, with the bark on it; and in cutting
fuch chips, there happens generally ſome ſhakes or flaws in ſuch large chips, fo
that there will be a ſeparation of parts at one end, and they remain firm at the
other, as it was in this. I could have raiſed ſeveral of ſuch ſplinters of this large
chip, ſome bigger and ſome leſs; and when ſo raiſed, they would have flappd
down as tho' they were a ſpring. Some of theſe ſtones would appear at one end
if rotten, and decay'd wood; but trying it, it was as much ſtone as any other
part.
Now as to the lake it ſelf, your lordſhip has ſeen it, and I may forbear to give
your lordſhip an account of the boundaries thereof: however, it is reputed to be
twenty four miles long, and twelve miles broad, and navigable from Charlemount
to Portlenone, which is about thirty five miles. It does not abound with many
forts of fith, but thoſe that are very good, ſuch as falmon, trout, pike, breame,
roch, eels and pollans, with which laſt it does abound : The Engliſh call them
freſh water herrings, for want of another name; for pollan is an Iriſh name.
They catch them in the ſummer with feives, as they do herrings, and they are
a great relief to the poor, being very cheap: they are much in ihape and bigneſs
like to the largeſt ſmelts, full of very large bright ſcales, and pleaſant meat, be-
ing eat freſh. Theſe were ſuppoſed to be a peculiar fiſh to that lake; but ſince
I came here, I find Lough Earne has the ſame fort, but not in ſo great plenty.
They are generally caught here in their eel-nets, running to the ſea; ſo that I
am of opinion, that they are that fort of fiſh that is caught in the fea, or be-
tween the freſh and ſalt-water, callid ſhads; and that the large ones come from
the ſea, as the ſalmon doth, and leave their ſpawn in the lough; which, when
they grow to be big, go to the ſea, and there come to their full grovth: and
that which confirms me in my opinion is, that at the ſalmon filing at Colraine,
they
as

I 20
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland
they catch many of the large ones going up to the lough. There is one fort of
trout in Lough Neagh very large: I have ſeen one weigh thirty pound weight;
and the largeſt ſalmon that I ever fuw weigh'd not more than thirty five. This
fort of trout the Iriſh call a Budagh.
That there is ſome healing quality in the water of this lough, is certain ; but
whether diffus'd through all parts thereof is not known, nor pretended. There
is a certain bay in it, call'd the Fiſhing-bay, which is about half a mile broad :
it is bounded by the ſchool-lands of Dungannon, hath a fine ſandy bottom, not
a pebble in it, ſo that one may walk with ſafety and eaſe from the depth of his
ankle to his chin, upon an eaſy declivity, at leaſt three hundred yards before a
man ſhall come to that depth. I have been in it ſeveral times, when multitudes
have been there, and at other times; and I have always obſerv'd, that as I have
walk'd, the bottom has chang’d from cold to warm, and from warm to cold,
and this in different ſpots through the bay. Several have made the ſame obſer-
vation.
The firſt occaſion of taking notice of this bay for cure, happened to be no
longer ago than in the reign of King Charles II. and was thus; There was one
Mr. Cunningham, that lived within a few miles of the place, who had an on-
ly fon grown to man's eſtate. This young man had the evil to that degree, that
it run upon him in eight or ten places : he had been touch'd by the king, and
all means imaginable us’d for his recovery; but all did no good, and his body
was ſo waſted, that he could not walk. When all hopes of his recovery were
paſſed, he was carried to the lough, where he was waſhed and bathed; and in
eight days time, bathing each day, all the fores were dry’d up, and he became
cured, and grew very healthy, married, begot children, and liv'd nine or ten
years after. This account I had from Capt. Morris, and his brother, who were
eye-witneſſes, and at whoſe houſe the young man lay, while he continued to
bathe there. After ſo remarkable a cure, many came there, who had running
ſores upon them, and were cured after a little time. The natives thought it
could not do well, but upon ſome particular time appropriated for that ſervice;
and now great crowds come there on Midſummer-eve, of all ſorts of fick ; and
fick cattle are brought there likewiſe and driven into the water for their cure ;
and people do believe they receive benefit. I know it dries up running ſores,
and cures the rheumatiſm, but not with once bathing, as people now uſe it ;
and the drinking the water, I am told, will ſtop the flux. I look upon it to be
one of the pleaſanteſt bathing-places I ever faw. I am, &c.
FRAN. NEVIL.
An

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I 21
3
An Anſwer to ſome Queries propoſed by Mr. William Molyneux, concerning Lough-
Neagh : by Mr. Edward Smyth, Fellow of Trinity-college in Dublin.
Hether Lough-Neagh hath really the quality of petrifying wood? To this
I
hear of) can prove the lough has this petrifying quality; or that the water does
any way help or promote the petrification ; for that two experiments made by
a gentleman of worth and good credit ( whole estate lies contiguous to the lough,
and whoſe curioſity prompted him to a more diligent ſearch into this matter)
plainly prove the contrary. For about 19 years ago, he ftuck two holly-ſtakes
(a wood which all agrec will ſooneſt petrifie in this bough) in two ſeveral pla-
ces of the lough, near that place where the upper band enters into it; and that
part of the ſtake, which for ſo long time has been waſhed by the water, re-
mains there without any alteration, or the least advance towards petrification
as for that part of the itake which is covered by the mud or earth, he has not
yet looked on it, but promiſes to do it this ſummer, taking advantage of the fall
of the lough, and that too, which report makes the weakeſt, and moſt unfit
for this operation, may ſeem not to conclude univerſally of the whole lough ;
yet a reaſonable cauſe of doubting that, which ought to be, yet never was back-
ed by any faithful experiment; and I therefore believe it fabulous; for that had
the lough any ſuch vertue, it would moſt probably be diffuſed in ſome meaſure
through the whole. This is true of thoſe lakes whoſe peculiarities are relat-
ed by Varenius; and this ſeems evident from the very nature of liquid bodies;
for the parts of all liquid bodies being in a conſtant motion, and mixing with one
another, any vertue received in one part, muſt neceſſarily be diffuſed thro' the
whole, at leaſt in ſome degree, but the ſtakes in this experiment had not ſuffer-
ed the leaſt alteration laſt ſummer, tho' they had been almoſt three times ſeven
years in the water.
2. Whether this quality be equally diffuſed throughout the whole lough, or be more
ſtrong in any particular parts thereof? Becauſe there have been no certain experi-
ments made upon all parts of the lough, and much time required to make this
trial we cannot expect a ſpeedy reſolution of this query; report for the weſt ſide,
and Dr. Boat (an author for whoſe fidelity I vouch not) in his Natural Hiſtory of
Ireland, tells us that as his brother inform’d him, who lived in thoſe parts, that
water has eſpecially this vertue about thoſe places, where the black Water diſchar-
ges it ſelf into the lake, but confeſſes he never could find any perſon who him-
felf had made the trial, and therefore had this information from report, or ſome
other way equally uncertain: ſo that there is ſtill good reaſon to believe the wa-
ter is wholly deſtitute of this petrifying quality.
3. What woods are petrify'd by the lough? or whether only holly? That not on-
ly holly, but alſo oak, and ſome other wood has been petrified about this lough,
and in the ſoil adjacent, I have ſufficient grounds to conjecture on this account;
becauſe ſome fiſhermen, being tenants of a gentleman from whom I had this re-
lation, told him, they had found buried in the mud of this lough great trees,
with

I 2 2
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
with all their roots and branches petrified; and ſome of that bignels, that they
believ'd they could ſcarcely be drawn by a teem of oxen. They broke off ſe-
veral branches as big as a man's leg, and many bigger, but could not move the
great trunk. If we may credit this relation, we muſt allow ſome other woods
to be petrified beſide holly, for holly never grows to that bigneſs; the largeſt
trees being ſcarcely by a third part ſo big ; ſo that allowing for the unexactneſs
and unfaithfulneſs of the fiſhermens relation; we have grounds to believe this
wood was other than holly; my chief reaſon for gueſſing it oak is the bulk; no
trees in that country, theſe excepted, growing to that prodigious bigneſs : be-
fides there is much timber found in the mud on fand on the banks, ſuch as deal,
&c. but no oak, ſo that I believe what oak was undermined by the water, was
covered with mud, and ſo petrified into ſtone, and of this ſort might that be
which the fiſhermen found; for if ſome part of that ground which is now co-
vered by the water, was formerly wood, as is on good grounds believed by thoſe
that live thereabouts, as it is probable there was much oak in the wood, ſo it
is probable there is much buried in the lough; deal and other trees are found here
without any alteration, but what they might ſuffer in any other water.
4. Whether the wood or holly, brought from other places, be as apt to be petrifi-
ed, as what grows in the grounds adjacent to the lough? If, as I ſhall make out in
my anſwer to the laſt query, this virtue of petrifying does certainly, if not ſolely
reſide in the ſoil contiguous to this lough, moſt certainly trees that imbibe ſome
of this petrifying vertue, or theſe lapideous particles with their nouriſhment, as
being already diſpos’d for it, will be more eaſily altered into ſtone.
5. What time is requiſite to petrifie a piece of a determined bigneſs? I heard of
no experiment which can reſolve this query, but what report tells us of ſeven
years is certainly a fable as to the water, I know of no body who has made tri-
al of the ſoil.
6. Whether any has ſeen the ſame body partly wood and partly ſtone? I was in
formed by two gentlemen of the north, that this may be frequently ſeen, who
alledged they themſelves had ſeen the fame body, wood and ſtone. But the on-
ly reaſon for thinking fo, being the diverſity of colours which might well enough
proceed from ſeveral degrees of petrifaction, we may probably think them de-
ceived: for they made no experiments on that part which they reputed wood.
They further told me, that part of the body which touched the ſurface of the
water was the partition between the petrified and unpetrified part of it; this
further confirms me, they were impos'd on. This ſtone had been often found
one part of it rotten and petrified, the other remaining firm and uſeful : but
this it has common with other ſtones: whether it became rotten in the wood
or ſtone, may be doubted.
7. Whether the bark has been ſeen petrified, as well as the wood ? The bark is
never found petrified, as I am informed by a diligent inquirer, but often fome-
thing rotten about the ſtone anſwerable to the bark.
8. Whether any one has certainly made experiment of the lough's petrifying, by put-
ting a piece of wood therein, and there letting it ly till it was petrified? Several pie-
ces

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I 23
ces of holly have been put into the lough, but none, that I ever heard of, was
ever taken out in any wiſe altered.
9. Whether there be any Sand-pits nigh about the lough in which theſe pieces of
wood (we eſteem petrified) are found ? I never could hear of any ſuch fand-pits,
nor that this perrifying vertue was ſtronger in any ſuch places; there is a great-
er quantity of theſe ſtones found in the adjacent ground, and when ground is
newly broke, ordinarily turned up in plowing:
10. Whether the earth, or ſand about this lough be indued with this quality? That
this virtue is certainly, if not only, in the ground or foil I judge for theſe rea-
ſons, that there are many ſtones turned up daily eſpecially at their breaking up
new ground; which we cannot in any probability think were brought thither;
they are often found at two miles diſtance from the lough, ſeldom further, in
great numbers, and very deep in the ground; now for what uſe and reaſon they
ſhould be brought thither I can't imagine : but becauſe there may lie excepti-
ons againſt this reaſon I ſhall produce another, which I believe will plainly prove
this aſſertion, it being matter of fact. The gentleman on whoſe credit I recei-
ved this information, bad occaſion one day to ſurvey a part of his own land, and
at a ſmall diſtance from the lough, he ſaw a ſtump of a tree juſt digged out of
the ground, which by handling of it he found petrified ; his ſervant that dig-
ged it up, ſtanding by him, told him he had juſt rooted it out of the ground:
he aſſured me the roots and all were ſtone, and altogether like thoſe ſtones that
are ordinarily found and go by the name of Lough Neagh ſtones. This certain-
ly proves the ſoil to have this petrifying virtue, which was never yet proved of
the water. This gentleman was of opinion theſe were lapides ſui generis, till this
obſervation convinced him: and I believe the wood, which I before mentioned
that was found by the fiſhermen petrified, ows its petrification to the ſoil, and
not to the water. But that theſe ſtones were once wood is I think very cer-
tain, for they few the plain veſtigia of wood, they likewiſe burn, cleave; fi-
lings of this ſtone thrown in the fire emit a fragrant ſmell : they cut kindly
with a knife, though not ſo eaſily, as other wood: but had they none of theſe
properties, the inſtance now alledged, I think, is as convincing as demonſtra-
tion.
ز
An Inundation in Ireland, by Dr. Hook.
JUNE
NE 26th. 1680. an innundation happened not far from Londonderry in Ire-
land, more monſtrous than that in Gaſcoygne. 'Tis ſuſpected that both pro-
ceeded from ſome extraordinary change in the ſubterraneous caverns of thoſe hills
from whence the water guſhed, very few mountains being without them.
sub brisalo 2
22
A

I24
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
A Letter from Mr. Neve of Maghrafelt in the North of Ireland, to the reverend
Mr. W. Derham, F.RS, giving an account of ſome Inundations in Ireland.
НЕ
E tells, that on October 7. 1706. after a very rainy day, and ſoutherly
wind, there happened a prodigious flood (the like not in the memo-
ry of man) which brake down ſeveral bridges, and the ſides of ſome of the moun-
tains in that part of Ireland. That it came running down in vaſt torrents from
ſome of the mountains, and drowned abundance of black cattle and ſheep, fpoil-
ed a great deal of corn and hay in the ſtacks, that it laid abundance of houſes two
or three foot deep in water, and brake down ſeveral of the forge and mill-dams.
Alſo on July 3, 1707. they had another flood, which came ſo ſuddenly from
the mountains, as if there had been ſome ſudden eruption of the waters. And
alſo on the 26th of the fame month, in the county of Antrim, there was a very
ſudden and ſurprizing flood, which raiſed the Six-mile-river (ſo call?d) at that rate,
that it brake down two ſtrong ſtone bridges, and three houſes, and carried away
600 pieces of linnen-cloath, that lay a bleaching, fill'd many houſes ſeveral feet
deep with water, tore down ſome large rocks in its paſſage, and left ſeveral mea-
dows covered a foot or two deep with fand. That they in the ſoutheaſt part of
the county of Derry had that day but little rain with ſome thunder: But beyond
the mountains, in the northweſt part of the county, the river Roe had a great
flood.
WH
A Relation of the firange effects of Thunder and Lightning, which happened at Mrs
Cloſe's Houſe at New-Forge, in the County of Down in Ireland, on the oth of Au-
guft, 1707. Communicated by Samuel Molyneux Eſq; Secretary of the Philoſo-
phical Society at Dublin.
7Hen I went to wait upon this gentle woman, about a fortnight after, to
inform my ſelf in all the particulars of this extraordinary accident, the
then told me, that the whole day was cloſe, hot and ſultry, little or no wind
ftirring until towards the evening; that there was a ſmall breeze with ſome miz-
ling rain, which laſted about an hour; that as the air darkned after ſun-fet, the
faw ſeveral faint flaſhes of lightning, and heard ſome thunder claps as at a dift-
ance; that between ten and eleven a clock both were very violent and terrible,
and ſo increaſed and came on more frequent until a little before 12 a clock; that
one flaſh of lightning and clap of thunder came both at the ſame time louder and
more dreadful than all the reſt, which, as the thought, ſhook and inflamed the
whole houſe; and being ſenſible at that inſtant of a violent ſtrong fulphureous
ſmell in her chamber, which ſhe did not perceive before now, and feeling a thick
groſs duſt falling on her hands and face as the lay in bed, ſhe concluded no leſs
than that part of her houſe was thrown down by the thunder, or ſet on fire by
the lightning; that arifing in this fright, ſhe called up her family, and candles
being lighted, the found her bed-chamber full of ſmoak and duſt, as alſo the kit-
chin


Page 125.
nupybirth fo afime
Glass
Ped Chamber
W
Kitcbin
Cheming
Crip of
Brick

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
125
chin that was beneath it: the reſt of the houſe being ſafe, ſhe was not follici-
tous at that time about any other damage the might have ſuſtained, more than
that ſhe obſerved the looking-glaſs that hung in her chamber to be broken.
The next day again the found upon further ſearch and inquiry, that part of
the top or cornith of the chimney, which ſtood without that gabel-end of the
houſe where her chamber was, was ſtruck oft; that part of the copeing of che
ſplay of the gabl-end it ſelf was broken down, and the thingles on the roof ad-
joyning thereto (to the number of 12 or 16 ) were raiſed or ruffled, but none
Shatter'd or carry'd away; that part of the ceiling in her chamber beneath thoſc
ihingles was forc'd down, and part of the plaiſter and pinning ſtones of the ad-
joining wall, was alſo broken off and looſened, (the whole breach 16 or 20 in-
ches broad.) That at this place there was left on the wall a ſmutted ſcar or trace,
as if made black by the ſmoak of a candle, which was directed downwards to-
wards another place on the ſame wall whereon a breach was alſo made as the for-
mer, and of the ſame dimenſions, part of which was behind the place where the
looking-glafs did hang; that the boards on the back of a large hair trunk full of
table and other linnen, ſtanding beneath the looking-glaſs were forced in, and
ſplinter'd as if by the blow of a ſmith's fledge; that two parts of three of the
linnen within this trunk were pierced or cut through, the cut appearing of
a quadrangular figure, and between two or three inches over; that the end
of the trunk was likewife forced out, as the back was drove in; that at a-
bout two foot diſtance from the end of this trunk (where the floor and the ſide
wall of the houſe joind) there was a ſmall breach made in the plaiſter, where a
ſmall chink or crevice was to be ſeen between the ſide board of the floor and the
wall, ſo wide as that a man could thruſt his fingers down; and that juſt beneath
this again in the kitchin the ceiling was forced down, and ſome of the lime or
plaiſter of the wall broke oft; that exactly under this again ſtood a large tub or
veſſel of wood incloſed with a crib made of brick and lime, which was broke
and ſplinter'd all to pieces, and moſt of the brick and lime work about it forced
and ſcattered about the kitchin.
As the gentlewoman gave me this account, I went from place to place view-
ing each particular ; and as I found all was done on or near the gabel-end of the
houſe, I have endeavoured to explain this deſcription by a draught thereof, where-
in the ſeveral breaches are diſtinguiſhed: and as I conceived all to be effected by
ſome irreſiſtible body, I have alſo by two parallel lines traced out its irregular
motion. [See the Figure.]
Toto od
The further circumſtances judged material to be offered, which cannot be re-
preſented in the draught, are theſe: that the looking-glafs was broke with that
violence, that there was not a piece of it to be found of the largeneſs of half a
crown; that ſeveral pieces of it were ſticking like hail fhot in the chamber door
(being of oak) and on the other ſide of the room; that ſeveral of the edges and
corners of ſome of the pieces of the broken glafs were tinged of a light flame co-
lour, as if heated in the fire; that the curtains were cut in ſeveral pieces, thought
to be done by the pieces of the glaſs; that ſeveral pieces of muſlin and wearing
linnen, left (on going to bed) by this gentlewoman and daughter on the great
hair

I 26 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
hair trunk, were thrown and ſcattered about the room, no way ſinged or ſcorch-
ed; and yet the hair on the back of the trunk, where the breach was made, was
finged; that the uppermoſt part of the linnen within the trunk was fafe and well,
and the lowermoſt parcel, conſiſting of 350 odd ply of linnen; pierced thro',
of which none was any way ſmutted, but the uppermoſt ply of a tablecloath that
lay above all the reſt. The gentlewoman told me, there was a yellow finge or
itain perceivable on ſome part of the other linnen ſo damaged the next day; and
that the whole linnen ſmelt ſtrong of ſulphur; but neither this yellow ſtain or
ſmell was perceivable when I was there: that the glafs of two windows in the
bed-chamber above, and two windows in the kitchin beneath, was ſo ſhatter’d,
that there was ſcarce one whole pane left in any of them; that the pewter, braſs,
and iron furniture in the kitchin, particularly a large girdle about twenty pounds
weight, that hung upon an iron hook near the ceiling, was found lying on the
floor; that a cat was found dead the next morning in the kitchin, with its legs
extended as in a going poſture, in the middle of the floor, with no other ſign of
being hurt, than that the furr was finged a little about the ſetting on of the tail.
The gentlewoman told me too, that about ſome few days before this accident
happened to her, ſhe removed a table preſs-bed from the place where the hair
trunk ſtood, wherein two little girls (her daughters) uſed to lie; which ſhe look-
ed upon as a particular piece of providence.
I muſt further remark, that the wall both above and below a little window in
the ſame gabel-end was ſo ſhattered at the ſame time, that the light could be
feen through the crevices in the wall; and that upon a large ſtone on the out-
ſide of the wall beneath this window, was to be ſeen a mark, as if made by the
ſtroke of a ſmith's fledge or large iron crow, with which a ſplinter or piece of
the ſtone was broken off of ſome pounds weight. I was further inform’d, that
from the time of that great thunder-clap both the thunder and lightning dimi-
nith'd gradually, ſo that in an hour's time all was ſtill and quiet again.
O
A northern Streaming, by Mr. Neve of Maghrafelt in the North of Ireland.
N Sunday, November 16, 1707. after a froſty morning, and fair ftill day,
wind northweſterly, about half an hour after eight in the evening, there
appeared a very ſtrange light in the north. The evening was clear and ſtar-light,
only the horizon was darkned with condenſed vapours in the north, reaching, I
gueſs, 10 or is degrees above the horizon. Out of this cloud proceeded ſeve-
ral ſtreams or rays of light, like the tails of fome comets, broad below, and end-
ing in points above. Some of them extended almoſt to the tale of Urfa minor,
and all were nearly perpendicular to the horizon, and it was as bright as if the
full moon had been riſing in the cloud. But what I wondred at moſt, was the
motion of the dark and lighter parts running ſtrangely through one another in a
moment; ſometimes to the eaſt, and ſometimes to the weſt. It continued, af-
ter I firſt ſaw it, about a quarter of an hour, often changing its face and appear-
ance, as to form and light; ſometimes broken, ſometimes entire and long rays
of

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I 22
of light in the clear sky, quite ſeparate from, and above the cloud, and none be-
low in the cloud.
An Aurora Borealis at Dublin, by an unknown Hand.
T T
HE afternoon was very calm and ferene; about fix in the evening the
sky was tinged with a ſtrange kind of light, and ſome ſtreams began to
project from the north and northeaſt. One of them aroſe about N. by
E. and was nearly a ſubtenſe of an arch between that and S. W. by W; it was
a little curvated toward the fun, and what I ſaw of it (for the north part of the
horizon was conceal'd by houſes) very much reſembled the tail of a comet: about
the ſame time there was one or two which aroſe in the eaſt, aſcending obliquely
ſo as to leave the zenith ſeveral degrees to the northward.
Theſe Strie continu'd to appear and diſappear alternately till toward 8 in the
evening; they were pyramidical, and their vertices frequently projected ſeveral
degrees to the ſouth of our zenith.
Between 9 and 10 I was agreeably ſurpriz'd with a kind of coruſcation, or flaſh-
ing, that ſhew'd it ſelf between 20 and 60 degrees from the zenith, in the ſouth
or ſouth by weſt; and which from four or five, ſometimes from more places at once,
darted with a velocity not much inferior to that of lightning; and by interfering
with each other produc'd a beautiful tremour or undulation in that ſubtile va-
pour, which I cannot better illuſtrate, than by comparing it to the beams of the
fun, reflected on a ceiling from the ſurfaces of two or three baſons of water: theſe
waves of light were only viſible at the inſtant of coruſcation, and were of a pale
whitiſh colour, ſomewhat reſembling the flaſhes produced by the violent agita-
tion of quickſilver in an exhauſted receiver ; but ſo ſtrong that a gentleman who
about that time was in a room by himſelf, without a candle, aſſur'd me he took it
for common lightning: thus it continued inceſſantly for more than an hour, du-
ring which time ſeveral lucid areas, like little clouds, diſcovered themſelves in
the pure sky, and after they had continued about five or ſix ſecond minutes, as
near as I could gueſs, would inſtantaneouſly diſappear; moſt of them pretty much
reſembled a very thin white ſmoke or vapour illuminated by the full moon.
About three quarters paſt 10, this vapour was almoſt ſpent, or by a brisk gale
at ſouth by weſt diſpers'd and driven to the northward; at which time, between
the weſt and north, a vaſt body of it, like a very bright flame-colour'd Crepuſ.
culum, ſeem'd to be fix'd: from this bafis ſeveral bearns or Striæ of ſhining mat-
ter were at uncertain intervals emitted; and tho' it was not ſenſible to the eaſt-
ward of the north, yet ſeveral mighty pillars were alſo ejected from thence: one,.
which if I miſtake not, arole directly under the pole, was, above all others that
had preceded it, both as to its magnitude and denſity ſo ſurprizing, that I'm per-
fuaded the ſmalleſt print might have been read by the light thereof, had not that
of the moon, which ſhone very bright, pretty much effac'd it: 'twas ting'd with
a kind of yellow and violet colour. In about two or three minutes it died away,
and

I 28
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
and was ſucceeded by others of an inferior order: it was now about a quarter paſt
eleven of the clock, and nothing but repeated phaſes of the ſame ſpectacle offer-
ing themſelves to view; the vibrating motion hath ceaſed, the vapour ſhewed
it felf no longer in lucid areas; the itreams of light were not ſo frequent, and
thoſe more languid than before; and the bright Aurora having ſettled nearer the
horizon, I concluded the ſcene was at an end, and accordingly gave over the
queſt of new phænomena, with only obſerving that about N. E. there appeared
fome clouds that reflected an unuſual kind of reddiſh light. Others, who thro'
a principle of fear fat up longer than I did, repreſent the end with very ſurpriz-
ing circumſtances; but as it eſcap'd the eyes of thoſe who were beſt qualify’d to
oblige the world with an hiſtory of it, ſo I deſpair of adding any thing that may
be ſatisfactory: and there were no doubt many circumſtances of weight that I
did not obſerve : for the wonderful variety this phenomenon afforded, and the
frequency and ſuddenneſs of its alterations, made it impoſſible for the eye of any
ſingle perſon to trace it.
On Tueſday the 24th of November, we had the ſame phænomena repeated, tho'
not with the fame variety: about a quarter paſt ten at night, a vaſt body of ſhi-
ning matter was collected between N. W. by W. and N. by E. in the form of
the fegment of a circle, whoſe center was about 25 or 30 degrees below the ho-
rizon; from its periphery a few ſhort pyramidical ſtreams, of the ſame luminous
vapour, afcended by a flow and nearly uniform motion, and were exceeding rare
ſo as not to efface the ſmalleſt of the fix'd ſtars; and in a minute or two vanith-
ed: it was very remarkable that the light which that collection of vapour emit-
ted was ſo great, that in the otherwiſe very dark night, I cou'd thereby (at three
quarters paſt ten) read the title of the laſt philof. tranſact, which then happened
to lye on my desk; and at four or five yards diſtance ſee the ſmalleſt books in my
ſtudy.
A Letter of Mr. Francis Nevil to the Right Reverend St. George Lord
Biſhop of Clogher, R. S. S. giving an Account of ſome large Teeth
lately dugg up in the North of Ireland, and by his Lordſhip commu-
nicated to the Royal Society.
Belturbet, July the 29th, 1715.
My Lord,
HE curioſity I here ſend your Lordſhip, is ſo far beyond any thing that
I have had the honour to communicate to your Lordſhip, or that I have
ever met with, that I preſume your Lordſhip will think it fit to commu-
nicate to the Royal Society; I have ſent the draught, after the beſt manner I
could draw it, encloſed; it is the draught of two teeth lately found within eight
miles of this town at a place callid Maghery, in part of the biſhop of Killmore's
lands,
T

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
129
lands, finking the foundation for a mill near the ſide of a ſmall brook that parts
the counties of Cavan and Monaghan.
There are in all four teeth, two of a larger and two of a ſmaller ſort, the
largeſt is the fartheſt tooth in the under jaw, the other is like it, and belongs
to the oppoſite ſide; the lefſer tooth I take to be the third or fourth rooth from
it, and has its fellow: theſe are all that were found, and one of them in a piece
of the jawbone, which fell to dirt as ſoon as taken out of the earth; there was
part of the ſcull found alſo of a very large ſize and thickneſs, but as ſoon as ex-
poſed to the air, that mouldered away as the jaw had done.
The account I had led me laſt week to the place, where I was reſolved to
make the niceſt ſearch I could; but the water-wall of the mill being built, and
the ground all incumbered with the earth that was thrown up, I could have
little opportunity of doing any thing, but to enquire of the workmen the man-
ner of finding the teeth, and where and how they lay. There were ſome few
pieces of bones found, but none entire, yet by thoſe bits that were found, one
might gueſs that they were parts of thoſe that were of a larger ſize.
The
place where this monſter lay was thus prepared, which makes me believe
it had been buried, or that it had lain there ſince the deluge. It was about four
foot under ground, with a little riſing above the ſuperficies of the earth, which
was a plain under the foot of a hill, and about 30 yards from the brook or there-
about. The bed whereon it lay had been laid with fern, with that ſort ofruſh-
es here call'd ſprits, and with buſhes intermixed. Under this was a ftiff blew
clay on which the teeth and bones were found : above this was firſt a mixture
of yellow clay and fand much of the ſame colour; under that a fine white fan-
dy clay which was next to the bed: the bed was for the moſt part a foot thick,
and in ſome places thicker, with a moiſture clear through it; it lay ſad and cloſe
and cut much like turf, and would divide into flakes, thicker or thinner as you
would; and in every layer the ſeed of the ruſhes was as freſh as if new pullid, ſo
that it was in the height of feed-time that thoſe bones were laid there. The
branches of the fern, in every lay as we open’d them, were very diſtinguiſh-
able, as were the ſeeds of the ruſhes and the tops of boughs. The whole mat-
ter ſmelt very lowre as it was dug, and tracing it I found it 34 foot long, and
about 20 or 22 foot broad.
It will be well worth conſideration what ſort of a creature this might be, whe-
ther human or animal; it human, there was ſome reaſon for the interrment,
and for that preparation of the bed it was laid on; if animal, it was not worth
the trouble : If human, it muſt be larger than any giant we read of; if
animal, it could be no other than an elephant, and we do not find that thoſe
creatures were ever the product of this climate. And conſidering how long
this muſt have lain here, I do not believe the inhabitants then had any curioſi-
ty or conveniency to bring ſuch into this kingdom ; for I ſuppoſe the beſt of
their ſhips could not carry one. Then if an elephant, or ſome other beaſt which
muſt have proportion to the teeth, it muſt have lain there ever ſince the flood;
and if ſo, then the bed on which it lay muſt be of its own making: whence it
will follow, that the flood coming on him while he lay in his den, he was there
R
drown'd

130
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
drown'd, and covered with flime or mud, which ſince is turn'd into the ſub-
ſtance of the earth before mention'd. I forgot to mention that there was a great
many nut-ſhells found about the bed, perhaps thoſe might have been on the
buſhes which compoſed part of the bed.
The two large teeth are of equal weight, two pound three quarters each; the
two little teeth are fix ounces each; but there are ſome of them waſted, and
ſome of holders that go into the jaw broken off.
I am,
My LORD,
Your Lordſhip's moſt dutiful
and obedient Servant,
FRANCIS NEVIL.
Remarks upon the aforeſaid Letter and Teeth, by Thomas Molyneux,
M. D. and R. S. S. Phyſician to the State in Ireland: Addreſs'd
to His Grace the Lord Archbiſhop of Dublin.
W
MY LORD,
HEN your Grace was pleaſed to communicate to me a letter you recei-
ved fome while ſince, containing an account of an extraordinary natural
curioſity, lately diſcover'd in the North of Ireland, in the County of Cavan,
you deſired I would give you my thoughts concerning it, and the purport of
the letter: but truly when firſt your grace gave me the opportunity of peruſing
this account, and I conſider'd the imperfect sketches of the teeth annex'd to it,
I was not a little concern’d, that upon the making ſo ſurprizing a diſcovery, I
could not command a ſight of the originals themſelves, from whence the draughts
were taken; or that ſo great a curioſity ſhould be expreft by the hand of an ar-
tiſt that ſhew'd ſo little skill: however, by the beſt judgment I could make
from fo imperfect an information, I told your grace then, I was pretty well
convinced they muſt have been the grinding teeth of an elephant: yet I enga-
ged, if hereafter I might be ſo lucky as to procure a view of the teeth them-
ſelves, I would be more poſitive in my opinion, and give the reaſons on which
I grounded my conjecture; as likewiſe I would have the ſhape of the teeth ex-
preſt in their full dimenſions, by more true and exact figures.
Since that, the four teeth, with ſome of the fragments of the bones that
were found with them, have been brought here to Dublin, where, by the fa-
vour and affäſtance of my ingenious friend Sir Thomas Southwell, I procured the
loan

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
131
loan of them, ſo long as to examine them particularly, make ſome remarks, and
take the following correct sketches, that expreſs their form truly, juſt as big
as the life ; and your lordſhip feem'd well ſatisfied with the performance of the
artiſt, when at the ſame time I produced the draughts and the originals from
whence they were copied, that we might compare them both together.
Upon the whole, I am now fully convinced, and I can upon ſure grounds af-
firm to your lordſhip, that they muſt certainly have been the four grinding teeth
in the lower jaw of an elephant: and that the many looſe fragments of thoſe
large bones that were found with them, muſt have been remains of the ſame
animal. This I take to be one of the greateſt rarities that has been yet dilco-
vered in this country,
In order to clear this matter, 'twill be firſt requiſite to have recourſe to, and
explain the annex'd figures.
Figure the if. A. A. is the large grinder of the under jaw on the right ſide,
weighing two pounds and three quarters of a pound.
b.6.b. b. b.6.b. are white, rough, indented borders, ſeven in number, of an
irregular ſhape, riſing about the tenth of an inch higher than the hard black
ſhining ſurface of the tooth; this rough raiſed work ſerves for the bruiſing and
grinding the animal's food, the tough grains of rize, leaves, fruits and the boughs
of trees; and is made of lo extream an hard texture, that it reſembles large knot-
ted threads of white glaſs, laid on and cloſely faſtned to the dark ſuperficies of
the tooth: and anſwers that glaſſy ſurface wherewith nature has armed the out-
ſide of the teeth of moſt animals, to prevent their wearing from the conſtant
attrition in chewing of their foods.
C.C.C.C. c. is that part of the tooth which riſes above the gumms, and con-
tinues even now diſtinguiſh'd from the reſt of the bone, by having its colour
of a different ſhade.
d. d. d.d. d. d. d. are many ſtrong tangs or roots, ſeemingly united altoge-
ther, by which the tooth received its ſenſe and nouriſhment, and tho' it was ſo
large and ponderous, by theſe it kept firmly fixt into the jaw.
For the mechaniſm nature ſhews it ſelf to have followed in framing the teeth
of this animal, is no more than this: whereas in other creatures, ſhe has divi-
ded that bony ſubſtance wherewith they chew their food, each having its pe-
culiar roots to ſecure its articulation in the jaw-bone: ſhe has in this of ſo great
bulk (as Pliny the Naturaliſt ftiles it, Terreſtrium maximum elephas,) for the grea-
ter ſtrength, ſtabiliment, and duration of its teeth, and the better to provide
for a compleat attrition of the aliment, in order to perfect the digeſtion ſo tho-
roughly, as to ſuſtain the life of the animal for two or three hundred years, (as
it is a common received opinion in the eaſt) ſhe has, I ſay, contrived to make
the ſubſtance of the teeth in their roots below, and in their upper parts above
the gumms, cloſely unite together; and coaleſcing thus, form a few large mal-
fy teeth inſtead of many ſmall ones.
As for inſtance, in man's body, that is of ſo much a leſs fize, the number of
the teeth, (when the whole fett is compleat) reckons to thirty two, whereas
in the large elephant, the teeth of both the jaws amount in all but to eight, be-
fides
R2

132
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
fides its two great tusks, which rather ſerve as horns for its defence, than teet
to prepare its food, and therefore I think not lo very properly callid teeth.
Figure the 2d. E. E. is the ſmaller grinding teeth of the under jaw on tl
fame fide; its ſurface covered over with the fame white indented work, as bd
fore deſcrib'd for grinding of the food.
f. f: f. are three large roots that kept it firmly fist in the jaw-bone.
This ſmaller tooth weighed full fix ounces.
Figure the 3d. G. G. is the large grinder of the under jaw on the left ſid!
much of the ſize and ſhape and weight with its fellow tooth, defcrib'd figu
the ift. It ſhews its roots and all its parts, with the rough protuberant whis
work on its upper ſurface, made after the ſame contrivance, and formed after tl
fame ſtrong model as the former.
And truly if one conſiders it, 'tis plain, that were not the teeth of this crea
ture made of fo large a fize, and withal of ſo maffy and firm a ſubſtance, 't wel
abſolutely impoſſible they could reſiſt the force, and bear all that preſſure where
with thoſe vaſt muſcles exert themſelves, that move the lower jaw in maſtica
tion in this ſo ſtrong an animal.
Figure the 4th. 7. H. is the ſmaller grinding tooth of the under jaw ont
the ſame fide; it is leſs compleat than the ſmall tooth deſcrib'd before in Figure
2d. for ſome of the root is wanting, and part of its outward grinding ſurface
is broke off at k. k. ſo that it weighs fomewhat leſs; yet what remains, exact-
ly ſhews the fame kind of work and ſhape of the other tooth, that anſwer'd it
on the right ſide.
Theſe four teeth here deſcrib’d, fully compleat the ſett of the teeth, where-
with nature has furniſhed the lower jaw of the elephant ; and are anſwered by
juſt as many more, formed after the ſame manner in the upper jaw, as Dr. Mou-
lins informs us, who diſſected the elephant that was burnt here at Dublin, in
1681. in its anatomy, p. 40. ſpeaking of the teeth, he aſſures, there were be-
fides the tusks only four teeth in each jaw, two in every fide : and that theſe
eight teeth were all Molares, ſo that he had no Inciſores.
But notwithſtanding this, perhaps it will be ſaid, we may not haſtily con-
clude from hence, that our great teeth dug up in Ireland, muſt certainly have
becn the four grinders of an elephant, ſince they might as well belong to ſome
other large kind of Terreſtrial or Marine Animal. As for the hint of their be-
ing human or gigantick, 'tis ſo groundleſs a thought, and ſo contradictory to
comparative anatomy and all natural hiſtory, it does not deſerve our conſideration.
To obviate this, I ſhall take notice firſt in general, that the differing kinds of
living creatures, wherewith nature has ſtock'd the world, are not more diſtin-
guiſhed by the make of any part of their bodies from one another, than by the
various ſhape and diſpoſition of their teeth: and hence it is, we ſhall not find
any two diſtinct claſſes of animals that do exactly agree in the ſame make and
ranging of their teeth.
But yet to be more particular, and make this point ſo plain, I hope, as that
it
may admit of no controverſy, Ithall here ſet down at length, as I find them, the
words of two late authors, that purpoſely have deſcribed the teeth of the elephant.
The

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The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
133
The firſt I ſhall mention is, Mr. Patrick Blair, who has publiſh'd a Treatiſe
he calls Oſteographia Elephanting, or a deſcription of the bones and other parts
of an elephant, that died and was diffected near Dundee in Scotland, anno 1706.
in the London Philofophical Tranſactions, for April, May, June, July, Auguſt,
and September, 1710. Numb. 326 and 327. Here giving us a deſcription of the
teeth of this Animal, p. 110. he ſays, Dr. Moulins well obſerves that they are
all Molares, being two inches broad in that part of them wherewith they grind, and
fix inches and a half long on the right ſide, and five inches and a half on the left.
Their ſurface, tho' flat, is yet very unequal, for they have alternately placed, running
from the right to the left ſide, an hollowneſs and then an eminence; and this eminence
is ſurrounded by a rough protuberant border. There are nine of theſe bollowneſſes and
as many eminences, undulated as they paint ſea waves.
'Tis remarkable how very exactly all this agrees with our figures ; 'tis true
thoſe hollowneffs and eminences, which he mentions to be nine, do not fo
nicely hit with the number of thoſe in our teeth : but this difference proceeds
from hence, that he deſcribes here the grinders of the upper, whereas ours are
the teeth of the lower jaw; tho' ſuch a diſtinction as this, I am apt to think,
may very well ariſe even in thoſe of the fame jaw, in various animals, from ſome
peculiar diſpoſition in one from another, nay, and perhaps in the fame aniinal,
at differing times, according as it happens to be older or younger, but this by
the bye.
A little farther, p. 114 and 115. where he gives an account of thoſe of the
under jaw, he ſays.
The bind tooth of the right ſide is four inches, and that on the left five : the one
half of their furface, where they begin to appear above the gumms, is ſemicircular,
with the forementioned ridges and Sulci, running tranſverſly, four on the right ſide
and five on the left, the other half (or tooth I ſuppoſe he means ) has five of theſe
eminences where it grinds on the right, and four on the left : each of the four teeth is
fix inches long, and has ſix or ſeven of the forementioned eminences, and as many de-
preſſions: theſe teeth are the moſt firm, folid and weighty bones of any animal yet
known.
So much from Mr. Blair.
The other author I ſhall produce for the further illuſtration of this matter, is
the laborious and accurate naturaliſt Mr. Ray, who, in his Synopſis animalium
quadrupedum, when he comes to give us the deſcription of the elephant, has the
following words. Os pro mole bellue parvum, quatuor in utrâque maxillå dentibus
molaribus feu dentium molarium maſis inſtructum; fi quidem plurimi dentes in os ſo-
lidum & durum ita infixi funt, ut cum eo & inter ſe unum & continuum corpus
efficiant. Dentes hi lineas parallelas undulatas ofto vel novem in ſuperficie maſe ef-
ficiunt ; ſunt que reliquo ole candidiores: Male integræ, dentium fingularium modo,
per Gomphoſin maxillis inſeruntur. Inciſoribus omnino caret.
Thus Mr. Ray, in very proper and expreſſive terms, deſcribes the teeth of
this animal: and truly if your grace will but compare Mr. Blair's words with
his, and the particulars of both accounts with the deſcription and figures we
have before given of the teeth dug up in Ireland, and obſerve how they all a.
gree exactly, even ſo as one may ſay they tally together, I think it will amount

135
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
to nothing leſs than demonſtration, and that all our ideas have been taken from
one and the ſame natural object; and as they, ſo we, muft certainly have deſcri-
bed no other teeth but thoſe of the elephant.
But then perhaps it will be ask'd, what is become of all the reſt of the teeth
that were in the upper jaw, which being as firm and ſolid bones as thoſe that
are here preſerved, might for the ſame reaſon have ſtill remained entire.
But ſince we find it otherwiſe, 'cis obvious to imagine a probable conjecture
how this might come about. From what Mr. Nevil mentions in his letter, 'tis
plain that the bed where all theſe bones were found, muſt once have been the
outward ſurface of the earth, the green ſod, producing ruſhes, fern and nuts :
and when the heavy beaſt firſt fell dead upon this ſpot, the ſcull, with all the
bones and teeth of the upper jaw, being the higheſt parts of the animal, might
likely fall in fuch a poſture, as to be expoſed ſome while above the earth; tho’
thoſe of the under jaw firſt coming to the ground, might make themſelves a
bed, and being covered with the mould, remain preſerv’d, whilſt the upper
teeth, and moſt of the other bones, lying expoſed to the injuries of the air and
weather, before they got a covering, might rot and quickly moulder all away.
But tho' this be allowed, yet ſtill a greater difficulty remains unſolv'd; how
this large body'd animal, a native of the remote warm climates of the world,
ſhould be depoſited in this wild Northern Iſland, (where Greeks or Romans ne-
ver had a footing) ſo many miles from ſea, and diſtant from thoſe places of the
ille where people might moſt probably reſort.
And ſtill to make the difficulty yet greater, we muſt conſider, not only from
the dark black colour of the teeth, contracted by their lying long under ground,
and the remarkable alteration wrought on their bony ſubſtance, which (by the
mineral ſtreams and exhalations it has imbib'd whilft it was in the earth) is now
become more ſolid, hard, and ponderous, than it was naturally at firſt, (nay in
ſome parts we find it plainly petrified) but alſo from the periſhing of all the
other bones of the animal's body, and from the conſiderable depth of earth that
covered thoſe that were found: we muſt conclude, I ſay, from hence, that they
have lain in this place for many centuries : I won't ſay with Mr. Nevil, ever
ſince the food, becauſe I can't ſuppoſe that the flight texture of vegetable fub-
ſtances, nutts and the ſeeds of ruſhes, could poſſibly have been preſerv'd ſo long:
but this, at leaſt, may ſafely be affirmed, that theſe remains muſt be contempo-
raries with ſome of the remote ages of the world; which carries us ſo far back
into the earlieſt times, that we can ne'er imagine the rude inhabitants of Ire-
land, or any of their neighbouring countries, were maſters of ſo much art, in
thoſe days of ignorance and darkneſs, as to make carriages by ſea ſtrong and ca-
pable, or of curioſity and politeneſs enough, to tranſport a beaſt of this large
ſize from thoſe tar diſtant countries where 'twas bred; which they that now at-
tempt do find a work of vaſt care, trouble and expence, even in this age, where-
in navigation is brought to ſuch perfection.
Theſe conſiderations, my lord, grounded on other inſtances of the like kind,
make me inclined to think this elephant we are ſpeaking of, might not be brought
hither by any care or induſtry of man : but the ſurtace of this terraqueous globe
might,

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
136
might, in the earlieſt ages of the world, after the deluge, but before all records
of our oldeſt hiſtories, differ widely from its preſent geography, as to the dif-
tribution of the ocean and dry land, its iſlands, continents and ſhores, ſo as to
allow this beaſt, and others of its kind, for ought I know, that may by ſome
ſuch accident hereafter be luckily diſcovered, a free and open paſſage into this
country from the continent.
For otherwiſe, how can we e'er explain that that other vaſt large ſtately ani-
mal the Mooſe-deer, little inferior to the elephant it ſelf, could have been brought
to Ireland, (where elſewhere I have ſhewn it formerly was common) from dif-
tant north America, even long before that quarter of the world was known, and
is the only region I can hear, where this great beaſt is found at preſent.
And can we well imagine that foxes, otters, badgers, tigers, wolves, with
linxes and ſuch ravenous animals as we have been told, have lately been diſcover-
ed by the great ſnows that fell this preſent winter in the iſland of Sardinia and
other places, ſhould ever be imported (being uſeleſs noxious beaſts of prey) by
the induſtry of man, to propagate in iſlands, that they might deſtroy mens food
and flocks, and make their lives not only uneaſy but unſafe?
Nay how can we ſuppoſe that birds of ſhorteſt flight, the various forts of poi-
fonous ferpents, and of offenſive creeping vermin, with all the various tribes of
ſmaller inſects, could poſſibly be found in iſlands, unleſs they had been ſtock'd
with thoſe inhabitants when the intercourſe between them and the continent
was free and open.
But in whatever manner this elephant (to return to our ſubje&t) might firſt
have made its way for Ireland; this is beyond diſpute, that the bones of elephants
have been diſcovered deep under ground, in other places as well as this kingdom:
and thoſe too out of the way, far diſtant from the native countries of this animal.
For not many years ago, in a hill near Erfurt, a town of the Upper Saxony in
Germany, ſeveral parts of the skeleton of an elephant were dug up: on which
occaſion Wilhelmus Erneſtus Tentzelius hiſtoriographer to the duke of Saxony,
writ a letter to the very learned Antonio Magliabechi, library keeper to the great
duke of Florence. This treatiſe is publiſhed, but I have not been fo lucky as to
procure a fight of it, and know no more but juſt the title-page Wilhelmi Erne-
Ai Tentzelii hiſtoriographi ducalis Saxoniæ epiſtola, de ſceleto elephantino tonna nuper
effofo, ad Antonium Magliabechium, magni ducis Hetruriæ bibliothecarium.
And I am well perſuaded, by the beſt conſtruction I can make of thoſe imper-
fect and obſcure accounts, we have in Evert Isbrand Iddes curious travels from
Muſcovy to China over land; chap. the 6th. (which he confeffes he only gather-
ed from the barbarous Oſtiacks inhabitants of that country) concerning the vaſt
teeth and bones and limbs of Mammuths as he calls them, frequently found and
diligently ſought after to make profit of them in the hills, and banks of ſeveral
rivers in Siberia, the Keta, Fenize, Trugan, Montgamſea and Lena; that they are
nothing elſe but the remains and skeletons of elephants, buried there, and acciden-
tally diſcovered by the earth's opening, and falling down on the ſudden thaws,
after ſevere long froſts. But of this, pleaſe to conſult the author, whoſe words
are too prolix to be inſerted here,
But

136
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
But to bring this matter ſtill nearer home to our felves, Mr. Cambden in his Bri-
tannia is of opinion, that thoſe great monſtrous teeth and bones, which he takes
notice to have been at ſeveral times dug up in many parts of Great Britain, muſt
have been the remains of clephants; but then he thinks, they muſt be of thoſe
that Dion Callius the hiſtorian tells us, the Roman emperor Claudius brought o-
ver, when he made his expedition into that iſland. But that this truly is ſo, I
own is but furmiſe as yet, and has not been ſo fairly proved by him or any other,
as that we can rely upon't with ſatisfaction.
What Mr. William Somner the learned antiquary has publiſhed in his diſcourſe
of Chartham news is more remarkable ; (this is reprinted lately in the philoſo-
phical tranſactions for July 1701. no.272.) where he informs us, that in the year
1668 in the village of Chartham near Canterbury in England, digging within 12
rods of a river, they found a parcel of ſtrange monſtrous bones, some whole, ſome bro-
ken, together with four teeth perfect and ſound, each weighing Something above half a
pound, and ſome of them almoſ as big as a man's fift. They are all cheek teeth or grin-
ders; the earth in which they lay being like a ſea earth, or fulling earth with not a
ſtone in it.
'Tis obſervable how this account in many of its circumſtances, agrees with that
of Mr. Nevil in his letter to your grace: as that the teeth were all grinders, four
in number, found with other large broken bones near a brook, and in a clayey
carth, without a ſtone: but then the weight and magnitude of our largeſt teeth,
ſo far ſurpals thoſe that were found in England, that theſe did not come up to a
fifth part of thofe, which ſhews they could not be the teeth of the ſame animal.
1 mult confeſs the author does not ſo much as ſuſpect they were elephant's teeth,
but on the contrary is of opinion that they belong’d to another ſpecies, the hip-
popotamus or river-horſe, a beaſt that's yet a greater ſtranger in theſe parts of
the world, than the elephant it ſelf; and therefore its paſſage hither can never
be accounted for, but by ſome ſuch like ſuppoſition as we have made.
However Mr. John Luffkins in his letter, wherein he deſigns to have reference
to that diſcourſe; and which is inſerted in the Philoſophical Tranſactions for Sep.
1701. no. 274. differs in his judgment from Mr. Somners about theſe teeth, which
he thinks muſt have been elephants teeth; as he is pofitive thoſe large bones he de-
fcribes in the ſame letter, and foundnear Harwich in Elex, certainly muſt have been.
Not having ſeen, much leſs examined, any of the bones or teeth concern'd
in this controverſy; either thoſe that were found in Kent, or thoſe in Elex; I
cannot well take upon me to determine any thing in this matter; tho' thoſe dug
up at Chartham, as I underſtand, may ſtill be peruſed by the curious among the
natural rarities of the Royal Society in their repoſitory at London. But this at
preſent I can ſafely ſay, that if the figures of the teeth given us by Mr. Somner,
and repreſented in the plate of the foremention' Tranſaction no. 272. be genu-
ine and well expreft (as I have no reaſon to doubt, as coming from one ſo skil-
ful and ſo accurate) they no way ſeem to agree cither in ſhape or make, or in
that particular and characteriſtick work on the grinding ſuperficies, with the
teeth of the elephant; or with the deſcription and figures we have given, which
I am ſure are both correct and natural.
I ſhould


E
C
A Tale of 24 Inchis
I
6
112
24
A
10 Foot woInches
Fig. 1.
N
K
M
P Р
Fig. 2.
Fig.3.
Fig.1. The Horny and Head of a Moofe Dearof Ireland.
Fig2.a Pair of common Bucki Horns.
Fig.3.a Pair of Common Stags Horns all byy same Scale .

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
137
I fhould now, my lord, make ſome apology for detaining your grace ſo long
upon what may feem ſo light and trivial a ſubject, a piece of meer curioſity: but
I am fo vain as to hope, whatever others may fancy, it may not appear fo in-
conſiderable altogether to your lord ſhip's more diſcerning judgment.
For I am inclined to think, (even from theſe imperfect hints) that if we had
more correct hiſtories and obſervations of this kind, made in diſtant countries,
and skilfully regiſtred, with all their inſtructive circumſtances, they might lead
us into great and momentous truths relating to the deluge; to the wiſe methods
of providence, in repleniſhing all regions of the world with animal beings ſoon
after the flood; and to the knowledge of ſeveral important changes that may
have happened on the ſurface of this our terraqueous globe: inquiries that are
truly worthy the utmoſt application of the moſt learned divine and the moſt fa-
gacious philoſopher.
But I ſhall ftop here, and only beg leave to ſubſcribe my felt, with the utmoſt
reſpecte
My LORD,
Your Grace's moſt devoted
Faithful and humble Servant,
T. Molyneux.
A Diſcourſe concerning the large Horns frequently found under ground
in Ireland: concluding from them that the great American Deer, cal-
led a Mooſe, was formerly common in that Iſland: with Remarks
on ſome other things natural to that Country. By Thomas Moly-
neux, M. D. Fellow of the King and Queen's Colledge of Phyſicians
in Ireland, and of the Royal Society in England.
HAT no real ſpecies of living creatures is ſo utterly extinct, as to be loſt
entirely out of the world, ſince it was firſt created, is the opinion of
many naturaliſts; and 'tis grounded on ſo good a principle of provi-
dence taking care in general of all its animal productions, that it deſerves our
aſſent. However great viciſſitudes may be obſerved to attend the works of na-
ture, as well as human affairs; ſo that ſome entire ſpecies of animals, which have
been formerly common, nay even numerous in certain countries; have, in pro-
ceſs of time, been ſo perfectly loſt, as to become there utterly unknown; tho'
at the ſame time it cannot be deny'd, but the kind has been carefully preſerved
in ſome other part of the world.
Of this we have a remarkable example in Ireland, in a moft large and ſtately
beaſt, that undoubtedly has been frequent in this kingdom, tho' now clearly ex-
S
tincta
T

138
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
tinct; and that ſo many ages paſt, as there remains among us not the leaſt record
in writing, or any manner of tradition, that makes ſo much as mention of its
name; as that moſt laborious inquirer into the pretended ancient, but certainly
fabulous hiſtory of this country, Mr. Roger O'Flaherty, the author of Ogygia,
has lately inform'd me.
What diſcoveries therefore we make of this creature, we can only have from
thoſe looſe parts of it we find dug out of the earth by accident, preſerved there
ſo many ages from corruption, by lying deep and cloſe under ground, whilſt
harder and of themſelves more durable bodies, moulder away and periſh, by be-
ing expoſed to the various changes of the air, and repeated injuries of the wea-
ther.
By the remains we have of this animal, it appears to have been of the genus
cervinum or deer kind, and of that ſort that carries broad or palmed horns, bear-
ing a greater affinity with the buck or fallow deer, than with the ſtag or red
deer, that has horns round and branched, without a palm: this I lately obſerv'd,
having an opportunity of particularly examining a compleat head, with both its
horns entirely perfect, not long ſince dug up, given to my brother William Mo-
lyneux, as a natural curioſity, by Mr. Henry Osborn, that lives at a place called
Dardiſtown, in the county of Meath, about two miles from Drogheda, who writ
him the following account of the manner and place they were found in.
I have by the bearer ſent the head and borns I promiſed you; this is the third head
I have found by caſual trenching in my orchard; they were all dug up within the com-
paſs of an acre of land, and lay about four or five foot under ground, in a ſort of bog-
sy foil. The firſt pitch was of earth, the next two or three of turf, and then followed
a fort of white marl, where they were found: they muſt have lain there ſeveral ages,
to be so deep interred. (Thus far Mr. Osborn.)
I took their dimenſions carefully as follows; from the extream tip of the right
horn to the extreme tip of the left, as expreſt in the annext table, figure the ift.
by the prick’t line A B was ten foot ten inches, from the tip of the right horn,
to the root where it was faſtned to the head, expreft by the line C D five foot
two inches, from the tip of the higheſt branch (meaſuring one of the horns tranſ-
verſe, or directly a-croſs the palm) to the tip of the loweſt branch, expreft by
the line G F three foot feven inches and a half. The length of one of the palms
within the branches, expreft by the line G H two foot fix inches: the breadth
of the ſame palm, ſtill within the branches, expreft by the line I K one foot ten
inches and a half: the branches that ſhot forth round the edge of each palm,
were nine in number, beſides the brow antlers, of which the right antler, ex-
preſt by the line D L was a foot and two inches in length, the other was much
Thorter : the beam of each horn at ſome diſtance from the head, where 'tis mar-
ked M, was about two inches and fix tenths of an inch in diameter, or about
eight inches in circumference; at the root where 'twas faſtned to the head, about
eleven inches in circumference. The length of the head, from the back of the
skull to the tip of the noſe, or rather the extremity of the upper jaw bone, ex-
preſt in the figure by the line N O two foot, the breadth of the skull where
largeſt, mark'd by the line P Q was a foot.
The

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
139
The two holes near the roots of the horns, that look like eyes were not ſo,
(for theſe were plac'd on each fide the head in two ample cavities, that could
not be well expreſt in the figure) but were large open paſſages, near an inch in
diameter in the forehead bone, to give way to great blood veſſels, that here if-
fue forth from the head, and paſs between the ſurface of the horn, and the ſmooth
hairy skin that covers them whilſt they are growing, (which is commonly callid
the velvet) to ſupply the horns with ſufficient nouriſhment, while they are ſoft,
and till they arrive at their full magnitude, ſo as to become perfectly hard and
folid. Theſe veſſels, by reaſon of their largeneſs and great turgency of the hu-
mor in them; whilst the horn is ſprouting and pliant, make deep and conſpicu-
ous furrows all along the outſide of it where they paſs; which may plainly be
feen after the horn is bare and come to its full growth; at which time all theſe
veins and arteries, with the outward velvet skin, drying by the courſe of nature,
Ihrivel
up and ſeparate from the horn, and the beaſt affects tearing them off in
great ſtripes againſt the boughs of trees, expoſing his horns naked, when they are
throughly hardned, without any covering at all. This I gather, by what re-
marks I have made on the skulls of other deer, and what I have obſerved con-
cerning the growth of theſe fort of horns in animals of the like kind, tho' not
in this particular fort of creature.
The figure I had exactly taken by a skilful hand, to ſhew truly the right ſhape
and ſize of theſe kind of horns we ſo commonly find here under ground in Ire-
land; and have likewiſe added a draught of a pair of common ſtags horns, expreft
figure the ſecond, and another of a pair of common bucks horns, expreft figure
the third, all done according to the ſame ſcale; that by this means, at one and
the ſame time, may appear the grand diſproportion between theſe forts of heads,
and alſo the difference and agreement in their ſhape. (See the table.)
Such then were the vaſt dimenſions, according to which the lofty fabrick of
the head and horns of this ſtately creature was built; and doubtleſs all the reſt
of the parts of its body anſwered theſe in a due proportion. So that ſhould we
compare the faireft buck with the ſymetry of this mighty beaſt, it muſt certain-
ly fall as much ſhort of its proportions as the finalleft young fawn, compared to
the largeſt over-grown buck.
And yet 'tis not to be queſtion’d, but thele ſpacious horns, as large as they
were, like others of the deer kind, were naturally caſt every year, and grew a-
gain to their full fize in about the ſpace of four months: for all ſpecies of deer,
yet known, certainly drop their horns yearly, and with us 'tis about March, and
about July following they are full fumm'd again. Of which ſtrange appearance
in nature, the learned Gerrardus Johannes Voſſius making mention in his excellent
book de idolatria, lib. 3. cap.57. has theſe words: Ponam inter nature maximè ad-
miranda breviculo adeo tempore tam ſolida duraque tante molis cornua enaſci(a). And
the inquiſitive Italian philoſopher, Franciſco Redi, in his Experimenta circa res
naturales, &c. on the ſame occaſion expreſſes himſelf thus: Maximâ profe&to ad-
(a) That is, I ſhall reckon it among the moſt wonderful works of nature, that hrns fo
hard and ſolid, and of fo great a bulk, ſhould grow up in ſo ſhort a time.
S 2
miratione

140
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
miratione dignum eſt. tantam molem cornuum & ramorum tam brevi tempore quotannis
renaſci & creſcere (b). And if theſe judicious perſons were moved thus with ad-
miration by conſidering only the yearly falling and ſudden growth of theſe fmal-
ler horns of bucks and Itags, with which alone they were acquainted, what would
they have thought, had they known of theſe vaſt and ftupendious productions
of nature in the ſame kind,
As there feems to me no ſmall affinity or agreement in the ſprouting forth, and
branching of deers horns, with the way of growth in vegetables; fo I conceive
likewiſe the conſtant yearly dropping of them, to proceed much from the ſame
cauſe, that trees annually caſt their ripe fruit, or let fall their withering leaves in
autumn: that is, becaule the nouriſhing juice, ſay it is fap or blood, is ſtopt and
flows no longer; either on the account 'tis now deficient, being all ſpent, or
that the cavous paſſages which conveigh it, dry up and cool; ſo as the part
having no longer any communication with, mult of neceſſity by degrees ſever
from the whole; but with this difference, that horns by reaſon of their hard
material and ſtrong compoſition, ſtick fait to the head by their root, feven or
eight months after all their nouriſhment perfectly retires; whereas leaves and
fruit, conſiſting of a much more tender lubſtance and a finer texture of parts,
drop ſooner from their native beds where they grew, when once the ſupply of
uſual nouriſhment is ſtopt; this analogy that nature obſerves in caſting the horns
of beaſts and dropping the fruit of trees, will appear much more evident to any
one that will obſerve the end of a ſtalk, from which a ripe orange or any ſuch
large fruit has been lately fever’d, and the butt end of a caſt horn where it faſt-
end to the os frontis: for by comparing them together, he ſhall find ſo great a
congruity in the ſhape of both, that 'twill be apparent nature works according
to the fame mechaniſm in one as in t'other.
Diſcourſing one day with his excellency the lord Capel, then one of the lord
juſtices of Ireland, an experienc'd and accurate obſerver of the works of nature,
I chanced to mention theſe large horns: he was very earneft to ſee them, and
ſo mightily ſurpriz’d at the ſight of their extraordinary bulk, that my brother
thought fit to make a preſent of them to his lordſhip, which he obligingly ac-
cepted; reſolving to ſend them over, as he ſaid, to his majeſty king William.
Such another head, with both the horns intire was found ſome years ſince by
one Mr. Van Delure in the county of Clare, buried ten foot under ground in a
fort of marl, and were preſented by him to the late duke of Ormond, then lord
lieutenant of Ireland, who valued them ſo highly for their prodigious largeneſs,
that he thought them not an unfit preſent for the king, and ſent them for Eng-
land to king Charles II. who ordered them to be ſet up in the horn-gallery at
Hampton Court; where they may ſtill be ſeen among the reſt of the large heads
both of ſtags and bucks that adorn that place, but this ſo vaſtly exceeds the lar-
geſt of them, that the reit appear to loſe much of their curioſity by being viewed
(6) That is, Truly it deſerves our greateſt wonder that fo large a body of horns and bran-
ches ſhould ſprout up in ſo ſhort a time, and be renewed every year
in

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
IAI
in company with this. I am lately informed, theſe with the other heads are
fince removed to the guard-room out of the horn-gallery.
In the year 1691. major Folliot told me, that digging for marl near the town
Ballymackward, where he lives, not far from Ballyſhannon in the county of Fer-
managh, he found buried ten foot under plain folid ground, a pair of theſe fort
of horns, which he keeps ſtill in his poſſeſſion.
In the year 1684. there were two of theſe heads dug up near Turvy, the man-
fion ſeat of the lord Barneval, within eight miles of Dublin; that which was
moſt compleat of the two was fixt over the chimney in the publick hall; and
there ſtill remains as an ancient and laſting curioſity to future ages. .
Not long ſince, a head of this kind with its horns was found near Portumny,
the houſe of the earls of Clanricard, feated on the river Shannon, in the county
of Calloway, where it is carefully preſerved, and ſtill admired by all that view it.
Such a forehead with two extraordinary beams of theſe kind of horns, may be
now ſeen faſtned againſt one ſide of the common hall of his grace Michael lord
archbiſhop of Ardmagh's houſe here in Dublin; they are both imperfect and want
their palms, yet by the vaſt thickneſs and length of the beams, I judge when
entire they much exceeded the ſize of thoſe I have given the dimenſions of above.
The primate told me, they were found ſomewhere in the province of Ulſter, and
preſented to the earl of Ellex, then governor of Ireland, who gave them his
grace.
To theſe I ſhould add many more inſtances of the like, as thoſe found by the
late lord Mountjoy, near his houſe at Newtown Stewart; and thoſe kept at Stock-
allen in the county of Meath, for to my knowledge within leſs than 20 years,
above twenty, I may ſafely fay, thirty pair of theſe fort of horns have been dug
up in ſeveral places of this country, all found by accident; and we may well ſup-
poſe vaſt numbers ſtill remain undiſcovered, but to mention any more of them
particularly would be tedious, and to little purpoſe, ſince theſe may ſuffice plain-
ly to Thew, this creature was formerly common with us in Ireland; and an indi-
genous animal, not peculiar to any territory or province, but univerſally met
with in all parts of the kingdom.
For if we draw a line through the ſeveral places of this iſland where theſe
heads have been found, viz. the county of Clare, the county of Dublin, and the
county of Fermanagh, omitting thoſe other parts I have mentioned, we ſhall
make a triangle whoſe ſhorteſt ſide will be in length above an hundred Engliſh
miles, which is near as large a figure of this fort, as we can well deſcribe in the
And beſides, we may reaſonably, I think, gather; that they were not only
common in this country, but by what Mr. Osborn mentions in his letter to my
brother, that they were a gregarious animal, as the naturaliſts call them, or ſuch
a ſort of creature as affect naturally keeping together in herds; as we ſee the fal-
low deer with us, and as 'tis reported of the elches in Sweden, and the rain deer
in the northern countries of Europe; for otherwiſe we cannot eaſily fancy it ſhould
happen, that three of their heads ſhould be all found within the narrow compaſs
of one acre of ground.
That
map of Ireland.

142
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
ز
That theſe and ſeveral others, and indeed I think I may fay, all that I have
been particularly informed of, though dug up in far diftant places of Ireland,
ſhould be conſtantly found buried in a fort of marl, ſeems to me to intimate,
as if marl was only a foil that had been formerly the outward ſurface of the
earth, but in proceſs of time, being covered by degrees with many layers of ad-
ventitious earth, has by lying under ground a certain number of ages, acquired
a peculiar texture, conſiſtence, richneſs, or maturity, that gives it the name of
marl. For of neceſſity we muſt allow the place where theſe heads are now
found, was certainly once the external ſuperfice of the ground; otherwiſe 'tis
hardly poſſible to ſuppoſe how they ſhould come there.
And that they ſhould be ſo deep buried as we at preſent find them, appears
to have happen'd, by their accidentally falling where it was ſoft low ground;
ſo that the horns, by their own conſiderable gravity, might eaſily make a bed
where they ſettled in the yielding earth; and in a very long courſe of time, the
higher lands being by degrees diſſolved by repeated rains, and waſht and brought
down by floods, covered thoſe places that were ſituated lower with many lay-
ers of earth: for all high grounds and hills, unleſs they conſiſt of rock, by this
means naturally loſe a little every year of their height; and ſometimes ſenſibly
become lower even in one age; of which we may fee ſeveral fatisfactory inſtan-
ces related by Dr. Plott in his Natural Hiſtory of Staffordſhire, Chap. 3. P. 113.
as for all ſuch heads that might chance to fall on high or hard grounds, where
they could not poſſibly be covered or defended, theſe mult of neceſſity rot, pe-
riſh, and be deſtroyed by the weather: and for this reaſon it is, that never any
of theſe horns are diſcovered in ſuch fort of ground, but always in a light foil,
and in ſome low part of the country.
By what means this kind of animal, formerly fo common and numerous in
this country, ſhould now become utterly loſt and extinct, deſerves our confide-
ration: and ſeeing it is ſo many ages paſt, that we have no manner of account
left to help us in our enquiry, the moſt we can do in this matter is to make ſome
probable conjectures about it; I know ſome have been apt to imagine this like
all other animals, might have been deſtroyed from off the face of this country,
by that flood recorded in the holy ſcripture, to have happened in the time of
Noab; which I confeſs is a ready and ſhort way to ſolve this difficulty, but does
not at all ſatisfy me: For (beſides that, that there want not arguments, and
ſome of them not eaſily anſwer'd, againſt the deluge being univerſal) if we con-
ſider what a fragil, flight and porous ſubſtance theſe and the horns of all deer
are, we can't well ſuppoſe they could by any means be preſerv'd entire and un-
corrupt from the flood, now above four thouſand years ſince ; and I have by
me fome of the teeth, and one of the lower jaw-bones of this creature fo
per-
fect, folid, ponderous and freſh, that no one that ſees them can poſſibly ſuſpect
they could have been in nature ſo many ages paft: and therefore it ſeems more
likely to me, this kind of animal might become extinct here from a certain ill
conſtitution of air in ſome of the pait ſeaſons long ſince the flood, which might
occafion an Epidemick Diſtemper, if we may ſo call it, or Peſtilential Murren,
peculi-

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I 43
peculiarly to affect this ſort of creature, ſo as to deſtroy at once great numbers
of 'em, if not quite ruine the ſpecies.
And this is not to groundleſs an aſſertion as at firſt it may appear, if we con-
ſider this iſland may very well be thought neither a country nor climate ſo truly
proper and natural to this animal, as to be perfectly agreeable to its temper,
fince for ought I can yet learn it neither is, nor ever has been an inhabitant of
any of the adjacent kingdoms round about us
. And beſides, the three heads a-
bove mentioned, found ſo cloſe to one another in the county of Meath, and the
two near Turvy, ſeems not a little to countenance this opinion; as if theſe ani-
mals died together in numbers, as they had lived together in herds.
To this purpoſe I have met with a remarkable paſſage in Scheffer's Deſcripti-
on of Lapland, Chap. xxvii. ſpeaking of the Cervus Rangifer, an animal that a-
grees in kind with ours, though it be a quite different fort of deer, he ſays that
whole herds of them are often deſtroy'd by a raging diſtemper common among
them; theſe are his words: Eft & morbis ſuis genus hoc obnoxium qui ſi ingruunt
gregem totum folent pervagare & ad necem dare; qua de re Johannes Bureus ita ha-
bet in ſchedis ſuis, ſolet interdum rangiferos morbus quidam velut peſtis invadere fic
ut moriantur omnes lappoque compellatur noves ſibi comparare Rangiferos (c). By
which we may ſee what we conjecture in our caſe, is not meer fuppofition, but
certainly happens elſewhere to animals of the like kind.
But ſince we have an inſtance of ſo deſtructive a mortality amongſt beaſts as
quite to extinguiſh a whole ſpecies at once, we may think ſome might have e-
fcaped the common calamity; but theſe being ſo few in number, I imagine as
the country became peopled, and thickly inhabited; they were foon deſtroy'd,
and kill'd like other veniſon as well for the ſake of food as maſtery and diverſi-
And indeed none of theſe animals by reaſon of their ſtupendious buik and
wide ſpreading horns, could poſſibly ly ſheltered long in any place, but muſt be
foon diſcovered, and being ſo conſpicuous and heavy were the more eaſily pur-
ſued and taken by their numerous hunters, in a country all environed by the ſea:
for had they been on the wide continent, they might have fared better, and ſe-
cured themſelves and their race till this time, as well as others of the ſame kind
have done elſewhere. Of which more hereafter.
Or had thoſe barbarous times been capable of taking care for the preſervati-
on of this ſtately creature, our country would not have entirely loſt ſo fingular
and beautiful an ornament: but this could not be expected from thoſe favage
ages of the world, which certainly would not have ſpared the reſt of the deer
kind, ftags and hinds, bucks and does, which we ſtill have; but that theſe be-
ing of much ſmaller fize, could ſhelter and conceal themſelves caſier under the
covert of woods and mountains, ſo as to eſcape utter deſtruction.
on.
(c) That is, this kind of creature is likewiſe ſubject to its difeaſes : which if they ſeize
a flock, goes through them all; concerning which Johannes Bureus has it thus in his pa-
pers; ſometimes a ſort of diſeaſe after the manner of a plague, affects the rain deer, ſo as
they all die, and the Laplander is forced to ſupply himſelf with new rain deer.
And

1.44
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
And here I cannot but obſerve, that the red deer in theſe our days, is much
more rare with us in Ireland, than it has been formerly, even in the memory of
man: And tho' I take it to be a creature, naturally more peculiar to this coun-
try than to England, yet unleſs there be fome care taken to preſerve it. I be-
lieve in proceſs of time this kind may be loft alſo, like the other fort we were
now ſpeaking of
It remains we ſhould ſay ſomething concerning the proper name of this ani-
mal, and what ſpecies of creature it was to which theſe ſtately horns formerly
belonged. And I muſt here needs own, that I have not met to this day with
any perſon, that has ſpent the leaſt ſerious thought concerning this matter. So
deſtitute have we been in this place of that inquiſitive genius, that in theſe la-
ter ages has ſo much every where prevailed, in ſetting the minds of men upon
a diligent ſearch after, and making curious and uſeful remarks on all things that
are truly the admirable workmanſhip of nature.
I know they are vulgarly call’d by ignorant people, nay, and ſome of the
learned Vulgus in this country, Elches Horns; and that they are fo, is an opini-
on generally received, and ſatisfies ſuch as talk of them ſuperficially, without
further enquiry; and becauſe this is an error that has ſo univerſally prevailed, I
shall take the more pains particularly to confute it, and I hope clear this point
fo from all manner of doubt, that for the future there ſhall be no further que-
ftion made of it again; the miſtake, I am ſatisfied, has only proceeded from
hence, that we are in theſe parts as great ſtrangers to that ſort of animal callid
the Alche Elche, or Elenede, as we are to this of our own country, knowing
by hear-ſay only, that 'tis a large beaſt with big horns; but unleſs we ſhall give
the fame name to two animals vaſtly different, which is prepoſterous, and breeds
conſufion, we muſt not allow theſe horns ſhould any longer paſs under the name
of Elches Horns.
I have ſeen a pair of genuine Elches Horns brought out of Swedland, and they
differed extremely, both in figure and ſize, from theſe we have now deſcribed:
they were abundantly ſmaller, quite of another ſhape and make, not palmed or
broad at the end fartheſt from the head as ours; but on the contrary, broader
towards the head, and growing ſtill narrower towards the tips end, the ſmaller
branches not iſſuing forth from both edges of the horns as in ours, but grow-
ing along the upper edge only, whilſt the other verge of the horn was wholly
plain without any branches at all.
And accordingly the faithful Gefner, in the firſt chapter of his book de qua-
drupedibus, has given us the right deſcription of them, where he expreſſes the
figure of the Elche and its horns apart, and ſpeaking of the ſize of them, he
ſays, Cornua ſingula libras circiter duodecem appendunt, longitudine fere duorum pe-
dum (d). Whereas the horns we find here in Ireland, are near thrice that length,
and above double that weight; though dry’d and much lighter from their be-
ing ſo long kept: But I confeſs, I ſay, this only by eſtimate, not having an op-
(d) That is, each horn weighs about twelve pounds, and was in length almoſt two foot.
portunity

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
145
portunity to weigh exactly a ſingle horn by it ſelf, though I'm ſure I can't be
much out.
Moreover the Elche, as deſcribed by Apollonius Menabenus, who had ſeen ma-
ny of them, is no larger than a middling horſe : theſe are his own words, as
quoted by Aldrovandus : Habet hoc animal craſſitiem & proceritatem mediocris &
pinguis equi (e). And agreeable to this is the relation given in the memoirs of the
Pariſian anatomiſts, who diſſected one of them: and I remember Mr. Duncombe,
then one of the Lords Juſtices of Ireland, told me, when he was Euyoy in Swe-
den, he had ſeen there above a hundred Elches together in a herd, and none of
them above five foot high; and if ſo, we cannot imagine a creature of that ſmall
ſize, could poſſibly ſupport fo large and heavy a head, with ſo wide and ſpread-
ing a pair of horns as theſe we are ſpeaking of; conſidering that exact ſymmetry,
and due proportion of parts, nature obferves in the formation of all the larger
and perfecter fort of animals.
We muſt then look out, and try if we can diſcover among the various ſpecies
of Quadrupedes, fome other, whoſe fize and deſcription will better agree with
this our Iriſh animal, than that of the Elche does: and after all our enquiry, we
certainly ſhan't diſcover any one that in all reſpects exactly anſwers it, fave on- :
ly that lofty horned beaſt in the Weſt Indies, call'd a Mooſe.
This animal I find deſcribed by Mr. John Yoſelyn, among his New England Rari-
ties, in theſe words : The Mooſe deer, common in theſe parts, is a very goodly crea-
ture, ſome of them twelve foot high, (in height, ſays another author more particularly,
from the toe of the fore-foot to the pitch of the moulder, twelve foot; in its full growth
much bigger than an ox) with exceeding fair horns with broad palms, Some of them
two fathom or twelve foot from the tip of one born to the other. That is, fourteen
inches wider than ours was.
Another thus deſcribes the manner of the Indians hunting this creature: they
commonly hunt the mooſe, which is a kind of deer, in the winter, and run him down
Sometimes in half, otherwhile a whole day, when the ground is cover'd with ſnow,
which uſually lies here four foot deep; the beaſt, very heavy, ſinks every ſtep as he
runs, breaking down trees as big as a man's thigh, with his horns; at length they get
up with’t, and darting their lances, wound it ſo, that the creature walks heavily on,
till tired and ſpent with loſs of blood, it ſinks and falls like a ruin'd building, making
the earth ſhake under it. Thus far what theſe authors fay of the Mooſe.
I do not know any one that has yet obliged the publick by giving an exact fi-
gure of this ſtately creature, which would be acceptable to the curious, and ve-
ry well worth the while of ſome of thoſe ingenious inquirers that go into thoſe
parts for the improvement of Natural Hiſtory: for I take it next the elephant,
to be the moſt remarkable Quadruped for its largeneſs in the world. However,
in the mean time, by the help of the foregoing accounts, we may eaſily form
to our felves a lively and juft idea of its figure and ſize; and if we compare the
ſeveral parts of thoſe defcriptions, with the beaſts whoſe heads are found here
(e) That is, this animal is about the height and thickneſs of a middling horſe.
T
in

146 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
in Ireland ; we ſhall not have the leaſt reaſon to queſtion, but theſe vaſtly large
Iriſh deer, and the American Mooſe, were certainly one and the ſame ſort of a-
nimal, being all of the deer kind, carrying the ſame fort of palmed horns, which
are of the fame ſize and largeneſs, as well as figure ; and the bulk of their bo-
dies correſponding exactly in proportion to the wide ſpreading of their horns.
So that we may fecurely affert, that Mooſes formerly were as frequent in this
country, as they have them ſtill in the northern parts of the Weſt Indies, New-
England, Virginia, Maryland, Canada, or New France.
And leaſt we may think this animal peculiar to the Continent, and not to be
found in iſlands; I lately met with a remarkable paſſage in John de Laet's French
Deſcription of the West Indies, that clearly ſhews the contrary; which, becauſe
it likewiſe illuſtrates and confirms what was ſaid before, I'll ſet down in his
own words. Speaking of New England, ſays he, I'l y a une certaine forte de
Beſte frequente en ces Pais que les ſauvages noment Mose, de la grandur d'un Taure-
au, ayant la Teſle d'un Dain, avec les cornes larges que muent tous les anns, le Col
comme une cerf: il ſe trouve une grande quantite de ces animaux en une iſle pres de la
terre ferme appelle des Anglois mount manſel. That is, There is a certain fort of beaſt
common in this country, which the Savage Indians call a Mooſe, as big as a bull (he
had not ſeen I ſuppose thoſe of the largeſt fize) having the head of a buck, with
broad horns, which they caſt every year, and the neck of a deer: there are found al-
ſo great numbers of theſe animals in an iſland near the continent, calld by the Engliſh,
Mount Manſel.
This may give us reaſonable grounds to believe, that as this iſland of Mount
Manſel, muft of neceſſity had ſome communication with the main land of A-
snerica, to have been thus plentifully ſtockt with this ſort of beaſt; ſo Ireland,
for the ſame reaſon, mult in the many paſt ages, long before the late diſcovery
of that New World, had ſome ſort of intercourſe with it likewiſe, (though'tis
not eaſy, I acknowledge, for us at preſent to explain how) for otherwiſe I do
not ſee, how we can conceive this country ſhould be ſupply'd with this crea-
ture, that tor ought I can yet hear, is not to be found in all our neighbourhood
round about us, nay, perhaps in any other part of Europe, Aſia, or Africa: and
then 'tis certain, as Ireland is the laſt or moſt weſtern part of the Old World,
fo 'tis neareſt of any country to the moſt eaſtern parts of the New-Canada, New-
England, Virginia, &c. the great tract of land, and the only one I yet know,
remarkable for plenty of the Mooſe-Deer.
And we may obſerve yet farther, That a ſort of alliance between theſe coun-
tries of Ireland and the Weſt Indies, appears likewiſe in other things, of which
they partake both in common. For as they on the coast of New-England, and
the iſland Bermudas, gather conſiderable quantities of Ambergreeſe, fo on the
weſtern coaſt of Ireland, along the counties of Sligo, Mayo, Kerry, and the illes
of Arran, they frequently meet with large parcels of that precious ſubſtance,
ſo highly valued for its perfume. In the year 1691. Mr. Conſtantine an Apothe-
cary of Dublin, ſhewed me one piece of Ambergreeſe found near Sligo, that weigh'd
fifty two ounces; he bought it for twenty pound, and ſold it in London after-
wards for above a hundred. On the out-lide, 'twas of a cloſe compact ſubſtance,
blackiſla

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
147
blackiſh and ſhining like pitch ; but when it was cut the in-ſide was more
porous, and ſomething of a yellowiſh colour, not ſo grey, cloſe and ſmooth as
the cleaneſt and beſt fort of Amber; but like it, ſpeckled with whitiſh grains,
and of a moſt fragrant ſent; I have ſtill a piece of it by me, that weighs above
fix drams, with ſeveral ſamples of three or four other ſorts of Amber, all found on
that coaſt of Ireland; fome entirely black as pitch, others of a perfect white
ſubſtance, exactly anſwering the deſcription of that ſort of Amber, Olaus Wor-
mius mentions in his Muſeum, Page 34. under the name of Ambre Griſeæ non-
dum mature.
Nor is the kind of Whale-fiſh, that's often taken in New-England, and af-
fords the true Sperma Ceti, a ſtranger to the coaſt of Ireland that reſpects Ame-
rica. This we may properly, I think, with Dr. Charleton, call the Cetus den-
tatus, from its large, folid, white teeth, fixt only in the lower jaw; to diſtin-
guiſh it from that ſpecies that gives the Whale Bone, moſt naturally named by
Ariſtotle in his Hiſtoria Animalium Myſticetus, from its bearded, horny Lamina
in the roof of its mouth: of which kind likewiſe there have been three or four
ſtranded in my time; but on the eaſtern coaſt of this country that regards Eng-
land.
This Cetus dentatus is faithfully deſcribed by Carolus Clufius, in his ſixth book
of Exotics, Chapter the 17th, under the name of Cete, aliud admirabile ; and
truly figured by Johnſtonus in his Hiſtoria piſcium, Table the 42d. and by Mr.
Ray, in his Ichthyographia, Table the ift. but by both under the too general
name of the Balena. There have been three of this kind taken to my know-
ledge, in the ſpace of ſix years, all on the weſtern coaſt of this country ; one
near Golrain, in the county of Antrim ; another about Ship-harbour, in the
county of Donnegal; and a third in Auguſt, 1691. ſeventy one foot long, ex-
ceeding that deſcribed by Clufius, nineteen foot, towards Bally-Shannon, where
Lough-Erne diſcharges its waters into the weſtern ocean.
And then it was, I had an opportunity of truly informing my ſelf what ſort
of ſubſtance Sperma Ceti is, and in what part of the whale 'tis found : concer-
ning which matter, phyſicians and naturaliſts have given the world ſuch various
and falſe accounts; and 'tis truly nothing elſe, but part of the oyl or liquid fat
of this particular ſort of Whale; which oyl, at firſt when confuſed and mixt,
News it ſelf like a whitiſh liquor, of the conſiſtence and colour of whey; but
laid by in veſſels to ſettle; its parts by degrees ſeparate; that which is lighter,
and ſwims a top, becomes a clear oyl pellucid like water, ſerviceable for all the
uſes of common train-oyl, got out of the blubber of other Whales, and that
which ſubſides, becauſe 'tis heavier and of a clofer conſiſtence, candies together
at the bottom, and is what is fold for Sperma Ceti, at twelve ſhillings the pound;
when 'tis thoroughly blanched and refined from all its filth and the remaining
parts of the oyl, that otherwiſe diſcolours it, and gives it a rancid offenſive ſent.
Of this ſubſtance ſeveral hundred pound weight may be gotten out of one Whale,
but the cleanſing and curing of it is troubleſom, and requires no ſmall art, time
and charge; which occaſions the value of that which is throughly refined: the
T
fat

14.8
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
tree.
fat of the whole body affords it, but that of the head gives the greateſt quan-
tity and pureſt Sperma Ceti.
I have ſome reaſon to believe to theſe inftances of the Mooſe-deer, Amber-
greeſe and Sperma Ceti, of which Ireland partakes more than any other country
of Europe, from its neighbourhood with the Northern America, we may like-
wiſe add ſome of our more rare ſpontaneous plants, becauſe they are found grow-
ing only in thoſe weſtern parts of Ireland, and no where elſe in this whole coun-
try, or any of the neighbouring kingdoms about us.
I Mall mention but two or three of many which I have been told are pecu-
liar to thoſe parts, becauſe I am not yet well aſſur’d of the certainty of the o-
thers being fo: and thoſe are the Arbutus ſive Unedo, or the Strawberry tree;
not to be found any where of ſpontancous growth nearer than the moſt ſouth-
ern parts of France, Italy and Sicily, and there too, 'tis never known but as a
frutex or forub: whereas in the rocky parts of the county of Kerry about Lough-
lane, and in the iſlands of the ſame Lough, where the people of the country call it
the Cane Apple, it flouriſhes naturally to that degree, as to become a large tall
Petrus Bellonius in his firſt book of Obſervations, Chapter the 43d, takes
notice, it does ſo in mount Athos in Macedony; and Juba is quoted by Pliny in
the fifteenth Book of his Natural Hiſtory, Chapter the 24th, as mentioning a
thing extraordinary, for faying the Arbutus grows to a high tree in Arabia; the
trunks of thoſe in Ireland are frequently four foot and a half in circumference,
or eighteen inches in diameter, and the trees grow to about nine or ten yards
in height; and in ſuch plenty that they now cut them down, as the chief fewel
to melt and refine the ore of the filver and lead mine, lately diſcovered near the
caſtle of Roſs, in the county of Kerry.
The other plant I ſhall take notice of is Cotyledon, five ſedum ſerratum latifo-
lium montanum guttato flore Parkinſoni & Raii, vulgurly callid by the gardners,
London pride : I ſuppoſe becauſe of its pretty elegant flower ; that viewed near
at hand and examined cloſely, appears very beautiful, conſiſting of great varie-
ty of parts: the whole plant is moſt accurately deſcribed by that profound na-
turaliſt Mr. Ray, in his Hiſtoria plantarum, Page 1046. where ſpeaking of the
place where it grows, he has theſe words: Planta in bortis noftris frequentiſſima
eft, ubi tamen (ponte oritur nobis nondum conftat, eſt autem proculdubio montium inco-
la (f). Though he knew no certain place where it grew ſpontaneous, not ha-
ving met with it in all his travels; nor any author mentioning its native coun-
try, yet he rightly conje&tures ’tis a mountainous plant, for it grows plentiful-
ly here with us in Ireland, on a mountain callid the Mangerton in Kerry, fix or
ſeven miles over, and repured the higheſt in Ireland, two miles from the town
of Killarny, and four miles from the caſtle of Rofs : Here it ſpreads it ſelf ſo
abundantly, as to cover great part of the mountain, and for as much as I under-
Itand, like the Arbutus, 'tis peculiar to this county alone.
(f) That is, 'tis a plant common in our gardens ; but where it grows naturally is not as
yet known to us, but certainly 'tis an inhabitant of the mountains.
Whether

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
149
Whether both the foregoing plants are truly American, I cannot at preſent de-
termine, but this I know, that Sabina vulgaris, or common favin is mentioned
by Mr. Joſelyn, in the book before quoted, as a plant common on the hills of
New England; and I have been aſſured by an apothecary of this town, that he
has gathered ſavin growing wild as a native ſhrub in one of the iſlands of Lough-
Lane, in the county of Kerry; and if ſo, I have reaſon to believe, that hereaf-
ter farther inquiry may add to theſe I have given, ſeveral other examples of things
natural and common to that and this country.
But to leave theſe digreſſions and return to our large Iriſh deer, which well
deſerves we ſhould affix to it ſome characteriſtick note or proper name, where-
by it may ſtand ranged hereafter in its right place in the hiſtory of animals: fince
nature her ſelf ſeems, by the vaſt magnitude and ſtately horns ſhe has given this
creature, to have ſingled it out as it were, and ſhewed it ſuch regard, with a
deſign to diſtinguiſh it remarkably from the common herd of all other ſmaller
quadrupeds. Naturaliſts have raiſed much diſpute what beaſt it truly is, that has
had the name given it by ſome of them, of Animal magnum; Dodonæus, Mena-
benus, and others, would have it the elk; Scaliger would have it the Biſons of
Pliny, whether 'twas one or t’other, or neither, I ſhan't determine; nor do I
the leaſt fufpect that this our animal was meant by it; however, for its goodly
fize and lofty ftature, and to retain ſomething of an old appellation, I think it
may very well lay claim to it, and not improperly be callid, Cervus piatyceros al-
tiſimus; ſive animal magnum cornibus palmatis, incolis Nova Anglie & Virginia,
ubi frequens, Mooſe dictum.
Extract of the Minutes of the Philoſophical Society at Oxford, March 18. 1683-4,
concerning Iriſh Slate.
T having been diſcourſed to us about nine or ten months ſince, by the inge-
nious Mr. Kenwrick, phyſician at Worceſter, that the Iriſh flate pulveriz’d, and
infus’d in water for a night, or leſs, would impart its vitriolick quality fo far forth
to it, that it would ſtrike of a faint reddiſh colour with pouder of galls (as the
vitriolick waters of Tunbridge, Aſtrop, and divers others do, and as you ſee it has
in fome meaſure done in the example here before you) it not only led me to be-
lieve that theſe waters, ſome of them, might as well iſſue from flate as an iron
ore; unleſs it ſhould appear, that this fort of flate were an iron ore too, which
put me upon calcining it for three or four hours after the manner of Dr. Lif-
ter, to experiment, whether it would then (like the other iron ore) apply to the
magnet; wherein tho' I was altogether unſucceſsful, the magnet not taking
the leaſt notice of it, yet it afforded me another diſcovery altogether as fatisfac-
tory, which is the matter I have at preſent to communicate to you; viz. that
upon torrefaction it was all become a yellow oaker, and would ſcore like it, tho'
this here I have to fhew you, be grown a little too dark by much burning, which
further perfuades me, that the yellow, or rather orange-colourd ſediment we
find at the bottom of theſe fountains, comes rather from this ſort of flate, than
an

ISO
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
an iron ore; for I much queſtion whether ſome of the yellow oakers (tho' it's
plain the red ones do) come from, or are, iron ores; but I intend to calcine this
further the next week, whereof you ſhall have an account the next meeting, but
doubt of my ſucceſs, becauſe the Shotover yellow oaker will not own the mag-
net, after 36 hours calcination, or better.
An Extract of a Letter from Francis Nevil Eſq; to the Lord Biſhop of Clogher, F.
R.S. concerning a Quarry of Marble diſcovered by him in the County of Ferma-
nagh in Ireland.
Belturbet, October 14. 1712.
MY LORD,
.
quarry
R. Cole and I were lately in the mountains, where I had diſcovered a mar-
ble
country wherein it lyes ſo
ders in it, that 'twould make a little hiſtory to deſcribe all that is to be leen. It
lies on the north ſide of Calcagh, in the pariſh of Kilaſher, and county of Fer-
managh. There are marble rocks, whoſe perpendicular height is yo or 60 feet,
diſcovered by ſubterraneous rivers, which, by degrees, have waſh'd away the
earth and looſe ſtones, and diſcovered theſe mighty rocks. There are many great
pits faln in on the ſides of the great mountain; ſeveral of them in a ſmall com-
paſs of ground, ſo that it is dangerous travelling near them. There are many caves
form'd, fome very large, the ſides and arches of marble; ſome of a liver colour,
varied with white in many little figures ; ſome of a light blue varied with white;
but I could find no entire white or black among them.
Part of a Letter from Sir Richard Buckley, S.R.S. to Dr. Lifter, concerning the
Gyant's Cauſway in the County of Antrim in Ireland.
Old Bawn, April 24. 1693.
Concerning the Gyant's Caufway. Prolixity in a philoſophical deſcrip-
tion I'm ſure you'll pardon; for I was very exact in getting it from a
perſon that was rei compos, perhaps peritus; a ſcholar (a maſter of arts in Cam-
bridge) and a traveller, who went on purpoſe the laſt ſummer with the preſent
biſhop of Derry to ſee it. It is in the county of Antrim, about 7 miles eaſt of
Colrain, and 31 miles to the caſt of the mouth of the river of Derry. The coaſt
there is a very great height from the ſea, but riſing gradually on the land-ſide to
the edge of the precipice, it is all cover'd with excellent ſweet graſs; when you
come to the precipice, there is no going down there it is ſo perpendicularly ſteep,
but with much labour and ſome hazard it may be climb'd up. By other ways
and

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
ISI
and windings one comes down to the ſtrand; in which, from the foot of this
precipice, there runs out northward into the main ocean, a raiſed cauſway of a-
bout 80 foot broad, and about 20 foot high above the rest of the ſtrand; its ſides
are perpendicular, it went on above 200 foot to the ſea-water; that is, it was ſo
far in view ; but as he was there told, it did not advance much farther, under
the ſuperficies of the water. This whole cauſway conſiſts all of pillars of perpen-
dicular cylinders, hexagons and pentagons, of about 18 and 20 inches diameter,
but fo juſtly ſhot one by another, that not any thing thicker than a knife will
enter between the ſides of the pillars. The pillars do not conſiſt of joints, as
you were inform’d, but each cylinder is one folid piece, only indeed in breaking
it breaks croſs-ivays or horizontally, and not length-ways, which we commonly call
ſplitting; and it is by its thus breaking, that the texture of the middle of the
cauſway is diſcovered; for pieces have been broken from many of the cylinders
that are in the middle, (pieces of unequal lengths) whereby one fees (fo deep)
the perpendicular ſides and edges of the circumjacent cylinders. [Pardon the im-
propriety of the word.]
That the cylinders do not conſiſt of joints, is manifeſt from this, that the pie-
ces ſo broken off, have their bottoms as often convex or concave as flat and e-
ven; and many ſuch pieces there are lying looſe upon the ſand of the ſhore, which
the ſea has waſhed down from it. When one walks upon the ſand below it,
the
ſide of this cauſway has its face all in angles, the ſeveral cylinders having ſome
two,
ſome three of their fides open to view. This gentleman, tho' he had no
notion of Aftroites, yet believes them all to be natural, becauſe there is no other
fort of ſtone or rock there: nay, that very vaſt high precipice does conſiſt all
of cylinders; tho' ſome ſhorter and ſome longer (whereby you may now under-
ſtand it not impoſſible to climb it up, as by ſteps, tho' irregular ones) and all the
ſtones that one fees on that coaſt, whether ſingle or in cluſters, or that riſe up
any where out of the fand, are all cylinders, though of never ſo different angles;
for there are alſo four-squared upon the ſame ſhore. This cauſway runs out into
the northern ocean, having no land over againſt it any where. This is all I can
now tell you of it, and from this imperfect deſcription you may form what que-
ries
you think fit. I dare not promiſe you that I ſhall go to fee it this ſummer
(it being full fevenſcore miles off) tho' I have a great temptation as well as de-
fire ſo to do; but if I do not, I can get your queries well anſwered upon the
place.
The Gyant's Cauſway, by Dr. Sam. Foley.
T
HE Giant's Caufway is ſomewhat more than 8 Engliſh miles northeaſt from
the town of Colrain, and 3 from the Buſh mills, almoſt directly north. It
runs from the bottom of an high hill into the ſea, no man can tell how
far, but at low-water the length of it is about 600 foot, and the breadth of it,
in the broadeſt place 240 foot, in the narroweſt 120 foot. It is very unequal
likewiſe

152
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
likewiſe in the height, in ſome places it is about 36 foot high from the level of
the ſtrand, and in other places about is foot.
It conſiſts of many thouſand pillars, which ſtand moſt of them perpendicular
to the plain of the horizon cloſe to one another, but we could not difcern whe-
ther they do run down under ground like a quarry or no. Some of them are ve-
ry long and higher than the reſt, others ſhort and broke; ſome for a pretty large
space of an equal height, ſo that their tops make an even plain ſurface, many of
them imperfect crack'd and irregular, others entire, uniform and handſome, and
theſe of different ſhapes and ſizes. We found them almoſt all pentagonal or hex-
agonal, only we obſerv'd that a few had 7 fides, and many more pentagons than
hexagons, but they were all irregular: for none that we could obſerve had their
fides of equal breadth; the pillars are ſome of them 15, fome 18 inches, fome 2
foot in diameter, none of them are one entire ſtone, but every pillar conſiſts of
ſeveral joints or pieces, as we may call them, of which ſome are 6, fome I 2, fome
18 inches, fome 2 foot deep.
Theſe pieces lie as cloſe upon one another as 'tis poſſible for one ftone to lie
upon another; not jointing with flat ſurfaces, for when you force one off the o-
ther, one of them is always concave in the middle, the other convex. There
are many of theſe kind of joints, which lie looſe upon ſome part of the cauſway,
and on the ſtrand, which were blown or waſhed off the pillars. Theſe joints
are not always plac'd alike, for in ſome pillars the conrexity is always upwards,
and in others it ſtands always downwards. When you force them aſunder, both
the concave and convex fuperficies are very ſmooth, as are alſo the fides of the
pillars which touch one another, being of a whitiſh free-ſtone colour, but a fi-
ner cloſer grit; whereas when we broke ſome picces off them, the infide appear-
ed like dark marble.
The pillars ftand very cloſe to one another, and tho' ſome have 5 fides, and
others of them 6, yet the contextures of them are fo adapted, that there is no
vacuity between them; the inequality of the numbers of the ſides of the pillars,
being often in a ſurprizing and a very wonderful manner, throughout the whole
cauſway, compenſated by the inequality of the breadths and angles of thoſe ſides :
ſo that the whole at a little diſtance looks very regular, and every ſingle pillar
does retain its own thickneſs, and angles and fides, from top to bottom.
Thoſe pillars which ſeem to be entire as they were originally, are at the top
flat and rough, without any graving or ſtriate lines; thoſe which lye low to the
ſea, are waſhed ſmooth; and others that ſeem to have their natural tops blown
or waſh'd off, are ſome concave, and others convex.
The high bank hanging over the cauſway on that fide which lyes next it, and
towards the ſea, ſeems to be for the moſt part compoſed of the common ſort of
craggy rock only we ſaw a few irregular pillars on the eaſt ſide, and ſome far-
ther on the north, which they call the Looms, or Organs, ſtanding in the ſide
of a hill; the pillars in the middle being the longeſt, and thoſe on each ſide of
them ſtill ſhorter and ſhorter: but juſt over the cauſway we ſaw as it were the
tops of fome pillars appearing out of the fides of the hill, not ſtanding, nor ly-
ing flat, but floping
Wc

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
153
We ſuppoſe each pillar, throughout the cauſway, to continue the ſame to
the very bottom, becauſe all that we ſaw on the ſides were to.
N. B. The ſeveral ſides of one and the ſame pillar are as in the planes of chryſ-
tals, of very unequal breadths or lengths, call it either, when you meaſure them
horizontally; and that in ſuch as are hexagonal a broader ſide always ſubrends,
or is oppoſite to, a narrower, which fort of geometry nature likewiſe obſerves
in the formation of chryſtals.
A Letter from Dr. Thomas Molyneux, to Dr. Martin Liſter, Fellow of the Col-
ledge of Phyſicians, and of the Royal Society, in London: containing some additi-
onal Obſervations on the Giant's Cauſway in Ireland.
D
Iſcourſing lately with our friend fir Richard Bulkely, I find that for ſome
while I have been under an obligation by a promiſe he made in my behalf,
that I ſhould ſend you a more true and particular account of the Giant's Cauſ-
way, than has been yet publiſhed: and indeed had I been in circumſtances that
would have duly qualified me for the performance of this task; the returns Iowe
for the great civilities you ſhewed me when I was in England, were ingagements
fufficient to have made me ready, ere now, and extreamly willing to imbrace an
occaſion, ſo luckily put in my way, of gratifying your curioſity.
But I defer’d hitherto giving you this ſo ſmall a teſtimony of my thanks, by
reaſon I was ſtill in hopes, that one time or other, ſome convenient opportunity
would preſent, that I might take a journey into thoſe parts of the country where
it lies, and ſo be able to diſcharge my ſelf of this office more to my own as well
as your fatistaction; for being an eye-witneſs of this rare and ſurprizing piece of
nature's inanimate workmanſhip, I might by a more diligent ſearch and ocular
inquiry, correct ſome miſtakes and overſights I find committed by thoſe that
have already deſcribed it; and add to their obſervations ſuch farther remarks as
might render the image and notions we have of the Giant's Cauſway, ſtill more
compleat and circumſtantial.
And truly whoever takes a pleaſure or ſatisfaction in making inquiries after na-
tural productions, and examining the various works of the creation, cannot but
be very deſirous if he has once heard of this foſſil, to be as fully informed of it
as 'tis poſſible, being 'tis ſo remarkably ſingular and curious in its kind.
For if we conſider how admirable it is, either for its angular and regularly ſha-
ped columns; or for the long ſeries of ſo many exact joints in each of them; or
for the neat and curious articulation of theſe joints one into the other; or for
the vaſt height, ftraitneſs, and magnitude of ſome of the pillars, or for the great
variety as well as accuracy of their geometrical figures; or for the ſtrange com-
bination of their fides, in ſuch a manner as there is not the leaſt vacuity or ſpace
left between one column and another, they ſtand ſo cloſe together; or for the
vaſt quantity and ſpacious extent of this ſort of rock, which tho' it is found in
ſuch an abundance in this part of our country, none of juſt the ſame kind, for
ought I can yet hear, is to be met with in any other part of the world: confi-
U
dering

154 The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
conſidering I fiy, all theſe particulars, the Giant's Caufway of Ireland may
very well be eſteemed one of the greateſt wonders, nature, or the firft cauſe
of all things has produced.
For tho' 'tis true ſhe has manifeſted much greater artifice and more curious
contrivance in the framing of animal bodies, and thoſe of vegetables; as if theſe
were deſigned to be more elaborate becauſe more obvious and expoſed to view
and obſervation; yet in the modeling of her minerals that lie retired, more hid
and concealed in the bowels of the earth, we ſhall not find ſhe has ſhewn any
where ſo much accuracy and mechaniſm, as in the ſhaping the materials of this
our Cauſway.
However my affairs have ſo unhappily faln out, and I have had ſo little com-
mand of my own time of late, that hitherto I have been forced to deny my ſelf
the ſatisfaction of going to view this ſo curious a natural rarity in the country
where 'tis ſituated, and not being able to foreſee or promiſe my ſelf when it
might be otherwiſe, I would not on this ſcore delay any longer anſwering your
expectations, and quitting my ſelf of the ingagements I lie under; but relolved
at the diſtance I am, to inform my ſelf as well as I could concerning it, and then
ſend you the beſt account I could gather from all my intelligence; which I hope
will not be altogether unſatisfactory.
Tho'l have collected from ſeveral informations by me, many remarkable pal-
ſages concerning this ſtrange pile of ſtony columns, yet I ſhall only here ſet down
ſuch particulars as have come to my knowledge ſince my writing of thoſe papers
publiſhed in the Philoſophical Tranſactions, numb. 212. to which I refer you, as
well for the rectifying ſome errors therein mentioned, as to avoid unneceſſary re-
peating what has been already faid on this ſubject.
Perceiving then I could not ſo well rely on the draught of the Giant's Cauf-
way that was firſt taken, and printed about four years ſince in the forementioned
Tranſaction, as being done by the hand of one who was no extraordinary artiſt,
tho' the beſt that could be then had; I propofed the laſt ſummer to ſome phi-
loſophical gentlemen here in Dublin, that we ſhould employ, at our common
charge, one Mr. Sandys, a good maſter in deſigning and drawing of proſpects,
to go into the north of Ireland, and upon the place take the genuine and accu-
rate figure of the whole rock, with the natural poſture of the hills and country
about it for ſome diſtance, accordingly we ſent him away with ſuch inſtructions
as I drew up for him, and he returned ſoon after with a fair and beautiful draught
very expreſſive of each particular we deſired; an exact copy of which my bro-
ther lately ſent over to the royal Society, by one of their worthy members, and
my highly efteemed friend, the honourable Francis Roberts, when he went laſt
from hence, this I believe you'll find hanging up in their repoſitory at Greſham
colledge, to which I muſt deſire you to have recourſe, for the whole map was
too large and bulky to be inclos’d in this letter * : however, I have ſevered from
it one of its moſt inſtructive ſchemes, as being the chief and moſt eſſential part
* A Figure of this is printed, Numb. 235, of theſe Tranſactions.
ws

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I55
of it all, and have here ſent it you; from whence with the help of the deſcrip-
tion already publiſhed, you will caſily frame to your ſelf a juft idea of the moft
ſingular and remarkable properties of this ſtone of the Giant's Cauſway.
See the Table.
Here you have expreft by the ſame ſcale, all the various figures of the ſeveral
forts of joints and columns that have been found by late careful obſervation to
make up the cauſway.
Figure 1. ſhews a joint but of three ſides.
Figure 2. a joint of four ſides.
Figure 3. a joint of five ſides.
Figure 4. a joint of ſix fides.
Figure 5. a joint of ſeven fides.
Figure 6 and 7. two joints one of a ſmaller, t’other of a larger ſize, that have
both eight ſides.
Figure 7, and 7. a piece of a column of fix fides tranſverſly divided in the mid-
dle, the uppermoſt part a. laid cloſe by the lower part b. that the manner may
the berter and more plainly appear how the convexity or riſing of the joint be-
low markt c. was let into the hollow of the joint above markt d. when that was
in its native poſture ſtanding a top and covering it, by this ſort of articulation
the ſeveral joints of the columns, whether they conſiſt of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8
ſides, adapt and unite themſelves to one another, obſerve in all the reſt of the
figures c. denotes a convexity or riſing, d. a cavity or hollowneſs in the ſtone.
Figure 8, and 8. is a collection of ſeven columns as they ſtand together in the
cauſway, and ſhews that cho' the pillars differ from one another in their ſhape
and angles, yet they adjuſt their fides in ſuch a manner to the next immediate
adjoining columns, that there remains no vacuity between them, for the pillars
are of ſuch various figures, that all ſorts of interſtices of what ſhape foever, are
intirely fill'd up by one or other of them.
e.e.e.e.e.e. The ſides of the pillars which ſhew by their outward ſurface, that
each column conſiſts of many joints placed one above another from top to bot-
tom; and theſe joints ſo cloſely contiguous, that only a ſmall crevice or line ſeems
to ſever them; ſome with their convexities uppermoſt as thoſe markt c. others
with their concavities as thoſe markt d.
Theſe figures make out there was a miſtake committed as well in anſwering
one of the queries relating to this cauſway, as in the account that's given of it;
where 'tis ſaid, that among the columns there are none ſquare but almoſt all penta-
gonals or hexagonals, only a few are obſerved that have ſeven ſides, but more penta.
gons ihan hexagons, whereas ’tis certain, there are not only in this pile quadran-
gular, but alſo triangular and octangular pillars, though no notice was taken at
that time of any fuch, by reaſon they are much fewer in number than thoſe other
figured columns, and not being carefully ſearched after, they did not come ſo
readily in ſight, and my very honoured friend, Dr. St. George Afb, now lord bi-
ſhop of Clogher, aſſured me, that when he was upon the cauſway, he could not
by
U 2

156
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
by all his obſervation, though he examined the matter ſtriểly too, diſcover there
were more pentagons than hexagons.
But this fort of ſtone is not more remarkable for being cut thus naturally into
regular geometrical figures, than for being found in ſuch plenty and vaſt abun-
dance in many parts of this country, for four or five miles about. Other curi-
ouſly ſhaped ſtones as the Trochites, the Affroites, the Lapides Judaici, the Echi-
nitæ pellucidi, and ſuch like, whereſoever diſcovered in the world, are always but
few in number, and only met with in ſmall parcels, ſcattered and diſperſed up
and down: but nature has framed ſuch an immenſe quantity of this prodigious
Itone here altogether, that ſhe ſeems more than ordinary profuſe of her elabo-
rate workmanſhip.
For beſides what goes under the vulgar name of the Giant's Cauſway, which
it ſelf alone is of a great extent, at leaſt ſeventy five foot longer than what 'twas
firſt ſaid to be, and how much farther it may run into the ſea, none can tell;
there are many other collections of the ſame kind of pillars, ſituated in and about
this place, as two leſſer but more imperfect and broken Cauſways, as we may
call them, that both lie at ſome diſtance o’the left hand of the great one, as you
face the north : and a little farther into the ſea, fome rocks Thew themſelves a-
bove water, when the tide is low, that ſeem all made ftill of the ſame ſtone.
And if
you
afcend towards the land in the hill above the cauſway next and im-
mediately adjoining to it, you meet with more of the ſame ſort of pillars, but in
a different ſituation, not perpendicular and erect, but lying as 'twere on their
fides, in a ſlanting poſture.
Beyond this hill eaſtward, at ſeveral diſtances ſtand many ſets of ſtreight and
upright columns ranged in curious order along the ſides of the hills: that parcel
of them which is moſt conſpicuous and neareſt the cauſway the country people
call, the Looms or Organs, from its formal ſhape; which is ſo very regular,
that all its ſeveral pillars may be diſtinctly counted, and they are juſt fifty in
number, the largeſt and talleſt at leaſt forty foot high, conſiſts of forty four di-
ſtinct joints, and ſtands directly in the middle of all the reft, they gradually de-
creaſing in length on both ſides of it, like organ pipes.
Four miles weſtward of the Giant's Cauſway, a mile and a half diſtant from
the ſea, three miles from the town of Colrain, and about two from Dunluce, an
old ſeat of the marqueſſes of Antrim; ſeveral ranges of tall pillars Thew them-
ſelves alongſt the fide of a rock for about three hundred paces together: a church
within a quarter of a mile of them, called, Ballywillan church, I am told was
built for the moſt part with ſtone taken from theſe pillars, which are all of the
ſame ſort of ſtone with the columns of the Giant's Cauſway, (as I find by care-
fully examining and comparing together pieces of them both I have now by me)
and like thote too, conſiſt of regularly cut, looſe, and diſtinct joints, placed one
upon the top of t’other, but in theſe reſpects they differ :
1. That fome of theſe inland pillars are of a much larger ſize than any in the
cauſway, being two foot and a half in diameter.
2. That there are only found among theſe ſuch as have three, four, five and
fix ſides, none that have ſeven and eight like ſome of the Giant's Cauſway,
3. That

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
157
3. That the joints of theſe do not obſerve that kind of articulation by cavities
and convexities as thoſe of the cauſway do, but their upper and lower ſurfaces
touch only in planes, and they ſtand united by means of their weight and preffure
alone, ſo that a ſmall force will ſever them.
Whether theſe particulars may be thought ſufficient to conſtitute a ſpecifick
difference, or only an accidental variety between the ſtone of the Giant's Cauſ-
way, and of theſe more inland pillars, I leave to your greater experience in
theſe inquiries to determine.
But in the mean time I muſt not omit informing you, that notwithſtanding
thoſe regular cavities or riſings, you fee expreſt in the middle of every one of the
joints of the cauſway, deſcribed in the foregoing table, and though I have been
aſſured by ſeveral that have been upon the place, that the like hollows and con-
vexities are in the original ſtones themſelves; yet I find by obſerving the man-
ner of the commiſſure or way of articulation in fix couple of the ſeveral ſorts of
joints of three, four, five, fix, ſeven, and eight fides, which I had raiſed on
purpoſe, and taken out of the cauſway, as they were there naturally fellow'd in
pairs, and was at the charge of having them ſent hither to Dublin, that I might
have a compleat ſet and ſample of all the various columns the Giant's Cauſway af-
fords; I ſay, obſerving of theſe, I find ſome of the joints actually want this ca-
vity and riſing, as thoſe of 4 and 6 ſides I have now in my houſe, and are only
united to another by ſuperficies touching cloſe in planes that run a little flanting
and not parallel to the horizon. Yet this may be only a chance formation,
ſince the univerſal jointing of the whole cauſway, is certainly otherwiſe; but I
muſt take notice, that the hollows and convexities are not conſtantly formed
and moulded in the ſtone with all that accuracy and circular exactneſs the artiſt
has pleaſed to expreſs them in the figures.
Theſe cavities in ſuch joints as are uppermoſt, and lye expoſed to the open air
on the ſurface of the cauſway, afford no ſmall uſe and advantige to the poorer
ſort of the people in the neighbouring country, with whom it is a common pra-
ctice in the ſummer time, when they want ſalt, to fill theſe natural baſons with
ſea water, which by reaſon of their ſhallowneſs are of ſo commodious a ſhape,
that in the ſpace of four tides they find all the water that was left in them exha-
led, and the ſalt remaining dry in the bottom of the hollows. Yet whether ſome
intrinſick principle in the nature and body of the ſtone may not contribute a great
deal, as well as the outward figure of its cavity, to ſuch a ſudden evaporation
of the water, and chriftaliſation of the marine ſalt, in ſo cold and northern a
climate as this is, I leave to be further conſidered.
But there is another irregularity I muſt take notice of, which is, that one of
the joints of the cauſway a pentagon ſent me hither to town, is cavous, both at
top and bottom: and I am told, among the other figured joints likewiſe, there are
often found thoſe that are convex as well at top as at bottom : but the general
formation that's moſt conſtant, and runs through almoſt all the pillars of the
cauſway, agrees with what is ſaid in the forementioned tranſaction, viz. That if
a joint be concave at one end, the other end is always convex. And bating theſe par-
ticulars

158
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
ticulars I have hinted, I do not ſee any thing elſe ſaid in that account that you
may not ſafely rely on.
The vaſt towering height of theſe ſtrait jointed pillars, eſpecially of thoſe
that are moſt fiender and the perfecteſt among them, is truly very ſurprizing,
and deſerves yet a more particular regard. There are in the cauſways, ſome of
thirty two, others of thirty fix foot high above the ſtrand, and as I ſaid before,
fome among the organs equal forty foot in height : how far theſe may be con-
tinued under ground is not yet diſcovered, nor has it been ſo well examined as
it ought: A gentleman of my acquaintance in thoſe parts, did me the favour
lately to trace one of the talleſt pillars of the caufway, by digging into the ſtrand
till he could well go no farther, and it continued ſtill of the fame make and fi-
gure, jointed as it was above, for the depth of eight foot together, and could
he then conveniently have gone on with his deſign, and followed it deeper, he
tells me had no reaſon to doubt, but he might ſtill have traced it much farther
into the earth. This is obſervable, that commonly the joints as well of the in-
land pillars, as thofe of the cauſway, as they have their ſituation nigher the earth,
are longer and taller than thoſe towards the top of the column, but no difference
is obferv'd in the cavities or riſings of the joints, as they are placed higher or
lower in the ſame pillar, they continue much the ſame as to their depth or pro-
tuberance from top to bottom: yet the utmoſt top of ſuch of the pillars that
ſeem compleat and entire, always terminates with a joint that's flat on the up-
per ſide, and no way either concave or convex like all the reſt below it.
By what means theſe ſtony joints, fo ponderous and bulky, and ſo diſtinct and
diſcontinued bodies from one another, ſhould arrive at firſt to this great height,
and reach the ſummits of theſe tall columns where they now are placed, ſeems a
problem of that difficulty, that ſome perhaps for its folution may be apt to think
they were co-eval with the firſt creation, and ranged then in the fame order
they now ſtand by the great Fiat that produced the world. But it were eaſy to
give another conjecture of this odd appearance, were I not better pleaſed to ob-
ſerve and ſet down the hiſtory of nature as it truly is, than to amuſe my ſelf and
others by making vain and uncertain gueſſes at the hidden cauſes of its Pheno-
As to the internal ſubſtance of this ſtone, 'tis of an extraordinary hard, cloſe
and compact texture: its greet or grain ſo very even and fine, that it hardly ap-
pears unleſs view'd near the eye, and when the ſtone is newly broke; then it
Thews its ſelf on its ſurface like a very minute ſmall glifning fand thickly inter-
{perſed with the reſt of the ſolid; which by reaſon its parts are ſo firmly com-
bined together, has ſomething more of gravity in proportion to its bulk, than
moſt other ſorts of ſtone, unleſs ſuch as partake of the Marchaſite or Pyrites,
and are more ponderous than uſual from a metalline principle being an ingredi-
ent in their compoſition; of which this does not at all participate or at leaſt not
in any conſiderable quantity that I can diſcover.
It ſeems as if it were one plain homogeneous body, without any mixture of
Cochlite, Belemnite, veins of Spar, or ſuch like extraneous matter, ſo common-
ly met with in moſt other ftony concretes: nor can there be obſerved rays, fur-
roughs,
mena.

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
159
roughs, ftriæ, or any manner of lines running along its ſuperficies; ſo that it is
capable of a good polith, and I find has in perfection that quality of the Lapis
Lydius, Bafanus or Touchſtone, ſo much celebrated of old, for ſhewing the vari-
ous impreſſions different mettals make upon it when rub'd or drawn along its
furface; but being a ſtone naturally divided into ſmall pieces or joints, and of
ſo hard a body, that it turns or breaks the edges of the beſt tools, when they
offer to cut it; it ſeems unfit for the imbelliſhing of houſes, and all the other
greater uſes of architecture and ſtatuary.
Its ruff and natural out-fide that's expos’d to the open air, and beating of the
weather, is of a whitiſh colour, much the ſame with that we ſee on common
rocks and lime ftone; but the inſide, when you ſever one piece freſh from ano-
ther, is of a blackiſh iron-grey, like that of the beſt black marble before 'tis
poliſhed, but ſomewhat of a darker ſhade.
And indeed I can diſcover but little, if any, difference between the ſubſtance
of this ſtone, and that of marble: 'Tis true, the moſt common fort of marble
is not near ſo hard and cloſe a body; yet that does not import much, ſince 'tis
known that ſeveral kinds of marble vary extreamly from one another in theſe
reſpects; for which we may take Pliny's word, Hiſtor. Natural. lib. 36. cap. 7.
Marmorum genera & colores non facile eſt enumerare, cum ſint in tantâ multitudine:
and a little farther in the fame Chapter, ſpeaking more particularly of the vari-
ous kinds of marble, he mentions one ſort of it found in Ethiopia, Quem vocant
Baſalten ferrei coloris atque duritia unde & nomen.
And truly the ſtone of our Giant's Caufway agreeing ſo well in hardneſs, co-
lour and ſubſtance with this Æthiopick marble deſcribed by Pliny, and Kentma-
nus, reducing a ſort of pillar'd ſtone in Miſnia, near Dreſden in Germany, that
nearly reſembles ours in many of its properties, to the Baſalites : I thought I
could not more aptly refer it to any ſpecies of foffil yet known, than to that, and
therefore gave it the name of Lapis Baſaltes, vel Baſanus Hibernicus, but not
being to well informed then, I ran into a miſtake, when I ſaid, Angulis minimum
quinque plurimum ſeptem conftans ; whereas I ſhould have ſaid, Angulis ininimum
tribus plurimum octo conftans, and this ſhews it to partake ſtill more of the nature
of the Miſnian Baſaltes, tho' it comprehends two ſorts of pillars which that
has not, thoſe of three and thoſe of eight ſides.
This puts me in mind of taking notice to you, that I cannot but think that
gentleman extreamly out, whoever he is, for he conceals his name, and perhaps
would have done well had he his opinion too, that publiſhed a paper Numb. 23.
P. 46. in the monthly miſcellaneous letters, where he ſays, The ſtone of the Gi-
ant's cauſway, ( which I am confident he had never ſeen) might rather be referr'd
to the Entrochi than to the Lapis Baſaltes or Baſanus. Now the Entrochi, you
know, are cylindrical bodies, and never angular, always of a fmall ſize, the
largeſt not above an inch diameter, and their folid quite of another ſubſtance, a
ſoft brittly matter, much of the ſame grain and texture with the lapis judaicus:
which are ſuch ſignal and eſſential characters to diftinguiſh it from the ſtone of
the cauſway, that nothing would be more abſurd in natural hiſtory, than to re-
duce two minerals ſo vaſtly different, to one and the fame tribe; whereas I find
no

160
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
no diſagreement that's conſiderable, between the columns of the Baſaltes Miſe-
nus and thoſe of the Baſaltes Hibernicus, but that the former are made of one en-
tire ſtone, which in the latter is divided into joints; and this I take as grounds
only ſufficient to conſtitute a bare ſpecifick difference, and no more.
Georgius Agricola, in his book de Natura Foſilium, lib. 7: P. 327. has a paſſage
(and which I find confirmed too, by a later author living in that country, Lach-
mand de Foſſilibus, &c.) wherein he mentions a ſort of marble found in the di-
ftrict of Hildeſheim in Germany, that ſeems to bear in ſeveral reſpects, a great a-
nalogy or agreement with this ſtone of the Giant's Cauſway, becauſe they are but
ſhort, I'll give you his own words; In Hildeſheimo quoque e regione arcis Mariebur-
gi collis eſt plenus lapideis trabibus, quarum capita interdum eminent, ſunt vero per-
longe acervatim pofitæ inque medio earum terra eſt colore nigro, ferro aut altero lapi-
de percuſſa non aliter ac marmor Hildeſheimum cornu uſti virus olent omninoque ex ea-
dem materiá ſunt. He does not indeed tell us the preciſe figure of theſe marble
beams, yet it ſeems probable at leaſt that ſome were ſquare, which makes him
call them, Trabes lapidea. But however that might be, this I'm aſſured of from
frequent experiments, that the Marble of the Giant's Cauſway, like theſe ftony
beams, when forcibly ſtruck with another ſtone, or a bar of iron, ſends forth a
ſtrong offenſive ſcent like burnt horn.
But I ſhall forbear making any more of theſe kind of remarks, or raiſing de-
ductions from them, conſidering that I write to one whoſe accurate obſervati-
ons, vaſt reading, and ample experience in Foſſils, can, if he pleaſe, furniſh me
with thoſe that are ſo much more inſtructive and judicious than my own : and
Thall therefore add no more, but intreat you to let me know your particular ſenſe
of this wonderful product of nature, and your impartial cenſure of what I have
faid concerning it; and then I ſhall quite accomplish all that I propoſed to my
ſelf by troubling you with this, the acquiring knowledge, and ſhewing you that
I am,
YOU R's, &c.
Dublin, March
25. 1698.
e Of the Vertues of Mackenboy, by Dr. Aſhe, Lord Biſhop of Cloyne.
R. Mullen tried lately an experiment upon the famous Iriſh herb, called
Mackenboy, or Tithimalus Hibernicus, which is by the natives
be ſo ſtrong a purge, that even the carrying it about one in their cloaths is ſuffici-
ent to produce the effect; this fabulous ſtory which has long prevail’d, he prov'd
falſe, by carrying its roots for three days in his pocket, without any alteration
of that fort.

The Eaſt of the Camfway.
A Scaleof Feet.
These Fizures represent all the Varieties of joynts that make up ý foverall
sorts of Columns some of them apart others joyning together. 1 a joynt of 3
sidus' 2 a jount of 4vides 3 ajoynet of 5 vides 4, 6 sides, 5.0f 4 sides
66 a largergsmalter joynt, oj 8 sides AA AA Round Cavities or convèncity
by which euch joynt adapts iti velf to the next immediate joynt abvve or be
low it BBBB Columny of several vorts acpreſsed largers joined together the
beller w Shew ý way homo ý several figured Pillar: stand together in g lamunay
near
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
A true PROSPECT of the
GIANTS CAW SWAY
PENGORE HEAD
in the County of Antrim
About Six Miles to the North West of Colerain
Taken from the North West By Edwin Sandys1696.
at y Expence of the
DUBLIN SOCIETY
The R Honeble S'Cyll Wich K Preſident
The R+Rmor"D:Alhe Biſhop of Cloyne 85
William Molyneux EfqVice Preſident.
SE
4
o
HMMMMM
WWW
MBUNG
2012 TAUNUL
NIVELINHOUTHIUL PUTINLUPALMAK
MAHIRAWAN
TIN SUD
3310 KUTATHATUNNINN MURURUU
WM
LIMANUBILLAH
TILAUS
2
1
MM
Part of Scotland
its
vo
2
0-90
REBU
K
I
on their
Explanation
A The great Camfway which is from B to C' 135 yards
from D to E 120 yards from Eto G 64 yards
H The imperfect Canofway which is 120 yurile long
Stones the
vame of the Carrjvay which bye
vided in the hill.
K Rocking Sea which appear to be the same rort of stone
I The Organs rohich are Pillars in
vame with y Carſway
M The Chimneys which are Stone and make that Figure
Note there are several of theſe kind of Stones seen in
the sides of the Rocks,
The priekt line in the Camfway sharvs how far thi
Sea floňs at high water.
Dusam
EL TOULET
臺 ​2
07
Page 160.


The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
161
An Account of the Manner of manuring Lands by Sea-ſhells, as pra-
itiſed in the Counties of Londonderry and Donnegal in Ireland
By His Grace the Lord Archbiſhop of Dublin. Communicated by
Samuel Molyneux Eſq;
B
OTH theſe counties are very mountainous, and thoſe mountains covered
with boggs and heath, in ſo much that there is little arable ground in them,
except what has lately been made fo. There are three ways practisid to re
duce heath and bog to arable land : the firſt is by cutting of the fourf of the
ground, making up the turf fo cut in heaps, and when the ſun has dryed theſe
heaps, they are then ſet on fire; when burnt as much as they can be, then thoſe
heaps are ſcattered on the ground, and it being plowed, it beareth barley, rye
or oats, for about three years.
The inconveniences are firſt, that ſuch burning defiles the air, cauſeth rain
and wind, is not practical in a wet ſummer ; and by deſtroying the fap of the
earth and roots of the graſs, and all other vegetables, renders it uſeleſs for ſeve-
ral years after the third, in which it is plowed.
The ſecond way is by liming; this is much better than the former, becauſe
it doth not ſo much depauperate the ground, will laſt long, and beareth better
grain, and whatever is pretended, doth not deſtroy the graſs, if due care be ta-
ken not to overplow it; but then this is very dear, and lime-ſtone is not every
Dung is the common manure in all places, and therefore I thall ſay nothing
of it.
Marl is not uſed, that I have obſerved, in the north, but about the ſea-ſide
the great manure is ſhells: any one that will look into the map, will ſee how
the bay of London, commonly call’d Loughfoyle, lies; towards the eaſtern part
of it, there lie ſeveral eminencies that hardly appear at low water ; theſe are
made of ſhells of ſea-fiſh of all ſorts, more particularly of perriwinkle, cockles,
limpet, &c. The country men come with boats at low water, and carry loads
of theſe ſhells away; they leave them in heaps on the ſhore, and there let them
lie till they drain and dry, and by that means become much lighter for carriage;
they carry them by boats as far as the rivers will allow them, and then in facks
on horſes perhaps fix or ſeven miles into the country; they allow ſometimes 40
but moſtly 80 barrels to an acre; they agree with boggy, heathy, clayey, wet
or ftiff land, but not with fandy. They ſeem to give the land a ſort of ferment,
as barm doth to bread, opening and looſening the clods, and by that means ma-
king way for the roots to penetrate, and the moiſture to enter into the fibres of
the roots: the manure continues ſo long, that I could find none that could de-
termine the time of its enduring.
The reaſon of its long continuance ſeems to be this, that the ſhells melteve-
ry year a little till they be all ſpent, which requires a conſiderable time, whereas
lime, &c. operates all in a manure at once; but 'tis to be obſerved that in fix or
X
ſeven

162
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
ſeven years the ground grows fo mellow, that corn that grows on it becomes
rank, and runs out in ftraw to ſuch a length, that it can't ſupport it ſelf, and
then the land muſt be ſuffered to lie a year or two, that the ferment may be a
little quiered, and the clods harden, and then it will bear as long again, and,
for ought I know and could find it, continues to do ſo with the like intermil-
fions for 20 or 30 years.
In the years in which the land is not plowed, it bears a fine graſs mixed with
daſies in abundance; and it is pleafant to ſee a iteep high mountain, that a few
years before was all black with heath, on a ſudden look white with dafies and
Aowers.
It fines the graſs, but makes it ſhort tho' thick : obſerving that this manure
produced flowers in the field, I made my gardiner uſe theſe ſhells in my flower
garden, and never ſaw better carnations, or flowers fairer or larger than in that
cold climate; and it contributes to deſtroy weeds, at leaſt doth not produce
them fo much as dung; it likewiſe produces very good potatoes at about a foot
diſtance from one another; and this is one method of reducing boggy barren
land. They lay a little dung or ſtraw on the land, and ſprinkle it with ſhells;
ſometimes they cut the potatoes if large, that they may go the farther, and then
dig trenches about fix or ſeven foot diſtance, and throw the earth or foil they
take out of them on the potatoes, ſo as to cover them, and then fencing the
plot of ground fo planted, let them grow. Plant them in April or May, and
they are ripe in Auguſt; they dig them as they have occaſion, and let them lie
till next year, then dig them again, and ſo the third year, every year they by
this means go deeper in the earth, and the laſt they dig them, then pick them
out as carefully as they can, that little ſeed may remain ; and the fourth year
they plow the ground and low barley, and the produce is very good for ſome
years ; ſome potatoes will remain and grow up without any hurt to the barley or
oats, and thoſe they dig and pick out, and the ground remains good and arable
ever after.
"Tis obfervable, that ſhells do beft in boggy ground, where the ſurface is
turf; turf generally is nothing but the product of vegetables, ſuch as graſs, heath,
&c. that being rotten the ſalt is waſhed away by the water, and there remains
only the earthy, and eſpecially the fulphureous parts of them, as appears from
the inflammability of turf; now ſhells being chiefly a falt, it incorporates with
the ſulphur of the plants, and renders them fit for the vegetation of new plants.
And this appears further from this, that ſhells, that have been under the ſalt
water, are much better than ſuch as have been in the earth, or dry at the ſtrands :
almoſt about the bay of Londonderry, if you dig a foot or two it yields ſhells,
and whole banks are made up of them; but theſe, tho' more entire than ſuch
as are brought out of the ſhell-iſland, are not fo profitable for manure.
I obſerved in a place near Newtown Lamavady, about two miles from the ſea,
a bed of ſhells, ſuch as lie on the ſtrand; the place was cover'd with a ſcurt of
wet fpoury earth about a foot thick; the country people uſed the ſhells, but
they were not reckond ſo good as thoſe that are found in the ſea or near it.
The

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
163
The land about the ſea-ſide bears very indifferent wheat, nor will the ſhells
in that particular, without ſome dung; but I very much doubt whether that
be not due to the ignorance of the farmers that generally underſtand nothing of
wheat.
Some thouſands of acres have been improved by the ſhells, and that which
formerly was not worth a groat per acre, is now worth four ſhillings: they have
in many places thus improved the very mountains that before were very curf
bogs. In theſe they meet with this inconveniency, that if the ſeaſon for plowing
proves wet, their hories ſink ſo deep in the ſoil, that they can't plow it, eſpeci-
ally after two or three years.
They commonly made lime of the ſhells formerly, and fome do ſo ſtill. I
have not, that I remember, ſeen any ſuch lime, but I underſtood that it bound
very well, and I believe it is not ſo corroſive as lime made of ſtone; for I find
in the hiſtory of Ceylon, that they may make up their land with lime of oyſter-
fhells, and which, I believe, would be impracticable with common lime.
About thirty years ago they made lime of the ſhells, and manured their lands
with it; but a poor countryman, that out of lazineſs or poverty had not pro-
vided to make lime, threw the ſhells unburnt on his land ; his crop proved as
good as his neighbours, and the ſecond and third crop better, and all took the
hint, and have uſed them ſo ever ſince.
Where fhells are not to be procured, lea rack or fand ſupply the want of
them, but are not ſo good, ſea rack laſts but three years, and ſand little long-
'Tis certain Ireland has been better inhabited than it is at preſent: mountains,
that now are covered with boggs, have formerly been plowed; for when you
dig five or fix foot deep, you diſcover a proper ſoil tor vegetables, and find it
plowed into ridges and furrows: this is obſervable in the wild mountains between
Ardmagh and Dundalk, where the redoubt is built, and likewiſe on the moun-
tains of Altmore : the ſame, as I am informed, has been obſerved in the coun-
ties of Londonderry and Donnegall ; a plow was found in a very deep bogg in
the latter, and a hedge with wattles ſtanding, under a bogg that was five or ſix
foot deep above it. I have ſeen the ſtump of a large tree in a bogg ten toot
deep at Caſtle-Forbes; the trunk had been burnt, and ſome of the cynders and
afhes lay ftill on the ſtump. I have ſeen likewiſe large old oaks grow on land,
that had the remains of ridges and furrows. And I am told, that on the top
of an high mountain in the north, there are yet remaining the ſtreets and foot-
ſteps of a large town; and in truth, there are few places, but either viſibly, or
when the bogg is removed, there remains marks of the plow; which fure muſt
prove, that the country was well inhabited. 'Tis likely that the Danes firft,
and then the Engliſh deſtroyed the people, and the old woods ſeem to thoſe that
pretend to judge, to be about three or four hundred years ftanding, which was
near the time that Courcey and the Engliſh ſubdued the north of Ireland, and
'cis likely made havock of the people that remained after the Danes were beat
out of Ireland.
er.
X 2
4 Letter

164
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
A Letter from Dr. Thomas Molyneux, Fellow of the Royal Society,
to the Right Reverend St. George, Lord Biſhop of Clogher; con-
cerning Swarms of Inſects, that of late Tears have much infeſted
Some Parts of the Province of Connaught in Ireland.
My Good Lord,
E vait ſwarms of a fort of infects in this kingdom, that have lately much in
your
feſted fome parts of the province of Connaught, and the great ravage and deva-
ftation they have wrought in that country: I endeavour'd to inform my ſelf the
beſt I could concerning them; partly, I confeſs, from an inclination common
to thoſe of my profeſſion, to make inquiries into things natural; but more eſpe-
cially from an earneſt regard to gratify your lordſhip’s expectations and deſires,
which I have always look'd upon as commands, in whatever lies in my power.
And truly, had not this latter motive wholly prevailed upon me, I ſhould
have defifted, and given over the further proſecution of this ſearch; for I found
I undertook it with ſuch diſadvantages, that I could not poſſibly perform any
thing in it, but what muſt be very lame and imperfect; and ſo could never fa-
tisfy or pleaſe my ſelf with it, otherwiſe than that it was a teſtimony of my re-
ſpects to your lordſhip.
For this flying army, as I may call them, making their firſt incurfion, and ta-
king up their quarters, in a place ſo remote, above a hundred miles from hence,
where I never have been; all the account I can give your lordſhip of them,
their marches, and the deſtruction they have brought on the country; is only
what I have gathered by ſending out for intelligence, and depending on the re-
ports of others; for what I am able to ſay of my own knowledge is but little,
and what I obſerved of this ſort of fly in another country, and not in this.
Therefore you muſt not expect their hiſtory, or an exact narrative, but only
ſuch looſe particulars, as I could pick up by diſcourſing ſome gentlemen that
live in thoſe parts where they ſwarm, little addicted, you may well ſuppoſe, to
make or communicate obſervations of this kind: however, I ſhall not trouble
your lordſhip with bare hearſays; the following account is what I took up upon
ſure grounds, and what was generally confirm’d to me, by the relations of more
than one; and I muſt here own my ſelf eſpecially obliged, for a great part of
my information, to a letter your lordſhip did me the favour to procure, from
one of your acquaintance on this ſubject.
The firſt time great numbers of theſe inſects were taken notice of in this king-
dom, I find was in the year 1688. They appear’d on the ſouth-weſt coaſt of
the county of Galloway, brought thither by a ſouth-weſt wind, one of the common,
I might almoſt ſay, trade-winds, of this country, it blows ſo much more from
this quarter in Ireland, than all the reſt of the compaſs.
From

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
165
From hence they made their way into the more inland parts towards Heddford)
a place belonging to fir George St. George, bart. about twelve miles north from
the town of Galloway; here and in the adjacent country, multitudes of them
ſhew'd themſelves among the trees and hedges in the day time, hanging by the
boughs, thouſands together in cluſters, ſticking to the back one of another, as is
the manner of bees when they ſwarm. In this poſture, or lying ſtill and covert
under the leaves of the trees, or clinging to the branches, they continued quiet
with little or no motion during the heat of the ſun, but cowards evening or ſun-
ſet, they would all riſe, diſperſe, and fly about, with a ſtrange humming noiſe,
much like the beating of drums at ſome diſtance, and in ſuch vaſt incredible num-
bers, that they darkned the air for the ſpace of two or three miles ſquare.
Thoſe that were travelling on the roads, or abroad in the fields, found it ve-
ry uneaſy to make their way through them, they would fo beat and knock them-
ſelves againſt their faces in their flight, and with ſuch a force, as to ſmart the
place where they hit, and leave a ſlight mark behind them.
This, tho' it was no little trouble, cſpecially to children, and thoſe that were
more nice and timorous of the female ſex; yet it was not the only inconvenience
they brought along with them; for a ſhort while after their coming, they had
ſo entirely eat up and deſtroy'd all the leaves of the trees for ſome miles rounda-
bout, that the whole country, tho' it was in the middle of ſummer, was left as
bare and naked as if it had been in the depth of winter, making a moſt unſeem-
ly and indeed frightful appearance; and the noiſe they made, whilſt they were
ſeizing and devouring this their prey, was as ſurprizing; for the grinding of the
leaves in the mouths of this vaſt multitude all together, made a ſound very much
reſembling the fawing of timber.
Nor were the trees abroad, and hedges in the field the only ſufferers by this
vermin, they came alſo into the gardens, and deſtroy'd the buds, bloſſoms, and
leaves of all the fruit trees, that they were left perfectly naked; nay, many of
them, that were more delicate and tenderer than the reit, loſt their fap as well
as leaves, and quite withered away, ſo as they never recovered it again, particu-
larly ſeveral trees in the curious plantation of one Mr. Martin.
Nay their multitudes ſpread fo exceedingly, that they diſturbed men even with-
in their dwellings; for out of the gardens they got into the houſes; where num-
bers of them crawling about, were very irkſome, and they would often drop on
the meat as it was dreſſing in the kitchin, and frequently fall from the ceiling of
the rooms into the diſhes as they ſtood on the table while they eat, fo extream-
ly offenſive and loathſome were they, as well as prejudicial and deſtructive.
Nor did the miſchievous effects of this pernicious vermin ftop here, their nu-
merous creeping ſpawn, which they had lodg’d under ground next the upper
fod of the earth, did more harm in that cloſe retirement, than all the flying
ſwarms of their parents had done abroad: for this young deſtructive brood, did
not with-hold from what was much more neceſſary to have been ſpar’d, and what
their fires had left untouch'd: theſe lying under ground, fell a devouring the
roots of the corn and graſs, and eating them up, ruined both the ſupport of man
and

166
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
and beaſt; for theſe loſing their roots, ſoon withered and came to nought, to
the vaft damage of the country.
This ſpawn, when firſt it gave ſign of life, appeared like a large maggot, and
by taking food and increaſing every day, became a bigger worm, till at length
it grew as big as a great white caterpillar; from whence, according to the uſu-
al transformation natural to theſe ſmaller animals, came forth this our flying in-
fect; but how or at what certain periods of time, theſe metamorphoſes and chan-
ges were wrought, I could not meet with any one able to inform me.
This I thought remarkable, that theſe young and tender worms ſhould live
on a courſer diet, and fare more hardly than their ſtrong and older parents, whoſe
food was the fine ſoft ſubſtance of leaves and bloſſoms, whilſt theſe fed upon the
tough and almoſt ligneous fibres of the roots of plants. But I find Dr. Liſter has
obſerved the like difference between the diet of common caterpillars and their
butterflies; thoſe eating the groffer food of leaves, whilſt theſe live only on the
pure refined meal, and moſt ſpirituous juice of flowers: and this ſeems one of the
wiſe contrivances of nature, that adapts as moſt proper the airy finer nouriſh-
ment, for the more agile and light body of the volatile inſect, while the fame
animal, when a dull reptile worm, is ſuſtained by a more groſs and terrene food,
more fitting to its flow and heavy nature.
But notwithſtanding this plague of vermin did thus mightily prevail and infeft
the country, yet it would have been ſtill much more violent, had not its rage
been fortunately checkt ſeveral ways.
High winds, wet and miſling weather, were extreamly diſagreeable to the
nature of this infect; and fo prejudicial as to deſtroy many millions of them in
one days time: whence I gather, that tho' we have them in theſe northern moiſt
climates, they are more natural and more peculiarly belonging to warm and dry
countries. Whenever theſe ill conſtitutions of the air prevailed, their bodies
were fo enfeebled, they would let go their holds, and drop to the ground from the
branches where they ſtuck, and ſo little a fall as this, at that time, was of ſuffici-
ent force quite to diſable, and ſometimes perfectly kill them. Nay, it was obſerva-
ble, that even when they were moſt agile and vigorous, a flight blow or offence
would for fome time hinder their motion, if not deprive them of life, which was
very extraordinary in a creature of that ſtrength and vivacity in its flight.
During theſe unfavourable ſeaſons of weather, the ſwine and poultry of the
country at length grew fo cunning, as to watch under the trees for their falling;
and when they came to the ground eat them up in abundance, being much plea-
fed with the food, and thriving well upon the diet: nay, I have been aſſured,
that the poorer fort of the native Iriſh (the country then labouring under a fcar-
city of proviſion) had a way of dreſſing them, and lived upon them as food; nor
is it ſtrange that what fattened our domeſtick poultry and hogs, ſhould afford
agreeable and ſufficient nouriſhment for the relief of man.
In a little time it was found, that ſmoak was another thing that was very of-
tenſive to theſe flies, and by burning heath, fern, and ſuch like weeds, in this
or that corner of their gardens or orchards, which lay moſt convenient for the
wind to diſperſe it among the trees, they would ſecure their gardens and prevent
their

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
167
their incurſions, or if they had already made any incroachment upon them, by
this means they effectually drove them out again.
But towards the latter end of the ſummer, the exact time I have not learnt,
they conſtantly eaſed the country, and retir'd of themſelves; and ſo wholly dif-
appear'd, that in a few days you ſhould not ſee one left in all thoſe parts that
were ſo lately pefter'd with them.
Where they go is made a queſtion, ſome thinking they take their fight like
ſwallows, and other birds of paſſage, as they are call’d, to a more diſtant coun-
try and warmer climate. But I believe there is no other ground for this fancy,
than ʼtis obſerved of this infect, that ſometimes it is migratory, and removes its
quarters from one kingdom to another, but this I conceive is but accidental;
and that it commonly quits its former ſeat, only for want of proviſion, or as we
ſee bees do, when they find their hive, or whatever place they fix upon for their
habitation, becomes over-ſtockt and too narrow a compaſs for their reception:
as for their removing to ſo great a diſtance, as to change one country for ano-
ther, it happens only I ſuppoſe, when ſome high wind iuddenly riſes at the time
of their ſwarming, and drives them even croſs the feas to ſeek for a new dwel-
ling in ſome other land.
The true reaſon then of their diſappearing I take to be, that after their coiti-
on is over, for 'tis about this time they are ſeen to couple by faitning to one ano-
ther by their tails, they retire under ground in order to lay their ſpawn there,
for a ſucceeding generation; and likewiſe to compoſe and ſettle themſelves to
ſleep for the reſt of the enſuing year, as ſeveral other animals are known to do:
for inſtance, ſnails among inſects, the hedghog among the beaſts, and as I have
good reaſon to think, the Ortygometra or rail among the birds ; a ſort of fowl,
that's fcarce, if at all met with in forne parts of England, yet very numerous in
all parts of this country in its ſeaſon, but that's but ſhort, and laſts not above
three or four months in the ſummer, during all the remaining parts of the year,
it lies buried and aſleep under ground like thele fies.
What further confirms me in this opinion concerning theſe infeets, is, that I
am certainly inform’d by ſeveral good hands, that in the ſpring time, by acci-
dental digging or plowing up the ground, great hollows or neſts of them are
frequently diſcovered and broken up, where they find whole buſhels together in
one heap, but in ſuch a quiet condition they ſeem to have but little life and mo-
tion, for they do not ſtir unleſs you touch or diſturb them, and then move but
little and feebly, as if they had been aſleep and were wakened out of it.
Whether they find out theſe large caverns to which they retire, ready made
in the earth, or hollow and form them firſt for their own reception, I cannot
fay, but this I am aſſured, that they are often met with under a firm ſolid ſur-
face of earth, that has not been ſtirred or plowed in many years before, and no
manifeſt paffage can be diſcovered how they got there.
I am informed of another particular relating to them, and which indeed was
very remarkable; that a year or two ago in the ſummer, all along the ſouthweſt
coaſt of the county of Galloway, for ſome miles together, there were found dead
on the fhoar, ſuch infinite multitudes of this vermin, and in ſuch valt heaps, that
by

168
192
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
by a moderate eftimate, one computed there could not be leſs than forty or fifty
horſe loads in all; which plainly diſcovers to me, how and from whence the firſt
ſtock of theſe came to us, in 1688. For, as I take it, this exceeding great quan-
tity that lay dead in the ſtrand, was a new colony or a ſupernumerary ſwarm from
the ſame place, driven by the wind to ſea from their native land, which I con-
clude to be Normandy or Brittany in France, it being a country much infeſted
with this infect, and that lies very open and expoſed to all theſe parts of Ireland;
and from whence * England heretofore has been pefter'd in the fame manner with
fwarms of this vermin. But theſe meeting, by good fortune, with a contrary
wind before they could reach land, their progreſs was ſtopt, and tir'd with their
voyage, they were all driven into the ſea, which by the motion of its waves and
tide, caſt their floating bodies in heaps upon the ſhore.
This was a moft lucky accident, for had this ſecond ſupply met with as favour-
able a gale, and the like reception with their predeceſſors, 'twould have been of
vaſt ill conſequence to us; for how exceedingly muſt they have increaſed the
numbers of theſe we have here already, which alone are ſufficient yearly to trouble
and damnify the country to a great degree.
Yet ſome years are obſerv'd not to be near ſo much infeſted with them, as o-
thers, either on the account, as I imagine, of the ſeaſon proving more prejudi-
cial to them and their ſpawn; or that they removing their quarters, leave one
part of the country more free, to ſettle in another; for they ſeldom keep above
a year together in a place, and they compute their uſual ſtages or march to be
about fix miles in a year. Hitherto they have directed their progreſs from the
place where they firſt made their invaſion, weſterly, following the courſe of that
wind which blows moſt commonly in this country.
This laſt year, 1697. they have reached as far as the Shannon, and ſome of the
ſcattered looſe parties croft the river, and got into the province of Leinſter, but
were met there by a ſtronger army of jackdaws, that did much execution among
them, killing and devouring great numbers. Their main body ſtill keeps in Con-
naught, and took up their laſt quarters at a well improv'd Engliſh plantation, not
far from the river Shannon, call?d Air's court, where they found plenty of provi-
fion, and did a great deal of miſchief by ſtripping the hedges, gardens, and groves
of beech quite naked of all their leaves.
They begin to be apprehenſive of them in the Queen's-county; and in order
to defend themſelves againſt their incurſions, are reſolved upon their firſt ap-
proach, to fire the mountains between them and the King's-county, that abound
much with heath, and by this means raiſing a ſmoke, they hope they may force
* Of which the learned Moufett in his book de inſectis has left us a remarkable hiſtory,
p. 160. where ſpeaking of this ſame fly he ſays; ' Proditum eſt in Anglorum annalibus,
6 anno Chrifti 1574 viceffimo quarto (ebruarii, tantam eorum multitudinem in Sabrinam
fluvium delapfam, ut aquaticis molendinis rotas fifterent atque obruerent; et fane nifi
una cum hominum induftriâ, gallinæ, anates, caprimulgæ, tinnunculi, veſpertiliones, ali-
æque prædatrices aves, (quæ hos in primariis habere cibis videntur) auxilio fuiſſent, ſuf-
focatæ ab iis molendinæ, etiam num hodie obmutuiſſent.
them
6


169

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. 169
them to turn their courſe another way, and ſo prevent their making an inrode
into theſe parts.
Wherever the country has been infeſted with this vermin, by one conſent,
though erroneouſly, they have given them the name of locuſts, being led into
this perſuaſion, I ſuppoſe, by thinking that nothing of this kind could have been
ſo numerous, and done ſo much miſchief, but locuſts only; of which, and the
great deſtruction wrought by them, they have heard mention ſo often made in
the ſcriptures.
But the true locuft, much reſembling in ſhape a common graſhopper, though
larger, is quite a different ſort of inſect from this, which belongs to that tribe
callid by the naturaliſts Konsorliegs, or Vaginipennis, the Scarabeus or beetle kind,
that has ſtrong thick caſes to defend and cover their tender thin wings, that lie
out of ſight and next the body.
This ſpecies is certainly that particular beetle, call’d by Ariſtotle in his hiſtory
of animals Meron du3y, from its devouring the bloſſoms of apple trees, ſee Aldro-
vandus de inſeatis, lib. 4. pag. 448. and is the Scarabeus arboreus of Moufet and
Charleton, call’d by the Engliſh, dorrs, or hedge-chaffers, and by the French, les
Hannetons.
They are much of the bigneſs of the common black beetle, but of a browniſh
colour, ſomething near that of cinnamon, they are thickly befperſed with a fine
ſhort downy hair, that ſhews as if they were powder'd all over with a fine ſort of
duſt: the caſes of their wings do not entirely cover all the back, for their long
peicked tails, where lie the organs for generation) reach a good way beyond
them; the indentures or joints of each ſide their belly, appear much whiter than
the reſt: but to avoid being ſo particular in deſcribing all their parts, I have
hereto annex'd a true and exact figure of one of them, borrowed from the Sca-
rabeorum tabulæ mute of Dr. Liſter, who has neatly expreft it.
And this will give your lordſhip at one view, a fuller and truer idea of them,
than the longeſt and moſt accurate verbal deſcription poſſibly could.
Here ſome pleaſant ſcoffing men in the world perhaps might be apt to ſay,
what an extravagant folly this is, to make ſo many words, and keep all this ado,
about a poor contemptible fly. But if theſe gentlemen will conſider the ex-
ceeding great damage, that ſometimes befals mankind, as a natural attendant on
this inſignificant animal as they would have it, their idle ridiculing humour might
with as much ſhew of reaſon, droll upon and expoſe a ſerious diſcourſe of the
plague. To proceed then:
This pernicious inſect of ours, I am fully convinced, rny lord, from good reafons,
is, that ſelf fame (ſo often mention’d in holy ſcripture, and commonly joined in com-
pany with the locuſt, as being both great deſtroyers of the fruits of the earth) to
which the Septuagint, and the vulgar Latin tranſlation, retaining the Greek word,
give the name of Bpěxos or Bruchus, derived from bgúzco frendo vel ſtrideo, intimat-
ing the remarkable noiſe it makes both in its eating and flying, from whence
likewiſe it has got its French name Hanneton, (as the judicious Furetiere in his co-
pious French dictionary tells us) by corruption from aliton, quaſi alis tonans.
Y
I meet

170
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I meet with this fort of fly ſpoken of in the bible, Leviticus chap. xi. ver. 25.
and Nahum, chap. 3. ver. 16, 17. and it may occur, for ought I know, in ſe-
veral other places; but I find our Engliſh verſion almoſt conſtantly tranſlates this
word Bešzes, though improperly, as I think, cancer-worm, ſince this denotes on-
ly a reptile, or creeping vermin, whereas that word imports certainly a flying
infect. For the bęếzos in chap. 3. ver. 16, 17. of the prophet Nahum is expreſ-
ly ſaid to fly, and have wings, and its nature and properties are moſt truly and
particularly deſcribed in theſe words: It ſpoileth and flieth away, they camp in the
bedges in the day, and when the ſun ariſeth they flee away, and their place is not
known where they are: that is, they then retire again to the hedges and trees
where they lie quiet and concealed, till the ſun ſets again.
If this paffage be compared with what I have laid above of our Iriſa B-Exo1y we
muſt allow Năbum plaid the natural philoſopher here, in this ſhort, but accu-
rate deſcription, as well as the divine prophet, in denouncing God's judgments.
In one of the forementioned texts I find indeed, the word Bpg xos more rightly
tranſlated locuſt or beetle in our Engliſh bibles, and this place on another account
ſeems ſo appoſite and agrecable to ſomething I ſaid before, I cannot avoid tak-
ing particular notice of it to your lordſhip, and on this occafion give you my
thoughts more fully concerning the Rationale of that odd clauſe in the Jewiſh
law, where Moſes tells the Iſraelites, Leviticus chap. 11. ver. 21, 22. That theſe
may ye eat, of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs a-
bove their feet to leap withal upon the earth, even theſe of them ye may eat; the locuſt
after his kind, and the bald locuſt after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the
graſhopper after his kind.
Now I muſt confefs, notwithſtanding all that the learned commentators have
faid on this paſſage, it hitherto has ſeemed to me, (and I believe to moſt readers)
very ſtrange and unaccountable, that here among the pure, wholſome creatures,
proper for human nouriſhment, beetles, and thoſe other nafty, dry, and unpro-
miſing vermin ſhould be thought fit to be reckoned up, as clean and proper for
the food of man.
But ſince I have had ſome little experience of what has happen'd among our
felves, upon fwarms of one of theſe fort of infects infeſting but a ſmall part of our
country, I cannot but admire the providence of God, and the ſagacious prudence
of his divine law-giver, Moſes, who foreſeeing the great dearth and ſcarcity that
theſe vermin might one day bring upon his people, had a particular regard to it,
and therefore gives them here a permiſſive precept, or a ſort of hint what they
ſhould do, when the corn, graſs, olive-trees, fruit trees, vines, and other pro-
viſions were deſtroy'd by the locuft and Bp8X019 or beetles fwarming in the land:
why then for want of other nouriſhment, and rather than ſtarve, he tells them,
they might eat, and live upon the filthy deſtroyers themſelves, and yet be clean:
for no one can reaſonably imagine, they would ever condeſcend to make uſe of
ſuch vile dirty food, if they could at the fame time get any other. So we are
to underſtand that paſſage of the new Teſtament, in St. Matth. chap. 3. ver. 4.
and Mark chap. 1. ver. 6. where 'tis recorded of St. John Baptift, that he lived
upon3

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I71
ture.
upon locufts and wild honey, that he did this only in the deſert wilderneſs, where
no other fuftenance was to be had.
And thus we ſee the native Iriſh were (though unknown to themſelves) au-
thors of a practical commentary on this part of the Levitical law, and by matter
of fact have explained what was the true ſenſe and meaning of this otherwiſe ſo dark
and abſtruſe text; and indeed ſuch a caution as this was highly neceſſary, and of
ſo great moment to the Jews, that it was well worth the care and wiſdom of
their
great leader and prophet, to inſert a particular clauſe in their law concer-
ning it: for 'tis certain Paleſtine, Arabia, Egypt, and the other neighbouring
countries about them, were all extremely ſubject to be infeſted with theſe forts of
pernicious vermin; which is the reaſon they are ſo frequently mention’d, and ſome-
times threatned as judgments to the Jews, by the prophets in their ſacred wri-
tings.
And this alſo puts in my thoughts, that it is more than probable, this fame
deſtructive beetle we are ſpeaking of, was that very kind of Scarabeus, the ido-
la trous Egyptians of old had in ſuch high veneration, as to pay divine worſhip to
it, and ſo frequently grave its image upon their Agulios and Obelisks, as we fee at
this day: though the learned and refining antiquaries, I know, give a far other
account of this matter, and tell us a ſtory of the beetle being a hierogliphical re-
preſentation of the fun, and therefore held as ſacred among them; yet this is
made out but very lamely; and in my opinion, is a ſtrange and forced conjec-
Whereas nothing can be ſuppoſed more natural, than to imagine a nation ad-
dicted to polytheiſm, as the Egyptians were, in a country frequently ſuffering
great michief and ſcarcity from ſwarms of devouring inſects, ſhould from a ſtrong
ſenſe and fear of evil to come, (the common principle of ſuperſtition and idola-
try) give ſacred worſhip to the viſible authors of theſe their ſufferings, in hopes
to render them more propitious for the future.
Thus ’tis allow'd of all hands that the ſame people ador'd as gods, the rave-
nous crocodiles of their river Nile; and thus the Romans, though more polite
and civilized in their idolatry, Febrem ad minus nocendum venerabantur, eamque
variis templis extru&tis colebant; ſays Valerius Maximus lib. 2. cap. s. nor were the
barbarous Iriſh, though chriſtian, backward to entertain ſeveral ſuperſtitious fan-
cies of this vermin we are diſcourſing of, fome imagining they were the ſouls of
their deceaſed friends, killed in the battle of Aghrim, come in this manner by
way of tranſmigration, to infeft their enemies, the heretick Engliſh, becauſe they
ſaw they were the moſt difturb’d, and ſuffer'd the greateſt loiſes by them: but
this was only becauſe their places of abode were moſt improv'd, and ſo afforded
them beſt reception, and greateſt plenty of proviſion for their entertainment.
Whether theſe phyſico-theological notions may be agreeable to your lordſhip’s
ſentiments, I don't know; and therefore I lay them with all deference before
your great ſtock of learning and moſt diſcerning judgment, as a certain teſt to
diſcover to me, whether there is any thing in them or no: and if I am ſo happy
as to find they are approved by you, though they are out of the common road;
or ſhould they run counter to what others have ſaid, I ſhall not fear cenſure, or
believe
Yz

12
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
ſelf at all the leſs in the right; for I am ſafe and pleaſed while I think
as you think, and 'tis my greateſt ambition to be
believe my
Your LORDSHIP's
Dublin, Oct.
5.1697.
Moſt humble Follower, and
dutiful Servant in every thing.
Thomas Molyneux
POSTS CRI PT.
MY LORD,
IT
unluckily ſo fell out, that I could not get the peruſal of the induſtrious Bo-
chart's learned work De animalibus facræ Scripture, (though I earneſtly defi-
red it) till I had made an end of this letter: but ſince I have procured it; and
looking over what he ſays of this fubject, I find though he differs from me in
ſome things, yet he plainly confirms ſeveral paſſages in the foregoing paper, as
I could fhew by citations out of him; but the book being common, in every
body's hands, I chuſe rather to refer to it, than trouble your lordſhip with ad-
ding any thing more, but that I am again
Your moſt faithful
humble Servant,
T. M.
Account of a not yet deſcribed Scolopendra Marina, by Thom. Molyneux, M. D.
S.R.S. Communicated by Mr. Locke.
I Hawe of
many non-deſcripts, that the ſea, by reaſon of its vaſt extent and pro-
found depth, has hitherto reſerved undiſcovered, notwithſtanding the diligent
ſearches that have been made by laborious naturaliſts, after theſe kinds of pro-
ductions.
This December, 1696. two of them were found in the ſtomach of the Aſellus
major vulgaris, or common cod-fifh; a very voracious creature, as one may judge
by

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
173
by its wide mouth, its large ſwallow and ſtomach. I have often found young
crabs, lobſters, herrings, and ſuch like ſmall fiſh, fome half-digeſted, others
perfectly entire in their ſtomachs.
The cod muſt have been taken ſomewhere on the ſea-coaſt near Dublin, for
'twas freſh, and ſold here in our fiſh-market; and I judge it had found this its
prey not very far from the place where it ſelf was catched; becauſe one of the
two fiſhes that were in its ftomach, was compleat in all its parts, and had recei-
ved no manner of alteration, ſave 'twas dead: the other, by lying longer in the
ſtomach, was much mangled and broken: but though it was partly digefted, yet
one might plainly ſee, 'twas another of the ſame fort of fiſh, which I am now
going to deſcribe
It was bigger at one end, and went taper or gradually leſſening towards the
other.
It was four inches, and fix tenths of an inch long, and where largeſt, as it
was an inch and fix tenths broad, ſo it was about three inches and a half in cir-
cumference; at the ſmaller end, not above four tenths of an inch broad.
It had neither ſhell, cruft, ſcales, or bone for its covering, but was ſoft; yet
not fabby or fleſhy, as the men sense or mollia, deſcribed by the naturaliſts but
rather membranous.
The back or upper fide was ſhaped roundiſh, eſpecially towards the ſides; in
the middle 'twas ſomething flatten’d, the belly was perfectly plain ; along the
middle of the back ran a large ſtripe from one extream to t’other, about eight
tenths of an inch broad, towards the upper end, but ſtill narrower, as it came
towards the tail. This Itripe was all covered with a ſhort foft ſort of down
not unlike in texture, colour and ſubſtance, to that which grows on the back
of the leaf of tuſſilago or colts-foot.
Joining to the edge of this ſtripe, ran from one end to t’other, a liſt about
two tenths of an inch broad, that covered both ſides of the animal, and part
of his back. This liſt or verge was thickly ſhag'd, with a fine ſoft hair that
grew very thick, and about a quarter of an inch long, of a moſt delicate change-
able red and green colour; and of fo fparkling a vivid luſtre, that nothing of
this kind could fhew more beautiful.
Among this foft hair were thickly interſperſed, without order, an abundance
(ſome hundreds I believe ) of black ſharp hard prickles, about the ſame length
of the hair, and the thickneſs of a hog's briſtle, but much harder, and very
ſharp at the points.
The tail, or ſmaller end terminated in the back, with two triangular pellucid
ſoft ſcales, that covered the orifice of the anus, at which its excrement was dil-
charged, as I found when I open'd it ; for the extremity of the inteſtine was
cloſely inſerted into this paſſage.
The bigger end (tho' it had nothing of that peculiar ſhape that is common to
the head in moft creatures, and diſtinguiſhes it from the reſt of the body, nor
had any horns, eyes, ears, noſe, or gills; yet becauſe 'twas oppoſite to the tail,
and here was the mouth) we may properly enough call it the head.
al
The
3

174
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
The mouth was a very large patulous opening, for the bulk of the animal
not placed at the end, but ſomewhat underneath, as part of the belly, and could
not be ſeen when the back was turned uppermoſt.
The belly was flat, and no ways protuberant, covered with a ſmooth naked
skin, of a much lighter colour than the back, irregularly ſpotted, with little
dark browniſh (pots, ſome larger, ſome ſmaller ; 'twas broader towards the head,
and grew narrower ſtill towards the tail; where, for about the ſpace of an inch,
'twas curiouſly pinched with little indentures, reſembling the ſmall joints in the
tails of ſome inſects; theſe diviſions or joints were ſtill ſhorter and cloſer to one
another, the nigher they were to the extremity of the tail.
Beginning cloſe at each corner of the mouth, and ſo along both ſides of the
belly, was ranged a row of feet, in a cloſe continued ſeries down to the utmoſt tip
of the tail; the largeſt were placed towards the mouth, and upper part of the
body, where they were about a quarter of an inch long, but downwards they
grew leſs and ſhorter, ſtill gradually diminiſhing, the nearer they approached
the end of the tail; where they were ſo minute, that they were inſenſibly loſt,
and not eaſily to be diſtinguiſhed by the eye. I diſtinctly counted from the
mouth to the tail, on one ſide thirty fix, ſo that on both ſides, the number of
feet amounted in all to ſeventy two, and I could not be poſitive but there
might be ſtill more: Yet thoſe feet which I plainly diſtinguiſhed were a vaſt
number for ſo fhort a reptile. From within the body, through the middle of
each foot, paſt four, five or fix of the fame ſort of ſharp hard prickles, that
were interſpers’d among the ſoft hair; theſe were larger or ſmaller, and more or
leſs in number, according to the ſize of the foot, and gave it ſtrength and firm-
neſs inſtead of bones; and likewiſe, iſſuing forth beyond the end of the foot,
ferved in lieu of toes or claws, for the defence of the creature, or to take hold
by as it walked
Joining to this row of feet towards the back, was ranged along each ſide in
a direct line, a ſeries of ſmall, thin, foft, flat fins, face co face, in ſuch an order,
that each foot was exactly anſwered by its correſpondent fin, ſo that their num
ber was preciſely the ſame with that of the feet, and they kept the ſame rule of
proportion in their ſize, ſtill gradually diminiſhing, the nearer they approached
towards the tail. I diſtinctly counted of theſe as of the feet, thirty fix of a fide;
each fin was curiouſly fringed at the edge, with the ſame beautifully coloured
hair, I before mentioned to have covered the ſides and part of the back. By
help of theſe fins it performed progreſſive motion through the water as a fiſh,
and by means of the feet could creep along the bottom of the ſea, as a rep-
tile.
After I had well obſerved its outward ſhape, I opened it to ſee what could
diſcover within, but I found here little variety of parts; that which firſt offer-
ed, was a thin membranous gullet, that led from the mouth to the ſtomach, a-
bout an inch long: from this was continued ſtreight downwards the ſtomach,
not lying tranſverſe, as is its moſt uſual poſture, but length-ways ; 'twas of a
whitiſh colour, and of a tough thick texture, conſiſting of an outward and in-
ward membrane, with a ſort of carneous ſubſtance between, reſembling ſome-
what

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
175
what in make, tho' not in figure, the gizard in ſome fowl; 'twas as large as
the upper joint of a man's little finger; to this was annext the inteſtine, of a
very differing colour and ſubſtance from the ſtomach, for 'twas reddiſh, ſoft
and tender, and of a much ſmaller cavity; 'twas continued almoſt directly, or
with little circumvolution to the anus; and beſides, theſe parts ſerving for nu-
trition, I could not diſtinguiſh any other viſcera.
But that it had no brain, heart, gills, liver, or parts for generation, or ſome-
thing analogus to theſe I dare not affirm; yet this is certain, that nature has
carefully ſupplied fome imperfect animals, ſuch as the leech, a water reptile as
this, with large and conſpicuous organs for nutrition, whilſt other principal
parts (if they have any) are hardly, if at all, to be diſtinguiſhed.
But what was moſt remarkable in its inward ſtructure, was the curious con-
trivance of the muſcular parts, for the performance of its ſeveral motions; theſe
were very apparent, by reaſon they were both large and diſtinct; one long con-
tinued ſtripe of red fleſhy fibres, about the fixth part of an inch broad, randi-
rectly along the middle of the back, from the head down to the tail: this fleſhy
ftripe fent out from each ſide, like ſo many rays, thirty fix ſeveral pair of ſmal-
ler lateral muſcles, which, by the conſiderable interſtice between, I could eafi-
ly diſtinguiſh from each other, making ſo regular a figure altogether, that they
might very aptly be reſembled to the ſpine, or back-bone of the paſſer marinus,
or common plaiſ-fiſh, when it is entire with all its ribs or tranſverſe proceſſes, iſſuing
by pairs from both ſides of each Vertebra, from the head down to the tail;
in this manner every particular foot and fin were ſupplied with their correſpon-
dent muſcles, to give them motion, either together or apart, as the neceſſity or
deſign of the animal required. And moreover, conſidering this ſort of muſcu-
lar mechaniſm, with the taper ſhape of the body, and likewiſe the poſture and
uſe of the many prickles interſperſed among the hairy ſhag that covered the ſides ;
it ſeems very evident to me, that, beſides its progreſſive motion, it had alſo the
power (as have moſt of the many footed land-reptiles, and ſome water-inſects
I have obſerved) of contracting its body in ſuch a way, that bending its head
inwards, it rould the reſt of the body round it as a center, making a figure
like a rope coiled into a helix, and in this poſture guarded it ſelf from violen-
ces that might annoy it. For ſuch was the ſhape of its body, that ſo rould
up, it made a ſort of globoſe figure, beſet almoſt quite round with ſharp prickles;
ſo we may often ſee the large hairy catterpillers, that have not a little reſemb-
lance to this creature, when moleſted by any offenſive object, ſtrait fecure them-
felves from the violence, by gathering up their body in this manner, and ma-
king their hairy briſtles ſtart out directly forward.
And this puts me in mind to reduce this animal to ſome certain tribe of crea-
tures, already known and deſcribed; and I think on many accounts it cannot
be more properly ranged than with the ſcolopendre marine, becauſe it partakes
of ſo many general properties in common with them, as its being a long hairy
infeet, with a vaſt number of feet, and an inhabitant of the ſea; I know the
Scolopendre marine, as deſcribed by Rondoletius, and out of him by Gefner, Gre-
vinius, Aldrovandus, and Johnſtonus, are all more flender, and longer, and ſharp
و
at

176
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
at both ends, but theſe are but ſpecifick differences, and not ſo eſſential as to
conſtitute a new genus. It will be eaſy therefore to diſtinguiſh in natural hi-
ſtory thoſe ſcolopendræ marine from this, by calling it ſcolopendra marina a ca-
pite latiori verſus caudam ſenfem gracileſcens, Limbo
pulcherrime birſuto Spinuliſque
crebris interſtincto e mare Hibernico.
An Account of one Edmund Melloon, born at Port-Leiceſter in Ireland, who was
of an extraordinary Size. Communicated by Dr. William Muſgrave, Fellow of
the College of Phyſicians, and R. S.
HE meaſures of ſome of the parts of an Iriſhman ſhewn at Oxford,
was communicated to me by Dr. Plot : He was ſeven foot fix inches
high, his finger ſix inches three fourths long, the length of his ſpan
fourteen inches, of his cubit two foot two inches, of his arm three foot two
inches and an half, from the ſhoulder to the crown of his head eleven and three
fourths, his name Edmund Melloon, he was aged nineteen years, Anno 1684. and
born at Port-Leiceſter in Meath, in Ireland.
Part of a Letter from Dr. Afhe, Lord Biſhop of Cloyne, dated March the 26th,
1687. concerning the Effeets of Imagination.
in
inſtance of the force of imagination upon the Fætus, 'twas a girl called
Elizabeth Dooly, of about thirteen years of age, whoſe mother being with
child of her, was frighted by a cow as ſhe milked it, and hit with the teat on
the left temple within one eighth of an inch from her eye, in which very place
the girl has a piece of fleſh growing exactly like a cow's teat in bigneſs, ſhape,
&c. except that it has a bone in the midſt of it, which reaches above halt the
length; this piece of fleſh is perforated, and ſhe weeps through it, when ſhe
laughs it wrinkles up, it grows in proportion to the reſt of her body, ſhe is as
ſenſible there as in any other part.
An Extraet of the Journal of the Society at Dublin; giving an Account of a Pe-
riodical Evacuation of Blood at the End of one of the Fingers.
bod
Decemb. 22. 1688.
A !
Letter was read from Mr. Afhe, in anſwer to a query ſent down by the
ſociety to him, concerning a man who had a conſtant and periodical e-
vacuation of blood at the end of his fore-finger; from which letter the follow-
ing return is abſtracted.
Walter

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
177
Walter Walſh, an inn-keeper in Trym, born in Ireland, of a temperate diet,
ſanguin complexion, and pleaſant humor, in the 43d year of his age, Anno 1658.
about Eaſter, was ſeiz'd with a great pain over all his right arm; a great heat,
and redneſs in his right hand; and a pricking in the point of the fore-finger ;
whereon there appear'd a ſmall ſpeck, as if a little thorn had run in; and fup-
poſing it ſuch he opened it, whereupon the blood ipun out in a violent but ſmall
ſtream; after it had ſpent its violence, it would ceaſe for a while and only drop,
and then ſpring out with violence again, continuing thus for 24 hours, till at
laſt he fainted away, and then the blood ſtancht of it ſelf, and his pains left him :
from that time during his whole life, (which continued 12 years) he was fre-
quently troubled with like fits; ſeldom having a reſpite of 2 months, and they
never returned oftener than in 3 weeks: he rarely bled leſs than a pottle at a
time; the oftener the fit came the leſs he bled; and the more rarely it affaulted
him, he bled the more; whenever they endeavour’d to ſtanch the blood, it raiſ-
ed moſt exquiſite tortures in his arm ; no remedies that were ever uſed proved
in the leaſt effectual : he had no other diſtemper that troubled him ; neither
feafon, nor weather wrought upon him: he had no outward accident that at
firft brought the bleeding: drinking more than ordinary made him more apt to
bleed: he had no child after his firſt ſeizure : theſe frequent fits brought him
at laſt very low, inſomuch that towards his latter end he bled but little, and
that too but like diluted water. He died of this diſtemper on the 13th of
February, 1669-70.
A Diſcourſe on the Diſection of a monſtrous double Catt; read before the Dublin
Society by Dr. Mullen.
Gentlemen,
I
Had given you an account before this time of a monſtrous Catling that I
lately diſſected, but that my buſineſs would not give me leave to put it in
writing till now.
When I met with it, ’twas dead, and I am perſuaded that it was ſo brought
forth, the lungs being compact and free from air ; which they could not be, if
it had ever inſpir’d.
It was double from the navel downwards, having four hind feet, two tails,
two anus's, and two pudenda, for they were females. They were join'd in one
trunc at the navel, and were continued ſo upwards ; but yet this monſter had
two pair of fore-feet, one of them on the back and the other on the breaſt.
The head though ſingle had two pair of ears, one naturally fited, and another
at the hinder part of the head, between the proceſſus mamillares to which the
Vertebre of both the necks were joyn'd; for there were two back-bones conti-
Z
nued

178
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
nued all the way to the head. Though the two bodies ſeem'd to be but one entire
one above the navel.
There was only one ſtomach under the liver in the right ſide, reaching under
another liver in the left. The guts were ſingle till within 6 or 7 inches of
the anus, and there was a diviſion into two branches, one going to each fun-
dament, below the diviſion there were plainly to be ſeen two coecums, within a-
bout 3 inches of the anus each. There were 2 livers, one much ſmaller than
the other; that which was in the right ſide was the leaſt, the other lay lower
down in the left ſide. They were both entire without any diviſion or lobes.
There was a vena umbilicalis inſerted into each of them. There were two ar-
teries inſerted into the liver in the left ſide, both coming from the aorta; and
theſe I ſhall call the cæliace. There was only one inſerted into the liver placed
in the right ſide. There was no vena cava below the livers, for all the veins
coming from the lower parts entred the livers as the vena porta does naturally.
There was a branch of a vein on each ſide, proceeding from the loins inſerted
into the back parts of the liver, and beſides theſe there was not a branch to be
feen but what was inſerted into the middle of the liver.
There were no veſicule felleæ that I could find, and perhaps the reaſon I could
not diſcover any, was, becauſe of the tenderneſs of the livers ;. for they were
putrified before I got the Catling. There were two kidneys on each ſide fur-
niſh'd with ureters. There was neither ſpleen nor pancreas in either ſide.
There was a double diaphragm meeting in the middle between the two back-
bones, and making a membrane, which to me ſeem'd to be a mediaſtinum ; for
it reached up to the thymus.
There were two hearts in it, one placed above the other, and a little to the
right ſide, it was much higher than ordinary, and it had a vein coming to it
from the little liver in the right ſide, which ( together with 3 other ſmall veins,
one from each of the fore-feet and one from the head) furniſh'd this heart with
what blood was to be circulated by it. It had only one auricle, and one ven-
tricle, ſo that it ſeem'd to be but half a heart. There was a pretty large pal-
fage into the arteria aorta, the contrivance of which was very ſingular. For
above this heart it was made like an arch of a circle, into which there was a di-
rect paſſage from the heart for the blood. When I further examined this ar-
tery, a found that it went down on each ſide on the Vertebræ of the backs be-
tween the kidneys, and divided it ſelf on each ſide after the uſual manner after
it had lent each kidney a branch, the liver in the right ſide one, and the liver
in the left ſide two.
Below the former a little towards the left ſide of it, there was another half
heart, having only one auricle and one ventricle like the former. This recei-
ved little blood but what was tranſmitted from the large liver in the left ſide by
that that is called the truncus afcendens of the vena cava.
The artery carrying the blood from this heart was inſerted into the artery
lately deſcrib'd as well as that of the other heart.
So that if the blood circulated through either of them, the whole animal
muit neceſſarily be ſupplied with blood; a contrivance not unlike that of the
arteries

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
179
arteries under the brain, where the arteriæ carotides and vertebrales do empty
themſelves into one common channel, from which all parts of the brain may
eaſily be ſupplied with blood.
The head was join’d to two necks about the proceſus mamillares.
There were four orders of ribs, though the body was but one above the navel. That
which outwardly ſeem'd to be a back was really the place where the ribs met,
and which might be rather call'd the breaſt, though it wanted a ſternum.
A Letter from Mr. St. George Aſh, Sec. of the Dublin Society, to one of the
Secretaries of the Royal Society; concerning a Girl in Ireland, who has ſeveral
Horns growing on her Body.
Trin. Col. the roth of Octo. 1685.
Hon. Sir,
T
fent you.
H E account I here ſend of the Horny Girl, is much more imperfect than
I hoped it would have been, both becauſe its parents or friends, who might
give ſome information of the beginning and occaſion of the growing out
of theſe horns, are not to be found, and that the owner of this monſter would
not be perſuaded to let us take the figure thereof, which we deſign'd to pre-
She is called Ann Jackſon, born in the city of Waterford, of Engliſh parents,
who are both ſaid to have been found and healthy; this infirmity did not ſhew
it ſelf, till ſhe was about three years old, after which the mother concealed her
out of ſhame, and brought her up privately ; but ſhe ſoon dying, and the fa-
ther becoming exceeding poor, the child was left as a charge upon the pariſh.
She is now between thirteen and fourteen years of age, yet can ſcarce go, and is
ſo little in ſtature, that I have ſeen children of five years old taller ; ſhe is very
filly, ſpeaks but little, and that not plainly, haſtily, and with difficulty, her
voice is low and rough; her complexion and face well enough, except her eyes,
which look very dead, and ſeem to have a film or horn growing over 'em, ſo
that ſhe can hardly now perceive the difference of colours.
The horns abound chiefly about the joynts and flexures, and not on the braw-
ny fleſhy parts of her body, they are fäſtned to the skin like warts, and about
the roots reſemble them much in ſubſtance, tho' towards the extremities they
grow much harder and more horny; at the end of each finger and toe, grows
one as long as the finger or toe, not ſtrait forwards, but riſing a little between
the nail and the fleſh (for near the roots of theſe excreſcencies is ſomething like
a nail) and bending again like a turky's claw, which too it much reſembles in
colour; on the other joynts of her fingers and toes are ſmaller ones, which
fometimes fall off, others growing in their places. The whole skin of her feet,
legs and arms, is very hard and callous, and does daily grow more and more fo;
Z2
on

I 80
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
on her knees and elbows, and round about the joynts are many horns; two more
remarkable at the point of each elbow, which twiſt like rams horns, that on
the left arm is above half an inch broad, and four inches long; on her buttocks
grow a great number, which are flat by frequent fitting ; at her armpits and
the nipples of her breaſts, ſmall hard ſubſtances ſhoot out, much ſlenderer and
whiter than the reſt; at each ear alſo grows a horn; the skin of her neck does
of late begin to turn callous and horny, like that of her hands and feet. She
eats and drinks heartily, ſleeps foundly, and performs all the offices of nature
like other healthy people, except that ſhe never had the evacuation proper to
her ſex. This, Sir, is as particular an account as I can gather.
I am,
Honoured Sir,
Your very Humble Servant,
St. GEORGE ASH.
A Letter from William Molyneux Eſq; to one of the Secretaries of
the Royal Society, concerning the Circulation of the Blood, as
ſeen, by the Help of a Microſcope, in the Lacerta aquatica.
Dublin, October 27. 1685.
Sir,
UR Society lately received tranſcripts of two of Dr. Garden's Letters,
the firſt dated from Aberdeen, July 17. 1685. to Dr. Middleton; the o-
ther September 4. 1685. to Dr. Plott. To both theſe letters I have ſomething
to ſay
In the firſt he gives an account of the viſible circulation of the blood in the
Water-newt or Lacerta aquatica; truly I am heartily glad, that this learned and
ingenious Dr. has hit upon this experiment; 'tis now above two years and an
half, fince I firſt diſcovered this furpriſing appearance, and wrote a large ac-
count thereof, May 12. 1683. as alſo of the whole anatomy of this animal,
to my brother, who was then at Leyden. And I have ſince that, ſhew'd it fre-
quently, both on the out-ſide without diſtinction, and in the inward veſſels al-
ſo, to ſeveral curious phyſicians and philosophers, to their great ſatisfaction and
admiration; particularly I expoſed it firſt to our ſociety, May 26. 1684. as ap-
pears by the following minute taken from our regiſtry. May 26. 1684. Mr.
Mo-

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
I8I
Molyneux opened before the company a Water-newt, which he takes to be the Sala-
mandra or Lacerta aquatica, in the body of this animal there are two long facculi
aerii, on which the blood veſſels are curiouſly ramified, to theſe blood veſſels, applying
a microſcope, he shewed the circulation of the blood ad oculum, as plainly as water
running in a river, and more rapidly than any common ſtream. The ſame experi-
ment I repeated again before them on the 2d of June following, and to thoſe
that had good obſerving eyes, the circulation was as viſible outwardly on the
hands and toes, as in the veſſels within. But certainly the appearance in the
veſſels on the two forementioned facculi, with the beating, emptying and fil-
ling of the heart, is moſt furprifing to the beholder. This creature ſeems won-
derfully adapted by nature for this experiment ; for beſides the tranſparency of
its skin and veſſels, I have had them live nine hours after they have been expan-
ded, and all their viſcera laid open.
To Dr. Garden's 2d letter I have only this, he endeavours therein to explain
and give an account of the trade-winds within the tropicks from the different
gravity of the atmoſphere at divers times of the year. And yet it is aſſerted,
Numb. 165. page 790. of the Philoſophical Tranſactions, That the mercury is
not affected with the weather, or very rarely, let it be cloudy, rainy, windy, or fe-
rene, in St. Helena, or the Barbadoes, and therefore probably not within the tro-
picks, unleſs in a violent ſtorm or hurricane. Now if the mercury move little or
nothing in the baroſcope, 'tis likely there is little or no change in the gravity
of the atmoſphere within the tropicks.
I am,
Your moſt humble Servant.
WILLIAM MOLYNEUX.
The great Age of two Perſons in Ireland, by Dr. Tho. Molyneux.
Y lord Bacon ſays, that the counteſs of Deſmond, in Ireland, was one hun-
dred and forty years of age.
Mrs. Eckleſton, who lived at Philipſtown in the King's-county, was born in the
year 1548, and died 1691; ſo ſhe was 143 years old.
M
Part of a Letter from Mr. Ray, F.R.S. to Dr. Sloan, giving an account of the poy-
Sonous Qualities of Hemlock-water-dropwort.
I
Shall now communicate to you, a ſtory or two of the direful effects of Oe-
nanthe aquatica, Cicutæ facie ſucco viroſo of Lobel, which we may Engliſh
hemlock-water-dropwort, upon ſeveral perſons that eat of the roots of it,
ſent

182
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
fent me not long ſince in a letter from Dr. Francis Vaughan, a learned phyſician
in Ireland, living at Clonmel, in the county of Tipperary. This gentleman obſer-
ving me, notwithſtanding what Dr. Johnſon in his Gerardus emaculatus, and Lo-
bel, in his Adverſaria had written of the venenoſe quality of this plant, to be
fomewhat doubtful of it in my Synopſis methodica ſtirpium Britannicarum, for my
full ſatisfaction and conviction, wrote the following abſtract of a hiſtory drawn
up by a perſon, who is at preſent his brother-in-law, concerning the effects of
it upon himſelf, and ſeven other young men, who ignorantly miſtaking it for
Sium aquaticum, or Apium paluſtre, did eat of it.
Eight young lads went one afternoon a fiſhing to a brook in this country, and
there meeting with a great parcel of Oenanthe aquatica ſucco virolo, (in Iriſh, Ta-
how) they miſtook the roots of it for Sium aquaticum roots, and did eat a great
deal of them. About four or five hours after going home, the eldeſt of them,
who was almoſt of man's ftature, without the leaſt previous appearing diſorder
or complaint, on a ſudden fell down backwards, and lay kicking and ſprawling
on the ground, his countenance ſoon turn'd very ghaſtly, and he foamed at the
mouth. Soon after four more were ſeized the ſame way, and they all dy'd be-
fore morning, not one of them having ſpoken a word from the moment in which
the venenate particles ſurprized the genus nervoſum. Of the other three one ran
ſtark mad, but came to his right reaſon again the next morning. Another had
his hair and nails faln off, and the third (who is my brother-in-law) alone eſca-
ped without receiving any harm: whether he eat leſs of this fatal root, or whe-
ther his conſtitution, which is to this day very athletick, occafion'd it, I can-
not tell. Though I am of opinion, that his ſpeedy running above two miles
home, after that he ſaw the firſt young man fall, together with his drinking a
very large draught of milk, warm from the cow in his mid-way, were of fingu-
lar uſe to him. For his violent ſweating did doubtleſs expel and carry off many
of the venenoſe particles, and had a better effect than perhaps, the beſt of our
alexipharmicks (which you know are generally diaphoretick) might have produ-
ced in this caſe. Beſides, I believe the draught of warm milk did act its part, by in-
volving the acid or acrimonious poiſonous particles, and rendring them unactive,
and preventing their ſeizing the Genus nervoſum, till they were expellid per Di-
aphoreſin. But this is but my conjecture, which I willingly ſubmit to more ma-
ture judgments. This happened about thirty years ago; but there are many yet
alive, who affert the truth of it, having been eye-witneſſes of this dreadful tra-
gedy. There was alſo a Dutchman, about two years ſince, within eight miles
of this place, poiſoned by boiling and eating the tops of this plant, ſhred into
his pottage; he was ſoon after found dead in his boat, and his little Iriſh boy
gave account of the cauſe of his death, to be eating this herb, which he fore-
warn’d his maſter againſt, but in vain, the Dutchman aſſerting, that it was good
ſallad in his country; ſo that I believe he took it for Apium paluſtre, which its
leaves much reſemble. Thus far Dr. Vaughan.
Several parallel and no leſs tragical hiſtories of later date, of the miſerable de-
ſtruction of divers perſons, by the eating of the roots of this pernicious and de-
leterious plant, I find recorded by Jacobus Wepferus, in his book de noxis Cicuta
aquatica,

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
183
aquatice, and in the Miſcellanea curioſa or Ephemerides German. Dec. 2. An. 6.
Obſerv. 116.
Wherefore I think it is for the intereſt of mankind that all perſons be ſuffici-
ently caution'd againſt venturing to eat of this, and indeed any other unknown
herb or root, left they incur the fame fate; and in order thereto, that ſuch hi-
ſtories be made publick and tranſmitted to poſterity.
Part of a Letter from Francis Nevil, Eſq; to the right reverend the
Lord Biſhop of Clogher, containing a Relation of ſeveral Urns and
ſepulchral Monuments lately found in Ireland.
Belturbet, December 9. 1712.
My LORD,
Hen biſhop Hopkins was biſhop of Raphoe, there was a whale caſt on the if-
land Dowey, which belongs to the biſhoprick; which iſland is about ten
miles beyond Caftle-doe. This whale carried me into thoſe wild parts of the coun-
ty of Dunnagal; and whilft I was in that iſland, and in another adjacent called
Innis Bofin, which did likewiſe belong to the biſhoprick, I ſaw ſeveral whales
playing for ſeveral days together in that ſea. The whale that was caſt aſhore
was but a ſmall one, so foot long: It was of that kind that hath the whalebone
in the roof of the mouth.
When I came back to Caſtle-doe, I was told of an urn that was found within
a mile of that place; where I went, and met with the man that had found the
fame. He carried me into a little iſland, ſurrounded with bog, where his cabin
ſtood: the iſland was very dry, light, fandy ground, which he had plowed:
the plow running in ſome places over flat ſtones covered above with earth, made
the man curious to ſearch; and the rather becauſe he was a clothier by trade, he
wanting a flat ſtone to make him a hot-preſs (for ſo they do, who want an iron
plate to preſs their cloth on.) In taking up the ſtone he found a cavity under it.
which I believe may be call'd a fepulchre, or tomb: in it he found an urn, which
he broke, becauſe nothing was in it but bones and aſhes. In the fame tomb there
were ſome bones of one about ten or twelve years old. The tomb ſtood E. and
W: the urn was found in the weſt end; it was the ſmalleſt urn I have ſeen, but
the cavity wherein it lay was near five foot long, two foot and a half broad, and
about the ſame depth: it was made up of fix coarſe flag ſtones, viz. one on each
fide, one at the head, another at the foot, one above and one below: the bones
were much waſted, and but few of them. Whilft I ſtaid there, we opened 3
more, which the man quickly found out, becauſe he had made his marks by the
plow. Theſe three were much larger than the former; one of the three was
near the center of the iſland, and biggeſt of all; but all alike made. There was
no urn in either of them, and but bones in one, which was the biggeft. The
bones

184
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
bones ſeem'd to be of a man of an ordinary ſtature: if there had been any in the
other two they were conſumed. The man told me he did believe there were
more; but I had not time to make a further ſearch. This ſeem'd to be a com-
mon burying place, there being ſo many of that kind of tombs in it; and one
may gather from thence, that at that time they burnt ſome, and others they did
not; becauſe here was an urn found with bones burnt, and there were bones un-
burnt. This iſland is ſituate on an iſtmus about half a mile over, between the
bay of Dunfannaghan and the lough of Kinnevier, near to lieut. general Hamil-
ton's houſe.
There were three the like urns found in three ſmall ſtone cheſts, under a great
kern or heap of ſtones, near to Bann-bridge in the county of Down; which heap
being remov'd to help to build that bridge, they were diſcover’d.
There were the like urns found near Omagh in the county of Tyrone, in the
like cheſts, under two heaps of ſtones, which were removed to build ſome hou-
ſes in the ſaid town.
There was one urn found in a little fandy hill near Cookſton on the road to Lif-
son in the county of Tyrone : it was covered with a great rude line-ítone; which
being removed in order to make lime, the urn was diſcovered in a hole encom-
paffed with fix ftones of equal bigneſs, which made a hexagon, in which the urn
itood. The water that had faln
on the urn from the lime-ſtone, or the air con-
denſing, had petrify'd, and made a ſtony cruſt on the outſide thereof. There
were ſome bones and aſhes found in it. Sir Robert Staples had the urn and gave
it to me, which I deſign’d for the college; but the fellow I entruſted to carry
it broke the fame, and ſo my deſign fail'd.
At Dungannon in the ſame county, a ſervant of mine working in a fand pit near
the town, ſtruck on an urn, which was the largeſt I ever ſaw. It was found
with the mouth whelm'd downward, the bones and aſhes on a flat ſtone, and
the urn
en covering them: it would have held about three quarts, and had been bet.
ter burnt in the fire than they uſually are: but this met with the fate of others;
it was broke by the ſpade before the man was aware, and had no ſtones about it
as the others, but was bury'd in the earth about a foot under ground. As they
dug the bank for ſand, the place where the carcaſs was burnt was diſcovered by
the coals and picces of bones, which ſpread a great way, about a foot under
ground.
Near to the fame town, on Mr. Knox's eſtate, in a town-land callid Killimeille
(which in Engliſh is louſy-cell
, or louſy burying-place) there are on the top of the
hill two circles of dry ſtone about 20 yards in diameter each; they meet ontwo
fides and make the figure of eight. I ſuppoſe when firſt form’d they made a dry
wall for two diſtinct burying-places, one for the men, the other for the women;
or rather two repoſitories for urns. One James Hamilton, who farm’d the ground
from Mr. Knox, wanting ſtones to build a houſe, drew off moſt of them from
this place. When he had entred within one of the circles, he found three urns
in three ſeveral holes, fet about with fix ftones, and covered with flat ſtones, and
and other ſtones thrown on the top; he broke what he found, not finding what
he expected. Mr. Knox and I went there to ſee the place, and ſaw the holes
and

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
185
and broken urns; but the man's houſe being finiſh'd, there were no more found;
but I am perſuaded there are many more, becauſe theſe three were found near to-
gether. The poor man met with an accident of fire in his malt-houſe, which
did him great damage; the Iriſh attributed it to his taking thoſe ſtones to build
his houſe, which they call'd holy, tho' they knew nothing of its being a burying
place, till thus diſcovered.
On the ſame hill about 30 yards diſtance to the eaſtward of theſe circles, up-
on ſearch we found the altar whereon they uſed to burn their dead, over-grown
with carth and green fod, which we cauſed to be uncovered: it was made of dry
ſtone, eight foot long and four foot broad, the coals and bones freth among the
ſtones, and the ſtones burnt with fire. At the eaſt end of this altar there was a
pit, which was likewiſe over-grown with earth and green fod; which we open-
ed, and found it to be the receiver, where they ſwept in all that remain'd on the
altar after burning. We ſearch'd deep, and the ſubſtance was all alike, black and
greaſy: it had tinged the hill in a ſtrait line from the pit to the bottom of the
hill; and diſcovered it ſelf to our view, the land being then plow'd.
I thall add only one more that I have ſeen, beſides the many that are yearly
diſcovered; to ſhew that this was the way the Iriſh had tor burying in heathen
time, though the people know nothing of it by hiſtory or tradition.
In the county of Farmanagh, upon a hill over Wattle-bridge, there has been a
mighty heap of ſtones, the baſis incircled with very large ſtones ſtanding on end.
This heap has been remov’d to pave our ways, and build that bridge; under which
there were ſome urns found in ſtone coffins, and I believe there are ſome remain-
ing. Theſe were, I ſuppoſe, the urns of ſome great perſonages. The heap was
ſo big, and the ſtones about it ſo large and ſo many, that it coſt great pains to
bring them there: or perhaps there might have been a fight there, and ſome of
the great officers might have their bones interr'd there, and the army made that
great work over them; for it ſeem'd to be a work done by many. I have ſeen
feveral ſuch heaps in this kingdom, and I doubt not but they are all monuments
for the dead. I am, &c.
Francis Nevil.
An Account of a large Cave nigh Drogheda, by Mr. Edward Llhwyd.
HE moſt remarkable curioſity we ſaw by the way, was a ſtately mount
at a place called New Grange near Drogheda; having a number of huge
ftones pitch'd on end round about it, and a ſingle one on the top. The gentle-
man of the village (one Mr. Charles Campbel
) obſerving that under the green turf
this mount was wholly compoſed of ſtones, and having occaſion for fome, em-
ploy'd his ſervants to carry off a conſiderable parcel of them; till they came at
laſt to a very broad flat ſtone, rudely carv'd, and placed edgewiſe at the bottom
of the mount. This they diſcovered to be the door of the cave, which had a
long
А а

186
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
long entry leading into it. At the firſt entering we were forced to creep; but
ſtill as we went on, the pillars on each ſide of us were higher and higher; and
coming into the cave, we found it about twenty foot high. In this cave, on
each hand of us was a cell or apartment, and another went on ſtraight forward
oppoſite to the entry. In thoſe on each hand was a very broad ſhallow bafon
of ſtone, ſituated at the edge. The badon in the right hand apartment ſtood in
another; that on the left hand was ſingle; and in the apartment ſtraight for-
ward there was none at all. We obſerved that water dropt into the right hand
baſon, tho' it had rain'd but little in many days; and ſuſpected that the lower ba-
fon was intended to preſerve the ſuperfluous liquor of the upper, (whether this
water were ſacred, or whether it was for blood in facrifice) that none might
come to the ground. The great pillars round this cave, ſupporting the mount,
were not at all hewn or wrought; but were ſuch rude ſtones as thoſe of Abury in
Wiltſhire, and rather more rude than thoſe of Stonehenge : but thoſe about the ba-
fons, and ſome elſewhere, had ſuch barbarous ſculpture (viz. ſpiral like a ſnake,
but without diſtinction of head and tail) as the forementioned ſtone at the entry
of the cave. There was no flagging nor floor to this entry nor cave; but any
fort of looſe ſtones every where under feet. They found ſeveral bones in the
cave, and part of a ſtag's (or elſe elk’s) head, and ſome other things, which I
omit, becauſe the labourers differed in their account of them. A gold coin of
the emperor Valentinian, being found near the top of this mount, might beſpeak
it Roman; but that the rude carving at the entry and in the cave ſeems to denote
it a barbarous monument. So, the coin proving it ancienter than any invaſion
of the Oſtmens or Danes; and the carving and rude ſculpture, barbarous; it
fhould follow, that it was ſome place of ſacrifice or burial of the ancient Iriſh.
А

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
[187
A Letter from Sir Robert Redding, late Fellow of the Royal Society, concerning
Pearl-fiſhing in the North of Ireland; communicated to the Publiſher by Dr.
Liſter, R.S.S.
Dear SIR,
B В
Eing in the north in Auguſt laſt, and calling to remembrance your des
fires to have ſome of the muſcle-ſhells ſent you wherein the pearls were
found, I ſtayed behind my company one day like an old hound from
following the ſtag, and beſtowed it in enquiries from others, and ſome ſmall
trials in the rivers ; but having by me neither queries to direct my ſearch, nor
books to inform me what had been delivered by others on this ſubject, I muſt
needs fall ſhort in thoſe points that are moſt curious and moſt wanting, and
take notice only of what is too common and moſt known in the natural Hi-
ſtory of this ſhell-fiſh.
I have ſent you four or five of the ſhells, and a few of the pearls, though
clouded and little worth, taken out of the river near Omagh in the county of
Tyrone, in which county are four rivers abounding with theſe muſcles, all
emptying themſelves into Lough-Foyle, whereon ſtands the town of Derry, and
fo into the ſea. There are alſo other rivers in the county of Dunnagall, a ri-
ver near Dundalk, the Shure running by Waterford, the lough called Lough-
Lean in Kerry, which afford the like fiſh; and no doubt there may be many more
that I do not know: all theſe places are at the feet of very great mountains.
The manner of their fiſhing is not extraordinary, the poor people in the
warm months before harveſt is ripe, whilſt the rivers are low and clear, go in-
to the water, ſome with their toes, fome with wooden tongs, and ſome by
putting a ſharpned ſtick into the opening of the ſhell take them up: and al-
tho' by common eſtimate not above one ſhell in a hundred may have a pearl,
and of thoſe pearls not above one in a hundred be tolerably clear; yet a vaſt
number of fair merchantable pearls, and too good for the apothecary, are of-
fered to ſale by thoſe people every ſummer aſſize. Some gentlemen of the
country make good advantage thereof, and my ſelf whilſt there, ſaw one pearl
bought for yo ſhillings that weighed 36 carrats, and was valued at 401. and
had it been as clear as fome others produced therewith, would certainly have
been very valuable. Every body abounds with ſtories of the good pennyworths
of the country, but I will add but one more: A miller took out a pearl which
he fold for 4 1. 10 s. to a man that ſold it for 10 l. who fold it to the late lady
Glenanly for 30 l. with whom I ſaw it in a necklace; ſhe refuſed 80 l. for it
from the late dutcheſs of Ormond. I was informed that in the courſe of the
river of about fixteen miles, there were many deep pools, which could never
have been ſearched by theſe unmechanical people, for whom I made a dredge
with ſome teeth in the knife of it to rake them out of the ſand, and in that
A a 2
only

[188] The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
only particular differing from the common oyſter dredge; as alſo little hand-
dredges, not unlike what I had ſeen men in the river of Thames taking up bal-
laſt with
I took up many young muſcles, but theſe have never any pearl in them, and
do think to get ſome pond or ſmall brook by the river's ſide to preſerve them
in, rather than to deſtroy them unprofitably.
The natives, though very foul feeders, will not eat the fiſh, which ſeems
to me to cut like the oyſter, blackiſh green; and were it not too great a di-
greſſion from the ſubject, and too offenſive to good ſtomachs, I could enter-
tain you with their laſt Lenten fare, when horſe-fleſh dead of diſeaſes, and the
blubber of a whale caſt up by chance, when it would fly upon the opening
of the bung-hole of the barrel like bottle beer) was fought for, and begged for
food, fo lazy and improvident many of them are. The ſhell is faſtned with
two cartilages, one at each end, whereas the oyſter and ſcallop are with one
only in the middle. The natural poſture they keep to, neither lying on the
fide, as thoſe I ſaw, or ſet up in the fand like eggs in falt, with the ſharpend
downwards, and the opening fide turned from the torrent, as the people ſay,
I leave to be further inquired into; but I ſaw them lying in part opened, and
putting forth their white fins like a tongue out of the mouth, which directs
the eye to them in the water, being otherwiſe black as the ſtones in the
river.
The backs of the ſhells, juſt about the hinges on which the valves do open,
are all broken and bruiſed, both young and old, and ſhew the ſeveral cruſts and
ſcales that make the ſhell, and is cauſed (I think till I know better) by the ma-
ny great ſtones that are driven over them by the floods which are moſt impe-
tuous after any little rain.
You will obſerve the inſides of the ſhells are of an oriental and pearly colour
and fubftance like a flat pearl, eſpecially when firſt opened; and I was told by
an ingenious perſon living upon the place, that he had obſerved in ſome ſhells
under the firit coat a liquor that was very orient and clear, that would move
upon the preſſure of the finger, but that ſuch a muſcle never had pearl, which
liquor I ſhould think was the true mother of pearl.
The part where the pearl lieth is in the toe or lefler end, at the extremity
of the gut, and out of the body of the fiſh between the two films or skins that
line the ſhell: I was careful to leave one pearl in its bed; but the fiſh ſtinks
fo extremely and ſo foon, and ſhrunk into nothing, that I fear it will be hard
to preſerve the parts entire for the inſpection.
I believe that this pearl anſwereth to the ſtone in other animals, and cer-
tainly like that encreaſeth by ſeveral crufts growing over one another, which
appeareth by pinching the pearl in a vice, and the upper coat will crack and
leap away, and this ſtone is caſt off by the muſcle, and voided as it is able;
and many ſhells that have had pearls in them are found now to have none,
which will appear by theſe inſtances. The ſhells that have the beſt pearls are
wrinkled,
ز

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. [189]
yet would
wrinkled, twiſted or bunched, and not ſmooth and equal as thoſe that have
none, as you may obſerve by one of the ſhells herewith ſent, of a lighter co-
lour than the reit; this ſhell yielded a pearl fold for 12 l. And the crafty fel-
lows will gueſs ſo well by the ſhell, that though you watch them never fo
carefully, they will open ſuch ſhells under the water, and put the pearls in
their mouths, or otherwiſe conceal them. That ſame perſon told me, that
when they have been taking up ſhells, and believed by ſuch figns as I have
mentioned, that they were ſure of good purchaſe, and refuſed good fums for
their ſhares, that yet they found no pearl at all in many of them. Upon dif-
courſe with an old man that had been long at this trade, he adviſed me to ſeek
not only when the waters were low, but in a dusky gloomy day alſo, left, ſaid
he, the fiſh ſee you, for then he will ſhed his pearl in the ſand: of which I
believed no more, than that ſome muſcles had voided their pearls, and ſuch are
often found in the ſands.
I conceive that theſe pearls if once dark will never be clear upon any alte-
Tation in the health or age of the 'muſcle, or of the moon; and that if the firſt
feed be black, all the coats fuperinduced will be ſtill clouded; but
be glad to be directed in any further enquiry of any amendment that may be
made by the ſeaſon of the year, age of the moon, or fiſh, or place in the rivers,
the bottoms whereof I obſerved to be part ſandy, part Itony, and part ouzey,
and of a black clay.
It
may be alſo conſidered, whether brackiſh water will alter the colour;
for many muſcles are driven down the rivers four or five miles within the flow-
ing of the tide, namely, to a place called the Gribbin, where the greateſt ſal-
mon-fiſhing is next to that of Colerain.
You will obſerve the ſame pearl clear at one end, and dark at the other; it
may be enquired whether the colour ever changed from one to the other, or
was primigenial, as they ſtill continue. I ſhall deſire your kindneſs in ſending
me ſome heads of enquiries, for I have many acquaintance upon the place, with
directions how I may preſerve the muſcle to ſend you, and whether ſuch dark
pearl may not be as proper for the apothecary as other more clear, and what
better engines you can direct us unto to take them up with, no place being
deeper than 12 feet.
I ſend you alſo herewith ſome ſtones of an amber colour, taken out of a ſpring
called Cranbourn-Spring near Lough-Neagh, which the country-people tell us
grow at the end of a little ruſh, and drop off, and are to be found only on May-
day Eve, and good for God knows what: they look like the germinations of
fome of your falts, but in the fire ſhewed no ſigns thereof by crackling; they
are electrical and angular, and being pounded, the powder is white. I have
ſeveral ſtones and minerals by me, which if I knew were acceptable to you,
ſhould be ſent forwards; but I would gladly firſt be aſſured you are not diſ-
pleaſed with theſe trifles from
Dublin, O&. 13
1688.
Yours, &c.
Аа 3
Of

[190]
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Of the Salmon Fiſhing of Ireland, by His Grace the Arch-
bishop of Dublin.
N the natural hiſtory of Ireland, it may not be improper to ſay ſomething
of the fiſhing, which heretofore has been much more conſiderable than it
is at preſent, and the reaſon of the decay thereof.
Iſt
. As to the falmon, generally all the rivers and brooks afforded great plen-
ty of theſe, ſome during the whole year, and ſome only for certain ſeaſons:
the general obſervation is, that they go down to the ſea about Auguft and Sep-
tember, and come up again in the ſpring months; when they go up, they get
into the ſhallows of the rivers and brooks, and work beds in the ſand, and there
the female depoſes her eggs, and the male ſheds his feed on them; which I
am informed, immediately turns the eggs or rows, as they call them, white,
which are naturally red, and then both male and female join to cover them
with fand, where they lie till about March, and then getting life, riſe into the
water, and take their courle to the ſea, and return again up the rivers in ſix
weeks or two months : thoſe that eſcaped of the former years, return with
the young ones, and are called full falmons; whereas thoſe of the ſame year
are ſmall, and are called grawls or half ſalmon. 'Tis believed that they gene-
rally go up to the ſame rivers and brooks where they were ſpawned. It is
ſtrange that in about fix weeks time after they get to the fea, they ſhou'd
grow to be falmon, from about the bigneſs of one's finger, for that is near the
magnitude of the fry, when it goes down to the ſea.
This I take to be the caſe of the falmon in thoſe rivers, where they are in
feaſon only at one time of the year, but there are others where they hold good
thro' the whole. The difference, as I take it, proceeds from this, where they
muſt travel a great way before they can come to a proper place of ſpawning, ,
there they can make only one return in the year, but where they find places
fit for them to lay their ſpawn near, and eaſy to come at; there they make
ſeveral returns, and, I underſtand, that as ſoon as they have lodged their ſpawn,
they make towards the fea; and tho' weak, and ſpent when they get there,
they immediately recover, and get fleſh and ſtrength; and as ſoon as recover-
ed, they make to the freſh water again; fo where their courſe is ſhort and ea-
fy, they make ſeveral returns in the year, but where 'tis long and difficult, they
make but one, becauſe more ſpent, and longer a recruiting.
As an argument that this is the caſe, it is obſerved, that freſh water renders
them ſoft and flaccid; whereas falt fattens them, and renders them firm, and
this in proportion to their nearneſs or diſtance from the ſea, and of the time
of their abſence from it.
Thus the ſalmon of the Ban river have but one ſeaſon in the year; whereas
a fiſhing at Ramelton, belonging to the lord Mountjoy, on the bay of Sicilly,
have

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland. [191]
have ſalmons in ſeaſon, during the whole year. The reaſon given for this dif-
ference is, that the fiſh that go up the Ban river, muft travel thirty or forty
miles, to find a convenient place for ſpawning whereas thoſe of Ramelt on
go but fix or ſeven. The one therefore is not much ſpent, and foon gets to
the place of refreſhment; whereas the other is greatly impaired, and long be-
fore they get to the ſea, where they get new ſtrength and vigour, but can't
be ſo ſoon recruited as the other.
The reaſons of the decaying of the fiſhing are, firſt, The ſevere and ſtrict
fiſhing of the rivers, by which means a ſufficient number of mother fiſh, as
they call the breeders, can't get up to the ſpawning places, and ſo there is not
a ſufficient ſtock for the ſucceeding years; the fiſhings are commonly farmed,
and the farmers are for their preſent gain, and ſo over-fiſh the rivers.
2dly. The brooks and rivulets are the places, where the fiſh chooſe to lay
their ſpawn, if they can get to them; but theſe, ſince the country has been
throughly planted, are generally ſtopped up with weirs and mill-dams, ſo that
the fiſh cannot get into them, and in attempting to get over them, are taken
and deſtroyed by engines and other artifices.
3dly. Formerly the people and gentlemen of the country had falmon at ave-
ry eaſy rate, at fíx pence per piece, and whilſt they had them ſo eaſily, they
endeavoured to preſerve them; but ſince the revolution, they either can't have
them at all, or at what they count an exceffive rate: this raiſes their ſpleen, and
begets a ſpite in them againſt their proprietors, and inſtead of helping to pre-
ſerve the fiſh, as they did before, they are eager to deſtroy them,
4thly. I conceive that it is with theſe fiſheries as with land; if the farmer
plow it every year, he will have little return, but by giving it intermiſſions,
it will again get heart; ſo if a fiſhery be plyed every year without intermiſti-
on, its produce of fiſh will certainly diminiſh. And this I take to be one
reaſon why fiſheries, formerly great and profitable, are now come to little or
nothing; the conſtant fiſhing not only deſtroys the breed, but frighten away
thoſe that are left. Whereas, if the fiſhings were interrupted for a year or
two, by certain intervals, they wou'd return to their firſt fruitfulneſs : this
appeard by the intermiſſion given to the fiſheries in the county of Londonder-
ry, during the wars, which made them very valuable for ſome years after, and
the fiſh would not only multiply, but alſo greatly increaſe in their bulk : af-
ter the long intermiffion of fiſhing by the war in 1641. ſalmons have been ta-
ken in brooks, ſome fix foot long, and in great quantities, where there has been
none at all for many years laſt paft.
of the Eel fiſhing.
The ſecond ſort of the fiſh kind that is conſiderable, is that of eels
. There
are many forts of theſe, but the ſilver eels have ſomething peculiar, they come
out of the ſea in the ſpring, when the ſalmon fry go down to it, and are not
bigger than ſtraws, but in ſuch quantities, that they have been taken up with
fieyes

[192] The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
fieves by the country people, preſſed together into cakes, and ſo boiled and
eaten; but thoſe who eſcape get up into lakes and brooks, and grow up in-
to their full perfection, which may be about two foot in length; then in the
dark of September moons they come down again, and it is reported by credible
Perſons, that whenever the light appears they ſtop, ſink to the bottom, and
remain there till it be dark again; they are taken in eel-weirs, and ſometimes
are found plaited together in lumps like a mat: when they get to the ſea, they
remain there, and I could not learn that they ever return, but their fry come
up, as obſerved before, in the ſpring.
Of the Pilchard fiſhing.
There was a good fiſhing of pilchards on the ſouth coaſt of Ireland, before
the year 1688. but ſince the fight in Bantry-bay, between ſome of the Engliſh
fleet under Sir George Rook, and the French, in 1689. the pilchards, I under-
ſtand, have not been on that coaſt: the reaſon of their leaving it, is imagi-
ned to be the ſhock given by the firing of guns; and it was obſerved, that
ſome gentlemen having provided a yatch for their pleaſure, and firing their guns
frequently in the bay of Dublin, the herring fiſhing in the bay failed entirely
that ſeaſon.
Of Barnacles.
Barnacles are of the wild gooſe kind, and, like them, migrate from foreign
countries to Ireland; they commonly come into Ireland in Auguſt, and leave
it about March; their taſte is very different, according to the places where
they feed; in moſt places they are ſo rank, that no curious palate can diſpenſe
with ſuch unſavoury food, but in other places they have a moſt delicious re-
liſh, rather better than either a wild duck, teal, or ſnipe. This is the caſe of the
barnacles at Londonderry and Wexford, and I hear the ſame concerning thoſe at
Belfaſt: the difference, I underſtand, ariſes from the food; at Londonderry, in
the bay commonly called Lough-foyle, there grows a graſs, that fends out a ſtalk
above a fathom long, the root of this is white and tender, and continues ſuch
for ſome ſpace above the root, and 'tis almoſt as ſweet as a ſugar cane : the
barnacles dive to the bottom, and lay hold on it as near as they can to the root,
and pull it up with them to the ſurface of the water, and eat the tender part
of it, the reſt they let drive with the wind to the ſhore, where it lies in great
heaps, and when rotten, is good manure for land: and from this ſweet graſs,
'tis ſuppoſed, proceeds the ſweetneſs of their fleſh; they are taken by nets,
ſet in proper places on the ſhores.
'Tis obſervable, that the divers and widgeons, which are very rank and un-
ſavoury elſewhere, undergo the ſame change of their fleſh, when they feed in
this place.
Of

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
(193]
Of Lough-chorib, and Lough-mask.
In Connaught, there is a lake about twenty four miles in length; it is cal-
led Lough-chorib, and vents it ſelf into the ſea at Galway: there is a trout in
it full as large as a ſalmon, and of an excellent taſte. Salmon come into the
lake, and diſturb the trouts in their haunts; but when the falmon are ſpent,
the trouts get the better of them, and diſturb them in their turn.
There is another lake within a few miles of this, called Lough-mask; it is
remarkable for the leeches bred in it: it vents it ſelf by a ſubterraneous pal-
fage into the former, at the head of it, near the old abby of Conge.
I have been informed of a great many curiofities in the county of Kerry:
the Arbutus tree grows there in great quantity; the Kerry ſtones are alſo very
valuable, they are larger, harder, and have a better luſtre than any I have ſeen
from Briſtol. I have likewiſe heard of a hill there of a conſiderable height
and ſteepneſs; near the top of which there burſts out a fountain that runs down
the ſide of it, in a conſiderable rivulet. The earth is furniſhed with ſeveral
minerals, ſuch as lead, iron, braſs, and, ſome ſay, allom; and that there is a
ſtone there fo hard, that no tool will touch it, nor can it eaſily be broke with
fledges. And laſtly, that there are ſeveral ſubterraneous caves and paſſages that
wou'd furniſh matter for many curious obſervations. 'Twere to be wiſhed that
fome gentlemen there wou'd give themſelves the trouble to deſcribe theſe, and
give the hiſtory of them, and other curioſities which the country affords; for
it wou'd add much to the natural hiſtory of Ireland, and make it be taken no-
tice of abroad in the world.
A Deſcription of the Hill Cruntbally-guillin, and its Quar-
ry, by His Grace the Archbiſhop of Dublin.
T
HIS Hill is called by the Iriſh, Cruntbally-guillin, by the preſent Inhabi-
tants Leck, lying within two miles and a half of Newton Lemavady, to
the Eaſt.
On the ſouth and weſt ſides of this hill is found a certain rock, in a conti-
nued vein, round the edge of the hill, one mile in length; it is generally of a
hard and britle nature, like lime-ſtone, of a white and chalky colour: the earth
above it is rich and fertile, for paſturage, and from one to four yards deep from
the ſurface to the rock it ſelf; which earth being thrown off the rock, is rai-
ſed with picks and crow-irons, where hard, and dug with a ſpade, where ſoft
and oily, and carried out for the manuring of land : It is moſt proper for mof-
fy and hazley ground, about one hundred and fixty loads to each acre, two
hundred weight to each load, and produces good oats for ſeven years: when
uſed for manure it is not burnt at all, only broken into ſmall ſtones about a
pound

(194) The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
pound weight or more, which being ſpread on arable ground in ſummer and
harveſt, with the winter-frofts melts and diffolves, and plowed down for feed
in the ſpring
The workmen who raiſe it from the quarry, dig it up nine foot from the
bottom of the pit: where meeting with a harder rock of the same kind, they
ſtop.
When the ground is left fallow, it produces excellent graſs; for it changes
not only the nature and colour of the ſoil, but alſo the graſs, from a coarſe hard
ftalk, to a fine long rich blade for feeding: And inſtead of heath, ruſhes and
furs, produces clover, and has the ſame effect, when laid on meadow or paſture,
without any tillage, but ſpreading it on the field; it is not ſo proper for any
grain as oats, and of no great uſe to wet clay ground.
The hard part of the rock when burnt is indifferent good lime; but the
ſoft and oily parts thereof are not ſo good for that end.
On the lower edges of this rock are ſeveral very fine ſprings, and fine wa-
ter, which flow plentifully, and ſerve the adjacent villages for uſe.
In this rock are found ſmall ſtones of different figures, fome of which re-
ſemble an artichoke, from the lower part of which iſſues out five points like
a ſtar, and join at the top the ſmall ſciſſures like the teeth of a faw, which
jet into one another along the ſides, like the ſeams of a man's ſcull.
We find on the higheſt ſummit or top of this hill, juſt above the ſaid quar-
ry, the remains of an old fabrick, which the Iriſh fay was an antient church
A

А.
DISCOURSE
Concerning the
DANISH MOUNTS, Forts, and Towers
IN
I R E L A N D.
Never before PUBLISHED.
By THOMAS MOLYNEUX, M. D. Fellow of the Roy-
al Society in ENGLAND, Profeſſor of Phyſick in
the Univerſity of DUBLIN, Phyſician to the
STATE, and Phyſician General to the ARMY in
IRE L AND.
TE!
HEM
DUBLIN:
Printed by and for GEORGE GRIERSON, at the Two
Bibles in Elex-Street. MDccxxv.

2

( 189 )
90
10
A
DISCOURSE
Concerning the
DANISH Mounts, Forts, and Towers
IN
I R E L A N D.
Never before PUBLISHED.
HO' moſt nations have been apt to fall into the va-
nity of deriving themſelves from a more antient o-
rigin than truth or crediblc authority will vouch for;
yet no people have carried this extravagance farther
than the natives of Ireland, preſuming to romance
to that degree in their chronicles, as not only to de-
duce their ſtock from generations near the flood,
but to invent antediluvian ſtories, and a fable of a
niece of Noah himſelf landing in this iſland.
But paſſing by theſe and ſuch like fabulous ac-
counts, as meeting with little or no regard in this
age, however they might have gained credit former-
ly, in thoſe dark and ignorant times, when they were firſt broached by their
inventive authors. We may ſafely, I think, conclude from the original affini-
ty of the old languages of Britain and Ireland, the natural ſituation of both the
countries, their ancient cuſtoms, and other convincing circumſtances, that the
firſt inhabitants of this iſland came no farther than from Great Britain, as that
kingdom was firſt peopled by a colony of the neighbouring Celtick Gauls.
For

190
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
For had the natives of Ireland a real claim to ſo remote antiquity, and were
for ſo many ages paſt that polite and well govern'd nation their hiſtories wou'd
make us believe they were; 'tis not to be imagined but that in ſo long a ſeries
of time, arts, learning and mechanicks, wou'd have ſo far improved, as to have
produced ſome monuments of one kind or other, whoſe remains, as undeniable
teftimonics, might convince pofterity, they truly were, in thoſe early times,
that learned and civilized people they pretend to have been.
But ’uis ſo far from this, that of thoſe few relicks of antiquity that ſtill re-
main in this country, none that I have met with claim a very antient date; and
what is more obſervable, the oldeſt monuments of human induſtry that Ireland
ſhews at this time, proves to have been the workmanſhip, not of the firſt inha-
bitants, but foreigners, a ſtrange nation that invaded and ſettled in this iſland,
ſome time between the eighth and ninth century after Chriſt: I mean thoſe large
high artificial hills that we call Danes-mounts, which being fo frequently met
with in all parts of the kingdom, and ſo remarkable for their towring height,
vaſt magnitude, and regularity of their figure, as well as their antiquity; I have
often wondred how it comes to paſs, that hitherto they have not ſtirred up the
curioſity of ſome in this country, to give us a more particular account of
them.
'Tis true indeed, if we take only a tranſient view of their out-ſides, they'll
ſeem not much to engage our enquiry, ſhewing no great maſtery or extraordi-
nary invention in the firſt founders, nor any refined contrivance, or elaborate
workmanſhip in their compoſition. But if we conſider them a little more nar-
rowly, we muſt allow they are model'd after ſuch a manner, as wiſely and effec-
tually to anſwer the ends for which they were firſt deſigned, that is, to be fig-
nai and laſting monuments in future ages, to preſerve the memory of that peo-
ple by whom they were firſt raiſed.
Their figure and make are contrived ſo durable, as to require no ſort of re-
pair: they muſt continue for many ages in the ſame ſtate, tho' never ſo much
neglected by pofterity, defying the injuries of the weather, and all the uſual
affaults of devouring time: they have already ſtood ſeveral centuries, in ſpite of
all the malice and inſults of the Iriſh, tho' a moſt implacable enemy of their
firſt founders, and muſt out-laſt the moſt artful pieces of architecture the Ro-
mans, or more refined Greeks, have left behind them: nay, we may truly fay, of
the faireſt and largeſt of theſe mounts, that nothing is likely wholly to deface
them, but what at the ſame time muſt put an end to the frame of the globe it
ſelf.
Theſe ſort of pyramids or artificial hills, are found not only in this country,
but in ſome parts of England, tho' not near ſo common, nor as I think ſo large
The Engliſh call them barrows or burrows, from the old Saxon word,
beorg or burg, a hill
, from whence we derive our modern word to bury, and
burial, as the Latins us’d the word tumulus to expreſs both a hill and a grave.
As to the reaſon of this ambiguous uſe of the ſame word in theſe different lan-
guages, we may take occaſion to ſay more hereafter in diſcourſing upon the ori-
ginal of ſepulchral monuments. The old Iriſh or Scots call them carns, which
as ours.

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
191
in their language fignifies a heap, but more eſpecially of ſtones piled together,
of which ſome are compoſed, as others are of earth: with the Engliſh of Ireland
they paſs under the name of Danes-mounts, from a current and conſtant tradition
receiv'd from the Iriſh, that they were firſt raiſed by the Danes when they were
in poſſeſſion of this country.
But by Danes we are not to underſtand a people that came only from that coun-
try we now call Denmark, but colonies of promiſcuous nations inhabiting Norway,
Livonia, Courland, and that vaſt tract that borders on the Baltick fea, that join-
ing together, made invaſions on this and the neighbouring countries, which they
found more fruitful and temperate than their own, about the eighth century:
and are repreſented by the hiſtories of thoſe times as a warlike people, noted for
their incurſions upon their neighbours, for pyracy, for commerce, and for in-
troducing a better ſort of coin'd money into trade, than was current in theſe
parts before their time, which has retained their name by paſſing under the de-
nomination of ſterling to this day.
For in that age theſe people were not known by the name of Danes, but be-
ing made up of ſeveral nations, got the more general appellation of Oftmanni,
oftmens or Eaſterlings, as coming from a country of Europe that lies eaſt of theſe
iſlands, and which our merchants trading to thoſe parts ſtill call the eaſtland-
country; and in our own memory, a conſiderable quarter of Dublin, ſituated on
the north ſide of the river, was called Oftmen-town from theſe Eaftmen that first
inhabited that part of the city.
Theſe Oſtmanni or Danes after making ſeveral invaſions, fighting many battles,
and ſettling treaties with the inhabitants of this country, reduced the whole iſ-
land to their obedience, and kept it ſo for a long time by their numerous garri-
fons and forts, as we find them at this day diſperſed in all parts of the kingdom,
till the native Iriſh, tired with the ſubjection, made ſeveral attempts to free them-
ſelves and their country from the yoke of theſe foreigners; and at laſt by repeat-
ed inſurrections, fought the Danes with that ſucceſs, as forced them to quit the
poſſeſſion of all the inland parts of the country, and betake themſelves to the ſea-
port towns of Drogheda, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick Kinſale, Galloway
and Sligo: for the firſt founding and building of theſe cities, I take to be chiefly
owing to the Danes; where ſecuring themſelves, they lived more peaceably,
made convenient fettlements for trade, and carried on a conſiderable commerce
abroad, as well as an inland traffick with the natives at home. And hence it is that
theſe fort of mounts, as well as other remains of the Daniſh nation, are more fre-
quently met with along the coaſt, near the ſea-port towns and the territories a-
bout them, than in the countries that lye more remote within land.
This may ſerve as a ſhort account of the Daniſh affairs in Ireland, from the
time they firſt got footing in this country, till the Engliſh conqueſt in Henry II's
reign, about the year 1171. which contains the ſpace of almoſt 400 years, during
which time all theſe artificial mounts were raiſed in this kingdom: and from whence
it comes to paſs they are more numerous, and ſome of them larger than thoſe of
the ſame fort found in England: becauſe the Danes were maſters of that coun-
try not above 40 years, whereas they were conquerors or inhabitants of Ireland.
ncar 400 years together.
As

192
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
As to the outward ſhape of theſe mounts, they are made in form of a cone, leſ-
fening gradually as it riſes from a large baſis, till it terminates at the top, not in
a point but a flat ſurface. They are commonly ſituated, eſpecially the largeſt
of them, upon riſing grounds, near fome publick road, to be conſpicuous at a
diſtance, and taken notice of by travellers as they paſs that way.
And agreeable to this deſcription, we find an account of the like mounts gi-
ven us by an old Daniſla author, Joannes Cypreus, as raiſed by the Danes in for-
mer times in their own country. (1) The Danes (ſays he) in the time before they
could build pyramids, or raiſe obelisks to the memory of their kings and great men, erec-
ted over them vaſt billocks of earth beapt as high as mountains, and chiefly in ſuch pla-
tes through which men commonly travelled, as high roads and publick paſages, that by
this means they might conſecrate to poſterity the memory of their moſt celebrated men,
and in a manner make them immortal.
Tho' all theſe mounts agree in the ſame conical figure, yet they differ much in
their fize, ſome being low and ſmall, others much more large and lofty : fome
not above twenty foot high, others twice and four times that height; nay, ſome
of the largeſt and moſt beautiful riſe from the horizontal level a hundred and
fifty foot at leaſt in the perpendicular, and at the bottom extend themſelves pro-
portionably in their circumference. Theſe great differences in their ſize ariſe
certainly from a difference in the character, dignity or power of the perſon for
whom they were erected; for as he was a general, prince, or officer, more or
leſs eminent in his ſtation, or deſerving of his country, they expreft their grati-
tude, and ſhewed him the greater honour, by raiſing a monument more or leſs
ftately and elevated to perpetuate his memory.
We find likewiſe a difference in theſe mounts, as to the material of which
they are compoſed; ſome are only made up of earth heapt together, others of
ſmall round ſtones, few of them larger than thoſe we commonly pave our ſtreets
with, ſo piled as with a little fand or earth mixt, they make a round high cone.
Of both theſe forts, Olaus Wormius the Dane, a diligent and learned enquirer
into the antiquities of his country, takes particular notice, as ſtill remaining in
Denmark, where, he ſays, monuments, as to the matter of which they are compoſed,
Shew themſelves to be of two forts, made either of earth or ſtone (b). And the reaſon
of this diſtinction I take to have been occaſioned only by the nature of the ſoil,
where they chanc'd to erect theſe mounts : for if the country afforded a ſufficie
ent quantity of ſtones to raiſe ſuch a monument as they deſigned, they uſually
gave the ſtones the preference before the earth, as being the harder and more
durable material: and hence we find the largeſt mounts, ſuch as they propoſed
(a) Dani cum pyramides et obeliscos extruere non potuerunt, olim in memoriam regum
ac heroum fuorum ex terrâ coacervatâ ingentes moles montium inſtar eminentes ftatuerunt,
atque illis adeo in locis utplurimum quo ſæpe homines commearent aut iter haberent, ut
in viis publicis, quo pofteritati memoriam clariffimorum virorum conſecrarent, et quodam-
modo immortalitati mandarent.
Joan. Cypreus in Annal. Ecclef. lib. 1. cap. 2.
(6) Monumenta quoad materiam ex qua fabricata, vel terrea vel lapidea feſe nobis offerunt.
Olaii Wormii monument. Danic. lib. 1. cap. 2. pag. 4,
ſhould

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
193
ſhould be moſt laſting, and in the embeliſhing of which, they employed the
utmoſt art thoſe rude times were maſters of, are made of ſtones: but where ftones
did not offer themſelves, or could not be procured without difficulty, as uſual-
ly they cannot where the ſoil of the country is rich and flat, they uſed earth on-
ly; every ſoldier bringing his helmet full of earth, till the whole army had rai-
ſed a ſufficient tumulus or mount over their commander, anſwerable to his dig-
nity: and it was this ſort of burial, as I take it, that the ancients, particularly
Quintilian, call Sepultura collatitia, an interment to which many hands con-
tributed.
Another no leſs obſervable difference occurs in theſe ſepulchral hills, that ſome
of them are adorned by being encompaſſed with a circle of large high ſtones, of
a rude pyramidal figure, fet in the earth end-ways, at equal diſtances, round
the bottom of the mount. Theſe ſtones are higher or lower, in proportion to
the height of the hill they ſurround; and, we may conclude, were accounted
an extraordinary ornament, for they are rarely met with, and wherever they are
placed, they ſtand as marks of diſtinction of the perſon round whoſe tumulus
they are erected, to fhew he was of a more than ordinary ſtation or dignity in
his life-time.
This Olaus Wormius likewiſe obſerves, in the Daniſh monuments of his
own country, where he ſays, (c) The more rude and ordinary ſort of mounts, con-
fift only of earth, heaped together into a round conical figure, but ſuch as are encom-
paſed at the bottom with one range of ſtones, are thought to have been dedicated to
the generals of armies, or the greateſt of their nobility: whereas thoſe that are plain
and not adorned with ſtones, are only raiſed for valiant ſoldiers, and ſuch as deſerved
well of their country.
'Tis true from an outward view only of theſe mounts, it does not appear they
were erected as ſepulchral monuments: for I never could hear that in Ireland
there has been found an epitaph, inſcription, or any ſuch like rernain near any
of theſe hills; and therefore we have good reaſon to queſtion, whether their
firſt founders were maſters of letters at all : however, when we come to exa-
mine them cloſer, and look into their inſides, we ſhall find ſuch diſcoveries in
fome of the cavities and apartments that lie placed toward their centres, which
will make this matter plain, and indeed put it beyond all diſpute.
That ſuch ſort of artificial hills as theſe we are diſcourſing of, were raiſed in
the moſt remote ages of antiquity, as fepulchres for the dead; I think, plainly
appears from ſeveral paſſages in the oldeſt authors, and eſpecially from thoſe
verſes in Virgil, where that correct poet, deſigning to give us the true idea of
an antique funeral monument (raiſed over an antient king of the Aborigines that
governed old Laurentum, long before Æneas his time, he thought he could not
(c) Tumuli rudiores ex folâ terrâ in rotunditatem & conum congeſtâ conftant, at ex iis
qui unâ lapidum ſerie circa baſin cinguntur, imperatoribus exercituum aliiſque magnatibus
dicati creduntur; ut fimplices nullis ornati lapidibus, militibus ftrenuis & de patriâ bene
meritis,
olaii Wormii monument. Danic. lib. I cap. 6. 33.
Bb
deſcribe

194
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
deſcribe it with more propriety, fitting that diftant age of the world, of which
he ſpake, than in theſe words.
Fuit ingens monte ſub alto
Regis Dercenni terreno exaggere buſtum
Antiqui laurentis.
Æneid. lib. II.
There like a mountain roſe a lofty hill,
In which old Laurent's king Dercennus lay,
Stately interr’d, tho' in a tomb of clay.
And Lucan the poet ſeems to have imitated this thought of Virgil, or at leaſt
certainly alluded to this antient manner of burial, where he ſays,
Et regum cineres exſtructo monte quieſcunt.
Pharf. lib. 8.
Under a mountain rais'd by hands they keep
Kings facred aſhes that ſecurely fleep.
And that this kind of interments under high artificial mounts, was practiſed
in the time of Alexander the Great, we have a plain example in a remarkable
paſſage of Plutarch, in the life of that prince, where deſcribing the funeral of
Damaratus the Corinthian, he ſays, that the old man, making a viſit to Alexan-
der then in Aſia, fell fick in the camp, died, and had a moſt magnificent fune-
ral; the whole army raiſing him a monument of earth, fourſcore cubits high,
and of a vaſt circumference: but however auguſt and elevated Plutarch imagined
this funeral pile of Damaratus, we have mounts of the Danes in Ireland that far
ſurpaſs in height and magnitude this of the Corinthian
But that this practice of raiſing great heaps of earth or ſons over dead bodies,
prevailed even ſome hundred years before Alexander's time, appears by the de-
ſcription we have of Abſalom's burial, in the hiſtory of the kings of Iſrael,
where 'tis faid, they caſt his body into a great pit, and laid a very great heap of
fones upon him. 2 Samuel, cap. 18. v. 17.
And we might add ſeveral other ſuch like paſſages from the aptienteft authors,
did it ſeem any way needful; but the cuſtom of burying under artificialmounts,
appears of it ſelf, without much authority or proof, ſo truly antient, that to
make this plain we need only conſider the manner the firſt generations of man-
kind muſt neceſſarily uſe in burying their dead. That the earlieſt rites of buri-
al, like all other cuſtoms and faſhions, when firſt introduced, muſt have been
very rude, fimple, eaſy, and void of all art, muſt be readily allowed; and that
our anceſtors, in the beginning of time, when they were forced to remove ſo
loathſome an object from their ſenſes, as their dead putrifying bodies, were con-
tent only to dig a hole, much of the ſame ſize with the body it was to re-
ceive, and with the mold they had thrown up, juſt cover the corps, by caſting

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
195
it back again: and this it ſelf could not be done, but the earth, as it fell in co-
vering the grave, neceſſarily formed a tumulus or heap, ( which gave occaſion
for the uſe of that Latin word in a double ſenſe) and naturally raited of it ſelf a
kind of low pyramid or mount over the interr'd body.
But as the friends and dependants of ſuch as died in after-ages, were more nu-
merous, had acquired more wealth or power, and had inclinations to expreſs
more affection, gratitude or honour, towards the memory of their deceaſed re-
lations, they attempted thewing this, by expreſling marks of diſtinction in the
ſepulchral monuments of their friends, that might in after-ages render them
more conſpicuous and laſting, and diſtinguiſh them from the fepulchres of the
more common fort. And in thoſe early and barbarous tim s, before invention
had improved, or even diſcovered the art of architecture, this could not be ef-
fected by a more plain and eaſy way, than by raiſing, inſtead of the mean humble
tumulus, that naturally covered every common grave when it was made, a larger,
higher, and more laſting pile of earth or ſtones ; employing only ſomewhat
more time, labour and hands, to perpetuate, as far as they might, without art
or letters, the memory of the dead to late poſterity. And this I take to be the
firſt and true origine of all theſe mountain-fepulchres, that ſeem to have been a
faſhion of the greateſt antiquity in moſt countries, and to have ſpread as far as
mankind it ſelf.
And I am perſuaded, that the models of the moſt antient, as well as fumptu-
ous monuments of human art, that the whole world can fhew at this time, the
pyramids of Ægypt, were at firſt copied from theſe more antient fepulchral
mounts; and that they were only expenſive imitations, or, as we may fay, more
artificial improvements of theſe ſort of rude pyramids of earth, both being de-
ſigned for the ſame end and purpoſe, Sepulchres for the dead.
And I am inclined to think, that thoſe lofty agulio's and ſtately obelisks of
Ægypt, that with vaſt expence and pains have been brought into Europe, and of
which ſome refined antiquaries have given us ſuch learned and elaborate diſcour-
ſes, were nothing elſe, but fepulchral monuments, or a kind of pyramids of a
more modern date, cut after a more ſlender nicer model, to ſhew more art; or,
that the pyramids are but a larger, ruder, and antienter ſort of obelisks; all of
them derived at firſt, and intended only as pompous and artful imitations of the
natural humble tumulus, that riſes over every corps, when it is at firſt committed
to the earth.
I am not ignorant that ſome, and thoſe learned men, give us quite another ac-
count of the pyramids of Ægypt, and fancy they were deſigned as granaries or
ſtores of corn, deriving their name from Tues's triticum or corn: but this and luch
like forced etymologies, are owing only to an accidental chiming or agreement
of the ſound of the words together, and ſeem ſtarted rather to ſhew invention,
reading, or criticiſm, than to diſcover truth: but if any doubt, and require fur-
ther ſatisfaction in this point, they may have recourſe to the learned Dr. Grave's
moft excellent account of the pyramids, where, from the oldeſt Greek hiſtori-
ans, and his own judicious remarks upon the place, he makes it undeniable, they
were erected as fepulchres for the Ægyptian kings : however, it may not be al-
B b 2
toge-

196
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
together impertinent, if we mention one remarkable paſſage that diligent en-
quirer chanced to overlook, of as great, if not greater authority, than thoſe he
quotes, and plainly ſhews the pyramids were rais'd as ſepulchres for the dead,
and puts what has been ſaid before ſtill in a clearer light.
'Tis the deſcription of a fepulchral monument, that Simon the Jewiſh cap-
tain, who fought againſt Antiochus in the time of the Machabees, erected in ho-
nour of his family, as we have it let down in the apocrypha very particularly in
theſe words. And Jonathan was buried at Balcama, then ſent Simon and took the
bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers ;
and all Ifrael made great lamentations for him, and bewailed him many days. Simon
alſo built a monument upon the ſepulchre of his father, and his brethren, and raiſed
it a-loft to the ſight, with hewn ſtone behind and before : moreover, he ſet up ſeven
pyramids one againſt another, for his father, his mother, and his four brethren; and
in theſe be made cunning devices, about the which he ſet great pillars, and upon the
pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by their armour ſhips car-
ved, that they might be ſeen of all that ſail on the ſea : This is the ſepulchre which
he made at Modin, and it ftandeth yet unto this day. Mac. cap. 13.
Here is a fair account of an antient ſtately fepulchre, erected by a Jewiſh
prince in Palaſtine, near two thouſand years ago; compoied of ſeven lofty py-
ramids of ſtone, raiſed ſo high as to ſerve for land-marks to the ſhips at fea, tru-
ly modelled after the manner of the pyramids of the Ægyptians, from whom the
Fews, 'tis plain, frequently borrowed their rites and cuſtoms; and fo contrived,
that the pyramids juſt anſwered the number of the perſons to whoſe memory
they were raiſed. For Simon ſet apart in this his family-monument, a pyramid
to cover his own body when he ſhould die, as he deſigned the reſt for his four
brothers, his mother and his father; as if no ſtructure of this kind could be com-
pleat, unleſs each corps had their reſpective tumulus, obelisk, pyramid, or fto-
ny mount, (call them as you pleaſe) to cover their grave.
But leaving theſe pyramids of Judea and Ægypt, let us return again to our
own ruder pyramids of Ireland, the Daniſh mounts: and fince we have hitherto
furveyed only their out-fides, let us now paſs a little forwards, and ſee what may
be diſcovered in their inward parts. And tho' we have here found remarkable
variety, yet I doubt not but much greater ſtill might be made appear, did our
curioſity in this place lead us to make ſtricter ſearch into ſuch like Daniſh antiqui-
ties, by digging up and diſcloſing the inſides of more of theſe forts of mounts:
But by what inquiry I have made, 'tis plain they muſt have been deſign'd all
for the ſame purpoſe; as tombs or burying places for the dead.
Some were erected on the account only of a ſingle perſon of eminence and
dignity, and theſe were ſo contrived, that the cavity or vault made for re-
ception of the dead body, lies towards the centre of the mount, with all the
earth or ſtones ſo equally heapt round it, of all ſides, as no paffage or entry is
left to go in at from without, becauſe it was not intended that it ſhould be o-
pened any more. Such a mount as this was dug into, and the vault broken o-
pen near Trinity-college in Dublin, about the year 1646. and in it a man's bones
were found.
Others

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
197
Others were raiſed with a deſign of ſerving as burying places for more than
one; for two or three perſons or a whole family together. And mounts of
this fort have left in them on one ſide or other, a ſtraight, long, narrow gallery
or paſſage, with a ſmall hole or entrance that a man can but creep in at, and
that with ſome difficulty. This long paſſage leads to an inward vault or cham-
ber, that lies at the centre or pretty near the middle of the mount; and it was
only opened as occaſion required for the interment of ſome of the family, and af-
terwards was cloſely ſtopt, and ſo induſtriouſly conceal'd, that rarely it happens
the entrance into any of theſe paſſages is diſcovered. We have a remarkable
mount of this kind at New-Grange in the county of Meath, of which I ſhall have
occaſion to ſay more hereafter.
A third fort was caſt up as monuments to cover great numbers of ſlain foldi-
ers, that fell together in ſome remarkable battle, where whole armies had inga-
ged: and ſuch mounts have no inward apartments or hollow chambers, as the
former, but are only promiſcuous heaps of earth and ſtones ſo flung together as
to raiſe a mount over the bodies of the flain. And theſe are found by digging in-
to them, to contain not only the bones of men but arms, ſpear-heads, and ſuch
like other inſtruments of war.
Olaus Wormius likewiſe takes particular notice of this kind of mounts, and de-
fcribes them thus. (d) Thoſe that fell in battle they flung together in a heap, which
they call valcolter, and over theſe they raiſed the earth so high that it became a hill:
and ſuch a one I take that mount to have been, which fome years ſince was 0-
pen'd near Carrickfergus in the north of Ireland, where ſeveral Daniſh trumpets of
braſs were found buried in the earth, ſuch as they uſed in war in thoſe times, of
a peculiar odd make. Figure the firſt ſhews the ſhape of one of theſe, and
my
much eſteemed acquaintance, fir Andrew Fountaine, had two more in his poflefli-
on; both which were carried for England when he went from hence.
Figure 1.
From a to b the length was about a foot and a half, the diameter of the open
at the wideſt end b about four inches; c and d were two looſe rings, by which it
was faſtned or hung about thoſe that carry’dit; the ſmaller end a was entirely cloſe,
and the hole they blew at when they founded, was on one ſide at e, not at the
end as in our modern trumpets : what ſort of noiſe, thoſe that had skill in ſound-
ing this kind of trumpets could make with it before it had been any ways im-
pair'd by time, I cannot ſay, but at preſent when it is blown, it gives but a dull,
uncouth, heavy ſound, that cannot be heard at any great diſtance.
Thoſe Daniſh mounts that were contrived with chambers or hollows under
them, have their caves faſhion'd after a different manner, as the different deſign
or fancy of the builder led them. In ſome the tomb was only an oblong ſquare,
(d) Bello occiſos in unum cumulum conjiciebant quem valcoſter vocabant, & fupra eos
terram exaggerabant utin monticuli ſpeciem agger excreſſeret.
01. Wormii monumen. Dan. lib. I. cap. 7. pag. 43
abouc

198
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
about three foot broad and fix foot long, made up of large flag ſtones fet edge-
ways, with others laid acroſs to cover them, making a ſort of ſtone box, of a
convenient ſize and cavity to receive a dead body. This ſquare apartment fome-
times had four rude agulios or flender pyramidal ſtones fet end-ways, one at each
corner, and a fifth taller than the reſt at the head; and over all this was heap'd
the mount of earth or ſtones, to cover and preſerve the tomb within from the
injuries of time, and to make the appearance of a large conſpicuous and laſting
monument to future ages from without.
Of ſuch a fepulchre fir James Ware (e) gives us the deſcription, as it was dif-
covered in a Daniſh mount opened in the eaſt fuburbs of Dublin in his time, from
whence we have borrow'd its figure. See Fig. 2.
Figure II.
a, b, c, d, are four rude pyramidal ſtones, each four foot high, faſtned into
the ground at the four corners of the tomb : e is a fifth pyramidal ſtone fome-
what of a larger ſize about fix foot high, placed at the head of the tomb: f that
was made of ſquare ftones, eight in number, compactly joined together, within
which lay the body of a man
The vaults under other Daniſh mounts are uſually caſt into a round figure, with
ſide walls of huge large quarry ſtones, fet end-ways into the earth and cloſed at
the top, by a rude kind of arch, made of broad ſtones laid horizontally, in
ſuch a manner that the ſtone above, jetting its edge a little beyond that which
lies under it, they all ſupport one another without any cement or lime to faſten
them; for in that time, the rude architects of theſe fabricks ſeem to have been
wholly ignorant of the uſe of lime and morter: and they made theſe caves ſmal-
ler or larger as the dimenſions of the mount that was to cover them would allow;
or as it was deſigned for the reception of the dead bodies buried intire, or only
as a repoſitory where they placed one or more ſmaller urns, containing the bones
and aſhes of burnt bodies; after the ancient cuſtom of the Romans: for we meet
with both theſe kind of interments in ſeveral parts of this kingdom, as practis'd
by the Danes whilſt they refided here.
Which minds me of an error ſome have too haſtily run into, that think the
Romans conquered Ireland as well as Britain; becauſe that urns are frequently dif-
covered in this country as well as that; taking it for granted, that no nation in
theſe weſtern parts of the world, but the Romans, burnt their dead. Where-
as the ancient Germans, from whom the Danes and northern people derive their
cuſtoms as well as their original and language, burnt their dead after the manner
of the Greeks and Romans. For that this practice prevailed among them before
the age of Tacitus the hiſtorian, is plain from a paſſage in that author, where
deſcribing the manners of the old Germans, he expreſly tells us, They, (f) mean-
(e) Jacob. Varæi antiquitat. Hibern. cap. 32. pag. 348.
(f) Funerum inter illos nullam eſſe ambitionem, id folum obſervari, ut funera clarorum
virorum certis lignis crementur.
Tacit. de moribus Germanorum.
ing

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
199
ing the Germans, were not pompous in their funerals, but obſerved the cuſtom of burn-
ing the bodies of their moſt famous men with certain forts of woods. And Chriſtianus
Cilicius a Daniſh writer, ſpeaking of the ancient cuſtoms his countrymen obſer-
ved in burials, ſays, (g) Some, tho' but fow burnt their dead bodies on funeral piles
after the manner of the Romans, and gathered the aſhes into urns.
And Olaus Wormius his account of the mounts, vaults, and urns depoſited in
them, containing the burnt bones and aſhes of the dead, frequently diſcovered
by himſelf in Denmark; ſo exactly agrees with the deſcription of the mounts,
caves, and urns we find in Ireland, that had we no authority or tradition for it,
I think we could not well queſtion, but that theſe with us, are the remains and
workmanſhip of the ſame nation that thoſe were which he deſcribes. (b) They
(ſays he) burnt the dead bodies, and gathered the aſhes into urns, and placing them in
the middle of a circle, ſurrounded with large.ſtones, they covered the top with a broad
one : then over all beapt fones with earth and ſand, till they had raiſed a little hill,
like a mount, which they covered with a coat of green fods that it might appear beau-
tiful in the eyes of the ſpectators that paſt that way.
Such a mount as this deſcrib'd by Wormius compos'd of ſand and ſtones, raiſed
to a pyramid of 60 foot in height and 600 foot in circumference, with a round
vault within, was laid open about the year 1678. near Headford 12 miles from
Galloway in the province of Connaught, and in the middle of the cave were found
two urns, a greater and a leſs, both of them containing aſhes and burnt bones.
And not far from Waringstown in the county of Down, another mount of this
kind was broken open about the year 1684. by the country people that wanted
ſtones to repair a mill: and carrying away about a fourth part of the ſtones that
made the heap, they met in the body of the mount, with a large fiat quarry
ſtone placed upright in manner of a door or ſhutter; which when they had re-
moved, let them into a narrow low paſſage of about ten foot long, thro' which
a man could only creep on his hands and knees, that led into a ſmall round vault
about fix foot high and eight foot wide, placed in the center of the mount: in
the middle of the vault were fixt into the ground four ſmall long ſtones, each
about two foot and a half high, ſtanding upright as ſo many legs to ſupport a
ffat quarry ſtone, two foot and a half long and twenty inches broad, placed upon
them in manner of a table. This rude ſtone table ſeemed deſign’d by the hea-
then founders as an altar to offer ſacrifice upon for the deceaſed, as will appear
plainer by ſomething we obſerv'd in other Daniſl mounts in Ireland; of which
more hereafter. Under the table on the ground was placed a handſome earthen
urn, of a dark brownish colour, as if not throughly bak’d, the thickneſs of its fides
(8) Nonnulli quoque fed pauci exftru&tis rogis more Romanorum cremari cinerelque col-
lectos in urnâ cuftodiri volebant.
Chriſtian. Cilicius belli Dithmarcici. lib. I.
(5) Defun&ti cremabant cadaver cineres collectos urnis includebant ac in circi medital-
lio locatos, grandioribus undique ftipabant faxis, fuperinjecto latiori quo cætera tegerent
hinc totam aream lapidibus, arenâ glebâque terreftri replebant ac in formam monticuli de-
fuper collem extruebant, quem demum ceſpitibus tegebant, ut viriditate fuâ oculos præte-
reuntium recrearet,
Ol, Worme monument. Dan. lib. pag. 41.
not

200
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
not more than a quarter of an inch; and it contained broken pieces of burnt bones
mixt with the aſhes and fragments of burnt wood.
Figure III.
Figure the third expreſſes the exact ſhape and full dimenſions of the original
urn, with all its outward ornaments of work, that ſhew a greater maſtery of
skill and art than what I have ſeen on ſeveral other urns found in this country,
and more than one might well expect from ſo rude a people in ſo barbarous an
age.
Another urn, but of another make, fize and material, was twelve years ſince
diſcovered in a mount at Knowth, a place in the county of Meath, within four
miles of Drogheda; 'twas found incloſed in a ſquare ftone box, about five foot
long and four foot broad, made of four rude large flag ſtones ſet together edge-
ways. The urn it ſelf was one great heavy ſtone, of an oblong round figure,
ſomewhat of the jhape of the upper part of a man's ſcull, but five or fix times
as large; ’twas of a fandy greet like freeſtone, but much courſer and harder ; its
length about ſixteen inches, about twelve in breadth, and eleven in height, its
cavity but ſhallow, not above five inches deep, rudely hollowed by cutting out
ſome part of the ſtone, in which was found looſe fragments of burnt bones: they
ſeem to have taken pains in adorning the outſide with rude lines and carving, yet
the work ſhews more the labour than skill of the artiſt, who has graved five fur-
rows one above another, round the upper part of the urn; and in the middle of
each fide, and at each end, rude figures, expreſſing, as I take it, the great lu-
minaries of the world, the ſun and moon: and I'm the more inclin'd to favour
this conjecture, becauſe 'tis ſure, theſe two cæleſtial bodies were very religiouſ-
ly adored by all the northern nations in time of paganiſm. From whence it is
that of the days of the week, two were ſolemnly dedicated to the deities of the
fun and moon, and have retained their names ever ſince.
This urn, now in my poffeffion, being a ſingular piece of Daniſh antiquity, and
the only one of ſtone I have heard that has been found in this or in our neigh-
bouring iſland; I thought it well deſerv'd to be expreft by the two following
figures.
Figure IV.
Figure the fourth ſhews the ſhape of the urn with that fide forward whereon
a creſcent moon, markt by the letter a was wrought; b, c, d, e, f, are furrows
cut for ornament round the upper part of the ſtone; &, the hollow that contain-
ed the bones.
Figure V.
Figure the fifth repreſents the ſame urn with its end towards you; on which
was rudely carved a roundiſh figure, by which the artiſt would expreſs the ſun:
mark'd by the letter h.
Figure

Page 200.
FII.
Fig. T.
a
Fig
. II.
f
பரப்பான்னுக்கு விருமியூரிழுமியூரெழ்விழுப்பொ பெயெரி யூகிழக்கு கோது
11
21000
d
ооо
собо
OO GOO
FUJIIG
Fig.I.
h
С C
d
22
с C
Р.


The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
20L
the grave.
Figure VI.
The urn whoſe figure is here deſcribed, was diſcovered June 26, 1716. at Stil-
lorgan, a country ſeat belonging to lord Allen, three miles from Dublin, placed
within the hollow of a ſmall grave, two foot long, fixteen inches wide, and a-
bout fourteen inches deep. The two ſides, and ends of this cavity, were lined
with four rude flag-ſtones ſet edge-ways, and over theſe was whelm'd as a cover-
ing, one huge maffy ſtone, that ten men could not lift, which lay about two
foot beneath the ſurface of the ground.
When this large ſtone was removed, which was done with no (mall difficul-
ty, we diſcovered ſeveral fragments of the bones of a man; as parts of the ſcull,
jaws, teeth, parts of the ſpine, ribs, bones of the legs and thighs, ſome of them,
particularly a thigh bone, very compleat. Theſe lay promiſcuouſly diſperſed,
within the hollow of the grave, and by them ſtood the urn, containing none of
the fragments of the bones, nor any thing elſe, ſaving ſome looſe earth that ac-
cidentally fell into it, as the workmen were opening the grave.
Conſidering the ſmall dimenſions of this fepulchre, we cannot imagine, that a
compleat body of a man could ever be depoſited within its narrow compaſs. So
that we muſt conclude, theſe bones were reduced to the condition they were
found in, diveſted of all their fleſh, fome time before they were committed to
However 'tis not ealy to account how this might be done, in ſo remote and
barbarous an age, by any other means than burning the body before it was inter-
red, a cuſtom long eſtabliſhed, as I before have ſhewn, among the Danes and o-
ther northern nations, as well as among the Greeks and Romans.
And yet by all the obſervation we could make, both of the colour, and out-
ward ſurface of the bones, we could not diſcover they'd ever paſt the fire, or
that they ſhew'd any of the uſual marks of burning, which in theſe dry and por-
qus bodies, are eaſily diſcerned, and rarely, if ever, are defaced by time. Beſides
ſome of the bones remaining ſo compleat, as we before mentioned, and none of
their ſmaller fragments being depoſited, according to the uſual cuſtom, with-
in the urn it ſelf makes me inclin'd to think, this body never had been burnt,
but that it had lain buried in another place for ſome time paſt, and the looſe
bones, being afterwards collected thence, were here depoſited within the com-
paſs of this narrow grave; yet to retain ſome of the ancient faſhion of the coun-
try, which men don't eaſily quit all at once, 'twas thought a decency and a re-
ſpect due to the deceaſed, to inter an urn together with the bones, tho' it was
not apply'd as uſual, for the reception of the aſhes of the dead.
This grave, with many others of the like kind, were diſcovered in a ſmall ſpace
of ground ſeated on an eminence, lying ſouthward of the houſe and gardens, where
I conjecture formerly had been raiſed a Daniſh fort; for theſe were always pla-
ced upon a riſing ground, to have a large proſpect every way: and often in ſome
part or other of theſe forts, the officers and men of note were buried, whoin their
lives had ſignalized their courage, in manfully defending theſe important pofts.
Сс
And

20Z
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
And this we are ſpeaking of, ſeems of more particular regard and conſequence
than others of that ſort; being a guard, to obſerve and watch the port of Dub-
lin, having as fair an open a view of all the thipping pafling to and fro, in this
the moſt frequented harbour of the kingdom, as any part of the adjacent coun-
try could afford.
Befides theſe urns we have mentioned, many others, from time to time, of va-
rious ſize and ſhape and differing forts of work, have been diſcover'd under mounts
and heaps of ſtones in Ireland; ſometimes placed on their bottoms with their
mouths upwards, and ſometimes downwards, whelmed o'er the fragments of the
burnt bones to cover them. But theſe and ſuch variety we ſhall paſs by, and only
now obſerve, that tho'the way of burning the dead, and putting the remnant of
the bones and aſhes into urns, was frequent here among the Danes; yet we find
likewiſe the greateſt chiefs and princes of that nation, even in the time of paga-
niſm, affected ſometimes another kind of burial whilſt they were here in Ireland;
committing to the grave their dead bodies perfectly entire, after the manner of
the chriſtians, but ftill retaining the common cuſtom of their country, of being
interred in caves, under high artificial mounts.
Of this way of burial Wormius takes notice likewiſe, as practiſed by the Danes
at home; but thinks it was of a later date than that of burning. (1) The ſecond
age (ſays he) was that in which the entire corps, not burnt, was placed with all its
ornaments in a round hollow, whoſe ſides were made of large ſtones, and covered with
the ſame at top, over which they heapt ſo much earth and ſand, till it equalled the height
of little mountain, and which at laſt was adorned on the outſide with green Gods,
and other ſtones ſet round it.
A ſepulchre of this kind we have at New-Grange, which for the large circum-
ference, and extraordinary height of the mount over it, the contrivance of the
cave within, the outward ornaments that ſurround the mount, and the two ſmal-
ler adjoining mounts, is ſo very ſingular and remarkable, that it well deſerves a
more particular deſcription.
'Tis ſituated in the county of Meath and barony of Slaine, within four miles
of the town of Drogheda ; from its largeneſs and make, from the time and labour
it muſt needs have coſt to erect fo great a pile, we may eaſily gather 'twas rai-
ſed in honour of ſome mighty prince, or peiſon of the greateſt power and digni-
ty in his time. I have not heard of any thing of this kind that equals it in Ire-
land: 'tis a thouſand foot in the circumference at the bottom, and round the flat
ſurface at the top meaſures three hundred foot, it riſes in the perpendicular about
a hundred and fifty foot; and is ſeated fo advantagiouſly upon a riſing ground,
that it is ſeen from all parts round at a vaſt diſtance, and from its top yields a de-
lightful proſpect of all the adjacent country.
ز
(i) Secunda ætas ea fuit qua cadavera integra et non cremata cum ſuis ornamentis in
circulo ex grandioribus confecto faxis locabant, aliisque circumquaque tegebant; arenam
glebam terræ exaggerando uſque dum in juftam monticuli exſurgeret altitudinem, qui cef-
bus et aliis faxis demum exterius exornabatur.
Olai Wormii monument. Dan. lib. I. cap. 7. pag. 43.
Round

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
203
Round the bottom of the mount, at ſome diſtance from it, are raiſed in a cir-
cular order, huge unwrought ſtones, rudely expreſſing pyramids, fixt with their
baſis in the ground, now at unequal diſtances, becaule fome 1 fuppofe have been
removed in length of time, and others faln down; neither do they anſwer one
another in height, ſome being eleren, others not four foot high; ſuch ſtones (as
we obſerv'd before) were always marks of honour paid the dead, when they ſur-
rounded a mount.
The mount it ſelf is compoſed of ſmall round paving ſtones, heapt together fo
as to form a pyramid, within whole center lies a cave that's ſomewhat round in
figure: to this you can only paſs through a narrow hole placed on the north fide
of the mount, fo ftrait, it does allow an entrance but to one man, and that when
on his hands and feet: it ſeems they induſtriouſly contrived this hole ſhould lye
concealed, for 'twas but lately diſcovered, and that by accident in removing part
of the ſtones to make a pavement in the neighbourhood.
This ſtrait entrance leads into a narrow gallery of 80 foot in length, 3 foot wide,
gradually riſing in height, ſtili the further it advances from the narrow paſſage where
you enter, there 'tis about 4 foot high, and from thence riſes ſlowly till it is 10 foot
in height: the differing heights in this gallery at ſeveral diſtances from the firſt
entrance, muſt be occaſioned by the paſſage ſuiting its figure to the outward
conical ſhape of the mount, which obliged the contriver to make the gallery
lower as it was nearer the outſide of the pyramid, but the farther it advanced
from thence allowed him ſtill to raiſe its height more, and moſt of all about the
middle of the mount. The walls or ſides of this ſtrait gallery are made of large
flag ſtones ſet broad-ways with their edges cloſe to one another, not hewn or
ſhaped by any tool, but rude and natural, as when they were at firſt dug from
the quarry; they differ in their fizes as the ſeveral heights of the gallery require,
the top of which is covered over with the ſame flag Itones laid along; ſome of
thoſe in the covering meaſure full nineteen foot in length.
The furtheft end of this long narrow paſſage, lets you into the dark hollow
cave, of an irregular figure, nineteen or twenty foot high, and in the middle a-
bout ten foot broad. As you enter the vault, on each hand you have a hollow
cell or nich, taken out of the ſides of the cave, and a third ſtraight before you,
theſe three cells each are about five foot every way, and ten in height: the walls
round the circumference of the cave, and of thele fide apartments are compoſed
like thoſe of the long gallery, of huge mighty flag ſtones ſet end-ways in the ground,
of ſeven or eight foot high; theſe upright ftones fupport other broad ſtones that
lay along or horizontally, jerting their ends beyond the upright ſtones; and o-
ver theſe again are placed another order of fat ſtones in the ſame level pofture,
advancing ſtill their edges towards the center of the cave, further than thoſe they
reft upon, and ſo one courſe above another approaching nearer towards the mid-
dle, form all together a rude kind of arch, by way of roof, over the vault be-
low; this arch is cloſed at top by one large ſtone that covers the center, and
keeps all fixi and compact together: for through the whole work appears no ſign
of morter, clay or other cement, to join or make its parts lye firm and cloſe, but
Сс 2
where

204
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
where a crevile happens, or an interſtice, they are filled up with thin flat ſtones,
ſplit and wedged in, on purpoſe with that deſign.
The bottom of the cave and entry is a rude ſort of pavement, made of the
fame ſtones of which the mount is compoſed, not beaten or joined together,
but looſely caſt upon the ground only to cover it. Along the middle of the cave,
a ſlender quarrey-ſtone, five or fix foot long, lies on the floor, ſhaped like a py-
ramid, that once, as I imagine, ſtood upright, perhaps a central ſtone to thoſe
placed round the outſide of the mount ; but now 'tis fallen down. By this and
others of the fort we have before mentioned, it appears the Danes were much
addicted to adorn their fepulchres within as well as without, with ſtones of this
rude agulio ſhape, as the moſt artful embelliſhments their wild architecture had
then arrived to.
When firſt the cave was opened, the bones of two dead bodies entire, not
burnt, were found upon the floor, in likelyhood the reliques of a husband and
his wife, whoſe conjugal affection had joyn’d them in their grave, as in their
bed.
In each of the three cells was placed upon the ground, a broad and ſhallow
ciſtern, ſomewhat round, but rudely formed out of a kind of free-ſtone; they
all were rounded a little at the bottom ſo as to be convex, and at the top were
flightly hollowed, but their cavities contained but little ; ſome of their brims
or edges were finuated or ſcolopt, the diameter of theſe ciſterns was more than
two foot wide, and in their height they meaſured about eighteen inches from
the floor.
The cell that lay upon the right hand was larger, and ſeemed more regular
and finiſh'd than the reft; for rude as it was, it ſhewed the workman had ſpent
more of his wild art and pains upon it, than the other two : the ciſtern it con-
tained was better (haped, and in the middle of it was placed another ſmaller ci-
ſtern, better wrought, and of a more curious make; and ſtill, for greater or-
nament, the ſtone that lay along as lintal, o'er the entrance of this celi, was cut
with many ſpiral, circular, and waved lines, that with their rude and ſhallow
traces, covered the ſurface of the ſtone. This barbarous kind of carving I ob-
ſerved in many other places of this cave, promiſcuouſly diſpoſed of here and
there, without the leaſt rule or order; but it was exprelt no where with ſo much
induſtry and profuſeneſs, as on the ſtones belonging to this cell : yet tho' they
were ſo laviſh of their art, not the leaſt footſteps of writing, or any thing like
characters were found in the whole work, which may convince us, that the
Danes, then in this kingdom, were not matters of any letters; for had they been,
we might be ſure they would not have fail'd to expreft them on ſo remarkable
an occaſion, as the compleating this extraordinary monument.
The baſons in the ſeveral niches of the cave, were certainly deſigned for al-
tars, to offer ſacrifice upon to pagan Gods, in favour of the dead : and being
three in number, ſhew they were dedicated to the deities of the three prime i-
dols, religiouſly adored by all the nations of the north. That this is more than
bare conjecture, appears by a paſſage in the author we have often mentioned,
Qlaus

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
205
cool
Olaus Wormius, where ſpeaking of the heathen altars of the Danes, he ſays, (k)
They built their altars here with us of various faſhions ; it rarely happens one ſingle
altar is found alone, but often three together, rais'd' to the honour of the three chief
idols.
The three prime deities moſt folemnly adored by all the nations of the north,
in time of paganiſm, Abertus Grantius, in his Metropolis, tells us, were the great
Thor, Odin and Friga ; and deſcribes them thus, as I find him quoted by Olaus
Wormius: (1) In their temples they worſhipt the ſtatues of three gods; Thor was re-
vered as the moſt powerful, and next him Odin and Friga : Thor commanded the
thunder and lightning, Odin preſided over war, and the third, Friga, was the diſpo-
fer of peace and pleaſure : Theſe three were always held as the chief deities of the north-
ern nations.
And hence it is more than probable, that the three altars in the cave we have
been deſcribing, muſt have been raiſed in honour of theſe three Daniſh idols, and
the chief on the right hand, fo remarkably diftinguiſhed from the other two
by all its work and ornaments, is likely muſt have been dedicated to the ſupreme
deity of Thor, as more religiouſly adored than all the reſt.
But the true genuine figure of the cave, and the deſcription of the niches in
its fides, and the long entry leading to it, will be far better underſtood by a plan,
which Mr. Samuel Molyneux, a young gentleman of the college of Dublin, de-
lineated with care and accuracy, upon the place, laſt ſummer. See
Figure VI.
A is the entrance, from A to B the long narrow gallery or paſſage, eighty
foet in length, leading to the cave C. D DDD D.the great flag-ſtones that
make the ſides or wall both of the cave and entrance. EE E. the three cells
or apartments let into the ſides of the cave, for the convenient reception of the
three altars or ſhallow ciſterns, F F F. G a ſecond altar, raiſed upon the low-
er altar in the right hand cell. H a pyramid ſtone now fallen, but formerly ſet
up erect in middle of the cave. The ſituation of the cave, as to its length,
ſtands north and ſouth, its entrance lies dire&tly fouth; but whether this poſiti-
on may be obſerved in laying out the caves, and paſſages that lead to them, in
other Daniſh mounts, and ſo may be ſome mark or direction to find out the
hidden entrance, to other ſepulchres of this kind, further enquiry may
inform
10
us.
(k) Ararum ſtructura apud nos varia, raro unicam folam invenies, fæpius tres brevi in-
tervallo aſeinvicem diſtantes, in honorem trium primariorum idolorum erectas.
Olaii Wormii monument. Danic. lib. I.cap. 3. pag.7.
(1) In templo ſtacuas trium venerabantur deoram, potentiffimus Thor colebatur, hinc la-
tera ejus cingunt Wodan atque Fricco: Thor tonitrus & fulgura gubernat, Wodan bellis preſidet,
tertius Fricco pacem & voluptatem moderatur; atque hi tres ſemper primarii habiti ſunt fep:
tentrionalium dii.
01. Wormii monument. Danico lib. 1. cap. 4. pag. 13.
Figure

206
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
Figure VII.
Figure the 7th fhews more particularly the manner and contrivance of the
altar in the right hand cell, conſecrated to the deity of Thor, expreſſing all the
rudeneſs of its work. a a a a the upright flag-ſtones that compoſe the fide-
walls. b b b the lintal-ſtone that's laid a-croſs over the entrance of the cell; up-
on the ſurface of this ſtone, the artiſt has expreft abundance of rude barbarous
ſort of ſculpture. cc a lower altar ſerving as a baſis to d, another leſſer altar
raiſed upon it.
Figure VIII and IX.
Removing, about ten or twelve years ſince, ſome of the heap of ftones on
the out-ſide of the mount, two Roman golden coins were found by accident,
near the ſurface, buried among the ſtones; and in all likelyhood more of that
kind
may lie concealed, that time may diſcover hereafter. One was of Valen-
tinian the firſt emperor of that name ; his head on one ſide of the medal, and
round it this legend, Dominus Valentinianus, pius, fælix, auguſtus: on the reverſe,
two imperial figures fitting on a throne of ſtate, ſupporting a globe, as an em-
blem of the empire, with an image of victory over them, and a branch of lau-
rel ſprouting up between them. Theſe figures expreſs Valentinian himſelf and
his ſon Gratian, to whom the father gave the title of Auguſtus, upon his obtain-
ing a mighty victory againſt the Germans at Solicinium, about the year of Chriſt
368. when Gratian his ſon was in his company: and, on occaſion of this victo-
ry, this ſame medal was ſtruck at Triers in Germany, as appears by the infcripti-
on round the reverſe, Victoria Auguftorum, and the initial letters on the lower part
T. R. O B. S. which ſignify Triver is obfignata, coined at Triers.
The other golden coin was of the emperor Flavius Theodofius, called thegreat;
his head is on one ſide, with this inſcription round it, Dominus Theodoſius pius,
foelix, auguſtus ; on the other, are two imperial figures on a throne of ſtate,
jointly holding a globe with an image of victory, and a laurel between them,
as in the former medal, and with the ſame inſcription round them, Victoria Au-
guſtorum. Theſe two imperial figures, as I take it, do expreſs Arcadius and
Honorius, the two ſons of Theodoſius, as the head on the other ſide does the fa-
ther, who, in confort with his two ſons, governed the caſt and weſtern empire
jointly, ſeveral years before his death, after they had happily overcome Eugeni-
us : and on account of that great victory, about the year 395. this medal here
was coined at Triers, as the former was.
Figure the eighth ſhews Valentinian's coin with its reverſe.
Figure the ninth is that of Theodofius, both taken from the coins themſelves,
but larger than the originals, that the inſcriptions might be the better expreft.
This Roman money, muſt certainly have been brought into Ireland by the
trading Danes, as being the current coin at that time in commerce throughout
Europe, and received in exchange for ſuch commodities as theſe Eaſterlings carried
abroad

Figs.
S-
D
C
E
Page 206.
E
D
D
B
H Н
E
D
D
G
V
Alam
THEODO
VALENTINI
DN
DN
P.
Fig. 7.
SIVIS
.AVG.
Fig.&.
Fig. 9
माता
DAN
TeL SAN
VICTOR
ICTOR
IROBS
TROBS
BTA
AVGG
VI
AVGO,


basia
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
207
abroad to traffick withal in the neighbouring countries : for 'tis beyond all doubt,
that the Romans were never maſters of this iſland ; and tho' their gold and fil-
ver money are often diſcovered in ſeveral parts of this kingdom, yet they were
not diſperſed here by the Romuns, but by accident dropt, or depoſited by de-
fign, (as theſe two golden coins we are ſpeaking of) by the Danes, among the
ftones of this mount, in honour of the perſons buried under it; according to
the antient cuſtom that prevailed with that nation, as Wormius teſtifies, of bu-
rying together with thoſe of note and dignity, gold, ſilver, arms, and ſuch like
coftly things. (m) Our anceſtors, ſays he, did not only commit to their graves, the
corps and aſhes of the dead, but likewiſe with them, Spears, arms, gold and ſilver,
and ſuch like rarities that were dear to them in their life-time.
About a hundred yards diſtant from this mount, are placed two other pyra-
mids, but of a much ſmaller ſize, not above a fourth part as big, and like it,
are both encompaſſed with a circle of ſtones, ſet at ſome diſtance each from an-
other, round their bottoms; but theſe ſtones bear a ſort of proportion to the
dimenſions of the mount they ſurround, and therefore are abundantly leſs than
thoſe encompaſſing the larger mount. Theſe two tumuli being of a ſmaller ſize,
ſeem probably raiſed as fepulchres for the children, or kindred of thoſe perſons
that lie buried under the greateſt mount, as if the three mounts altogether were
deſigned by way of a family-monument for ſome great Daniſh prince, that choſe
to be interred near his country-dwelling, that might be hereabouts, as the word
Grange ſeems to imply, the name by which the place is called at preſent, deri-
ved from a Teutonick or German word, and no ways of an Iriſh original. For
that the Danes affected to have their burying places cloſe to their country-feats,
Olaus Wormius aſſures us, (n) Our nobility, ſays he, were pleaſed to chooſe to bury
near their ſeats, and on their own grounds. As yet we know not what may be
the faſhion or inward contrivance of theſe two ſmaller mounts, becauſe their
caves or paſſages leading to them have not been hitherto diſcovered ; but fuch
an attempt were eaſy, by reaſon of the ſmalneſs of the mounts, did any per-
fon’s leiſure or curioſity incline them to make enquiries after ſuch antiquities.
And thus much of the Daniſh fepulchres in Ireland.
But befides theſe tumuli or funeral piles, there is another ſort of antient work
ſtill remaining in this kingdom, and to be met with frequently in many parts of
it, that by their round make, and reſemblance to theſe mounts, as well as by
the tradition of the inhabitants, ſhew that they derive their original from the
fame Daniſh nation. Theſe are the Daniſh forts or raths, as ſome call them,
(rath in the Iriſh language fignifying a hill or riſing ground ) whoſe outward
thape and contrivance having ſomething common with the figure of theſe
(m) Tumulis fuis non folum cadavera aut cineres inferebant veteres, fed arma, haftas,
equos, aurum, argentum, aliaque defunctis chariflima Kepánico
Olaii Wornii monument. Danic. lib 1. cap. 7. pag. 45.
(n) Magnates in prædiis ac propriis agris fepeliri geſtiebant.
Worm, monument Danic. lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. 31.
mounts

208
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
mounts, ſome have taken them for one and the ſame thing, and confuſedly cal-
led them by the ſame promiſcuous name. But if we conſider theſe Danes raths
more narrowly, we ſhall eaſily find ſo remarkable a difference between them
and the mounts we have been ſpeaking of, that 't will plainly appear, the for-
mer were not caft up as funeral-monuments in memory of the dead, but were
deſigned as forts for ſecurity of the living.
For we may obſerve that theſe raths, tho' they are circular like the mounts,
yet they are conſtantly contrived with ramparts, ditches, or intrenchments round
them, for the detence of thoſe that kept within; whereas the fepulchral hills
are not at all encompaſt with any works of this kind. 'Tis true thele latter are
round, ſteep, riſing grounds as the former ; but then the mounts are heaps of
earth and ſtone, caft up by hand, raiſed from the ſurface of the earth it felf,
and wholly formed by art; whereas the forts, eſpecially the largeſt, do owe
their height more to their natural ſituation than to art, as being placed upon
fome riſing hill, and are beholden little more to human induſtry, than for their
round figure and the ditches and intrenchments caſt about them, dug out of
the hill on which they ſtand, to make it more ſecure. Their ſituation was always
high, to have the larger proſpect round, that ſo no party of the enemy could
poſſibly approach them undiſcovered, or ſuddenly ſurprize them.
They are of various ſizes, differing much in magnitude, fome ſo ſmall as not
to meaſure more than fifty foot in their diameter, and as much in height; others are
much larger in their dimenſions, and take three hundred yards in their circum-
ference; but others are again ſo vaſtly ſpacious,as to contain within their circuit
eighteen or twenty Engliſh acres at the leaſt; as that remarkable Danes fort cal-
led by the people of the country, the king of Ulſter's fort, ſituated not far from
the town of Ardmagh. Some have but one wide ditch caſt round the bottom,
and others are encompaſs’d with two or three of theſe, and ſeveral intrench-
ments that divide the ditches; ſome of theſe forts are hollowed at the top, or
made to ſink a little in the middle, that ſo they might afford the better ſhelter
and defence to all the men within, whilſt others are contrived with a high
towering mount, that riſes in the centre much above the fort, commanding all
the work that lies below.
Of ſuch a one that ſtands near Down-Patrick, in the county of Down, we
have annex'd the figure, as it appears from an adjacent hill, ſome fixty perches
diftant, drawn by a ſcale of an hundred foot to an inch, communicated to me
by an ingenious gentleman living in that county, Mr. Samuel Waring. See
figure the roth. A b c expreſſes three artificial ramparts, caſt upon the ſides
of a natural hill. D d d the mount that riſes in the middle of the fort is markt
e, and if we'll but imagine this central mount removed, this figure then may
repreſent the manner of thoſe forts that are hollowed in the middle, as moſt we
find are. Some, tho' but few, are encompaſs'd round with walls of ſtone, caſt
up inſtead of earth, yet without any morter: two of this fort may be ſeen at
Farmoyle in the county of Long ford.
Figure

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
209
Figure x.
Many of the larger forts have caves contrived within them underground, that
iun in narrow ſtrait long galleries, ſome of theſe above twenty fix foot in length,
five foot high, and as many broad; theſe make ſeveral returns, and joyn to one
another in almoſt right angles; where they meet, the paſſage is enlarged, and
at the corners form a ſort of cloſets that are ſquare in ſome mounts, and in o-
thers round. The walls or ſides of theſe galleries are made of ſtones, laid flaton
one another, without any mortar to joyn them, like our dry walls ; and the
paſſage is covered above with flag-ſtones laid a-croſs, that reſt with their ends
on the ſide-walls, which being under ground, and no ways expoſed to weather,
are very durable, and far leſs ſubject to decay, than the ſtrongeſt walls of lime
and ſtone, tho' built with the greateſt skill of maſonry, that lie expoſed and o-
pen to the air. The following ſcheme fhews the manner and contrivance of
theſe caves, and how the galleries joyn, and lie to each other in moſt of theſe
mounts, tho' in others, they are diſpoſed ſometimes after a differing model.
From a to b, meaſured about twenty fix foot, b is a ſquare cloſet that's an-
ſwered by ſuch another at c, at the end of the middle gallery d, that is juſt of
the ſame dimenſions with the former gallery; this cloſet opens into a third galle-
ry e, ſomewhat longer than the other two. Theſe cloſe and hollow paſſages
lying under ground, ſo ſtrait and ſmall, without all light, could never be de-
figned to accommodate men, nor can we any ways ſuppoſe them fit for their re-
ception; ſo that they muſt have been contrived for the convenient diſpoſal only
of their ſtores, their arms, proviſions, and ſuch like warlike neceſſaries, that here
lay ſecure from weather, and at hand, ſtill ready for their uſe, and under ſuch
a guard, that kept them ſafe from thieves or enemies.
As for the ſmalleſt ſort of forts, of ten and fifteen yards diameter, they were ſo
low, and of ſuch ſtrait dimenſions, they could not poſſibly receive a number a-
ny ways conſiderable, to form a gariſon, but rather ſeem deſigned for habitati-
ons only, and the dwellings of ſingle families, that by the means of theſe raiſ-
ed ſituations, lived more ſecure and ſafe from ſudden onſets of their enemies in-
habiting the country round them. And I am inclined the more to favour this
opinion, becauſe theſe ſmaller forts are ſo very numerous in ſome parts of the
kingdom, particularly in the county of Down, where they lie ſo cloſe together,
that for many miles they ſtand in fight and call of one another; and 'tis not im-
probable, they were diſperſed up and down here more frequent than elſewhere,
by reaſon that the Danes, and other northern nations that in thoſe days infeft-
ed Ireland, firſt landed in theſe parts of the iſland, as lying neareſt to the coun-
tries from whence they came, and ſo the moſt convenient for their ſettlement;
and 'twas from hence they ſpread, and made incurſions into all other parts of
the kingdom, till they had reduced the whole to their ſubjection.
Dd
Ic

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
It may not be improper to add to theſe remarks upon the Daniſh mounts and
forts, fome obſervations on the ſlender high round towers here in Ireland, tho'
they are leſs antient; ſince they are ſo peculiar to the country, and ſeem remains
of the ſame people the Oftmen or the Danes. Theſe we find common likewiſe eve-
ry where, ſpread over all the country, erected near the oldeſt churches found-
ed before the conqueft; but I could never learn that any building of this ſort is
to be met with throughout all England, or in Scotland.
That the native Iriſh had but little intercourſe with their neighbours, and
much leſs commerce with theſe at greater diſtance, before the Danes came hi-
ther and ſettled among them, is pretty certain : and that the Danes were the
firſt introducers of coin, as well as trade, and founders of the chief towns and
cities of this kingdom, incloſing them with walls for fater dwelling, is gene-
rally agreed on all hands; and it ſeems no way leſs probable, that the ſame nati-
on too muſt have introduced at firſt from countries where they traffick, the art
of maſonry, or building with lime and ſtone.
For that there were lime and ſtone buildings here, before the conqueſt by the
Engliſh in Henry II's reign, is certain; notwithſtanding fome, and thoſe reputed
knowing men in the affairs of Ireland, have haftily aſſerted the contrary. For
it appcars, beyond all controverſy, that theſe high round ſteeples we are ſpeak-
ing of, were erected long before Henry II's time, from a plain paſſage in Giraldus
Cambrenſis, that was in Ireland in that prince's reign, and came over with his
fon king Yohn, whom he ſerved as ſecretary in his expedition hither: he ſpeaks
of them in his account of this iſland, as ſtanding then, and I am apt to think,
few of theſe kind of towers, have been built ſince that time.
That author mentioning theſe ſteeples gives us this ſhort deſcription of them,
(0) Turres ecclefiafticas que more patrio arétæ ſunt & altæ, nec non & rotunde,
Church-towers built ſlender, high and round, and takes notice of their model,
as being faſhioned after a ſingular manner, and proper to the country.
And ſince we find this kind of church-building, tho' frequent here, reſemb-
ling nothing of this fort in Great Britain; from whence the chriſtian faith, the
faſhion of our churches, and all their rites and cuſtoms, 'tis plain, were firſt
brought hither; the model of theſe towers muſt have been taken up ſome other
way: and it ſeems probable the Danes, the earlieſt artificers in maſonry, upon
their firſt converſion to chriſtianity, might fancy and affect to raiſe theſe faſhi-
oned ſteeples in this peculiar form, ſtanding at a diſtance from their churches,
as bearing ſome reſemblance to the round tapering figure of their old monu-
mental ſtones and obelisks, their pyramids, their mounts and forts, of which they
were fo fond in time of paganiſm.
And Sir James Ware curſorily ſpeaking of one of theſe round ſteeples at Cork,
in his antiquities of Ireland, chap. 29. pag. 328, ſays, there prevailed a tradi-
tion in that country, that aſcribed the building of that tower he mentions, to
the Oſtmen, who were inhabitants of Cork; and we might well preſume, that
(0) Topographiæ Hiberniæ diſtinct. Secund. cap. 9.
had

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
2II
ز
had the old native Iriſh been authors of this kind of architecture, they ſurely
would have raiſed ſuch towers as theſe in ſeveral parts of Scotland alſo, where
they have been planted and ſettled many ages paft; but there we hear of none
of them.
Their figure ſomewhat reſembles thoſe ſlender, high round ſteeples, deſcribed
by travellers in Turky, that are called minarets, adjoyning to their moſques or
temples. The talleſt of our towers, riſe from the ground 100 and 7 foot, others
are much lower, differing in degrees of height; for ſome, and thoſe perhaps
the antientelt, do not exceed full fifty foot; they commonly are placed upon an
eminence, tho' ſome are found on flats, and in the loweſt valleys; their out-
ward circuit, at the bottom, is rarely more than forty two foot round, or four-
teen foot diameter, the cavity within the tower ſeldom exceeds eight foot ; fo
that the walls are about three foot thick.
The workmen, the better to contrive the fabrick of theſe ſteeples ſtrong and
compact, have placed the door or paſſage that leads into them, ten or twelve
foot at leaſt above the ground, without any iteps or ftairs ; ſo that there's no
way of getting in without a ladder; hence ſome imagine this contrivance to
have been firſt deſigned for the ſecurity of ſuch as might in time of danger, and
of trouble, retire to theſe places for their ſafety: but this ſeems no way pro-
bable, ſeeing they afford reception for ſo few, as not to hold fix men with any tole-
rable conveniency. And therefore I am perſuaded, the reaſon of placing the entrance
of theſe towers ſo high above the ground, muſt have been only this, that when
they did deſign to erect a firm and laſting building, ſo ponderous and lofty, af-
ter a ſcheme that did confine the artiſt to ſo ſmall and narrow a foundation, they
ſaw themſelves neceſſitated to make the lower part fourteen or twelve foot high,
and ſometimes more, above the ground, all one entire piece or ſolid body of
lime and ſtone, without a cavity, the better to ſupport the weighty ſuperſtru-
cture that was to reſt upon't, and laſt for many ages yet to come.
And truly,
moſt of them are ſo compactly built, and the materials ſo artfully put together,
that time, which deſtroys all the productions of human labour, has yet but ve-
ry little impaired theſe fabricks; and we are ſure, that ſome of them have ſtood
ſeven or eight hundred years already, to which their roundiſh figure like a cylin-
Jer, has doubtleſs much contributed.
Clogachd the name by which they ſtill are called among the native Iriſh, gives
us a further proof of their original, that they were founded firſt by Oſtmen :
for the Iriſh word Clogachd is taken from a foreign tongue, and being a term of
art, imports the thing it ſignifies muſt likewiſe be derived from foreigners, as,
were it neceſſary, might be made appear by many inſtances; now the Iriſh word
does plainly owe its etymology to Clugga, a German Saxon word, that ſignifies a
bell, from whence we have alſo borrowed our modern word a Clock: this appel-
lation alſo ſhews the end for which theſe towers were built, for belfries
or ſteeples, where was hung a bell to call the people to religious worſhip; but
the cavity or hollow ſpace within being ſo narrow, we may conclude the bell
muſt needs be ſmall, one of a larger ſize, not having room to ring out or turn
D d 2
round

1 I 2
The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
rounds which argues too they're ancient, for the larger belts are an invention of
the later times, and were not uſed in the earlier ages of the church.
Theſe towers the better to let out the found, and make the bell heard at a
greater diſtance, have all of them towards the ſummit, four openings or win-
dows oppoſite to one another, that regard the ſeveral quarters of the heavens,
and tho they agree much in their ſhape, yet they ſo far differ in their model,
that fome remarkable diſtinction may eaſily be obſerved between one tower and
another. The better to conceive this difference that words cannot ſo well ex-
preſs, we have annext three ſchemes, that repreſent three of the talleſt and the
moſt compleat fteeples of this kind I have ſeen in Ireland, taken at the ſeveral
places where they ſtand, with care and accuracy by Mr. Sam. Molyneux before-
mentioned.
Figure XI
Figure the eleventh gives us the upright of the tower belonging to the cathe-
dral church at Kildare, a hundred and ſeven foot in height, it ſtands thirty yards
diſtant from the church, and is embelliſhed with better work and more hewn
ſtone than any other I have met with; whence I conclude it of a more modern
date. After I had written thus far, I find in the life of Malachias archbiſhop
of Ardmagh, publiſhed by St. Bernard, that a church at Bangor in the north of
Ireland, (oratorium lapideum he calls it) was built by that biſhop about the year
1140. ſome thirty years before the conqueſt, and was the firſt church in that
country, whoſe walls were of lime and ſtone. And he ſays, that this ſort of
building gave great offence to the people, who condemn’d it then as an unuſual
inſtance of expence and pride. But this we muſt conclude was only occaſioned
by its being in a remote country, and the firſt church of that kind that had been
ſeen in thoſe parts. For that there were buildings and churches of ſtone and lime
raiſed by the Danes, in other parts of Ireland, long before this, above a hundred
years at leaſt, is beyond controverſy; as particularly that of the Trinity, or Chriſt's
Church here in Dublin, which was built by Sitricus a Daniſh king, about the year
1038. as appears from ancient records ſtill kept in that cathedral. And about
the ſame time I judge St. Michael's church in Sheep-ſtreet, not far from Chriſt's
Church, was likewiſe built by the Danes, with one of theſe round towers adjoin-
ing to it. However, that the Iriſh might have raiſed ſome of theſe ſlender ſteeples
fince the conqueft, that ſeem more modern than the reſt, as this at Kildare in
imitation of the older Daniſl towers, is not improbable.
Figure XII.
Figure the twelfth ſhews the tower of Clundalkin church, four miles from
Dublin, raiſed eighty four foot high, and ſeparate from the church a hundred
yards
Figure

Page 212.
Fig.11.
Fig. 12
a
b.
Fig. 10.
d
d
312
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b.
ed
d



Buze 213.
Fig. 13.
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Fig. 6. Page 201.
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H
immunoddaniu
மாதமாக
Naprawa

The Natural Hiſtory of Ireland.
213
Figure XIII.
Figure the thirteenth is that at Swords, ſix miles from Dublin, feventy three
foot high, and diſtant from its church fifty or fixty foot. This is a plainer ſtruc-
ture of a more rude and ſimple make, and more reſembles than any of the reſt,
thoſe pyramidal ſtones we have ſo often mentioned, which the Danes accufto-
med to erect near and about their fepulchres, and likewiſe upon other memora-
ble occaſions, as where they had fought a battle or gained a victory.
a, a, a, in the three laſt figures are the doors by which they entred into thete
ſteeples, placed high above the ground, and muſt have been at firſt much high-
er, before the earth of the church-yards was raiſed by frequent burials, in ſo long
a tract of time.
b, b, b, the open paſiages near the top, where the bell hung to let the ſound
go forth, that they might hear it at a greater diſtance.
Co Co Co windows, placed irregularly in the fide walls, to admit light to direct
thoſe that paft up by means of ladders, the only ſtairs by which they could a-
fcend theſe towers.
And thus much of the three moſt ancient, moſt common, and moſt remarka-
ble pieces of antiquity we have in Ireland, the mounts, the forts and towers, all
owing to the Danes; laſting memorials for the time to come, of that nation ha-
ving this country in poſſeſſion.
912
FINI S.



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