The Basaltic Plateau. This area extends over almost the whole of Antrim (Holiday Cottages, Antrim, Ireland) and much of Derry. On the inland side long heathery and grassy slopes are characteristic, while facing the sea grand glens have been cut deep into the rocks, and marine denudation has produced in places magnificent cliffs. Between the two slopes lie broad moorlands, about 1000 to 1500 ft. in elevation, covered with bog and heather, with shallow lakelets here and there. The nature of the country and its flora may be admirably studied by taking the narrow-gauge railway from Ballymena up the landward slope to Parkmore, situated on the moorland at an elevation of over 1000 feet, and driving thence down the beautiful precipitous vale of Glenariff to the sea at Cushendall.
A few rare plants, mostly of Alpine or Scottish type, inhabit the moorlands; such are Drosera anglica, Saxi-fraga Hirwiiis, Utriciilaria intermedia, Carex paziciflora, and C. irrigua (the last two not known elsewhere in Ireland). But it is on the basaltic cliffs and deep glens on the seaward side that botanical interest centers, and here a very characteristic flora is developed. On the cliffs and rocky heaths and in the glens we get: Meconopsis cambrica Hieracia (many species) Draba incana Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Arenaria verna Pyrola media Sagina subulata P. minor Geranium sylvaticum P. secunda Vicia sylvatica Melampyrum sylvaticum V. Orobus Orobanche rubra Dryas octopetala Taxus baccata Pyrus Aria Habenaria albida Saxifraga hypnoides Neottia Nidus-avis S. aizoides Cryptogramme crispa Sedum Rhodiola Equisetum pratense Epilobium angustifolium E. trachyodon Circasa alpina and many more interesting species.
In North Antrim (Bed and Breakfasts, Antrim, Ireland) glacial sands and gravels cover extensive areas, and bogs have been formed in the depressions between the mounds. In the south of the country is the fertile valley of the Lagan. This, as Sir R Kane pointed out, owes its fertility to the commingling of different kinds of rocks. To the north of the valley is the basalt escarpment, with limestone immediately below. On the south rises the Silurian highland with grits and slates, while the valley itself is carved out of Triassic sandstone, and over the whole we have a greater or less depth of boulder-clay, the materials of which have come from the north-west. The Dundonald valley is similarly fertile, for it too is carved out of red Trias sandstone, and is bounded on either side by Silurian strata, while the drift contains basalt and white lime-stone debris. Mining for Iron ore (Hasmatitc) is largely confined to Antrim (Hotels, Antrim, Ireland).
The Belfast district supplied the original examples of the so-called Irish Rat, Mas hibernicus of Thompson. This creature, now known to occur in Great Britain as well as in several parts of Ireland, has been shown to be a variety of the common Grey Rat (M. decumanus). It is almost black in colour, and has typically a white breast. The Badger, (Melestaxus), Otter (Lutra vulgaris) and Irish Stoat [Putorius hibernicus), are of more or less frequent occurrence. The Pine Marten (Mustela martes), is still occasionally reported. Round the coasts, the Great Grey Seal [Halichesrus grypus), is not uncommon. As in other Irish districts, the Alpine Hare {Lepus variabilis), is frequent, replacing the Brown Hare [L. europaus) of England. The introduced Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is still local.
Belfast has been, like Dublin, long a centre for ornithological study, and in its vicinity and the neighbouring counties, a number of rare stragglers have been shot and identified. Among these are the only Irish-taken examples of the Two-barred Crossbill, (Antrim and Fermanagh), Purple Heron, (Co. Monaghan); Broad-billed Sandpiper (Belfast Lough), Bonapartes Gull (Belfast), and Wilsons Petrel (Lough Erne and Co. Down.). The Vivaparous Lizard, the only Irish reptile, is frequent, as are also the Common Frog and the Common Newt. The only other Irish amphibian, the Natterjack Toad is confined to a small area at the extreme opposite end of the country, in Co. Kerry. The Salmon is common, and many important fisheries exist. The Brown Trout is everywhere ; var. estuarius is frequent ; var. ferox and stomachcus arc frequent in Lough Neagh, where the former has been taken up to 36 Ibs. weight. The endemic Pollan, Corcgonus pollan, occurs in numbers in Lough Neagh. The Lough Neagh Pollan fishery is very important, being valued at 6000 to 7000 annually, and giving employment to about 500 men. The distribution of the Pollan group shows a similarity to that of the endemic shrimp Mysis reliefa, which forms part of its food. The Pollan which occurs in Lough Erne is now considered to be a distinct species, C. altior. A curious point in local ichthyology is that the Charr, Salvelinus sp. used also to be common in Lough Neagh, but disappeared early in the nineteenth century.
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