coasts are the only Irish locality for the handsome
ground-beetle, _Nebria complanata_, a typical South European animal. The
Wicklow mountains, which reach in Lugnaquilla a height of 3,039 feet,
are the main portion of the Leinster highlands, formed by a great mass
of granite which stretches from Dublin into county Kilkenny. Considering
their elevation this range is singularly devoid of alpine plants and
animals, but many interesting species inhabit the lower grounds, famous
on account of the beauty of the scenery.

Among the Lepidoptera several rare species are characteristic of the
district, such as the "Bath White" butterfly (_Pontia daplidice_), and
the "Four-spotted Footman" moth (_OEnistis quadra_).

2. ~WATERFORD AND EAST CORK.~--This is a picturesque district, formed
largely of slates and sandstones of Old Red Sandstone age. The coast
is mostly of very bold character, with towering cliff ranges. The
country is generally undulating and fertile, with occasional mountain
ranges, of which the Comeraghs are rendered especially interesting and
picturesque by the deep "cooms," embosoming tarns, which give them their
name. The Comeraghs and the lovely valley of the Blackwater furnish
particularly attractive ground for the naturalist. The flora and fauna
of this area are intermediate in character between that of the district
last considered and of the surpassingly interesting country that lies to
the westward, and which will next claim attention. Thus, the coasts
yield several of the rare plants mentioned in the last paragraph--for
instance, _Diotis_ and _Asparagus_ grow at Tramore; while at the same
time we first meet in this area with some of the most famous plants of
the south-west--London Pride (_Saxifraga umbrosa_), Kidney-leaved
Saxifrage (_S. Geum_), Great Butterwort (_Pinguicula grandiflora_),
Irish Spurge (_Euphorbia hiberna_). Two rare butterflies of this
district are _Dianthaecia caesia_ and _D. luteago_ var. _Barrettii_; and
the largest of the British leaf-beetles, _Timarcha laevigata_, has been
taken near Waterford, and at Tipperary.

[Illustration: _Drawing, J. St. J. Phillips._ Geological Section from
Bantry Bay to Killarney.]

[Illustration: _Photo, Welch, Belfast._ A Kerry ditchbank showing
Pennywort two feet in height.]

3. ~WEST CORK AND KERRY.~--This is one of the most beautiful and
interesting districts in the British Isles, and indeed in Europe. The
ancient Devonian rocks which prevail have be