species of arch was skilfully adopted where lateral abutment, so requisite for the round arch, was almost impossible. We have examined the stone-roofed churches of Saint Doulagh, Cormac's chapel, Killaloo, and Killaghy, (Killarney,) and ascertained that their covering is formed by radiation.

We cannot conclude without directing attention to those very singular

structures, the Boens, so numerous in Kerry, and of one of which Lady Chatterton ("Rambles," &c., vol. i.) has given a drawing. They would appear to us to be of the same family as the Round Tower. They are low, seldom above 20 feet in height, circular, and of a diameter similar to the Towers, decreasing in the ascent, and

the covering formed of an overlaid arch. No cement has been used in their construction. Beneath the one mentioned by Lady Chatterton, and probably under all, are subterranean chambers similar in style and form to those found in our most ancient raths. Our knowledge of these structures is so recent and limited, that we cannot attempt to offer any decided opinion with regard to them. Their external resemblance to the Sardinian Nuragh, as well as those remarkable ancient Scottish Duns, of which "Arthur's Oven," and the Dun of Dornadilla, may be offered as examples, is, however, not a little remarkable. Their name of Boen, formed of Bo, a cow, and an or ain, a circle, would seem to refer to that helioarkite worship which once which the sacred Cow, as in Egypt and India, Tradition has to the present day associated with strange supernatural attributes which could have

prevailed in Ireland, and in formed a prominent object. the Bo finne, (the white cow,) only originated in that ritual.

LONDONDERRY.

THE maritime county of Londonderry, in the province of Ulster, is bounded on the south and south-west by the county of Tyrone; on the east by the county of Antrim; on the north by the Atlantic; on the north-east by Lough Foyle; and on the west by the county of Donegal. According to the Ordnance Survey, it comprises an area of 518,423 acres, of which 388,817 are cultivated, 10,404 are covered by water, and 119,202 are waste mountain and bog. It is divided, for the purposes of civil jurisdiction, into the city and liberties of Londonderry, the town and liberties of Coleraine, and the baronies of Coleraine, Tirkeeran, Kenaught, and Loughinsholin. Its principal towns-besides Londonderry and Coleraine-are Newton-Limivady, Castledawson, Dungevin, Moneymore, Draper's-town, Magherafelt, Maghera, and Garvagh.

Journeying from the Giant's Causeway, the county is entered by way of Coleraine, the liberties of which extend to the borders of the county of Antrim. It is situated on the east bank of the river Ban, about three miles. from its influx into the sea. The town appears busy and bustling, and although its commerce is comparatively limited, considering the advantages it enjoys, almost on the verge of the Atlantic, it still carries on a flourishing trade in the finer class of linen

VOL. III.

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its eastern to its western bank. The fall over this huge and high barrier is magnificent in the extreme. A lofty, but unemployed and half-ruined mill stands upon its western border; the rapid waters rushing idly and uselessly by; adding, indeed, to the picturesque beauty of the scenery, but contributing only to the occupation of the fisherman and the enjoyment of the angler.

Passing through the town of Newtown-Limivady-a long broad street of poor houses-and the village of Ballykelly, a neat and peculiarly graceful village of " the fishmongers," on the south-west border of Lough Foyle, we soon arrive in sight of the famous city of Derry. Its character is remarkable from every point of view; covering a hill from the summit to the base, round a considerable part of which roll the waters of Lough Foyle; the houses rising in tiers one above another; with the lofty spire of the time-honoured cathedral topping all. It is impossible to approach the venerable and heroic city without being struck with its apparent "fitness " for resisting the assaults of a besieger; its great natural strength is at once apparent; and as we advance nearer and note the high and thick walls by which it is surrounded, we become convinced that the brave and earnest hearts by which it was defended, and who obtained for it and themselves imperishable names in history, might have scorned the attacks of any enemy but famine. The walls that encompass Derry will first attract attention; they seem, to-day, as perfect as they were in 1688; have been kept in excellent repair; the broad walk upon them is neatly gravelled as a promenade, and the towers appear as capable of defence as they did a century and a half ago. These walls were built by the London companies, soon after the "Plantation "-to which we shall refer presentlyindeed the town itself may be said to have been raised by them, for, in 1608, it was burned and destroyed by Sir Cahir O'Dogherty, who almost literally left it" without one stone remaining upon another †."

* We approached Derry as the evening was closing in; nothing could be more imposing than the appearance of" The Maiden City "-at first a few lights became visible near the Foyle, then they sparkled higher up, so as to display to great advantage the far-famed acropolis of the north. As we turned into the outward suburb to the full as large as Derry, within the walls-the reflection of the lights from the river gave a magic effect to the scene. The hill or Island of Derry is of an oval form, and ascends to an elevation

of one hundred and nineteen feet.

+ By the original contract between the crown and the corporation of London, concluded in 1609, it was stipulated that the walls should be finished on the 1st of November in the following year; but though commenced they were not entirely completed for several years after. They were laid out and built under the direction of Thomas Raven, of London, who had been sent over for the purpose, and the total cost of their erection, "including ports or gates," with all materials and workmanship, was £8357. According to Pynnar, in 1618-19 the city was "encompassed about with a very strong wall, excellently made and neatly wrought, being all of good lime and stone; the circuit whereof is two hundred and eighty-four perches and two-thirds; at eighteen feet to the perch; besides the four gates, which contain eighty-four feet, and in every place of