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83

CHAPTER V.
ON KNOCKNACAR.

When Sutherland and I had finished dinner that evening we took up the subject of bogs where we had left it in the morning. This was rather a movement of my own making, for I felt an awkwardness about touching on the special subject of the domestic relations of the inhabitants of Knockcalltecrore. After several interesting remarks, Dick said:—

"There is one thing that I wish to investigate thoroughly, the correlation of bog and special geological formations."

"For instance?" said I,

"Well, specially with regard to limestone. Just at this part of the country I find it almost impossible to pursue the investigation any more than Van Troil could have pursued snake studies in Iceland."

"Is there no limestone at all in this part of the country?" I queried.

"Oh yes, in lots of places, but as yet I have not been able to find any about here. I say 'as yet' on purpose, because it seems to me that there must be some on Knockcalltecrore."