245.
[39] _Eye_ .-- There is a curious note by Dr.O'Donovan (Annals, p.

18) about this Balor.

The tradition of his deeds and enchantments is still preserved in Tory Island, one of the many evidences of the value of tradition, and of the many proofs that it usually overlies a strata of facts.
[40] _Country_ .-- We find the following passages in a work purporting to be a history of Ireland, recently published: "It would be throwing away time to examine critically _fables_ like those contained in the present and following chapter." The subjects of those chapters are the colonization of Partholan, of the Nemedians, Fomorians, Tuatha De Dananns, and Milesians, the building of the palace of Emania, the reign of Cairbre, Tuathal, and last, not least, the death of Dathi.

And these are "fables"! The writer then calmly informs us that the period at which they were "invented, extended probably from the tenth to the twelfth century." Certainly, the "inventors" were men of no ordinary talent, and deserve some commendation for their inventive faculties.

But on this subject we shall say more hereafter.