eae eee melee Ba gts:
Coterrtitares

oe

7
orareey

«
oe ee
Cas aug ie eee
Bee gograrnraner®

Pirro
arin irrerir tr rer Tt |
beet eetee eae Tear re eet ae
ee try teteaes
* Po

Gene
Titi suity
rertseritist ie teie tt ti
‘
SEPetire tat ary
Pre renrat

PTeDrt a
. . ”

ame
sahaceveens

aa? eri iter
seuieerieieee

eviewse vooeeay

verBeat best sewer

eateneesieans
-

rr

we

vveneneas

we
renee

gigredrerniaies
feaetiee

seseaeee

vetetae
aceeentens

salem anae
<antaay
rary

“
seegtanes
nee

deauersens
eres @ieemeasnerne
ve
+.
pererisesr]
temeraeceat aus
Erie ttinis
Seater grara es teaee
Piseneneeveeecees
reanege
ares
vermeevana
Aevanere

tureeeare ay
sees ies tedese ergo nieces

saree
ava

Tose me Dene OMG etiagcedee
ete?

eeeewaplaneiae
“ oa

itn)
nae
wmeensn genes:
vaiavaens
qaeiie
Sr

*
evraeieateneas
i

‘eesnnirgmreasuar
iemgat “ :

sargeaat

ate
verareienge nines ~

ee

n
erry

4

trriin
ses nse pare:

Sr
reer tir
Driver

Prine

- ra
Dene eereeentmerea tans
rrr tir

Sererr rarity
saeeaneeagiene
areeae

eparstriny
Oaevave
aevinenes
hry
selaterenes

rier
Svee Pa wervetes
Aamangtoanrte

eae

sunny
ane

rovuenine

on
cpeaers

eroceeee
o
£08 Ores
arerrier

anaere,
retin

ates AM*PAEAL VES

arevene

errr
evquaeanan
eanrees

.
Senet tr eregrenne:

ia are
epermrer write:

a
eeewet DLs
srienene eee any

ee
eres
eeeve ese Cty “=

avitevecdenepen
Lj

'
Sieenseace
canenecntany
aruenvere
seraee

tOststEeepritacatest

“
ti eriwearnege

ED er oe
fesanvennee
acne
HUGH CHEUNG reegeleguanieg
eretieienstenniy
stevoranaiae

eed SIEL SRA Y
MLO
«

oF ‘
grsvercveeceettenaieas

iret)
* s aie

Setnvmeans
-1 ‘

- te
erst
sO. Seeebr aces

ttpocane
Sir

.

Wethidaseee rab utente
ee
ot)

iT vaniaibiied

ey nat
’

eee
Sree eveutias

se beregereas
EY Lr
.

eran
ae

iat .
eeteleder
tir

*

.
+B ie
Vevaveer

.
PPA err retin

avaeny

segttiens
eerceneen

Ons
*

itiriray
rn ~

anne

Seeks amt
Piero ee

its
Pee eeren.

Sioa ps yteheeee ey

Seenees
CRO 8 bees
Aste

Seas Fegrere,
Shcrecnea yeneeet
Seas
egarnaee

on
es galt
oer Sti

titans i
age 1"
ate aeieit

.
Pr

ryt
tenga

Siegusttes
tay

mine
ft
iy

ated ite
eiaraisae sifitite

vf a
-
a
-
» a
i
}
‘
P
ae '
iy
1}
:
=
th
Pe fess —
;
‘

a

HISTORY

OF THE

BHRWICKSHTRE

NATURALISTS CLUB.

INSTITUTED SEPTEMBER 23, 1831.

“MARE ET TELLUS, ET, QUOD TEGIT OMNIA, CHLUM.”

1879—1881.

ALNWICK :

PRINTED FOR THE CLUB
BY HENRY HUNTER BLAIR, MARKET PLACE.
1882,

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

Address delivered to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, at
Berwick, October 15th, 1879. By JouHn Paxton, Ksq.,
President.

GENTLEMEN,

My first duty is to thank you most sincerely for having
chosen me as your President for the year now about to ex-
pire. That you should have elected me, who am only a
smatterer in Natural Science, knowing a little of many
things and not much of anything, to succeed such an
eminent veteran as Professor Balfour, astonished no one so
much as myself; and now standing here, I feel my position
most keenly, as I am conscious how far my humble en-
deavours must fall short of his eloquent and instructive
address. On that occasion he was accompanied by his wife
and son. I am sure the deep sympathies of the members
are with Dr Balfour in the painful bereavement he has since
then sustained in the death of Mrs Balfour.

Soon after I commenced my medical studies, fifty-three
years ago, in this town, under the late Dr Cahill, I had the
good fortune to make the acquaintance of Dr Johnston, one
of the original founders of this Club, and its first President.

B.N.C.—VOL. IX. NO, I. A

2 Anniversary Address.

He was at that time preparing his “ Flora of Berwick-upon-
Tweed,”and had two pupils—John Barnes and William Lilly,
both of whom became my most intimate friends. They, be-
sides their other professional duties, assisted him in collecting
and arranging his plants, and I frequently helped them, and
so had with and through them the benefit of his example
and instructions. This was my first introduction to Botany,
and, for all I know of it, as well as for a great deal more
that I am sorry to say I have forgotten, I am indebted
directly or indirectly to Dr Johnston. It is now fifty years
since his first volume on Botany was published, and in it
one can see how much his mind was imbued with a love of
nature, and how he was qualified to impress upon others his
own zeal and enthusiasm in the pursuit of natural science.
In it also we can see how often the names of the men, who
afterwards became the first members of the Club, are quoted
as either finding new plants, or new habitats of known ones.
We can thus discover that they were all of one mind and
working together in one common cause, and how naturally
the Club arose out of their intimate scientific and social re-
lations. I can speak from personal experience of Dr John-
ston’s charming social qualities, and to give you a clearer
idea of the extent of his general reading and of the taste and
elegance of his mental endowments, I would refer you to
passages from the poets Milton, Crabbe, Akenside, Southey,
Wordsworth, Cowper, and Byron, as well as from Dr John-
son and other prose writers, with which he graces the heads
of his chapters. That the enthusiasm of Dr Johnston, and
the easy and liberal constitution of the Club as originally
formed, struck a chord which harmonised with the disposi-
tion of numerous minds, its extensive progeny of Field
Clubs throughout the country, as well as the present wonder-
ful increase of the Club, continue to shew. No doubt, since
the parent members have mostly been taken from among
us, we have been indebted to the same qualities in many
others like minded, especially in our past presidents, and
our honorary secretaries past and present,

Anniversary Address. 3

With reference to our meetings of this year, I shall say
very little, as Mr Hardy has made copious notes, some of
which he will read to us to-day ; and these in a more ex-
tended form, you will be able to peruse in our next number.
I will only mention that although the summer was so exces-
sively wet, we were fortunate enough to encounter on one
day only rain enough to hinder us from carrying out our
programme.

I cannot omit referring to the courteous reception of the
members of the Club at the different places visited.
Especially ought we to send a vote of thanks to Canon
Greenwell, the President, and Captain White, the Secretary
of the Northumberland and Durham Archzeological Society,
for all their kind endeavours to entertain us; to Canon
Greenwell also for his lecture, and Mr Longstaffe for his
paper on Durham Castle, which we were sorry he could not
read to us himself, as well as to his capital substitute, Canon
Ornsby, who came forward at amoment’s notice, that we
should not be disappointed. I am sure the Durham meeting
will remain with those of us who had the good fortune to
be there, as a pleasant memory to the last day of our lives.

lt was in September, 1831, that this Club held its first
meeting at Grant’s House. As 1881 will be its jubilee year,
I would suggest that the September meeting of that year
should be held at the same place, and that we should en-
deavour to have one of our oldest members as President. It
would be very interesting to hear from the lips of such a
one, his reminiscences of the early meetings and some of the
unwritten traditions of the Club.

In the Scotsman of Friday, the 12th September, appeared.
a notice of our last number, evidently written by one who
has a thorough taste for our pursuits, and who seems to be
well acquainted with Roxburghshire. There are two
passages in that article I should like to quote to you. In
the first he says, “is anything in this world better than in-
nocent enjoyment in a loved companionship? Some men
gravely concerned in helping the world from running off the

4 Anniversary Address.

rails, or eternally building up ambitious schemes that a
single gust of ill fortune may wreck, as the storm tears to
atoms the glittering silken web of the spider, cannot under-
stand all the much ado of naturalists about nothing. May
this not be chiefly because they have never personally
dipped into such pursuits, have never thrown themselves
into contact with the living power of nature speaking
through the green ferns, the waving boughs, the varied hues
and forms of the vegetable world, the humming insects with
all their curious organisms, the singing birds with multiform
methods of attack and defence, the habits of the animated
tribes, and the wonderful mental endowment which enables
them to maintain existence in their world, which seems to
have no law but individual will. Along with all these the
naturalist enjoys the music of the life around him, the gush
and gurgle and dash of the running stream, the contrast of
ereen woodland with the grey moorland, the calm repose of
the stable hills, fillmg eye and ear and other unnamed
senses with exquisite enjoyment, calling forth new sympa-
thies with the life around him, disenthralling his spirit from
antiquated bondage and giving him continual sips of that
fine freedom of spirit which comes from looking into nature -
with one’s own eyes and reason.” Here is fine writing,
much finer than anything I could possibly say in praise of
our pursuits. The other passage is about Geology. He
says, “ Geology is the only science that seems to be over-
looked by those ardent explorers, and this we may be
allowed to regret, as the Old Red and most of the Silurian
in the counties of Berwick, Roxburgh, and Selkirk are
fossiliferous, but the extent to which they are so, and the
stratigraphical relations of the respective stages of these
formations are yet to be worked out by patient investiga-
tion of resident observers. The valley of the Jed from
Dovesford upwards, and that portion of the Slitrig, south of
Stobs Castle, and up to the Cheviots, as well as Silurian
areas south-west and north-east of these lines, contain
numerous bands of upper Silurian Shales, crammed with

Anniversary Address. 5

fossils, waiting to be disinterred. What the Llandoveries of
Berwickshire, Lauderdale, and Tweeddale above Melrose.
contain is better known, but the fossil treasures in these
rocks have, as yet, been but partially explored ; and the dis-
covery of fossils in the rocks between the Ettrick and
Teviot, would be hailed by many geologists as at present
the most important geological work which could be under-
taken in Scotland.” Now, I would wish to bring the last
passage under the notice, of our western members ; I do not
know that part of the country at all myself, but I am sure
it would be an excellent work for any of our members
resident in that neighbourhood, especially younger members,
to investigate its Geology and Paleontology.

Although there happens to be no geological article in our
last number, yet we have by no means neglected that
science, for there are many excellent and important articles
on the subject in many of our former volumes; and at our
Alnmouth meeting, Mr Topley gave us a very interesting
account of some of his explorations and discoveries on the
south side of the Cheviots, and both he and Professor
Lebour have promised to enrich our next volume with con-
tributions on this topic.

At Durham, Canon Greenwell gave us advice, which
must not be lost sight of, viz. to endeavour by all means in
our power, to induce the owners of interesting ruins to take
steps to preserve them as far as possible in their present
state, without attempting to restore them in the way by
which so much mischief has been done to many of our old
historic buildings. Jam glad to say that Mr Jerningham, the
owner of Norham Castle, has done a great deal within the
last year or two to prevent as far as possible the further
ravages of time on that very fine ruin.

I must conclude by thanking those numerous members
who have supported me by attending our meetings, and also
by doing a great share of the speaking for me; and I now
call upon Mr Hardy, our indefatigable and hard-worked
honorary secretary, to read some of his notes of our meet-
ings which he may think most interesting.

6

Report of the Meetings of the Berwickshire Naturalists’
Club for the year 1879. By JAMES HARDY.

Tuer last meeting for 1878 was held at Berwick, on Wednes-
day, 16th October. Among others who took ‘part in the day’s
proceedings, there were—the President, Professor Balfour; the
two Secretaries; Sir Walter Elliot, K.0.8.1L., &c., &e. ; Captain
Milne Home, M.P., Paxton House; Revs. J. F. Bigge, Stam-
fordham ; William Darnell, Bamburgh ; William Dobie, Lady-
kirk; Hugh Evans, Scremerston; James Henderson, Ancroft;
John George Rowe, Berwick; Evan Rutter, Spittal; Joshua
Hill Scott, Kelso; R. Hopper Williamson, Whickham ; Capt. J.
A. Forbes, R.N., Berwick; Capt. F. M. Norman, R.N., Ber-
wick; Dr Isaac Bayley Balfour, Edinburgh; Dr Barrie, Dum-
fries; Dr Colville Brown, Berwick ; Dr Alexander Dewar, Mel-
rose; Dr Robert Carr Fluker, Berwick; Dr John Paxton,
Norham; Dr Henry Richardson, R.N., Berwick; Messrs R. G.
Bolam and George Bolam, Berwick; William B. Boyd, Ormiston ;
Andrew Protherston, Kelso; William Chartres, Ayton; John
Clay, Berwick; William Crawford, Dunse; William Cunning-
ham, Coldstream; Thomas Darling, Berwick ; Ralph Forster of
Castlehills, Berwick ; James B. Kerr, Kelso; James Nicholson,
Murton, Berwick; A. T. Robertson, Berwick; Stanley Hill
Scott, Kelso; William Stevenson, Dunse; John Thomson,
Kelso; Charles Watson, Dunse; William Weatherhead, Ber-
wick ; William Wilson, Berwick ; Matthew Young, Berwick.

The members assembled in the Billiard-room of the King’s
Arms Hotel, where Professor Balfour delivered his Address.
Those who attended were gratified to see that the venerabie Pro-
fessor had so far rallied from a severe illness, as to be enabled
to speak a few words in season, and to shew by his presence the
great interest he felt in the welfare of the Club. The remem-
brance of this event is the more touching now, that he has lost
since then his amiable partner in life, who, as well as his son,
accompanied him to Berwick on this occasion, The Report of
the Proceedings at the different meetings for the season, was
read, after which Dr Paxton of Norham was elected as President
for the ensuing year.

On this, as on previous anniversaries, the house, once Dr
Johnston’s, was opened by Mrs Barwell Carter, to members, most

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 7

of whom availed themselves of her invitation, and it gave them
all sincere pleasure that the associations and memories connected
with this interesting house were still kept bright.

The following were proposed as members :—Mr John Watson
Laidley, F.S.A., Scot., Seacliffe, North Berwick; Mr J. K.
Weatherhead, Berwick; Mr Stanley Hill Scott, Kelso; and
were, along with the others nominated at the country meetings,
admitted to the membership of the Club. The meetings for
1879 were fixed upon, as afterwards carried out.

Mr Scott, of the Corporation Academy, brought to this meet-
ing two copper coins, dissimilar to any with which we are usually
_ familiar. They had been dug up during the formation of Mr
Oswald’s Auction Mart, on the line of the old wall round Ber-
wick, quite near to the turnpike road as it passes over the rail-
way. Since then Mr Scott has allowed me to examine them,
and I have come to the conclusion that they are of Spanish
origin, and, as the antique lettering indicates, referable to an
early period. The coins are thin, about the size of silver pennies
of Edward I. ; well executed, but not struck fair on the metal ;
and the legend is imperfect from friction. On the obverse with-
in a triple circle, a hand grasps, as if to hold together, three
bands stretched archwise across the disc; the middle one of
which is strongest. The legend is + IACOBVS DEI GRACIA
REX.: James by the Grace of God King. On the disc of the
reverse is a passion cross, bordured by a quadrifoil, the lunate
segments of which are of double arches fastened at the tips by
trefoils. The legend is + ORVX PELLIT OE CRVC.: the
cross drives away every cross. Minute crosses are placed as
pauses betwixt several of the words. The marks of its being
Spanish, are:—1. The use of the word GRACIA instead of
GRATIA. 2. The cross on the disc is the old arms of the king-
dom of Aragon; azure, a cross argent.* 3. The three combined
bands are emblematical of circumstances distinguishing the
reigns of James I. and II., kings of Aragon. James or Jayme
I., reigned from 1213 to 1256. He conquered Majorca in 1228,
and Valencia in 1238, both from the Moors, and united them to
his native realm. He was thus justly entitled to bear aloft ‘‘ the
strange device,” of a triple cord. His exploits secured for him
the epithet of Z7 Conquistador.

* Heylyn’s Cosmography by Bohun, p. 238.

8 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

‘¢ James he is called, and he shall be
King James the Conqueror!
Now shall the Crescent wane
The Cross be set on high—
Valencia shall be subdued ;
Majorca shall be won ;
The Moors be routed everywhere ;
Joy, joy to Aragon.”
SouTHEY.
Equally applicable is another triple combination, decreed by
Jayme IT., who reigned from 1271 to 1308, in a general assem-
bly of estates, viz., that Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia should
never afterwards be separated.* This hieroglyph then is appro-
priate to either. The coin may have reached Berwick through
the medium of Gascon troops in the service of the first three
Edwards, in their attempts to subdue Scotland. Gascony in
those ages was conterminous with Aragon, except for the inter-
vention of the Pyrenees. In June, 1298, Edward I. made a
great effort to crush the Scots, and was successful in winning the
battle of Falkirk, July 22. There arrived to his support, a
strong body of Gascons, about five hundred of whom were men-
at-arms, mounted on excellent horses, and clad in brilliant
armour; of these a detachment garrisoned Berwick, and re-
mained there until after the king’s victory.| While at Berwick
some of these foreign troops may have aided in the repairs of
the fortifications of Berwick in 1297-8. Again, about 1316, we
have Gascons in Berwick, with a brave knight at their head, in
command of the town, whom Sir James Douglas encountered
and slew at Skaithmuir, near Coldstream, after he and his garri-
son had made a successful raid into Teviotdale.
“* That tym in Berwik wes duelland
Edmound de Cailow, a Gascoune,
That wes a kycht of gret renoune ;
And in till Gascoune, his contre,
Lord off gret senyowry wes he,
He had Berwik in keping.’’§
In this skirmish ‘‘ many Gascons were slain.”’ ||
The first meeting for 1879 was held at Reston, on Wednesday,

* Moreri Dict. Hist., Tome iii.
+ Chronicon Walteri de Hemingburgh, ii., p. 174.
+ Documents Illustrative of the Hist. of Scotland, ii., p. 160.
§ Barbour’s Bruce, Book x. 1. 878, etc, || Scala Chronica,

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 9

The first meeting for 1879 was held at Reston, on Wednesday,
May 14. There were present—Dr Paxton, President; Mr
Hardy, Secretary; Sheriff Russell, Jedbank; Revs. Adam
Spence, Houndwood; William Stobbs, Gordon; Capt. F. M.
Norman, R.N., Berwick; Messrs William Currie of Linthill;
John Dunlop, Berwick ; James Greenfield, Reston ; John James
Horsley, Alnwick ; Peter Loney, Marchmont ; George Muirhead,
Paxton ; John Thomson, Kelso; Charles Watson, Dunse; Wm.
Wilson, Berwick; and James Wood, Galashiels.

The morning was misty and raw, but the fog eventually dissi-
pated, and a dry and pleasant walk was enjoyed among the
woods, and along the winding roadways on the banks of the
Hye. The grounds of Coveyheugh House, through the permis-
sion of the proprietor, Mr James 8. Mack, 8.8.C., were first
visited. The mansion is perched on a crag that rises in succes-
sive tiers of broken strata, which give it more the contour of a
basaltic than a greywacke rock. It is modern, but the situation
is not unlike the aerie of a border chieftain, and the lady, Miss
Isobell Hall, for whom it was built, had evidently a good eye
for the picturesque. Itis not without a considerable covering of
native oaks, and other planted trees ; but the present occupier is
making other improvements, which will conduce greatly to its
amenity. It is as romantic a situation for a residence as can be
found on the course of the Eye water. Though confined, it has
a commanding outlook, and affords a sweet view of the stream
gliding down a level haugh, past a tile-roofed mill, and away
round behind Reston. Fxamples of the severity of the bypast
winter were here apparent ; which were more marked in shrubs
planted two years ago, and not yet perfectly established. Ivy
was extremely withered, and so were the Boxwood edgings.
Laurus nobilis was almost killed to the ground ; Prunus lauro-
cerasus was blighted ; and Lauristinus was considerably scorched.
A Wellingtonia, of considerable size, twelve years old, was quite
singed brown; while on the other hand a Cedrus deodora was not
perceptibly affected. Aucuba Japonica, which has stood the late
extreme winter well, was only slightly touched ; the Rhododen-
drons were unimpaired, and some of them were in full blossom.
Of wild spring flowers, pile-worts, golden saxifrages, and wood
anemones had come into blossom. Among the crags, and by the
wayside, grew much bishop-weed, Herb Mercury, the great

B

10 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

wood-rush, a quantity of London Pride with most luxuriant
foliage, Saxifraga granulata among the dry rocks, and some plants
of Campanula latifolia. A small crag of greywacke slate on the
opposite bank of the Hye shews the native tendency of the rock
here to become clothed with the glossy moss, Leskea sericea, as
well as the obscure greenery of Madotheca platyphylla, and with
Lecanora parella, which spreads a coating of white-wash over the
stones that it affects. Tufts of Asplenium Trichomanes and
clusters of the common Polypody issue from the dry chinks and
ledges, along with a crop of granulated saxifrage.

A detached field that was passed after crossing the Hye has a
story attached to it, worthy of preservation, as a picture of the
habits of bypast times. Originally it was a pendicle of Hillend,
the next property. The laird of Hillend wanted a horse, but
had not the means to purchase it; and the laird of Houndwood
possessed a horse that exactly suited his neighbour’s require-
ments, but he was not willing to part with it on trust. To obtain
the horse, Hillend conveyed this field to Houndwood ; and it is
now incorporated with the Houndwood lands.

Crossing the public road near a bridge, the company entered
Lamington dean. The under portion belongs to Hillend, and
is the only part of it worthy of a visit. The name Lamington
dean is a pleonasm. The word as written in documents is
Lamendene (1620), Lambdene (1621), Lamenden (1682),
Lamendean (1751), and Lamenden (1755). It having pro-
bably afforded a sheltered situation, where ewes were placed
in the lambing season, it was from that circumstance called the
Lambing dean, which name was subsequently communicated to
the farm-steading situated on its brink.

At the entrance to the dean a Tree-pipit was heard in full
song; and the warble of the Black-cap saluted us when within
its precincts. Willow-wrens were numerous and vocal. The
lower end of the dean is planted. It then becomes more open,
and there a great quantity of drift, mostly gravel, has accu-
mulated in an ancient fissure that formed the primordial dean.
A section shews that this drift consisted chiefly of rolled grey-
wacke, mixed with sandstones, greenstones, porphyries, and a
dark shale coloured clay, along with sand-beds. Some of these
materials have their nearest home in the Lothians; and some
even of the Silurian constituents may be derived from the old

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 11

conglomerates that flank the Kast Lothian Lammermoors. Here
a pair of recently-arrived Grey Wagtails disported themselves in
lively attitudes. by the side of the burn. Where the water had
cut down to the rock, and little waterfalls were formed, there
grew among the mosses many pretty shell-shaped tufts of the
pale-green Jungermanne serpyllifolia, a rarish species; and
farther up beneath the trees a green state of J. albicans, and
abundance of J. barbata, and also of Madotheca platyphylla. The
greywacke and its accompanying slate here, as well as at Covey-
heugh, have ‘a red ground tint. The soil, besides being full of
stones, isin general poor and yellow-hued, being that produced
by a super-abundance of decayed slate. The predominance of
slate is shewn wherever sections of the rock are exposed in the
ravines. The furze bushes which were passed had been much
compressed by the heavy loads of winter’s snow that they had
had to sustain, and many of the twigs had been severely frost
bitten. It was a trying season for furze fences.

Houndwood House is a fine old building standing by a little
dean, in which grow fine old trees ; and of these there are many
in other parts of the ground. A rookery is established near the
house. On the eastern side, the house and private grounds are
sheltered by lines of well-grown aged hollies, protected by an
outer belt of trees. The hollies were well worth seeing. Along
with the other shrubs they had been so well screened, as to be
quite uninjured by the winter’s inclemency ; and the Deodars,
Wellingtonias, and Auracarias had likewise escaped the ordeal.
A very fine series of Rhododendrons is cultivated here, to which
the situation appears to be adapted ; as nothing could be gayer
than the show of blossom, when it had attained its perfection,
some weeks afterwards. The following sorts are grown here :—
Queen Victoria, Minnie, Mr John Waterer, Mrs John Waterer,
the Grand Arab, the Gem, Hugh Fraser ; delicatum, purpureum,
and fastwosum. There are said to be few other places in Berwick-
shire that can rival the display here. In the grounds there is
much bishopweed, a prevalent concomitant of old gardens, in-
troduced in some evil hour. Arum maculatum, Doronicum Parda-
hianches, oxlips, coloured primroses, daffodils and other Narcissi,
the Lily of the Valley, and some fine plots of Solomon’s Seal
grew in a half-wild state ; and there are several Liliums planted
out. The birds sow Daphne Laureola all about the place. There

\

12 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

is a good horse-chestnut in the inner grounds; and a still finer
one below the post-road ; both this season most profuse in blos-
som. The old garden was in front of the house, and was much
nicer than the present, which has a tenacious damp soil, in con-
sequence of which the fruit trees were full of lichens. There
were some good old perennials in the borders, which are said to
have enjoyed a long tenancy. Among others noticed were
Solomon’s Seal ; Pulmonaria virginica then in lively blossom ; the
Crown Imperial in flower; Physalis Alkekengi (Winter Cherry),
which had been brought from Northumberland ; Anchusa semper-
virens, here called ‘‘ Forget-me-not ;” Fritilarta Meleagris, nick-
named “Ugly face;’ Anthericum Lilaster; and the scarlet-
flowered Ourisia coccinea. A species of garden-spurge was
observed coming up like a weed, but it was in too infantile a
condition for determination. Among the salads grow some
plants of Spignel, or Meum athamanticum, not a common garden
plant. The ivy here, as elsewhere, was still loaded with berries,
which the birds had left untouched, their winter’s distress arising
from the continuance of extreme cold rather than the lack of
food. :

The holly-leaves, even as early as our visit, were much de-
formed by the Maggot of Phytomyza Ilicis. Despite the winter’s
severity, there was here, as elsewhere, a great. plague of slugs
during the spring and summer.

In the dean below the house, which has been natively rendered
gay by the Lychnis dioica, there has been planted out a profusion
of hyacinth-harebells of garden sorts, and also Doronicum planta-
gineum. The woods and shrubbery are quite a sanctuary for
birds. Thrushes so much reduced in numbers elsewhere were in
full song here; blackbirds were fairly numerous; and some
weeks after fly-catchers and robins were busy in their old
haunts ; the hard-billed sorts not having met with disaster, need
not be specified. The rooks, although noisy during the day,
settle down quietly at night; but they snore in their sleep, which
may not be altogether agreeable to a stranger who has becn told
that the house, like most old mansions, has a haunted room.

The most ancient part of the house is a peel-tower, which is
still in its entirety, and though occupied, Mrs Coulson, the aged
owner, has done all in her power to keep it as it was three hun-
dred years ago. Over the door, which is at the N.W. corner, is

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 18

placed a modern stone sculptured with the crest of the Turnbulls
—a bull’s head—with the motto, ‘‘I saved the king.” Higher
up is an older stone, brought from the old mansion house of
Fulfordlees, now pulled down, which till recently, pertained to
the ancestors of the present occupant of Houndwood. On a cen-
tral shield is a monogram, TR, the whole surrounded with the
Latin rhyming couplet :—
‘(NVNC MEA, TVNC HVJVS,
Post ILLIVS NESCIO CVJVS,
1656 ;”’

_ which is literally ‘‘ Now mine, then his, afterwards theirs, I know
not whose ;” or more freely, ‘‘ What is mine to-day, may be yours
to-morrow.” Master (either a clergyman or a lawyer) Thomas
Reidpeth was proprietor of ‘‘ Foulfuirdleyes” before June 14,
1666, when Major John Reidpeth, his immediately elder brother,
was served his heir of conquest; ¢.e. he had laid out money in
acquiring the right; in the lands of ‘‘ Fowlfuirdleyes and Whyt-
lawclovis,” in the parish of Cockburnspath.* But the family
tradition represents that the T. R., of the inscription was a Major
Thomas Reidpath, or Ridpeth, who in 1650 commanded the com-
panies that blocked up the Pass of the Pease, when Oliver Crom-
well was hemmed in, previous to his rupture of the cordon by
winning the battle of Dunbar.t There was once preserved in
the family a letter from one of the king Charleses, in which,
while thanking him for his efforts in his cause, it was said of
him, that if every leal subject had behaved as strenuously, the
affairs of monarchy would have been retrieved. We find, how-
ever, Mr, and not Major, Thomas Ridpeth laird of Ffulfurdlies
from 1648 to 1661. In 1648, the last year of Charles I., he was
one of the Commissioners for Berwick to carry out ‘ An Act of
Posture anent the putting of the Kingdom in ane posture of warr
for defence ;’’ and in the time of Charles II., March 29, 1661, he,
as a heritor, occupied the same office, for ‘‘raising an annuitie
of 40000 lib. sterling granted to his Majestie.”{ On this ac-
count I think that a Major John, and not a Major Thomas, was
the royalist.

* Inquisit. Retornat. (Berwick), No. 340.

+ ‘*The enemy hath blocked up our way at the Pass at Copperspath,
through which we cannot get without almost a miracle.’’—Carlyle’s Crom-
well’s Letters, &c., iii., p, 30.

t Act Parl. Scot. vi., part ii., p. 33.—vii. p. 95.

14 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

On being invited to enter, the company were received with
great kindness by Mrs Coulson, who, though in her 84th year, is
still hale and hearty ; and by Miss Coulson, who gave herself an
amount of trouble to shew the visitors everything. Some
tapestry from Italy (subject--a shepherd, sheep, and trees) was
to be seen in the entry hall; also some curiosities found on the
estate, including a ball the size of one’s fist, of iron coated with
lead, attributed to the Cromwellian period, although probably
older. . There was also a plain massive gold wedding-ring, with
the inscription: LVYVE IS THE BOND OF PEACE, which had
been found in the neighbourhood. Another cof corresponding
appearance was said to have also been picked up, but trace of
it had been lost. ‘The company was then conducted up the
narrow stone stairs to an upper landing place, where some
more tapestry, belonging to the house, representing a wed-
ding scene, was preserved. Descending the stairs, the vaults
were visited, where the cattle were kept in ancient times when
invasion was threatened ; these being now utilised for domestic
purposes. In one small side apartment two shoulder blades of a
sheep were fixed in the walls for pins. There was a recess at
the south end wherein the calves had been kept separate from
the older cattle. A servant’s hall has been made out of the half
of it. The vaults were lighted by upright arrow slits, which
open wide inwards. The family rooms were inspected, including
a bed-room wherein, according to tradition, Queen Mary once
slept, which contains, along with other paintings, a very pretty
youthful portrait of that unfortunate princess. This was a cir-
cumscribed narrow room. The visitants were greatly pleased to
see the very agreeable adaptation of the ancient apartments to
modern requirements. Before leaving, the company partook of
Mrs Coulson’s hospitality.

On leaving Houndwood the end of the road leading to Auchen-
crow and Chirnside was passed. A little way down, on the
upperside of the railway, is an extensive deposit of sand over-
topped by gravel and rolled stones, mostly of greywacke. There
are many such mounds along this part of the Eye valley. The
sand, of which an unlimited supply for building purposes can be
here obtained, is sometimes fifteen feet deep, the intermixture
with narrow streams of gravel being very small. It was while
excavating gravel, hereabouts, in a position still nearer the —

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 15

railway, that about ten years ago, a British urn was found at the
great depth of 15 feet beneath the surface. In working the
facing of the railway cutting for gravel, this urn was exposed
upon the occurrence of a fall of a quantity of the material. It
was then dug carefully out, and was presented by Mr Green,
engineer, to the Berwick Museum, where it is now preserved.
Other two, if not more, had been discovered there previously. A
coloured sketch of this urn was brought by Captain Norman to
the meeting. The urn contained, mixed with clay, a number of
human bones, with some perfect teeth among them. It had no
bottom when it came to the Museum. It is of more than usual
' capacity; the diameter at the mouth is 112 inches; and at its
widest part, 14 inches; the depth of what remains is 8 inches.
It is of rough workmanship and of rude material. The orna-
mentation which is only on the upper half of the urn is of two
kinds. On the one half of the round it consists of spaces with 4
or 5 upright lines, followed alternately by others with as many
lines disposed horizontally. An unbroken long line bounds the
lower edge of this kind of pattern. On the other half of the
round, there is no fixed plan, some of the lines, which are of the
dotted kind, and not entire, are perpendicular, and some hori-
zontal; others angular, and even cross-hatched, ‘The lower
boundary line across the vessel on this side is of the dotted kind.
A series of short oblique lines ornament the rim round the
mouth.

The company walked northwards along the public road that
passes what was formerly Houndwood Inn, now the Free Church
manse. Formerly the banks hereabouts, and continuing south-
wards to Heughhead, were occupied with brush and coppice
wood, like that still conserved on the Renton property. Hillend
also had its natural woods (sylvis) as we learn from a Retour
dated April 26, 1632.* The bank opposite to that on which the
Free Church is situated, used to be called the ‘‘ Wul-cat-brae,”’
which furnishes another testimony to the former existence of a
not very popular member of the native fauna. A corn mill once
stood on the haugh by the Hye, intermediate between the Free
Church and Chirnside road. Near the smithy, but on the

* Inquis. Ret. Berwick, No. 533. Also, Act Parl. James VI., 1621, vol.

iv., p. 658. ‘‘ All and haill the Landis of Hilend with the woddis of the
same.”’

16 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

opposite side of the road are several bird-cherry trees; others
grow by the road-side, near Renton house.

Passing the Free Church manse, a fine clump of beech trees
indicates the site of an old nursery. Old Amperly, now abro-
gated, lay on the western side of the Eye, on Horsely farm,
opposite the Established Church manse. Amperly, once a pos-
session of the Coldingham monks, was granted by them in 1334
to one Lewis de Cornoioi. ‘‘ After that it was long the residence
of the hereditary foresters (under-foresters must be meant) of
Renton, which office for many generations was held by a family
of the name of Craik.’”* There was a piece of ancient forest
in its neighbourhood, called Amperly wood, which is now nearly
extirpated. The North-British Railway runs through the site of
its cottages. An old man, whose memory must have gone back
to eighty years, told me that in his youth the farm-garden at
Amperly was notable for producing quantities of ‘‘lilies” or
daffodils. The offspring of these plants appear to have been
distributed among most of the gardens thereabouts. In few
places are there more to be seen; and nowhere more profusely
than in the manse garden, where also the Crown Imperial hung
out its crop of bells.

-The public road now winds finely among woods and wayside
trees, at each turn revealing an agreeable succession of sylvan
prospects. After enjoying these for a time, the company turned
into the adjacent natural wood, which is mentioned in the
Coldingham charters as the ‘ Grenewde,”’ which name it retains.
This wood is of considerable. extent, and the trees which are
mainly oaks, birches, hazels, mountain ashes, and sallows, with a
sprinkling of hollies, have the gnarled appearance common to
all ancient natural forest growths. Vegetation was too back-
ward to admit of much botanising. Among a wealth of prim-
roses in full blossom, a plant of the red variety was noticed by
the Rev. William Stobbs. It is a variety grown in gardens, but
was here truly wild. I know not whether it has been by paying
more attention than usual to the forms of Primula, that I have
this season detected two other varieties wild. In Oldcambus
dean I found a stalked form of this very colour ; thus approxi-
mating the Polyanthus. Again in the Pease dean, on one of the
railway slopes, I came upon a colony of a variety of the primrose

* Henderson’s Popular Rhymes, &c., of Berwick, p. 44.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 17

with nearly white flowers. There was a blush of pink on some
of these when they decayed; and hence I infer that they are a
sport from the red sort, which is occasionally obtained in that
locality. To resume, beds of the wood anemone of a variety of
hues from white to light purple grew on the drier soil. ‘The
parasitic fungus on the leaves of this plant was common. Pyrola
minor was not uvfrequent; and there was a profusion of the
Betonea officinalis, Ajuga reptans, Sanicula Europea, Hypericum
pulchrum, Melampyrum pratense, Adoxa moschatellina, Lathyrus
macrorlizus, Geranium sylvaticum, Alchemilla vulgaris, Lysimachia
- nemorum, Oxalis acetosella, and Viola sylvatica. There were many
grey willow trees in blossom. These have this season been
attended by extraordinary quantities of queen humble bees,
which, perhaps owing to the cold having killed the field mice
that would have fed on them, escaped the winter uninjured.
This did not apply to the wasps, which have been extremely
scarce. This wood was intersected by several deep but short
ravines, with petty streams at the bottom, which present a suc-
cession of noisy waterfalls during spates, but ave almost dried
up for the rest of the year.

The Rev. Adam Spence pointed out the site of an old British
camp, half-way up the ascending ground, above old Houndwood
Inn, on the march between Houndwood and Renton estates.
Some other memorials of the old inhabitants in this immediate
district, may not inappropriately be here adverted to, inasmuch
as they have hitherto been unrecorded. On the moor behind
Greenwood farm lies Greenwood moss. In this, a long time
since, as I was told by the late Mr Hope, the peat-diggers on
one occasion dug out an old bronze caldron, which was composed
of thin plates of metal riveted together. Another of the same
kind was come upon in 1857, under the following circumstances.
A drainer called James Hewitt was running a drain in Fawcet
field, on Brockholes farm, which bounds the Renton estate on
the opposite side of the Eye, in a wet marshy place, on which
nothing ever grew, evidently an old well-head, when he came
upon a bronze caldron, with the mouth upwards. It had no
apparatus for handles, but was described as for size and appear-
ance to be like one of the largest furnace pots, and was composed
of separate pieces, ‘‘clinked together with copper nails.” The

bronze plates were thinner than even tinned iron. They were
Cc

18 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

so wasted, that when exposed to the air, they fell to pieces. Of
this I have a portion. Of another domestic utensil, but in this
instance a brass:pot, I find a notice in the Berwick Advertiser
of July 15, 1843. ‘In the course of last week, there was
dug up from a moss, in the neighbourhood of Renton, a large
brass-pot, which from its peculiar form and the manner in which
it is in various places corroded and worn, has evidently been
concealed for many centuries. It has been sold (in Berwick)
for old metal.” In 1872, another bronze pot was dug up in
Greenwood moss, and is now in the possession of Miss Stirling
of Renton House. It isa very neat example, and is entirely
smooth ; the three ribbed feet are very short, and barely suffice
to keep the pot off the ground. It is furnished with loops for
a handle. It is 11 inches high; and 838 inches in cireuit at
its greatest circumference. I have a bronze pot very similar,
which is 10 inches in diameter at the top, and 7 inches at the
neck ; its greatest circumference is 853 inches; and it stands
11 inches high. ' The only ornament that it has are three low
parallel ridges round the middle. It was ploughed up from
a peaty deposit in a field at Ecklaw, which lies up towards
Hoprig-shiels, in the parish of Cockburnspath. There is
something mysterious about these bronze-pots and caldrons
being in most cases. extracted from peat-mosses, or well-
eyes. I notice that in Mr Campbell’s West Highland Tales, No.
XXX1. (11, p. 104)—‘‘Osean after the Feen”, written down in the
‘island of Barra, that Osean cooks nine gigantic stags in the great
caldron of the Feen, which was deposited within a knoll of
rushes, that being the exact description of a grown-up well-head.
It was certainly a most effective mode of concealment.

After dinner at the Red Lion Inn, Mr Watson, Dunse, ex-
hibited the skin of a Stockdove (Columba Ainas) shot at Nisbet near
Dunse, where several had been seen. It was mentioned that
Mr George Bolam, Berwick, had found two eggs of the Stock-
dove in a rabbit-hole at Hutton Bridge; and Mr Muirhead said
that recently a Dotterel had appeared on Lamberton moor, where
birds of that kind had not been seen for several years. About
the same period, a flock frequented the hill above the post-road
near Headchesters, on Redheugh farm, on a newly-sown field
near the moor edge. Mr Thomson mentioned that he had seen
in Mr Brotherston’s shop at Kelso a very fine female Peregrine

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 19

Falcon, which had been shot on the 8th May by John Hakin,
near Leitholm, under rather peculiar circumstances. Hakin
makes his living by shooting wood-pigeons, and uses a stuffed
pigeon as a decoy. On the day named the decoy was on the
ground, when the peregrine swooped down and knocked it to
pieces—Hakin in his turn giving the peregrine its quietus. In
a few days it would have been laying. Mr Alexander Leitch,
Fairneyside, brought to the meeting a large bronze celt, from
Hoselaw, Roxburghshire, corresponding with one already figured
in the Proceedings; and a fine celt of green slate, described in
_ last vol., from Longyester in East Lothian. He had also intended
to have exhibited two good examples of betrothal silver rings in
his possession, which I have since seen. The one is broad and
strong, and has two hands clasped, and round its circuit a series
of capital letters of an antique character on separate flat pannels,
which read IHESVS N. This was from the vicinity of Dunbar.
There are similar rings in the museum of the Society of Anti-
quaries of Scotland; one of a plain hoop of silver has the in-
scription in full IHESVS NAZARENVS ; another with pannels
has only IHESVS.* Mr Leitch’s second ring is a plain narrow
hoop-ring, with the device of a convex heart, flanked by two
quatrefoils marked with crosses, the arched footstalks of which
issue from the top of the heart. Above the heart are two per-
forations, by which it might be suspended, when not worn on the
finger. It was picked up on Flodden field. A guilloche hoop-
ring of silver gilt, with almost the same device, found at Ring-
wood, was in 1864 exhibited to the British Archzological Asso-
ciation.

Extracts were read from a number of letters received in
answer to inquiries regarding the effects of the past winter on
animal and vegetable life. In the course of conversation, Sheriff
Russell remarked that salmon were spawning up to the begin-
ning of May. \

The following were duly proposed and seconded as members
of the Club:—Rev. Adam Spence, Houndwood; Messrs Peter
Cowe, Lochton; James Greenfield, Reston; James Mein,
Lamberton; and George Skelly, Alnwick.

* Catalogue of Antiq. in Mus. Soc. of Ant. of Scotland, p. 157; see also
Cat. of Antiq. &c., in Mus. of Archzolog. Institute, Edinr. 1856, p. 128.

+ Wood’s Wedding Day in All Ages, &c., ii, p. 143-4.

20 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

On a previous day, April 21, when examining the ground for
the meeting, it was remarked that Anchusa sempervirens is still
growing where Mr Henderson indicated at the ‘“‘roadside between
the village of Reston and Reston-mains, and on the bank at the
head of the ‘Valley-brae’ as you go from Reston to Colding-
ham.” In this last habitat, which is near Heugh-head smithy,
the stem was much hollowed out by the action of some large
caterpillar. A quantity of Viola odorata was in blossom in a
wood-bottom near the Eye, opposite a small garden, not far from
Reston mill. A kingfisher was observed near Reston mill. The
grey-backed crow had not then left. Two wrens were seen ;
also a missel-thrush ; and a single song-thrush was heard in the
evening. The late winter has made a melancholy deficiency in
their ranks.

The second meeting was held at Kelso and Morebattle, on
Wednesday, June 25. The attendance was numerous, com-
prising—Dr Paxton, President; Mr Hardy, Secretary ; Revs. J.
F. Bigge, Stamfordham; Robert O. Bromfield, Sprouston; J.
S. Green, Wooler; Thomas Leishman, D.D., Linton; David
Paul, Roxburgh; J. Hill Scott, Kelso; William Stobbs, Gor-
don; and R. Hopper Williamson, Whickham ; Sheriff Russell ;
Capt. J. Broad, Ashby, Melrose; Capt. McPherson, Melrose ;
Capt. J. A. Forbes, R.N., Berwick; Dr Charles Douglas and Dr
Alex. Mackenzie, Kelso; Messrs A. H. Borthwick, Ladiesyde
Lodge, Melrose; John B. Boyd of Cherrytrees; W. B. Boyd,
Ormiston ; Thomas Chartres, Summerfield, Ayton; John Clay,
Winfield; Thomas Craig, Kelso; William Currie of Linthill;
John Scott Dudgeon, Longnewton Place; John Freer, Melrose ;
William Johnson, Tweedbank, Kelso; James B. Kerr, Kelso;
Peter Loney, Marchmont; George Muirhead, Paxton ; Robert ~
Renton, Fans ; Frederick Lewis Roy of Nenthorn ; John Russell,
Galashiels; Septimus H. Smith and Master Alexander Robert-
son Smith, Norham; John Thomson, Kelso; Charles Watson,
Dunse ; and James Wood, Galashiels.

After breakfast at Kelso, the company in conveyances took the
Softlaw road, and proceeded to Grahamslaw, where the first halt
was made. The hawthorns by the waysides, or in the plantings,
or little glens opening now and then to the passer by, were full
of blossom ; and very beautiful they were when the wind brushed
through them, and mixed the green with the white sprays,

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 21

After gaining the rise a fine free view was obtained. Far away,
like an unfolded mantle, a shower hung suspended above the
dark blue Hildons, considerably augmenting their grandeur. In
other directions the prospect was very extensive, and abounding
with objects of interest. °

At Grahamslaw, the tenant, Mr James Cunningham, met the
members and courteously conducted them through the grounds.
The garden is large and well sheltered ; there is a vivid verdure
on the grass round the house; and the well-grown trees are leafy
and umbrageous ; three elms were specially conspicuous. In the
garden was a capacious stone bowl, with carvings of fruit and
foliage on the exterior, sharply but roughly cut; which some,
from its having an aperture beneath to admit of the percolation
of water, pronounced to be a font; while others regarded it as
possibly a fancy of some of the Bennets of Marlefield. There is
no history attached to it. Sheriff Russell called attention to a
moth of the Plusia Gamma. This moth has been very abundant
this season on the Borders, as well in summer as in autumn. In
the Rhine district, between Neuwied and Siegen, and in Saxony,
and elsewhere in Germany, its caterpillars have this summer
been quite a plague, having destroyed large fields of sugar-beet,
and damaged the crops of vetches, pease, beans, potatoes, and
young clover; and machines had to be invented for collecting
them; from 6 to 8 bushels of caterpillars being collected in a
day. A butterfly of the Cyntha Cardui was also seen in the
morning, another of the Lepidoptera that has gained notoriety
this season, especially in Switzerland, where migratory bands, in
the early part of the year, attracted public attention. The larva
fortunately lives on thistles of various kinds.

We are not told the name of the old possessor of this part of
the barony of Eckford. In 1547, one ‘‘ Jhon Grymslowe,’’ who
submits among other Roxburghshire gentlemen to the power of
the Duke of Somerset, may from his name, be regarded as the
occupant at that period.* It had been spoiled in 15238 and 1545.
It is variously written Gramislaw, Grymslaw, Grynislawe in the
Retours. In 1826, Grahamslaw was occupied by John Riddell,
Esq.; under whose direction both banks of the river were
planted, and the walks were laid out.}

* Patten’s Account of Somerset’s Expedition, p. 89,
+ Mason’s Border Tour, pp- 193-4,

22 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

The house at Grahamslaw now occupies a pretty situation on
a terrace overlooking a wooded hollow, along which flows the
winding Kale with a somewhat impetuous current. The foot-
path down to the water-side intersects a section of the old red
sandstone, in which the strata were lying obliquely. The cele-
brated caves were inspected, and were found to be spacious.
Walls have been introduced to uphold the roof, which give the
appearance as if there had been a multiplicity of chambers. In
1826, they appear to have been only reached with safety by the
aid of the overhanging branches of trees.* Jeffrey in his
‘History of Roxburghshire” (vol. i. p. 44; and i, p. 326)
makes the statement that ‘‘ the Grahamslaw or Douglas League,”’
against the government, in the reign of James II., was contracted
here; but this is unsupported by any documentary evidence.t
It is well known, however, that at a much later period, the
Covenanters found refuge in these caves; and that they occa-
sionally held their meetings in a sequestered spot about half a
mile distant up the river.{ The Kale was here crossed by a
fragile bridge. very one will deplore the neglect which has
permitted the house of Henry Hall, the famous covenanting
laird, to become’a ruin. It was a thatched dwelling; the wide
rude fireplace still remains entire. The ash-tree still exists
under which tradition says his children were baptised by the
outlawed preachers. The famous Mr Richard Cameron was
licenced to preach, by two other worthies, Mr Welch and Mr
Temple, ‘‘at Haughead in Teviotdale, at the house of Henry
Hall.’’§ Henry Hall was a noted champion of the Covenant.
He was engaged in the battle of Rullion Green among the Pent-
lands, and acted as a leader in both the conflicts of Drumclog
and Bothwell Bridge. He was fatally wounded in an attempt to
take him prisoner at Queensferry, June 3, 1680; and the copy
of an unsubscribed paper found upon him, generally called the
‘“‘ Queensferry paper,” from its uncompromising character, greatly

* Mason’s Border Tour, pp. 193-4.
ft “The Grahamslaw League’? was unknown to Godscroft. ‘‘ The
“‘Douglas League’’ was with the Earls of Crawford and Ross, northern
Earls. There was no call for the most potent of all the Earls of Douglas to
concert a plot like a felon in a Border cavern.—Godscroft’s Hist. of Douglas
and Angus, i., pp. 344, 352.
¢ New Stat. Account of Rox., p. 226. § Howie’s Scots Worthies,

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 23

imbittered the government against the proscribed field preachers.*
His banner is or was till lately preserved by a family named
Raeburn, resident near Dunbar, and an account of it was given
by Mr James Drummond, 'R.8.A., &c., in the ‘Transactions of
the Antiquarian Society of Scotland,” for 1859. It is repre-
sented in Plate XX VII. of that work. From this paper we
learn that Hall’s son held the Cameronian opinions of his father ;
but one of his grandsons turned a conformist clergyman.
Another descendant, Richard Hall, born at Haughhead in 1763,
after some experience as a surgeon in the navy, settled in Lon-
don, and became a medical writer of eminence. He was medical
officer to one of the Niger expeditions. He died in 1824.}

The note of the Sylvia sibilatriz, or Wood Wren, was heard
among’ the tall trees, while some of the party were climbing the
bank near an old dove-cot. This stands beneath a barrow-shaped
eminence, called the Haughhead Kipp, that appears to be a
kaim of sand, like that on which Linton church-yard is situated,
and of which there are similar assemblages of re-arranged drift,
on the Teviot, not far from Eckford. On this knoll amidst a
clump of trees, is the stone commemorating the independent
bearing of Hobbie or Robert Hall of Haughhead, the father it
is conjectured of Henry Hall. Atthe top and bottom itis shown
that the monument was ‘‘ Repaired and restored by Lady John
Scott, 1854.”” The inscription reads—

“¢ Here Hoby Hall boldly maintained his right
’Gainst reef plain force armed w. lawless might
For tuenty pleughs harnessed in all their gear
Could not this valient noble heart make fear
But w. his sword he cut the formost soam
In two: hence drove both pleughs and pleughmen home.
1622.”’

According to Jeffrey, ‘‘ Tradition relates that it was Ker of
Cessford who wanted to carry away the goods and gear of Hobby
Hall.”{ On an adjacent knoll surrounded by a wall, is the site
of an ancient British grave, which has also been protected by
Lady John Scott’s interposition. The cist, which was discovered
in 1857, consisted of rough sandstone slabs taken from the banks
of the Kale; and was 3 feet 10 inches long, and 2 feet 4 inches

* Wodrow’s Hist. iii., pp. 205-212.
+ Jeffrey's Hist. iv., pp. 367-8 ; Carre’s Border Memories, pp. 252-3.
{ Hist. of Roxburghshire, i., p. 343.

24 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

deep. The body had been doubled up. Along with bones were
found a few beads of shaly coal, and a part of a fibula of the
same material. The cranium and the bones were small, and
were conjectured to belong to a female.*

The road now passed Blinkbonnie farm. Looking across the
Kale, several large oak trees on the further bank were still leaf-
less, or only sparsely foliaged, shewing the rigorous incidence
of the past winter’s severity in some peculiarly situated localities.
The furze and broom by the wayside were mostly killed to the
ground, Here we looked up the valley of the Kale to Caverton
Mill, a prospect rather tame, but not unpleasant. Nearing
Marlefield, the shrubs planted on the wayside by Sir Gilbert
Bennet drew attention. They are now considerably thinned out ;
Epilobium angustyfolium is very plentiful, and there are also Crab-
apples, Snow-berries, Privets, Honeysuckle, and common
Guelder-rose ; but what chiefly merited attention was a profuse
growing slender-stalked shrubby Spirea. This has obovate
wedge-shaped leaves, which have an apiculus and are slightly
puberulent, and the racemes of white blossoms, which are very
delicate and graceful, are sessile. The twigs bend readily, as if
adapted to form a garland, and of this the name Sprrea is said
to be significant. The species appears to be S. acutifolia.=S.
hypericifolia, var. acutifolia of De Candolle.

At the entrance to Marlefield is a row of fine lime-trees.
Marlefield is a fine old place. The house is a long double-
winged structure, white-washed, with a superfluity of windows.
The tenant said there was room in it to accommodate a regiment
of soldiers. It was the property of the Bennets, whose coat of
arms is above the door :—‘‘ Gules on a chevron between three
stars argent, a cross patée gules: Crest, a hand issuing out of a
cloud holding forth a cross patée fitched: Motto, Benedictus qui
tollet erucem.” Marlefield, like Houndwood, is accredited with
having blood spots that cannot be effaced on one of the floors ;
but there is no tradition of any circumstance by which they could
be accounted for, in either case.

Marlefield was a frequent resort of James Thomson, the poet,
during the vacant intervals of study at the University. He was
said to be captivated by one of the ‘fair Bennetas,” as Allan
Ramsay playfully styles the daughters of Sir William Bennet ;

* Hist. of Roxburghshire, ii., p. 332.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 25

and their aunt, as well as their mother, used to divert themselves
at the expense of his youthful simplicity. Allan Ramsay was
also wont to be domiciled here. In 1721, Ramsay wrote some
lines ‘‘ Spoken to AXolus, in the house of Marlefield, on the night
of a violent wind.’”’ He retained warm impressions of the charms
of Marlefield. Writing April 8, 1724, to William Ramsay, of
Templehall, Esq., he speaks of his seat as being another Marle-
field.* It has been attempted to identify Marlefield with the
scénery of the ‘‘ Gentle Shepherd,” but the tokens of verisimili-
tude are inconclusive. Mowses burn, and Mowses knowe, two
of the coincidences, are merely derived from the old name of the
- place Mow-mains.+ Nor could Sir William Bennet, a prominent
Whig, nor his father a persecuted Presbyterian, be accepted as
Sir William Worthy, whom the poet makes a cavalier :
“* Str William—To whom belongs this house so much decay’d ?
Symon—-To one that lost it, lending generous aid

To bear the head up, when rebellious tail
Against the laws of nature did prevail.”

The Irish Yews (Zuxus fastigiata) in front had been nearly
killed by the late winter. There are some fine beeches and other
timber about the house, and in the ground behind :

‘* A noble horde,

A brotherhood of venerable trees.’’
The trees in general were reckoned to be about two hundred
years old. The place was in possession of the Bennets before
1677. Measurements with a tape line were made of several of
the best trees, by Mr Thomson and Mr Loney. In some in-
stances, however, the basal girth was taken too low, and

—

* Ramsay’s Works, i., p. 179; iii, p. 248. Fullarton’s edition. This
was not Templehall near Coldingham, which with all the other lands and
superiorities in and about Coldingham, belonging to Renton, was pur-
chased by William Ramsay, Esq., the son (?) of the poet’s correspondent,
in 1746, from Sir John Home, Mr Ramsay is said to have named the
Berwickshire Templehall after his original estate. In 1764, Mr Ram-
say, then resident at Broomlands, sold a tenement of houses near the
kirkyard of Coldingham, to John Tuck. This is witnessed by James Ram-
say his eldest son, and David Ramsay his 4th son. Previous to 1774, he
disponed Templehall to Mr Thomas Johnston. It appears from the Scots
Mag., vol. txvii1. p. 400, that Mr Ramsay was dead before April 27, 1806.
These particulars are from private papers.

+ New Stat. Account of Roxburghshire, p. 228, where it is first pro-

pounded. It is accepted by Mr Jeffrey, Roxburghshire, iii., pp. 338-340.
D

26 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

comprised the offsets of the roots. Mr Thomson gives the result
of the joint survey :—

‘‘ Behind the house, the most prominent trees were a spruce fir and a silver
fir. The former, after having attained an altitude of a considerable height,
had apparently been curbed, as a branch broke off and grew horizontally to
the east. Within a few feet of the base was a young shoot fair and healthy,
which had reached a height nearly equal to that of its ‘mother.’ The
silver fir was measured, and it was found to be 9 feet 2 inches in circum-
ference at 4 feet from the base. Other three trees afterwards measured in
this part of the grounds were :—A lime, 14 ft. at 4 ft. from the ground, 18 ft.
7 in. at 1 foot, while one limb was 8 ft. 9 in.; an oak, 10 ft. 6 in. at 4 ft.,
and 14 ft. 6 in. at 1 foot; and a beech, 12 ft. 8 in. at 4 ft., and 16 ft. at 13
ft. This tree had many curious fungi growing about its trunk which in-
dicated that internal decay was at work. Larger trees were in store,
however, as, on entering into the lovely park behind the house, the
measurers settled on a remarkably fine beech, which measured 22 ft. at 1
foot, 14 ft. 8 in, at 3 ft., and 13 ft. at 5 ft. A plane proved 16 ft. 6 in, at 14
ft., and 12 ft. 6 in. at 4 feet. One lime was 21 ft. 5 in. at 14 ft., and
another 18 ft. 6 in. at 4 ft., while his younger brother was 14 ft. 9 in. and
11 ft. 9 in. at the same heights. But the most prominent tree of all was the
remarkably beautiful and rugged elm in the middle of the pasture, which
measured 24 ft. in circumference at 1 foot from the ground, while at 4 ft. the
dimensions were 19 ft. 6 in. One limb measured 10 ft. round, and the total
spread of this patriarch was over 95 yards round—a measurement confirmed
by calculation.”

Old plants were looked for in the garden, but there were not
many. Anthericum liliago was grown in the borders, and a kind
of vetch, the name of which was not ascertained. Anchusa
sempervirens grew half-wild near the place. Ranunculus bulbosus
was very prevalent in the pasture field in front of the house;
and it was also the predominant species in the Kale water
meadows. A

There is a rookery at Marlefield, which is not only one of the
largest on the Borders, but is also the winter residence for the
rooks of many of the smaller rookeries in Roxburghshire.

Marlefield now belongs to the Marquis of Tweeddale. It i to
be regretted that there is no circumstantial account of the Ben-
nets of Grubbet and Marlefield, who were distinguished as agri-
cultural improvers, patrons of literature, and men of public
spirit. The following anecdote, which I owe to Mr Smail, merits
preservation, as evincing the consideration of the last of that
worthy race, for those who had long and dutifully done his be-
hests ; and moreover it is a piece of generosity that belongs to a
bygone age. ‘The late Mr McDougall, tenant of Sorrowlessfield,

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 27

near Earlston, told me, that his father and the grand-
father of a gentleman well-known in Hawick and the Borders
generally, were servants on the estate of Marlefield about the be-
ginning of the century; the one a shepherd, the other the
steward, and that their master, the respected and kindly laird of
the estate, gave them each a small farm of 50 acres, at a very
small rent; he was so pleased with the manner in which he had
been served by them during a pretty long service. The hundred
acres divided between them had been reclaimed from the moor-
land, and were divided into equal portions by a dry stone dyke.
The old laird took his two honoured servants to the land, after
_ the dyke was finished, and told them each to lift a stone that
could again be recognised, and put it into his bonnet. This was
done, and the old laird scrambled on to the dyke top and put-
ting his hand within the bonnet, took the stones out, and threw
one on each side of the dyke, saying as he did so, ‘There’s yer
farms, an’ yer leases.’ Hach therefore got the 50 acres on which
his marked stone fell ; and there were no more words than the
above, oral or written, about the leases; and both tenants did
well in the small farms.”

Before getting to Cessford Castle, the old seat of the Rox-
burghe branch of the Kers, we had to descend into a hollow,
where grew some fine-shaped flowering hawthorns, that will soon
be overtopped by aspiring plantations of thriving firs. The
castle stands on an eminence, not very marked, surrounded by a
strong growth of very green grass, an unmistakeable evidence
of the frequent presence of reposing flocks; and by a number of
old ash trees. The ruins of the keep, which were inspected with
very great interest, are in a good state of preservation on the ex-
terior, but all the interior chambers, as well as the vaults are
broken down. A fire-place still entire remains, far up the walls,
with ornamental stone jambs of red sandstone, and foliaged
capitals. There are numerous small dark cells, lighted by arrow
slits, in the thickness of the walls. The stone of which the
castle is built is mostly of red sandstone, the rubble being trap
or porphyry. Several young saplings of ash are rooted on the
top of the walls, and will probably hasten its dilapidation ; how-
beit for the present they contribute to its picturesqueness.

The venerable old ash-tree, called the Crow Tree, which stood
a few yards from Cessford Castle, and reckoned to be the largest

28 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

in the district is now gone. Its measurement in 1798 was as
follows :—The height of its trunk was 18 feet; its circumference ~
at the bottom 262 feet, at 9 feet above the ground 15 feet, and
immediately below the clefts 18 feet 2 inches. Calculated in the
common way this trunk contained 397 solid feet. At the height
of 18 feet three huge limbs branched out from it, each of them
equal to a large tree. These were calculated to contain at least
676 feet, making the whole tree 1073 feet, besides several smaller
branches not measurable.* In 1812 it measured 27 feet 8 inches
at the base, and was accounted the largest but two in Scotland.t+

At Morebattle the company had refreshments. Here it was
intended that two articles in brass or bronze were to have been
shewn to the Club. These had been found in Henshole among
the Cheviots, and were said to be braziers of an antique form.
They did not reach the place in time. The Rev. Mr Cowan,
Morebattle, who saw them, said he could compare them to
nothing but spurs of a very complicated form. They are now
preserved in the collection of Lady John Scott.

A visit to Gateshaw and Corbet Tower had been contemplated ;
but for want of time this purpose was abandoned; and the
greater number went on foot to see Linton church, passing
through the haugh at Morebattle Tofts. On the Kale here, the
Rev. Robert Paul, guided by local knowledge, led some of the
botanically inclined members to the habitat of Arabis trifoliata (or
Turritis glabra), which is reputed to be an escape from the
minister of Howman’s garden, situated a great way up the river.
Mr Brotherston got plants of it four miles further up the Kale,
on a spot where he had known it for over twenty years. Having
gained the public road, we might now say that we were on “the
highway to Linton.” The green hills stand all around the quiet
place, to screen it from the blasts, while Hownam Law occupies
the back-ground above some lesser heights. Many of the older
members are acquainted with the learned and ingenious article
on ‘‘Linton and its Legends,” by Dr Charles Wilson of Edin-
burgh, preserved in one of the Club’s volumes.{ A portion of
this paper, as Dr Leishman remarks, ‘rests on an opinion now
abandoned, but which was for long accepted without suspicion

* Dr Douglas’s Agriculture of Roxburgh and Selkirk, p. 375.
+ Edinburgh Topographical and Antiquarian Magazine, p. 28.
} Vol. ii., p. 21,

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 29

on the authority of Chalmers and others, that this parish was the
Linton-rotheric which formed part of the patrimony of the Abbey
of Kelso. That is now known to have been West Linton, in the
county of Peebles.” The church is small. It was restored in
good taste in 1858. The Norman font stands before the pulpit.
There is an engraving of a careful drawing of it preserved in
our ‘‘ Proceedings” for 1850. The late Mr Elliot of Clifton, on
whose lawn it stood, allowed it to be replaced in the church, in
the year 1868, and ever since it has been used at the administra-
tion of Baptism.

The list of ministers of the parish since the Reformation hangs
on the north wall, and reads as follows :—

Walter Balfour, Rector, conformed .. Kt —1560
John Balfour, M.A., iv Hic -» 1610—1616
Robert Ker, .. ate we .. 1619—1658
Robert Boyd, M.A., ae ot .. 1658—1662
John Brown, M.A., ae “ .. 1664—1683
John Wilkie, .. ile ae .. 1683—1689
Robert Boyd, restored .. ote .» 1690—1697
Walter Douglas, ds at .- 1698—1727
George Hogg, M.A., ne 50 .. 1728—1740
James Turnbull, ae 96 .. 17483—1780
Andrew Ogilvie, <p ar .. 1781—1805
William Faichney, 1805—1854

The members of the Club were kindly invited by Dr Leishman
to the manse, which is agreeably situated. An Auracaria and a
pine tree had been killed in the garden during the winter; but
everything else had escaped. On the borders, Mr William Boyd
noticed a small yellow flowered species of Hemerocallis, rarer than
the flwa. The conveyances, having been sent round, were
entered opposite the neat commodious cottages at Linton, recently
erected by Mr R. H. Elliot of Clifton Park.

During the journey we were surrounded with thunder showers,
but they scarcely reached the company till they were nearly dis-
persed. A heavy rain had fallen at Morebattle, but had almost
ceased before we got there. Before Linton was arrived at, two
successive thunder peals were heard, but the clouds drew back,
and attached themselves to the hills; and a deep blue-black
overspread the eastern horizon, which deceptively appeared to
rest upon a dark blue sea; the reflection from this inky sky on
the green hill-sides opposite imparted a lurid colour to the grass,
more deeply embrowned a moor above the village, while a patch

30 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

of whins full of blossom, in a sheltered hollowon the heights,
stood out very vividly by contrast with the prevailing gloom.
But we rapidly sped away, passing Frogden, the scene of Daw-
son’s experiments that revolutionised agriculture, Kersknowe and
Mainhouse ; glancing up to whereabouts Blaiklaw stood on the
ground above, once the residence of Pringle the poet, who sung
so well of ‘‘Cheviot’s mountains blue,” ‘‘ bonnie Teviotdale,”’
and the pleasant banks of the Kale.

Thirty-five dined in the Queen’s Hotel Assembly room, Kelso.
After dinner a paper was read “‘On some Stone Cannon Balls
found in the Parish of Swinton, Berwickshire,” written by our
learned co-member, David Milne Home, Esq., of Milnegraden ;
and a number of letters were brought before the meeting relative
to the effects of the past winter. In one of the letters Sir George
Douglas mentioned the occurrence of the Turtle Dove at Spring-
wood Park, where care would be taken to protect it. It was
stated on behalf of Mr Andrew Brotherston that an adult female
Hobby (falco subbuteo) had been recently shot, and was being
preserved by him. This bird had been observed flying about
the neighbourhood for some time, and a look out for it having
been kept it was shot near Kelso Bridge by Mr Archibald Steel.
The same indefatigable explorer had sent a plant of Meum
athemanticum to be shewn to the Club. It is not recorded as
having been found wild on the Scottish side of the Borders,
although found on basalt near Thockrington in Northumberland.
Some time ago, Mr William Oliver, Howpasley, on Borthwick
water, found it growing wild on his hill farm, from which the
specimen was obtained. Mr Brotherston subsequently found the
plant both in Dumfries and Roxburgh shires. It was popularly
known as ‘“‘ Baldmoney.”’ It was employed as a quack medicine,
according to Mactaggart. A slate ‘‘ spindle-birlie,” marked on
the sides with incised concentric circles, was exhibited, found at
Over Howden, near Oxton, by Mr Robert Sharp. Miss Dickin-
son had sent a number of gooseberries from her garden at Nor-_
ham, which had been entered and hollowed out by a green
caterpillar, which was said to differ from the ordinary saw-fly
grub that devastates the foliage of the bushes. The blackbirds
had detected the lurking foe, but they were carrying off both
fruit and caterpillars, so that their aid was rather an additional

evil.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 31

The following were proposed as members of the Club :—The
Rey. Canon Tristram, Durham; Rev. D. Millar, B.D., LL.B.,
Mordington; Mr Thomas Cook, Alnwick; Mr Charles Henry
Adamson, North Jesmond, Newcastle ; Dr Alexander Mackenzie,
Kelso; and Mr W. F. Vernon, Kelso.

The third meeting was held at Alnmouth and Alnwick, on
Wednesday, July 30th. Those present were—Dr Paxton, Presi-
dent; Mr Hardy, Secretary; the Hon. and Rev. Evelyn J.
Monson, vicar of Croft, Lincolnshire; Revs. Thomas Ilderton,
Iiderton; Ambrose Jones, Stannington; F. B. Nunnely, M.D.,
Rock and Rennington; W. Rudge, Alnwick; F. R. Simpson,
North Sunderland ; William Stobbs, Gordon; George Selby
. Thomson, Acklington ; and R. Hopper Williamson, Whickham ;
Lieut.-Col. Briggs, Bonjedward; Major Holland, Abbey Cot-
tage, Alnwick; Capt. Forbes, R.N., Berwick; Messrs James
Aitchison, Alnwick; Thomas Allan, Horncliffe House; Henry
Hunter Blair, Alnwick; Charles B. Pulleine Bosanquet, Rock;
Cadogan Hodgson Cadogan of Brenckburn Priory ; L. C. Chrisp,
Hawkhill; William Currie of Linthill; Middleton H. Dand,
Hauxley ; John Dunlop, Berwick ; Albert Grey, Howick Hall ;
James Hastie, Edrington; William Hastie, London; James
Heatley, Alnwick; W. T. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; W. A. Hunter,
Dunse; G. T. Lebour, F.G.S., Gateshead ; Henry A. Paynter,
Alnwick ; Adam Robertson and William Robertson, Alnwick ; I.
Simpson, North Sunderland; Septimus H. Smith, Norham ;
Thomas-Tate, Alnwick ; John Thomson, Kelso ; William Topley,
F.G.8., Alnwick; J. P. Turnbull, Alnwick.

As the President and Secretary bent their way to the place of
rendezvous, it was noticed that at Alnmouth Bridge, a colony of
sand-martins had established themselves in the stratified earth-
cliff adjoining. Black-headed gulls were actively fishing, or
picking up food, along the course of the Aln. A corn-bunting
(a locally distributed bird) trilled its song from a tree. An in-
scription on one side of the substantial stone bridge informs us
that this is ‘‘The Duchess-Bridge,” the date being 1864. On
the other side, it is recorded on a cast-iron plate that ‘To
Eleanor Duchess of Northumberland, the Public are chiefly in-
debted for this Stone Bridge and Foot-path to the Station.
A.D. MDCCCLXIV.” Almost the first house in Alnmouth
arrests attention by a door with an ogee moulding, over which

32 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

are the initials T. A., above the date 1718. Alnmouth is
prettily seated in a nook by the sea-shore, and enjoys the
immunity of clean grassy sea-banks, adapted either for golfing,
there being two or three golf clubs here, or for a promenade; a
long expanse of silver sand; a clean tidal basin ; and an exten-
sive prospect from the heights above. The usual sea-side plants
were found on the shore. Aster Tripolium was noticed in the salt
marshes; Sagina maritima on the links, and Major Cadogan
pointed out a peculiar pale-coloured ericoid variety of Galium
verum, which is a sea-sideform. The caterpillars of Sphine Gali -
occur on this part of the coast. The southern view from the
station of the artillery battery was rather obscured by haze.
Out to sea the lagging smoke of passing steamers hung in
blurred masses, which one might fancy to be distant islands
partially obscured in fog. The northern prospect was more dis-
tinct. Not far off was Foxton Hall, recently tenanted by Mr
Bennet. It may be mentioned that the Duke of Bedford, in a
visit paid not long since to the north country, came to see the
last residence of his faithful steward. Seaton, more inland,
appeared next; and then the clustered fishing village of
Boulmer, with its red-tiled and blue-slated roofs picturesquely
intermixed. Still more remote were the Howick woods, dark in
the morning light. Cultivated fields intervened. Flocks of
lapwings and starlings, and numerous larks, were observed to be
active. The sea was calm, the day was perfection, nature
smiled, the mind felt at ease. The farmers, constantly brooding
over the previous dismal weather, almost envied us, and said
‘we were favoured.”

The breakfast was in the Schooner Inn. Here there were a
number of stuffed birds, the’ rarest being the Polish Swan
(Cygnus immutabilis), which was shot in the Aln close at hand, at
a time when the severity of the past winter had induced a small
flock of these birds to seek shelter on this part of the coast. Mr
Cadogan mentioned that he had recently got a stone implement
from the Simonside hills, near the camp there. Mr Dickson, of
Sea-bank House, sent a good specimen of Sirex Gigas, a rare
wasp-like hymenopterous fly, which he had lately captured ; also
a pencil sketch of a fleshy light green caterpillar of one of the
Sphingides, with a sharp thorn-like spike on its head, which fell
from a beech tree, when he was angling.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 33

After the transaction of business, a walking party was formed,
headed by Mr Topley, which traversed the sea-shore as far as
Howick Burn mouth. The others, by means of conveyances
kindly furnished by Alnwick friends, reached the same destina-
tion by an inland route. From high parts of this interior road
a fine view was obtained of the vale of the Aln, a portion of Aln-
wick town being visible, and the park surmounted by Brizlee
hill; and Cheviot lifted its head behind afar off. The land
about Lesbury is said to be of good quality. Several ash-trees
by the wayside have felt the evil influence of the sea-breeze, and
have become decayed and stag-headed ; but if properly sheltered,
trees will thrive nearer the coast than they are usually attempted
to be grown. This deficiency of wood near the Northumbrian
coast is painfully apparent in the tract between Killingworth and
the sea, and might be remedied by imitating the examples set in
the more northern, and one would naturally expect, more ex-
posed parts of the country.* Lesbury is a pretty village, snugly
embosomed in trees, with trim gardens in front of the houses,
glorious with bright Delphiniums, Orange Lilies, and large
flowered blue Irises. As Longhoughton is approached, the soil
has a poorer aspect, and from the frequent wet spots visible on
the fallow, is evidently undrained. The turnips were a poor late
crop. The cottages at Longhoughton had in front the same good
old-established flowers for a decoration as at Lesbury. A halt

was made at Longhoughton Hall. The church, with its almost
- unique Saxon chancel arch, was shewn to the visitors, by the
vicar, the Rev. L. J. Stephens. Under his auspices the church
has lately been renovated and restored, and the work has
evidently been carried out in the most careful manner. By in-
vitation the party inspected the fine and extensive collection of
roses cultivated by Mr John Smith, and partook of his hospitality.
The garden is well sheltered with trees. There were two Arau-
carias in a thriving state on the lawn. The roses are budded on
wild briar stalks, the whole the work of Mr Smith. Maréchal
Niel flowers with him in the open air, and this continued in
blossom till Oct. 21; Souvenir de Malmaison and Gloire de Dijon
were flourishing. Mr Smith has furnished me with a marked
Catalogue of those he has successfully treated (William Paul &

* Since this was written, I notice that the Duke of Northumberland has
granted a number of trees to plant at Harsdon.
a)

34 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

Son’s) but they are toc numerous to specify ; but I may give the
numbers as classified, although he assures me that he has several
more not indicated. 1. Hybrids of Chinese, Bourbon and
Noisette Roses; ten varieties. 2. Austrian Roses; one viz.,
Persian yellow. 3. Perpetual Moss Roses, one Perpetual white.
4. Hybrid Perpetual Roses, resembling the Hybrids of the
Chinese ; eighty-seven varieties. 5. Bourbon and Noisette Per-
petual; four varieties, 6. Rose de Rosomane, one var. 7.
Bourbon Roses (&. Indica Bourboniana), one var. 8. Noisette
Roses (2. moschata Noisettiana), one var. 9. Tea-scented Roses
(&. Indica odorata), three var. Mr Smith seldom loses one in the
severest winters, but not much hoar frost lies in his vicinity.
Nothing he says suits them better than a stiff loam on a red
clay. He seldom sees finer foliage than they make with him.
The garden used to be a great resort of thrushes, but only a
single bird had been visible this season. Blackbirds, previously
an annoyance, were now scarce. I understand that on this as
well as on other adjacent coast farms, seaweed can be obtained
in quantity on the coast, in what is called the ‘‘ May-drift,”’ and
again in autumn ; and is applied to the grass on the surface, or
is mixed up with manure heaps. Dr Paxton and I were here
shewn a gold finger ring, which had been found in a gravel pit
near Swarland (Northumberland), which had a small dark blue
sapphire, closely resembling the modern quartz-amethyst, simply
rounded and not cut, in the bezel. On the outside of the ring
were incised cinquefoils and olive branches. Dr Paxton had
seen two similar rings, which had been found at Norham Castle,
during the recent repairs ; both contained sapphires of this tint,
nearly in their natural state. . One of these was presented to Mrs
Jerningham. The kind of violet blue sapphire, with which these
rings were set, is called the oriental amethyst.* They are pro-
bably of considerable antiquity, when the art of gem-cutting was
not practised to any perfection. The violet-sapphire it is next to
impossible to engrave. We have other instances of its use in
rings. ‘‘ In 1822, in digging the foundation of a dyke on the
north side of the hill opposite to Garchory (in the parish of
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire), were found two gold rings and
several hundred silver coins. One of the rings is gold, with a
small dark sapphire. A ring precisely similar was discovered

* Jameson’s Mineralogy, i., p. 56.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 35

16th July, 1829, with other relics, in the coffin of a bishop of
Chichester, in the cathedral of that city. The date of the tomb
is A.D. 1146. The other was a broken iron gilt ring, with a pale
sapphire, and is very similar to many Arabian and Indian rings.
The coins were nearly all of Henry III., of England. Some of
them were of William the Lion of Scotland, and two of them of
King John.’’* There is a famous ring in Perthshire called ‘“‘ Inch-
brakie’s Ring.” In the days of darkness a poor woman of the
name of Catharine McNiven was burnt for a witch near the
rock of Crieff. The laird of Inchbrakie strove to the ut-
most to save poor Kate’s life, though his exertions proved in
vain. ‘‘ When the flames were lighted, and her sufferings com-
-menced, she is said to have uttered various predictions against
her enemies, and, turning round to Inchbrakie, to have spit a
blue stone out of her mouth, which she requested him to take
and keep, declaring that so long as it was preserved in the
family, his race would never cease to thrive. The stone re-
sembles, and is said to be an ancient sapphire. It is now set in
a gold ring, and is most carefully preserved.”+ This and the
following appear to have been ‘oriental sapphires.” In the in-
ventory of John Edgar of Wedderlie, Co. Berwick, who deceased
in 1657, is included, ‘‘Ane broken gold ring with ane blue
stane.”{ The Sapphire of the ancients having been the Lapis
lazuli§, the virtues attributed to the one have been transferred to
the other; hence nothing can be positively affirmed of the powers
either real or imaginery, that old writers have transmitted to us
regarding the sapphire ; but they may be all summed up in what
Renodzeus, an old writer on precious stones, affirms of gems in
general, that they ‘‘adorn kings’ crowns, grace the fingers, en-
rich our household stuff, defend us from enchantments, preserve
health, cure disease ; they drive away grief, cares, and exhilarate
the mind.’’||

Howick woods were approached through a canopy of over-
arching boughs from tall wayside trees. The party alighted

* New Stat. Acct. Parish of Strathdon, p. 546.
+ Tbid. Parish of Crieff. { The Scottish House of Edgar, p. 94.

§ Beckmann’s Hist. of Inventions, i., p. 468, &c. (Bohn’s Edition); Pliny’s
Nat. Hist. vi., p. 432, Note. (Bohn’s Hdition). Adams’ Paulus Megineta,
lii., p. 228 (Sydenham Society).

|| Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy, Part 2, Sec. 4, Mem. 1, Subs. 4.

36 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

and took the walk, which is called the ‘‘ Long Walk,” by the
burn ; plunging at once into a ‘“‘ boundless contiguity of shade,”’
which, however, was now and then brightened by sunny gleams.
This dell is thickly wooded with planted trees nearly all the way
to the sea-side. The majority of the trees—beeches, elms, firs—
are tall and clean-stemmed. Several of them, however, are
twisted, as if they had had a difficulty in their youth to struggle
through, before they could become upright. One of the silver
firs divided itself in twain, and then became united, to separate
again, and again be combined in one; and finally terminated in
two tops. The elms grown in most places, as was seen by some
cut timber, are quite rotted in the interior. The hollies were
little more than bushes; but one of the largest hollies in North-
umberland, grew near the steward’s house, but was cut down
some years ago. vibes alpinum is grown as an under shrub; and
Ruscus aculeatus is also used for a cover. Plots of herb-mercury
occupy some of the bottoms; and clumps of Vinca minor have
been planted to hide the bareness of others, where the shade has
destroyed the natural herhage, and have spread widely.

By the walk side small outcrops of sandstone rock occasionally
rise above the surface. Where these occurred Mieracium vulgatum
invariably appeared. In the swampy places clustered giant
butter-burs, Queen of the Meadow, Geranium pratense, in its
brilliancy, and Cow-parsnip. Rumex sanguineus also grew here.
In the central part is the well-sheltered Pinetum, where there
are some very healthy trees; particularly a row of Araucarias of
thirty years growth, so many being seldom together elsewhere.
Dr Paxton has been favoured with a letter from Mr David Inglis,
the gardener at Howick Hall, which enumerates the more promi-
nent of the conifers here cultivated; and as many of our mem-
bers have made experiments in this department, I shall extract
most of his statements, with occasional remarks.

The principal Conifers grown at Howick are:— Abies Canadensis
(Hemlock Spruce of North America), large specimens ; 4. Douglas:
from 40 to 50 feet high; Abzes Menziest, handsome specimens,
about 60 feet high. The Araucaria ombricata, as noticed, forms a
large lot and fine specimens. Of Cedrus Deodara, there are fine
tall examples, about 40 feet. There are also in the grounds
some excellent trees of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Lnbanc),
about 70 feet high. Of Cephalotaxus Fortuni there are small plants ;

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 37

and of Cryptomeria Japonica and elegans, there are also small
plants. Mr Albert Grey mentioned that they were not very suc-
cessful with the Cryptomeria, the young trees being liable to die
out. There are fine specimens of Cupressus Lawsoniana ; and also
Cupressus macrocarpa, which rises here 40 feet high. There are
small plants of Picea nobilis. Picea Nordmanmana, P. Pindrow, P.
Pinsapo, and P. Webbiana, an exceedingly handsome tree, are
also grown here. Pinus Austriaca (Austrian or Black Pine), said
to be one of the best for planting as shelter, was one of the few
that the last winter had embrowned the foliage of. Pinus
emsignis is here perfectly hardy, and can be planted near the sea.
There are also Pinus Genevensis, the Geneva wild Pine, and P.
-excelsa, the Bhotan Pine. Of Retinispora plumosa and squarrosa,
there are beautiful plants, growing to 12 feet high. There are
also varieties of the Zaxus and Taxodium; and fine large speci-
mens of Thinopsis borealis (Cupressus Nootkaensis). Of Thuja or
Arbor vite, there are Th. gigantea, Menziest, occidentalis, argentea,
and pendula. Lastly Wellingtonia gigantea is here perfectly
hardy, grows well, and forms a good exemplification of the tree.

The laurels were cut down, but it was merely to thicken their
growth. Some of the Rhododendrons had suffered from the
winter’s inclemency, but were springing anew. In other respects
no more damage had been sustained here. Owing to its vicinity
to the sea, there can be little hoar frost. Near the sea-side end
of the walk, a patch of Epilobiwm angustifolium had been planted.
The burn at first stagnant, at length broke away to pay its tribute
to the great ocean, across the large assemblage of gravel and
boulders on the beach. Crossing the bridge, a green knoll, sur-
mounting a crag was reached, whence an extensive view of the
coast to the south opened out. On the sea-banks to the north of
the burn above the cliffs, Hippophe rhamnoides, or Sea Buckthorn,
probably planted, grows plentifully. A cormorant was passing,
the only sea-bird visible. The contrast of the verdant banks,
the dark tangle-covered rocks, and the wan-coloured sea, is
always striking. It was on the rocks at Howick Burn mouth
that a herd of Round-headed Porpoises (Phocena melas) was
stranded on the 19th March, 1858, of which Mr Tate gave an
account in the Club’s “‘ Proceedings,” vol. iii., pp. 176-180. He
told me that he was so full of the occurrence, that on the evening
after he had visited the place, he delivered a lecture in the

38 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

Alnwick Mechanics’ Institute, on the Natural History of the Por-
poise; it being his custom to seize all such opportune emergencies
for conveying positive instruction.

The walking party by the line of coast soon after arrived, and
we may now take up the account of what they had accomplished
from the minute narrative of Mr Thomson, who had accompanied
them. They first visited a camp on the green height above Aln-
mouth, where they also met with traces of a small circular fort
of about 30 feet in diameter on the southern part of the hill.
They then walked down to the links, which others of the com-
pany had visited in the morning. They passed on to a sandy
beach where numerous large boulders of whinstone were
scattered about; and then encountered a bed of limestone
characterised by a profusion of Encrinites, popularly termed St.
Cuthbert’s beads. Above high water mark the vegetation was
singularly uninteresting, bracken being the predominant consti-
tuent. ‘‘At Seaton House Point, a small promontory formed
mainly of hard, coarse, gritty sandstone, the markings of glacial
action were seen on many boulder stones. The sandstone in
some places was exceedingly coarse, many of the strata being
almost entirely ‘pudding-stone,’ the ‘plums’ in which were
very large. On rounding the point the sandstone changed both
its character and its colour, becoming a finer gritted white, some-
times being tinged by a deep tawny yellow as if igneous action
had caused it. Boulmer, celebrated for being the principal re-
sort of smugglers in the olden time, was now in full view.
Though the smuggling has now ‘happily ceased, smuggled
articles, such as silks and casks of spirits, are sometimes dug up,
having been deposited there in bygone times, and been forgotten
by their owners. A number of fishing boats were lying in the
little harbour, and several men were busy netting salmon. Be-
fore we reached Boulmer there was a stretch of the coast extend-
ing to about 200 yards in length, where the only plants were
Honkeneja peploides and Cakile maritima. From the low cliffs north
of Boulmer the limestone was seen sloping out into the sea.
Shortly after this there is a considerable expanse of greyish red
sandstone, which stretches levelly out to sea. In the tiny lagoons
which dotted its surface were perhaps twenty large herons, two
or three herring gulls, a dozen common gulls, and a great num-
ber of plovers and lapwings. The sandstone a little way further

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 39

on becomes redder and coarser in its grit, and the pudding-stone,
though not so coarse, again occurs. At the boundary line, where
the Howick Hall property is entered, is a ‘dyke’ of trap, stretch-
ing out into the sea for a hundred yards or so. Another sand-
stone point intervenes, followed by very dark limestone. On the
Sugar Sands there are numerous boulders of limestone and
basalt scattered about. After crossing a small burn that enters
the sea here the limestone again crops up, this time in great
abundance, and full of shells in a very good state of preserva-
tion. There are also layers of fire-clay between the limestone.
There was a tiny spring of mineral water issuing from the super-
incumbent clay. The sandstone is again the surface rock after
. this, and judging by the way the clay is falling down on the
cliffs, the recent storm had severely affected it.”

During this journey Thalictrum minus and the scarlet-flowered
Pimpernel had been picked up. Geranium sanguineum, Astraga-
lus Hypoglottis, and Scabiosa columbaria, which all grow on the
links, had been passed over; and the rare Helminthia Echioides,
which occurs on the sea-banks at Howick Burn Mouth, was not
seen. Leaving the coast, the united company were conducted
by Mr Albert Grey to the remains, in a pasture field, of a circular
camp 60 yards in diameter. It had occupied the summit of a
gravel mound, which slopes abruptly to the wooded dean.
Echium vulgare grew here.

The dean was again traversed. Before the Hall was reached,
Luistera ovata was observed near the walk. Pulmonaria officinalis
also grew there, but had been planted. Convallaria majalis,
Smilacina bifolia, Lilium Martagon, Saxifraga Geum, and S.
umbrosa have also been planted out in the Howick woods.
Passing over an ornamental bridge, the church was reached,
which is of a florid Norman style. Two inscriptions in bronze
state, that the church was built at the expense of Sir Henry
Grey, Bart., in 1746, and was restored by the present Karl Grey
in 1849. The most interesting section of the church is the
chancel, which contains the monument to Charles, the second
Karl Grey, K.G., and Mary Elizabeth, his Countess. The style
is florid Gothic. The company then walked along in front of the
Hall, viewing the fine flower gardens, and the richly-foliaged
trees indigenous and exotic. The Myrtle here stands the winter
out of doors with a slight protection. Behind the mansion stand

40 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

two very tall full-leafed trees of Quercus Ilex. Leaving the
grounds, the greater number of the members went by train to
Alnwick, while others drove there direct, reaching it in time to
allow such of the members as wished, to visit Alnwick Castle.

After dinner in the White Swan Inn, it was stated that
additional reports regarding the effects of the past winter on
vegetation had been received. Mr Topley, F.G.S., then gave a
very able sketch of the progress and results of the Geological
Survey of Northumberland, now in course of completion. Mr
Topley’s paper was deemed exceedingly valuable, and the
coloured geological charts and diagrams on the walls tended to
enable members to understand it more easily. Professor Lebour
proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Topley for his excellent paper,
which he said embodied startling and important discoveries, that
had caused much talk among geologists. Mr Topley undertook
to extend his paper, and prepare it for the ‘‘ Proceedings.”” Mr
Topley had with him, for exhibition, a broad wedge-shaped —
polished stone-axe, found on Alnwick Moor. It appeared to be
of decomposed syenite; both quartz and mica were visible on the
exterior. It was mentioned and regarded as a rare occurrence
that a pair of yellow-hammers had built their nest, about six feet
from the ground, in Mr L. C. Chrisp’s garden at Hawkhill. The
interior of the nest was the same as in other nests of this bird,
but the outside was formed of strong coarse wheat straws, with
several ears of corn hanging from the nest.

At this meeting the following were proposed for membership—
Rey. Charles Kinnear Greenhill, Roberton by Hawick; William
Layton, M.A., High School, Kelso; Mr John Gunn, Geological
Survey, Berwick; Rev. F. B. Nunneley, M.D., Rennington,
Chathill; Rev. Thomas Calvert, 92, Lansdowne Place, Brighton ;
Rev. Donald McLeod, B.D., Jedburgh.

The fourth meeting was held at Marchmont, on Wednesday,
August 27th. There were present—Dr Paxton, President; Mr
Hardy, Secretary ; Sheriff Russell; Revs. W. Dobie, Ladykirk ;
J. 8. Green, Wooler ; P. G. McDouall, Cosgrove Rectory, Stony
Stratford ; R. F. Proudfoot, Fogo; Evan Rutter, Spittal; J. A.
Sharrock, St. Nicholas Church, Newcastle; Adam Spence,
Houndwood ; W. Stobbs, Gordon; John H. Walker, Greenlaw ;
Drs Henry Richardson, R.N., Berwick; Charles Stuart, Chirn-
side; Messrs Archibald Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame ;

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 41

W. B. Boyd, Ormiston House; A. Brotherston, Kelso ; A. Currie,
Darnick; Thomas Henderson, Middle Third; W. A. Hunter,
Dunse; W. H. Johnson, Tweedbank, Kelso; J. B. Kerr, Com-
mercial Bank, Kelso; R. D. Ker, Edinburgh; Peter Loney,
Marchmont; Hume Nisbet, Edinburgh; Robert Renton, Fans ;
James Wood, Galashiels; John Russell, Galashiels ; Andrew E.
Scougal, Melrose; William Stevenson, Dunse; Charles Watson,
Dunse.

Till about half-past one there was a continuous rain, in conse-
quence of which the movements of the company were very much
restricted, and many points of interest were left unvisited. But
Sir Hugh H. Campbell having courteously opened the treasures
of art and literature contained in Marchmont House, most of the
time was profitably and comfortably spent under cover. March-
mont is distinguished for its well grown-timber trees, many of
them of large dimensions, tall and handsome in their appearance,
and superabundant in their wealth of foliage. There are some
clean, straight, noble oaks on the bank above the Railway ; and
the beeches, which are the predominant trees, Spanish chestnuts,
and silver firs throughout the grounds, shew by their vigorous
strength that the soil although of a stiff tenacious red clay and
full of moisture below, is adapted to their growth. The roots do
not penetrate deeply, but spread horizontally over a wide area,
wherever the ground is dry.

The first point of interest visited was near the summit of the
high banks to the north of the railway, and immediately adjoin-
ing the station, as being the site of a remarkable landslip which
occurred there on the 21st December, 1876. The banks are com-
posed of a red sandy earth, very porous and retentive of moisture.
On the occasion of the landslip, the weather was very wet, 3.38
inches of rain having fallen on the 20th and 21st of the month.
On the second day of this rainfall, about 9 o’clock at night, a
pedestrian crossing the braes at this place, discovered that a great
portion of the bank had slipped forward, leaving a great trench
or gap about ten feet in width. So steady and deep had been
the movement of the soil as it slipped, that several large trees
were carried forward, just as they stood, a number of feet from
their original position. One of these, a fine oak tree, still as
erect and flourishing as ever, and measuring above fourteen feet
round the trunk, had been moved ten feet from the spot where

F

4:2 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

it formerly grew. There has been no change since, nor has the
gap shown any tendency to widen, notwithstanding the heavy
rains of the present season.

The old mansion house of Redbraes had been situated on a
level platform at the top of the banks, whose soil being of the
red tint communicated to it by the subjacent red sandstone, had
given origin to its name. The only remnants of the last Red-
braes, which in the front was a lengthened line of building, with
a central peaked tower, are two back wings, one the kitchen de-
partment, now converted into the manager’s house; and the
other, the laundry, now constitutes part of the offices. The walls
are of great thickness. In the intervening grassy area between
these old Redbraes tower stood; the outline of the encircling
moat being still traceable by a different colour in the grass.
The old garden lay to the south ; the sole remains of it are a yew
fence, now grown into trees, with the roots densely intertwined ;
and a very luxuriant hedge of boxwood. The garden was a
terraced one, in the style of a by-gone age, with rockeries and
mazes, and abundance of fruit trees. All this arrangement has
been altered, and the site planted over. On the removal of the
house to a different position, about 120 years ago, and the new
title of Marchmont adopted for it, the name Redbraes fell into
disuse. It had been constructed of old red sandstone, similar to
that at present wrought in the extensive quarry on the estate
opposite Greenlaw. The new mansion is of a white sandstone.
Some fragments of the old house bearing inscriptions have been
preserved in the garden walls.

Everything about the garden and pleasure-grounds is well
kept. While the ribbon style of bordering is the most prevalent,
a goodly array of old perennial favourites have been preserved.
The flowering borders appear to be usually made up of a yellow
and a blue Viola; Geraniums of various colours; Gladioli;
Ageratums; backed by a kind of white Pyrethrum. A con-
siderable variety of good plants are cultivated in the greenhouses.
The Taxonias, natives of Japan, are particularly to be noted, as
we believe they were first flowered, and the fruit first reared to
perfection at Marchmont. The fruit is yellow, like a small
gourd, and edible. One, Zuxonia Van-Volkheimii, placed in the
centre of one of the houses, which is 60 feet long, spreads its
arms, and fills both sides, crossing the house in an arch five

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 43

times. Other two species of Taxonia (one of them Bawmanniana)
are cultivated here; also a wide-spreading Passiflora racemosa,
which flowers at all seasons. Passiflora Bougainvillea covers one
half of a house; a large flowering Heliotrope was also very con-
spicuous.

There may be also noticed, Huphorbium splendens; Lapygeria
rosea; a screw pine; Hedychium Gardnercanum, from South
America ; a new hyacinth-like plant (Ophiopogon Jaburan) ; two
well reared climbing ferns (Lygodon scandens) ; many fine Maiden
hair, golden and silver ferns, and a profusion of other sorts, very
healthy and luxuriant. Aloes, Colias, Calidiums, Arums,
Chinese Primroses, Fuschias, Double Petunias, and other
decorative plants serve to make up the very interesting collection
grown here. In one of the grape houses is a very productive
Black Hamburgh. At first it was grown in many divaricating
branches spreading from a single central stem; but Mr Loney,
dissatisfied with its bearing capacity, twisted round one of the
under branches to the right, while another branch was retained
that naturally spread to the left; by branches spreading from
these the house is now crossed and filled ; and the remarkable
thing about it is, that the wood from the twisted feeder bears
the heaviest and best bunches of fruit.

Of ornamental Coniferze there are in the grounds outside the
garden a Wellingtonia gigantea, 18 years old, feathered to the
ground with branches ; a Pinus Douglas, with the top hurt ; two
Araucarias, whereof the finest, shews the severe winter of 1859-
60, by the altered foliage of that year’s growth. There are also
Deodars, a Pinus excelsa, a Picea Webbiana, and a thriving
Cryptomeria Japonica.

In the vegetable and flower departments this summer slugs
have been excessively numerous, and it was found almost im-
possible to keep them in check.

A very fine old copper dial, of date 1726, behind the house,
and a peculiarly grown larch standing there, already mentioned
in the Club’s ‘‘ Proceedings,” were hastily looked at, amidst the
incessant rain. The material on the walks, which has been
broken into fragments by a machine, consists of porphyry from
Kyles Hill.

The house is an imposing structure, and has a stately appear-
ance from the cross road in front of it; itis partially ornamented

bed Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

with ivy. Little clumps of beech, faced with silver firs, break up
the straight line of the extremely lengthened undulating grassy
lawn in front, which is 13 milelong. Walks penetrate everywhere
among the grassy sward and cool shade, underneath the lofty
trees. On one approach there is a fine cathedral-like overarch-
ing of giant branches of beech, and a dense gloom between the
noble pillars, which increases to an intense darkness in a moon-
less night; and then at a turn which terminates the vista, some
pale barked trees present a very spectral look.

The members of the party were kindly received by the pro-
prietor, and invited to inspect what was interesting in the house;
Sir Hugh Campbell himself acting as cicerone, and shewing him-
self to be a man of most refined taste and highly cultivated mind.
The chief attraction was the family portraits, which were very
numerous (some 50 or 60), ranging from Sir Patrick Hume, the
first Karl of Marchmont, and Grizel Kar, the first Countess, down
to the present representative of the family. There were also
many portraits of illustrious personages, and several paintings of
interest, including many good copies, but these it is impossible
to detail. There were also a number of busts, as well as
statuary, porcelain, &c. In the dining-room there were two
ancient ‘‘ black jacks’”—immense jugs made of one piece of
leather, handle and all, and capable of containing from five to
six gallons of ale. There was also a smaller one of similar
material, called a ‘‘gill,” which was silver mounted, and
accounted rarer than the ‘‘jacks.”* There are two libraries, one
for modern and the other for older books. Among the latter are
many old law books, and theological treatises, parliamentary
records, and historical works. There were several editions of
the Bible shown, one a Breeches Bible in small quarto; a

* The ‘‘ Black Jacke’ is mentioned in Brand’s Pop. Antiq. ii., p. 206. It
occurs in the song of ‘‘Now Ancient English Melody,” &c., as ‘‘the coal
black Jack ;’’ and there is a song elevating it above the bottle in Durfey’s
Pills to Purge Melancholy, whose title is ‘‘The Bonny Black-Jack.’’ It is
one of the stage properties of Brome’s ‘‘ Jovial Crew,’’ London, 1652. Other
notices of it may be seen in Halliwell’s Dictionary of Provincial Words, i.,
p. 181; and Wright’s Dictionary of Provincial English, i., p. 217. The
Poculum Potatorium in the family of Scott of Thirlestane (now part of the
Cherrytrees estate) near Yetholm, was in the form of a jack-boot. Hach
guest was obliged to empty this at his departure.—Sir Waiter Scott’s Notes
to Waverley.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 45

Geneva Bible; the Marchmont Bible, with the name of ‘‘ Madam
Grisell Kar of Polwart, her Book, 1660,” inscribed on a fly leaf.
This was Sir Patrick Hume’s spouse, afterwards first Countess
of Marchmont. There was also a good old edition of Dante, and
an old work in French, entitled ‘‘La Mer de Histoires,” 1514,
folio. A work that appeared to be very attractive to members
was a copy of Watson’s ‘Philip IJ. of Spain,” done up in 2
vols. quarto, and illustrated with portraits of the celebrated per-
sonages of that king’s period. There were suspended in the
library, two letters in the handwriting of Charles the Pretender,
the first written in 1760, and the other after his father’s death,
of date 28th June, 1766. There was also a holograph letter of
Mary Queen of Scots. Another from Queen Anne, thanked
- Lord Marchmont for assisting in completing the Union of the
two kingdoms. Letters are also preserved of the Chevalier de
St. George, dated 1717; of Maria Antoinette, Queen of France,
1784; of Cromwell (no date), and of Cardinal Richelieu.
There were also two bags used by Patrick, first Earl of March-
mont, when he was Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, from
1696 to 1702.

The bed was shown, which was slept in by Sir Patrick Hume,
when concealed in the vault beneath Polwarth Church. It is a
folding bed of wood, on four short legs, which also folded down
by hinges when the bed was not required, and had strong springs
to keep them erect when in use. The whole goes into very little
space. The bed is of black walnut, and is in good preservation,
but the castors, which are of beech, are worm-eaten and worn.
The bed bears the date 1660.

About two hours were spent in examining the various articles
of vertu and interest in the house, after which the party pro-
ceeded to see the ancient Church of Polwarth. Before leaving,
the company were treated with refreshments.

Although of old foundation, the present walls of the church
only date from 1703. On the outer walls are a number of in-
scriptions, chiefly to the memory of ministers of Polwarth.
These have been copied, but it has been deemed advisable to
defer an account of the church, as well as other particulars
about Marchmont, which cannot be included within the compass
of a report.

The following is a list of the Ministers of Polwarth from Dr

46 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

Hew Scott’s ‘‘Fasti Ecclesize Scoticane,” part ii., pp. 422-444,
and Wodrow Society’s Miscellany, p. 373 :—

Adam Hume, 1567 to 1593.

Robert Bell, reidare at Polwort, 1573.

David Forsyth, 1586 to 1592. Reidare at Coldingham, 1571.

Alexander Gaittis, A.M., 1598 to 1603.

Alexander Cass or Carse, A.M., 1604 to 1651.

David Robertson, A.M., 1652 to 1663.

George Holiwell, A.M., 1664-1704.

Archibald Borthwick, A.M., 1709-1727.

John Hume of Abbey St. Bathans, 1727-1734.

William Home, son of Walter Home of Bassendean, 1735-1757,

Alexander Home, 1758-1768.

Robert Home, 1769-1838.

Walter Home, Assistant and Successor, 1823.

On the 2nd Sept. 1296, after having paid homage to Edward
I., Adam Lamb, parson of the church of Poulesworth, was
restored to his benefice.* On August 2, 1299, Edward presented
William de Sadyngtone, clerk to the church of Powelesworthe.}
The inscription on the bell is: ‘‘Grven. To. THE. Kirk. oF.
PotwartTH. By. Lapy . Grize,. Kar . Counrsss. or. Marcu-
Mount. 1697. R.M. Frorr. Epr. 1717.”

In the vault beneath the church are contained on the left (1
and 2) the coffins of Annie Western, Countess of Marchmont,
_and the Master of Polwarth; on the right (3 and 4) those of
Alexander 2nd Earl and Sir William Purves. Sir Patrick
Hume, first Earl and his Countess, were interred in the Canon-
gate Churchyard.

Outside of the church is an old rude font, recently found be-
hind a wall at the back of the church. It has a perforation be-
neath, a hollow lip for the water running over, and about the
middle two holes for the lid to.play on. It is very ancient, and
closely resembles that preserved at Linton. The churchyard is sur-
rounded by large sycamores. The tombstones are white lichened,
as if placed in a damp close atmosphere. From the old spelling
I take the meaning of the word Polwarth to be Paul’s village or
hamlet; and not what Chalmers makes it the settlement on the
pol or muddy stream.

Leaving Polwarth Church, the party divided. The majority
passed along the walk through the open glen or vale by the

* Rot. Scot. i,, p. 25.
+ Documents Illustrative of the History of Scotland, ii., p. 378.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 47

Swirden burn, called the Lady’s walk, on their way to the Rail-
way station. This was the path by which Lady Grizel Baillie
(then Grizel Hume) used to visit her father at the dead of night,
when he was secreted in the old church, owing to his life being
sought after for his adhesion to Presbyterian principles, and his
patriotic opposition to a tyrannical government. ‘‘ She at that
time,” we are told in the narrative of her daughter, Lady
Murray of Stanhope, ‘‘had a terror for a churchyard, especially
in the dark; but when engaged by concern for her father, she
stumbled over the graves every night alone, without fear of any
kind entering her thoughts, but for soldiers and parties in search
of him, which the least noise or motion of a leaf put her in terror
for.’ The lime trees by the side of this hollow were already
- wearing the sear and yellow leaf—the lime leaf being one of the
earliest to assume the autumnal hue. Greenlaw was reached by
train. Another party returned to Marchmont House, and went
to Greenlaw either by conveyances or on foot by the public road.
Several of the hedges near Marchmont are composed of beech,
which on this and the previous season, have been badly blighted
by the beech Aphis, Aphis Fagi, L. (Phyllaphis Fagi of
Kaltenbach), which by extracting the sap, withers the leaves.
Several portions of hedge in a variety of situations, ap-
peared to be quite dead. On the previous autumn this was
pointed out by Mr Loney, and the winged insects, like little tufts
of down, were floating across the roads, and were very trouble-
some by getting into one’s eyes. Ata recent meeting of the
Scottish Arboricultural Society, at Edinburgh, on the 7th Octo-
ber, Mr C.S. France, Penicuik, suggested that a prize should be
offered for an essay on the disease which was doing so much in-
jury to beech hedges. In his neighbourhood the disease first
appeared on the hedges in June last year, and this season it had
entirely destroyed some portions of the hedges. In October, I
passed a few days in the vicinity of Roslin, not far from Peni-
cuik, and round the insect on nearly all the beech hedges by the
public roads, some of them being deprived of foliage, in con-
stantly recurring patches, like those at Marchmont. The disease
is no great mystery, if one only examined the leaves at the proper
period. According to Mr Walker, the viviparous wingless
female, which is pale green or yellow, appears on the beech be-
fore the end of April; and the viviparous form in the middle of

48 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

May. The oviparous wingless female appears in October, when
the winged male pairs with it. The eggs are fastened in Novem-
ber to the twigs of the trees. From June to October only a few
little Aphides of retarded growth appear.* This insect differs
from the Coccus Fazi which attacks the trunks of the beech, and
covers them with a cottony layer. This Coccus has been ob-
served at Ayton, and in the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, and.in
Dalkeith Park.

Mr Loney also called attention to the damage committed by
wood pigeons, to the growth of spruce and silver firs, by their
custom of preferring to perch on their topmost branches, and
breaking them down by their weight. On examination it was
found that there were hundreds in this condition. Spruce firs,
it is said, do not last here over 40 or 45 years; after that period
they decay inwardly, the moist sandy soil being prejudicial to
their welfare.

Before leaving Marchmont it must not be omitted to notice an
immense blue basaltic boulder, estimated to weigh 14 tons, lying
in the woods on the banks of the Swirden burn. This had been
turned up in an adjacent field in the course of cultivation, and
dragged by horses into its present position. There are the scars
of ploughs and harrows that have operated on it, at one end; and
also a series of parallel lines at the base, which may be either
structural or glacial, if they are not deceptive traces of moisture
falling from the tree beneath which it has become a fixture. The
dimensions of this boulder as taken by Mr Loney are—length,
10 feet; breadth, 5 feet ; longest circumference, 23 feet 4 inches ;
across top and sides, 12 feet.

At Greenlaw several visited the church. At the entrance at
the bottom of the kirk steeple, the cell of the more depraved
prisoners, long known, when this formed a portion of the jail, as
the ‘‘ Thieves’ hole,” and “‘ Greenlaw pit,’”’ was pointed out. In
March, 1844, when the stair was made that gives access to the
bell, a human skeleton was found between the top of the arch of
the cell and the wooden floor above ; supposed to have been that
of some one murdered by his prison associates, and then con-
cealed. A few of the more interesting inscriptions on the tomb-
stones were copied.

To this meeting the Rev. Wm. Dobie brought from Ladykirk

* Annals of Nat. Hist. 2nd Series, 1848, pp. 328-330.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 49

a pellet of quartz stone, covered with lead, of the size of a
large marble, which had probably been shot from Norham
Castle. Mr Currie produced a drawing of a necklace of jet taken
out of a cist on the farm of West Morriston in 1846. This isa
simpler ornament, although on the same model, than others figured
by the Scottish Society of Antiquaries. Mr Watson handed in
some notes on Sir Patrick Hume, and a list of the ministers of
Polwarth Church; and he also exhibited a photograph of the
portrait of Sir Patrick Hume, of which the original is at March-
mont, and drawings of the mansion house of Redbraes, of March-
mont House, and Polwarth Church. Mr Protherston distributed
examples of Potamogeton Ziezii from Coldside Loch ; and of Crepis
sucerscerfolia, which he had found in many places in Roxburgh-
shire. Scirpus paucifiorus he stated to be not uncommon in Rox-
burghshire. Mr Watson brought a specimen of Sazifraga
lurculus from the Langton habitat, so that it is fortunately still
preserved.

About thirty gentlemen sat down to dinner in the Castle
Hotel, Greenlaw. The following were proposed for member-
ship:—Rev. George Gunn, Stitchell; Dr Patrick Kynoch,
Greenlaw; Messrs George Anderson, manufacturer, Selkirk ;
Thomas Brown, Woodburn, Selkirk; Ralph Dunn, Melrose;
Thomas Fairley, Academy, Galashiels ; Robert Darling Ker, St.
Leonards House, Edinburgh ; William Laidlaw, Hastfield, Gala-
shiels ; Hume Nisbet, Studio, 6, Sandwich Place, Edinburgh.

A combined meeting of the Club, and the Architectural and
Archeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, took
place at Durham, on Wednesday, 24th September, which was
very numerously attended by members of both Societies, up-
wards of 200 having been present at different periods of the day.
The Rev. William Greenwell, F.R.S., F.S.A., President of the
Archeological Society, gave in the Cathedral the history of the
religious body which ultimately settled at Durham, and having
detailed the chronological date connected with the fabric, in a
very eloquent address, proceeded to point out the various archi-
tectural features of the church. After an interval of three
quarters of an hour, Mr Greenwell conducted the re-assembled
company to the Library, once the monastic dormitory and re-
fectory, where the relics found in the grave of St. Cuthbert, and
many valuable and early Manuscripts were inspected. The

G

50 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

company then adjourned to the Castle, where the Rev. Canon
Ornsby, author of ‘Sketches of Durham,” read a paper by Mr
W. H. D. Longstaffe, F.S.A., which he supplemented from a
paper of his own, that appeared in the Archeological Society’s
Transactions, and he afterwards conducted the company over all
the apartments, and round the exterior, explaining their
peculiarities most minutely. Asa report of the addresses and
observations made at the meeting will appear in the ‘‘ Proceed-
ings,’”’ it is unnecessary to recapitulate further. The arrange-
ments were admirable, and every one appeared to be pleased.
Many had to leave to reach home that evening, but about ninety
ladies and gentlemen connected with the two societies, dined to-
gether in the great hall of the castle, Canon Greenwell officiating
as chairman.*

Although no business meeting could be called, the names of
the following gentlemen, duly proposed and seconded, were
handed to the Secretaries, and were held as having fulfilled the
conditions required of new-entrants, viz.:—Rev. Robert Small,
Caddonfoot, Galashiels; Mr Frank Rutherford, Bank of Scot-
land, Galashiels; Rev. A. Duncombe Shafto, Brancepeth Rectory,
Durham; Mr J. J. Vernon, F.8.A., President of the Hawick
Archeological Society ; Mr Robert Henry Elliot of Clifton Park ;
Mr J. W. Barnes, banker, Durham.

- The annual meeting for 1879 was held at Berwick, on Wed-
nesday, October 15. Among others present were :—Dr Paxton,
Norham, President; Dr F, Douglas, Kelso and Mr J. Hardy,
Oldcambus, Secretaries; Robert Middlemas, Treasurer; Sir
‘Walter Elliot of Wolfelee, K.C.S.1., &c.; Mr Robert Crossman
of Cheswick; Mr Matthew T. Culley of Coupland Castle; Mr
David Milne Home of Milne Graden ; Capt. David Milne Home,

* One of the great events in Sir Walter Scott’s life, was his dining in this
hall, with the Bishop of Durham, ‘‘surrounded and supported by the
assembled aristocracy of the two northern counties, and in the presence of
the Duke of Wellington.’’ ‘‘ The dinner was one of the finest things I ever
saw; it was in the old Castle Hall, untouched, for aught I know, since
Anthony Beck feasted Edward Longshanks on his way to invade Scotland.”
‘The bright moon streaming in through the old Gothic windows contrasted
strangely with the artificial lights within ; spears, banners, and armour,
were intermixed with the pictures of old bishops, and the whole had a singular
mixture of baronial pomp with the grave and more chastened dignity of
prelacy.’’—Life by Lockhart.

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 51

M.P., of Paxton; Revs. John F. Bigge, Stamfordham ; William
Dobie, Ladykirk; John 8. Green, Wooler; Hastings M. Neville,
Ford ; John Orr, Berwick ; John George Rowe, Berwick; Evan
Rutter, Tweedmouth; Joshua Hill Scott, Kelso; R. Hopper
Williamson, Whickham; Beverley 8. Wilson, Duddo; Drs
Colville Brown, Berwick; Charles Douglas, Kelso; Henry
Richardson, R.N., Berwick; Capt. J. A. Forbes, Berwick ;
Messrs R. G. Bolam and George Bolam, Berwick; C. B. P.
Bosanquet, Rock; Andrew Brotherston, Kelso; Thos. Chartres,
Ayton; William Cunningham, Coldstream; Thomas Darling,
Berwick; John Dunlop, Berwick; Charles Erskine, Melrose;
James Greenfield, Reston; Henry Gregson, yr., Lowlynn; James
B. Kerr, Kelso; R. D. Ker, Edinburgh ; Geo. Muirhead, Pax-
.ton; James Nicholson, Murton ; James Purves, Berwick; Stanley
Hill Scott, Kelso; William Shaw, Gunsgreen; Septimus H.
Smith, Norham; William Stevenson, Dunse; Alan Swinton,
Swinton House; John Thomson, Kelso; W. F. Vernon, Kelso ;
Charles Watson, Dunse; Matthew Young, Berwick.

At Mrs Carter’s residence, among other interesting objects not
previously viewed by members, there were MSS. of Burns’s
‘Lines written in Friars-Carse Hermitage,” both versions ; his
‘Literary Scoldings and Hints”? with the originals of three
of Burns’s letters to Mr William Cruikshanks, of the High
School, Edinburgh, which were exhibited by the Rev. James
Henderson, vicar of Ancroft, the grandson of the poet’s corres-
pondent. Some of the readings in the letters slightly vary from
the copies used by Allan Cunningham in his ‘“‘ Works and Life
of Burns.’”’ The poet appears to have copied out for his more
intimate friends, those pieces he had recently been occupied
with ; and hence there may be of some of them more than one
example purporting to be an original. Of articles of local
interest there were also to be seen there three sketches, of Etal,
Langleyford, and Horncliffe Mill, by the late W. Wilson, jun.,
of Bridge Street, Berwick ; and a continuation of Miss Dickin-
son’s beautiful paintings of wild flowers, and the commencement
of a series of moths with their caterpillars.

At one o’clock the members met in the billiard-room of the
King’s Arms Hotel, for the transaction of business. Dr Paxton
delivered his address, and nominated Mr Charles Watson, Dunse,
as his successor. Mr Hardy read the Reports of the various

52 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

meetings for the year; and the treasurer, Mr Middlemas, stated
that Mr Kerr had audited the accounts and found a balance of
£12 8s 83d in favour of the Club.

Sir Walter Elliot read an article on the Objects of the Club,
in which he impressed upon the members the advisability of
systematic action in scientific and archeological research. It
was resolved to appoint a committee to carry out some of Sir
Walter Elliot’s suggestions.

Mr James B. Kerr read a paper upon some verses written by
Sir Walter Scott, in 1832, while residing in Rome, which are be-
lieved to have been the last ever written by the poet. Mr Kerr
produced the original manuscript, which is written in a very
feeble hand; as also a passport for Sir Walter Scott, signed by
Prince de Polignac, the French Ambassador in London, and
dated 25th October, 1826. This passport bears Sir Walter
Scoct’s own signature and address, viz., Hotel Windsor, Rue de
Rivoli, No. 38. Another document shewn was a diploma of the
Society of Antiquaries of Normandy, in favour of Sir Walter
Scott, Bart., President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and
dated A Caen le 19 Janvier, 1829, and bearing the signatures of
Le President, Le Secretaire, le Secretaire adjoint, &c.

Dr Francis Douglas said that the Club was under great obli-
gations to the Nerthumberland and Durham Archeological
Society at the meeting at Durham last month; and he thought
it was only due from them as recipients of the generosity and
liberality of the Archeological Society, that the kindness of the
sister society should be put on record. He hoped that an oppor-
tunity might soon occur when the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club
might meet them, and make some return for the favours re-
ceived. His motion was cordially adopted.

Some discussion next ensued as to the proper place for the de-
posit of the books and pamphlets received by the Club from
other societies, but nothing definite was resolved upon.

The following were proposed as members of the Club :—Mr
Ralph Patterson Nisbet, Chesterhill House, Belford ; Mr George
Bolam, Berwick; Rev. Thomas 8S. Marjoribanks, Prestonkirk,
East Lothian ; Rev. James King, vicar of St. Mary’s, Berwick ;
Mr James Bogie, 5, Spence Street, Newington, Edinburgh ;
Rev. Alexander Milne, Swinton; Mr Francis D. Blake of Tuill-
mouth Park, Coldstream; Dr Andrew P. Aitken, Dr. Sc. Nivelle

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 53

Cottage, Liberton, Edinburgh; Mr F. Bamford, Edenbank,
Kelso; Mr James Thomas Spencer Elliot, yr., of Wolfelee; Mr
W. G. Macdonald, Grammar School, Berwick ; and Dr Thomas
Rutherford, Kelso. These along with the others proposed at
the different meetings throughout the season, were admitted as
members.

The following were the places in which it appeared to be
desirable to hold meetings during 1880; but as there would be
difficulties in carrying some of them out, alternatives were like-
wise proposed :—Dunbar for Woodhall and Thurston Woods, on
the last Wednesday in May; Gordon, or Longformacus in June ;
Belford or Beadnell in July; Morpeth for Newminster Abbey
_and Mitford in August; Gilsland in September.

Several highly interesting articles were exhibited to the meet-
ing.. Dr Francis Douglas brought a small green glass phial,
conjectured to be Roman, discovered in digging for the founda-
tions of the Public School at Kelso, of which he will give an
account. Mr Milne Home produced a chipped spear-head of
pale grey flint, like the material of one already figured for the
Club, which he had obtained from one of the Earl of Home’s
gamekeepers, who had picked it up in a rabbit-hole near Fire-
burn Mill, opposite Carham. Sir Walter Elliot, to illustrate his
remarks on local archzeology, referred to a variety of specimens,
which were handed round. 1. A very fine fully polished light
grey flint celt, got at Wolfhopelee, on Wolfelee estate. 2. A
very perfect example of a chipped brownish-grey flint arrow-
head, picked up near the Drove Road, not far from Wolfelee, in
1862. 38. A wrought flint chip, from a gravel walk at Wolfelee.
4. A small stone ring, or rather bead, of greywacke slate, like
one already figured for the Club, found at Wolfelee Townhead
Cottage, by the shepherd’s daughter, in August, 1879. 5. Two
distaff spindle weights ; the one met with at Braidhaugh, at the
foot of Bonchester, in 1871; and the other at the Chester on the
Roundabout farm. 6. An oval stone of a grey quartzy mixture,
a sort of bastard sandstone, which had a groove and dimple
lengthways to the stone; about the size and form of a small
hammer-stone.—This was from a field at Braidhaugh, at the foot
of Bonchester Hill. 7. An Egyptian copper arrow-head from
Thebes, March, 1863, 8, A flint arrow-head picked up on the

54 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

tombs at Marathon, September, 1834. 9. A bone arrow-head
found among the bones of Deer, Wild Boar, and Ox, in a rath
on the estate of John Pullar, Esq., C.M.G., Tipperary.

Mr George Bolam informed the company that this week he had
shot a Pied Fly-catcher (uscicapa atricapilla) in his father’s
garden at Berwick. Dr Colville Brown exhibited three Poma-
rine Skuas (Lestris Pomarinus), shot that day, Oct. 15. This is a
species of unusual occurrence, but owing to a storm or some
occult cause, about that period, great numbers of these birds had
been driven from some high latitude, upon the eastern coasts of
Britain. Mr George Bolam obtained information that on the
14th Oct., one man at Spittal shot no fewer than 15; and other
persons killed 4 or 5 each. Mr Knight got two at Holy Island.
It was still more plentiful up the Frith of Forth. Mr Gray had
examined 32 specimens in Hdinburgh, besides 3 or 4 Lestris
Buffont, which appears to have arrived in company with the
Pomarines. Mr Harvey Brown writes that about that period,
Buffon’s Skuas had occurred in the Moray Frith; and that he
had heard of 26 Pomarine Skuas in three weeks in the Frith of
Forth ; and many others elsewhere on the eastern coast. In
England it swarmed in the end of October andin November. In
a paper read to the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Dr
Traquair recorded that in October and November specimens had
been shot at Dunbar, Longniddry, North Berwick, Portobello,
and Queensferry; as well as at Dundee and North Uist. The
birds were generally in.a state of exhaustion, and were very tame.
In the beginning of October large numbers were observed in the
Faroe Islands.

The Club have deeply to regret the death of several of its
oldest members, as well as of others in the prime of life:—1. Mr
Ralph Forster, of Whitsome Hill, Berwickshire, who died at ’
Rome, 17th February, 1878, in the 44th year of his age, whose
mortal remains rest in the Protestant Cemetery there. 2. Lieut.:
James H. Scott Douglas, Springwood Park, a youth of great
promise, slain while on duty in the Zulu war as signal officer of
Lord Chelmsford’s army, at the age of 26, July 1, 1879. 3. Mr
William Richardson, Alnwick, a zealous botanist, and the dis-
coverer of several rare plants in North Northumberland, who
died 18th April, 1879, in his 80th year. 4. Mr James Maid-

Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 55

ment, advocate, a distinguished literary antiquarian and genealo-
gist, who died at his residence in Royal Circus, Edinburgh, on
the 24th November, 1879. He joined the Club in 1859. 5.
The Rev. John Dawson, minister of Makerston, who died sud-
denly, 1st December, 1879, aged 47. He officiated for many
years in India as an army chaplain. 6. In the same fatal roll
we have to inscribe our friend, and the Club’s friend, Mr John
Clay, who was cut off suddenly at his residence in Ravensdowne,
Berwick, January 26, 1880, in his 50th year. Mr Clay joined
_ the Club, October 28, 1857. 7. The Rev. J. 8S. Green, vicar of
Wooler, who died February 15, 1880, who joined the Club May 31,
1860, and for that long period was almost a constant attendant on
the meetings. Mr Green had attained his 65th year. Of Scottish
. descent he was born in Huntingdonshire, and was educated at
Cambridge, where he took the B.A. and M.A. degrees. He was
formerly curate at Stockton and Bishop Auckland, and in the year
1842 he was appointed rector of St. Mary-le-Bow, Durham. 8.
The Rev. Charles Thorp, vicar of Ellingham, died at Ellingham
vicarage, 17th February, 1880, in his 55th year. He was the
son of the late Ven. Archdeacon Thorp, Archdeacon of Durham
and Rector of Ryton. Educated at University College, Oxford,
he took the degree of B.A. in 1850, and the degree of M.A. in
1853. He was ordained in 1850; and became vicar of Elling-
ham in 1855, prior to which he was curate of Blanchland. Since
he became vicar the church has been completely rebuilt, and it
is now one of the neatest country churches in the North of Eng-
land. New and handsome school buildings have been erected,
and lately, through his instrumentality, a substantial house was
built for the schoolmaster. Mr Thorp became a member of the
Club, Jan. 31, 1856.

ADDITIONAL NOTICES.

From a memorandum made in 1845, it appears that the giving
of a field for a horse was not singular on the parts of the lairds
of Hillend and Houndwood; but that a similar bargain was
made between the lairds of Fairneyside and Redhall, both of
which farms are contiguous ; the former having given a field of
Fairneyside to the owner of Redhall, as the price of a hunting-

56 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy.

horse. At one period the lands of Fairneyside and Houndwood
belonged to the same proprietor ; and it is possible that the two
exchanges form a part of one transaction; or at least that the
one or other might afford a precedent.

I have found, after the first portion of the report had gone to
press, the original notice of the discovery of the urn near Hound-
wood, in the Berwick Advertiser, October 9, 1868, and it is
advisable to preserve what the finder says about it. ‘‘ On Satur-
day last (October 3) whilst the workmen, who are at present en-
gaged in removing a sandbank at Houndwood Lye for ballast
for railway purposes, came upon an urn filled with human bones.
It is 15 inches deep, and 12 inches wide, is formed of coarse
baked clay, and is in very good preservation. The bones have
a charred appearance, and when exposed to the air crumble
down. This is the sixth of the same sort that has been found
near the same spot, but those formerly found were so much
damaged that they could not be removed.”

Misled by Mr Riddell-Carre (Border Memories, pp, 252, 253)
I have mis-stated both the Christian name and the date of the
decease of the eminent medical descendant of Henry Hall of
Haughhead, on the Kale. The authenticity of the obituary
notice in Constable’s Edinburgh Magazine, vol. xiv., p. 640,
may be more relied on. ‘‘ April 24, 1824, at Chelsea, Robert
Hall, M.D., late Surgeon to the Forces, a descendant of the
ancient Border family of the Halls of Newbiggen [Parish of
Oxnam |, and great grandson of Henry Hall of Haughhead, the
celebrated Covenanter, who fought at Bothwell Bridge, Drum-
clog, &c.”’

57

An Addvess on the History of Durham Cathedral, delivered
at the joint Meeting of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club
and the Archeological and Architectural Society of Dur-
ham and Northumberland. By the Rev. WILLIAM GREEN-
WELL, F.R.S., F.S.A., President of the Archeological and
Architectural Society of Durham and Northumberland.

I propose to divide what I have to say into three parts, the
first commencing with a brief account of the earliest introduction
of Christianity into the North of England, bringing the history
down through the period before there was any religious estab-
lishment at Durham, and from thence to the time of the Norman
_ Conquest and the establishment of the Benedictine Order at Dur-
ham. After that I will give in detail the facts from history
which have relation to the erection of various parts of the
Cathedral, and then I will accompany you through the building,
and endeavour to show how the architectural features of the
several parts tally with the historic data previously given you.

With regard to the first establishment of Christianity, I do not
think there is any evidence to show that it had taken root during
the time of the Roman occupation. We know that there is
abundant evidence that Christianity did exist in various parts of
England, but I am not aware that there are any facts which
would enable us to say that Christianity was established here in
the North of England, at all events, to any great extent. There
may have been isolated instances of Christians, but that they were
few seems to be shown by the fact that all the inscriptions upon
the Roman stones down to the latest period of the Roman rule
are Pagan.

AsI proceed, I shall have to bring before you a number of
ereat figures, men of extraordinary eminence, capacity, and re-
ligious zeal in their several times and places. The first of whom
I have to speak is Paulinus, the great missionary of the North
in the very earliest time. He preached throughout all this
part of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, in which is
comprised the present counties of Northumberland, Durham,
and Yorkshire, together with a large portion of South-Kastern
Scotland, up to the Frith of Forth. There are several places
well known to many of you where he preached and baptised
with great success, one of which, Pallinsburn, near the later

H

58 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

site of the Field of Flodden, appears to have got its name from
him, The Swale and the Glen are rivers associated with his
mission, and his well at Holystone, in the valley of the Coquet,
where he baptised, is familiar to us all. He was obliged, A.D.
633, to leave the country, when, after the death of Kadwin, slain
in the battle of Hethfeld, Northumbria was: conquered by Penda
king of Mercia, and Cadwallon king of the Strath Clyde Britons,
and relapsed with its two kings into Paganism. I now come to
one of the greatest names of Northumbria—Oswald, who is
intimately associated with the Church of Durham, in connection
with its patron, Saint Cuthbert. A son of Aethelfrith, of the
royal house of Bernicia, he fled from his country, when a youth,
and took refuge in Scotland, where he became a convert to the
Christian faith. On his return to his own country, after defeat-
ing and killing Cadwallon at Hevenfield, near Hexham, he was
the means of introducing Christianity into it. I shall now have
a few words to say with regard to the place from whence North-
umbrian Christianity.came. Irefer to Iona. Jona, which many
of you will know, is a small, low-lying, sterile, inhospitable
island upon the west coast of Scotland, and the last place likely
to be selected for a residence. This place, however, was chosen
by a great Irishman, descended from one of the lines of Irish
kings, his name Columba. He was a man of enormous energy,
and would have made an admirable commander and a great
soldier, had his energies been turned in that direction. The early
part of his life was intermixed with the feuds then prevailing,
and he was the cause of much bloodshed, and was compelled in
consequence to leave his native country. An exile from all he
loved, he came to Iona, and there settled, and never returned to
Ireland, which was so dear to him, and for which through life he
longed. He lived at Iona, and there founded a great missionary
church, and from thence the Christian faith was diffused through
a considerable part of Scotland. There were other centres from
which the Christian faith spread in that country, but we must
look to Columba as the origin, and to Iona as the great centre
and source of Christianity in Scotland and the North. We can
never think of Iona without a deep feeling of veneration and re-
gard, and no Scotchman can visit or speak of it without strong
emotion. Jona will always live in the memory of Scotland.
Scotland, narrow perhaps in some things, harsh it may be in

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 59

others, looks ever with reverence upon Iona, and her great heart
beats with a fervent throb at the name. I know not of any
country in Christendom more imbued with stronger religious
feeling and more fervour than Scotland, and doubtless she owes
much of it to St. Columba and his island home. Here, in Dur-
ham, too, and throughout all the North of England, we cannot
but look to Iona with veneration, for it is impossible to do so
without feeling that from it was extended to us Christianity and
civilization. ‘To recur to Oswald. After the defeat of Cadwallon,
Oswald then became firmly seated as king of Northumbria, and
immediately afterwards he sent to Iona for help in his endeavours
to convert his people to Christianity. Jona responded to his call,
and gave him at first Corman, who failed, however, in his mis-
- sion on account of his too great harshness. A monk named
Aidan at once supplied his place, and amply fulfilled the expec-
tations that had been formed of him. After Paulinus’ departure
Christianity had disappeared from Northumbria, and it remained
Pagan until Aidan’s arrival We know a good deal about
Aidan, and all we know shows that he was a man of great re-
ligious vigour and zeal, and also of admirable tact. Beda tells
us much about him, and though not an altogether friendly wit-
ness, on account of the differences about the keeping of Haster
and the tonsure, he speaks of him in terms of the highest praise.
Oswald, with whom he was most intimately connected, the king
often acting as interpreter when the Bishop preached, fell in
battle A.D. 642, at Maserfeld, probably near Oswestry, in Shrop-
shire, in fighting against Penda, the old Pagan king of Mercia,
who had conquered Northumbria before the time of Oswald. He
defeated Oswald and slew him, using great barbarity. He cut
off his hands and head. His head ultimately came to Lindis-
farne, and ever after became associated with St. Cuthbert. We
always hear of them together, St. Cuthbert being usually repre-
sented as carrying king Oswald’s head, which was buried with
him at Lindisfarne, and ultimately at Durham. Perhaps it may
not be here out of place to say a few words with regard to Ire-
land as a centre, not alone of Christianity, but of art. It is
entitled to our respect not only on account of our Christianity
having been introduced from it through Jona, but for other
reasons about which I have to speak. Ireland was one of the
great centres of missionary work, and sent missionaries over a

60 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

large part of Europe, throughout the seventh, eighth, and ninth
centuries. It was also the country whence art at that time was
widely diffused. The art which we are accustomed to call Anglo-
Saxon, and which is sometimes known as Runic, is purely Irish.
Almost all the art ornamentation in use at that time in our own
country upon stone and metal, and in books, came from thence.
Into the principles of this art time will not permit me now to
enter fully. It has nothing in common with Classical or Oriental
Art, and does not appear to have been known anywhere except
in the United Kingdom, and to a trifling extent in some parts of
South Germany. In Ireland, however, this special art orna-
mentation reached its highest excellency. The power of design
and of execution, as shewn in the manuscripts, is truly most re-
markable. This principle of art is in the main based on a spiral -
reversing itself, which becomes joined on to an elaborate inter-
lacing pattern, probably originating in late Roman work. ‘This
union produced that wonderful system of art ornamentation
which is found so beautifully developed in many of the early
books, written both in Ireland and our own country, and in none
more exquisitely than in the Lindisfarne Gospels, which, once at
Durham, is now in the British Museum. We have also in the
Library here another very fine example, consisting of a frag-
mentary copy of the Gospels, equally beautiful with the Lindis-
farne Gospels.

When Oswald placed Aidan at Lindisfarne (now called Holy
Island) or more probably when Aidan selected that spot for a
religious settlement, he found it singularly like the place from
whence he had come. It isa small low-lying, sandy, and un-
fertile island, not far distant from the mainland. Both Lindis-

farne and Iona are exposed to the storms from the ocean, and to
those of the opposite highlands, and in many respects are much
alike, and I cannot but think that Aidan was induced to settle at
Lindisfarne from a sentiment of affection, because of this like-
ness to the island where he had received his education, and
where he became so deeply imbued with a true Christian spirit.
The religious body established at Lindisfarne by Aidan was
fostered by that great and most virtuous of kings—Oswald—and
there the monks remained for several years. But before I bring
you away from Lindisfarne, to Chester-le-Street and Durham,
there is one figure which rises before us—the figure of the great

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 61

Saint of the North of England, our patron Saint at Durham—
Cuthbert. His genealogy is disputed, but there is little question
he was of Anglian and not of Celtic origin. He was probably of
humble parentage, although a noble descent has been claimed
for him. We hear of him first as a shepherd boy in the South
of Scotland, not far from Melrose, the monastery at which he
entered, and there received instruction in religion. He
ultimately became a great missionary, and preached throughout
a large part of Northern Northumbria, then comprising the East
of Scotland up to the Frith of Forth. He became Bishop much
against his will, and had he chosen his own lot he would not
have ruled over the Northumbrian See, but have lived on in re-
tirement from human kind as a hermit upon the adjoining island
_ of Farne, to which he had before removed from Lindisfarne. I
cannot but think that he must have had other qualities than the
ascetic which induced the people to select him. "We know that
he was a great missionary, and that he preached with much
effect, but he must also, like Aidan, have had a conciliatory
spirit, kindness, firmness, discretion, and the skill to rule. He
became Bishop at Lindisfarne A.D. 685, and died on the great
Farne A.D. 687, and his body was taken to Lindisfarne, and
there buried. He, therefore, only ruled the Northumbrian See
for two years. [Eleven years after his death his body was disin-
terred, the monks having, in the meantime, prepared a coffin in
which to place it. They naturally expected to find a skeleton,
but they found the body incorrupt. They then placed it in the
coffin which they had prepared, and, probably with the exception
of coffins from Egypt, this is one of the oldest wooden coffins, of
which remains still exist. Fragments of large portions of it are
still preserved in the Cathedral library. Reginald, the author
of a ‘‘ Life of St. Cuthbert,” who had opportunities of carefully
examining it, says it had on it representations of Saints, Apostles,
and of various other figures. Many of these still remain on the
fragments of the coffin at Durham, and the description given by
him so fully agrees with the character of the sculpturing still left,
that there cannot be the slightest doubt that in these remains we
have portions of the coffin made before A.D. 698. The letters,
for some of the figures have the names attached, are also of the
form in use at that time.

I must now mention another great name—that of Beda, or the

62 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

Venerable Beda, as he is commonly called. He wrote a “ Life
of St. Cuthbert,’ and he therefore becomes very intimately con-
nected with the great Saint of the North. Beda was a man of
high attainments and culture. He was not, perhaps, a man of
action, and I do not know but that he passed his whole life more
or less in seclusion, not mixing in the world. He was em-
phatically a student, and remarkable for great personal religion.
He is, indeed, an instance of, for his time, extraordinary learn-
ing, much simplicity of life and character, and of eminent and
unselfish piety. Who.is there that can read the account of his
parting moments, and the story of his death without emotion ?
I think there can be nothing more affecting. He was a great
writer, and second to none as an Historian. His history con-
tains; no doubt, many things which modern investigation have
shewn to be incorrect. That arose, however, not from any fault
in his own mind, but because the data did not then exist from
which he could draw his facts. As an historian, he may almost
stand side by side with Herodotus. He was also a great
theologian, and indeed was well versed in every branch of
literature then known. He was truly a great man, and amongst
the most eminent of the scholars who lived at that time. We
possess at Durham not only the bones of Cuthbert, but also of
Beda. You will see the tomb which encloses them in the Galilee.
He died at Jarrow, in A.D. 735, and was buried there. There
lived, however, in the monastery at Durham, a monk, Elfred,
who was greatly attached to the memory of St. Cuthbert, and
who had charge of his body. He thought that two such men
should rest together. Can we blame him for his wish, or for the
way in which he attained its fulfilment? He took an opportunity
of carrying off the body from Jarrow, and removed it to Durham,
and here it still remains. ;

I must now pass over a considerable period, and come to the
year 875, when our connection with Lindisfarne ceases to a cer-
tain extent. At that time the great Scandinavian invasions were
beginning to take place, and, among other places, the Danes
landed upon the coast of Northumbria, and harried the country.
The monks fled from Lindisfarne. I mentioned before that I
thought Lindisfarne had been selected by Aidan because of its
great resemblance to Iona. I think there was probably another
reason,—its neighbourhood to the Castle of Bamburgh, the seat

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 63

of the Northumbrian kings. Lindisfarne is very near to it, and
naturally would be under the protection of the king, who lived
there. Bamburgh, however, proved no great protection against
the Danes, who came over the sea, and landing on the coast,
then over-ran the country. The monks fearing lest they would
be deprived of the Saint’s body and their other treasures, and of
their lives as well, fled from Lindisfarne, and wandered, not only
over a great part of the North of England, but over a consider-
able portion of the South of Scotland; and many churches dedi-
cated to St. Cuthbert, in those parts, probably mark the spots
where the monks rested for awhile, with the body of the Saint.
After wandering from 875 to 883, they settled at Chester-le-
Street, which was given to them by Guthred, a Danish king, then
_reigning in Northumbria, and who had become a Christian.
Chester-le-Street, unlike Lindisfarne, is inland, and stands upon
the site of a Roman station. It possesses no great natural
features for defence, but it is likely that some considerable re-
mains of the old Roman walls were standing, and served as a
protection against these Northern Rovers. There are a few re-
mains of the monk’s sojourn at Chester-le-Street, in the shape of
portions of shafts of crosses, which are covered with that peculiar
carving which I have already referred to as of Irish origin.
There the body rested, and from it the Bernician See was ruled,
until the removal of Bishop Ealdhun and the monks to Durham,
in 995. The difficulties of an adequate defence probably proved
to the monks that Chester-le-Street was not a suitable place for
protection. The superior position of Durham was, no doubt, the
reason why it was selected for the site of the See. This then
was the commencement of the City of Durham.

The site chosen for the final resting-place of the body of the
patron Saint of Durham, is a plateau, small in extent, but en-
closed by precipitous banks, and having the river running almost
entirely round it. So strong, indeed, is its position that in those
days it was, in fact, all but impregnable.

In 999, Bishop Ealdhun completed the building of a stone
church, into which the body of St. Cuthbert was transferred
from a wooden building in which it had been at first placed. Of
that church I do not know that a single stone remains visible to
the eye, though there are, no doubt, thousands of stones belong-
ing to it enclosed within these walls. This building remained

64 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

until after the Conquest, a great change having taken place in
the meantime. The monks who had originally constituted the
congregation of St. Cuthbert, had fallen from the rule which was
at first observed. There was in those days a great tendency
among the regular clergy in the Saxon church, to degenerate
into a kind of secular clergy. Symeon says those at Durham
were neither monks nor regular canons. At Durham, as at Hex-
ham, and elsewhere, they were married, and had families, and
there was rapidly springing up an hereditary priesthood, father
succeeding son, and had that system gone on there would have
arisen a sacerdotal caste, with all the evils attending such a body.
The Norman conquest happily did away with that, as it did with
many other abuses. I incline to think that some indications of
such a state of things were discovered, when about three years
ago the foundations of the east end of the old Chapter-house,
which was so ruthlessly destroyed in 1798, were laid bare. Just
outside of the east wall of the present Chapter-house the graves
of Bishops Flambard, Galfrid Rufus, and William de St. Barbara
were met with, and in them were found three Episcopal rings of
gold set with sapphires, which I will show to you in the Library.
Much to our surprise, below the level of the Bishops’ graves
there were found a considerable number of skeletons of men,
women, and children. There can, I think, be little doubt that
the remains found at a lower level than the graves of the
Bishops, those skeletons of men, women, and children belonged
to the married clergy and their families who occupied the
monastery at Durham, from the time of Ealdhun to the time
when they were dispossessed by Bishop William of St. Carilef.
I have already alluded to the congregation of St. Cuthbert, but
of that body I must give you some further account. The re-
ligious community, the congregation of St. Cuthbert, which
ultimately settled at Durham, included the Bishop and the
monks. The two formed one body, whose interests were identi-
cal, and the Bishop lived among the monks, over whom he ruled
within the community as he ruled over the diocese without.
This system went on at Durham until the establishment of the
Benedictine order shortly after the Norman Conquest. This
unity between the Bishop and the monks was very similar to
that which prevailed in the religious communities in Ireland and
Scotland. The Bishop was a member of the body and lived

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 65

within it. He had no estates or means of subsistence apart from
the whole community. His interests and those of the rest of the
congregation were one. This state of things was altered, as I
have said, after the Conquest by Bishop William of St. Carilef,
who was the second Bishop appointed by William the First.
Walcher, the first Norman Bishop, having reigned only a short
time when he was killed by his own people at Gateshead, during
a rebellion caused by the oppression of his officials. In 1081,
William of St. Carilef was made Bishop. He was a Benedictine
brought up in one of the great monastic houses in his own
country, Normandy. Naturally enough, such an establishment
of married clergy as that he found at Durham, must have been
most distasteful to him. He had been a Benedictine monk him-
‘self, and he therefore preferred being surrounded by those of
his own order and not by those of whose system he disapproved.
In the time of Bishop Walcher, the ancient monasteries at
Jarrow and Wearmouth were deserted. Both of these churches
still contain parts which are probably as old as any in this
country, and I would strongly urge any of you who have not
already been to Jarrow and Wearmouth, to visit these two places,
which possess the highest interest whether they are regarded
ecclesiastically or with reference to their architectural features.
They had been deserted by the monks in consequence of the
Danish invasions. It is difficult to say how long they remained
without inhabitants, but they were probably more or less occupied
during the interval. However this may have been, Bishop
Walcher placed there Benedictine monks from Winchcombe and
Kvesham ; and Bishop Carilef, thinking there were not sufficient
means for the maintenance of more than one monastery, brought
the monks from Jarrow and Wearmouth to Durham, and founded
a Benedictine house here, but before that he had dispossessed
the secular clergy. At that time the Church of Haldhun was
. still standing, and it is uncertain whether Carilef determined
from the first to build a new church for the new order. He be-
came a party to the rebellion against William Rufus, in 1088,
and was driven an exile for three years into Normandy, and
there, it may be, he conceived the design of replacing the old
church by a new and more magnificent building, and it is
possible that he may have brought with him, from that country,
the plan of the very church in which we are now met.
I

66 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

Normandy at that time was full of splendid churches, many
lately erected, and it is probable that the thought may have
passed across the mind of Carilef, that if he did return to Dur-
ham, he would raise there a more glorious building, and one
better adapted to the wants of the new community, than the
church he had left behind him. At all events on his return he
determined to build a new church, and may we not think that
gratitude was the motive which induced him to do this. In the
meanwhile, during the time of his exile, as we learn from
Symeon, the monks built the refectory, as, says he, it now stands.
Symeon lived in the early part of the twelfth century. He
therefore speaks with authority. The crypt under the refectory
which still exists cannot be later than Symeon’s time, and must,
therefore, if not a still earlier piece of work, be part of the re-
fectory built during Carilef’s exile, and is therefore the earliest
building we have at Durham in connection with the Monastery.

I now come to the second part of my address; you will ask
what authority I have for the statements I shall make with re-
gard to the dates of the various parts of the church. I have
already stated that Symeon, a monk of Durham, lived when a
great part of the work at the church was going on, and there-
fere his testimony is very important. His history was continued
after him by an anonymous writer; and then we have a further
continuation by Geoffrey de Coldingham, Robert de Graystones,
and William de Chambre, together with a number of indulgences
from various Bishops, given towards obtaining means for making
alterations in the building. These form our series of historic
evidences.

In 1093, on the 11th August, the foundation stone of the new
church was laid. There were then present Bishop William of
St. Carilef, Turgot the Abbot, and, as another writer says,
Malcolm, king of Scotland. If he was present, it is curious
that Symeon does not record the fact. The building went on
_ rapidly. The Bishop had been accumulating money for his new
church, and he carried on the building of it as far as the first
large pier in the nave. The death of Bishop Carilef took place
in 1096, and an interval of three years elapsed before the election
of Bishop Flambard, in 1099, who is described as great by some
and infamous by others. Ralph Flambard was Wiliam Rufus’
Chancellor, and whether he was infamous or not, he was anyhow

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 67

aremarkable man. We are told that he carried on the work of
the nave up to the roof—that is, that he completed the nave as
far as the vaulting. In the meantime, between the death of
Carilef and the consecration of Flambard, we learn that the
monks went on with the church. There had been an agreement
between them by which the Bishop undertook the building of the
church, and the monks of the domestic parts of the monastery,
but that agreement came to an end on Carilef’s death. That
part of the church which was built by the monks there can be no
doubt was the west side of the transepts, and the vaulting of
both. We are next told that after the death of Bishop Flam-
bard, in 1128, in the interval before the accession of Bishop
Galfred-Rufus in 1133, the monks completed the nave. There
was nothing left to complete but the vaulting, for Flambard had
‘ finished the nave up to the roof. With this date, about 11380,
the architectural features well agree, notwithstanding the pointed
arch of the main ribs. I may here take the opportunity of say-
ing a few words with regard to the original vaulting of the
choir. It was very common in Norman churches to have a
wooden ceiling without any groined stone roof. This, however,
was not the case at Durham, where a stone vaulting was placed
over the choir almost immediately after the completion of the
walls. There is sufficient evidence of this from the marks still
left on the walls of the cloistory, but we have also the evidence
of historic relation. In 1104 the building was so far completed
that the monks were enabled to transfer the body of St. Cuth-
bert from the small building in the cloisters, where it had before
remained, to the Shrine, at the east end of the choir. At that
time a very remarkable event took place, as we learn from
William of Malmesbury’s ‘‘ Gesta Pontificum.” He tells us that
the wood work supporting the roof over the shrine was still
there, which implies that the stone vaulting was only lately com-
pleted. He says there was a difficulty as to getting down the
* wood work before the body of St. Cuthbert was placed in the
shrine. St. Cuthbert, however, came to the assistance of the
monks, and knocked the whole down during the night, and on
the following morning it was found spread on the floor without
having done injury to anything beneath it. Galfrid Rufus was
the next Bishop, and reigned from 1138 to 1143. We are told
that the Chapter-house was completed by him. Possibly it may

68 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

have been begun before his time ; but, at all events, it was then
finished. The Chapter-house! alas! I can scarcely say Chapter-
house, for it is now only a miserable remnant of a building once
probably the finest Norman Chapter-house in England. It was
barbarously destroyed at the end of the last century; why, I
cannot tell, except as it is stated, to make the room warm and
comfortable for the members of the Chapter. The Galilee was
nearly destroyed at the same time. Fortunately there is a very
beautiful doorway still left in the Chapter-house, which may be
attributed to Galfrid Rufus, who also probably built the great
north and south doorways of the Nave. The sculpturing upon
these doorways, and that upon the figures which supported the
ribs at the east end of the Chapter-house, have apparently been
done by the same hand. The Episcopacy of William de St.
Barbara, so far as we know, was not marked by any important
work. We then come to a great builder, Hugh de Puset, or
Hugh Pudsey, as he is generally called, a nephew of king
Stephen, and a son of the Count of Bar. He was young when
he became Bishop, and during his long Episcopate, a number of
works were effected by him. He had two architects, Richard
and William, ‘‘ Ingeniatores” as they are called, and about one
of them, Mr Surtees, the historian, has made a curious mistake.
He took Ingeniator to mean Snarer or Poacher, and describes
Ricardus Ingeniator as Dick the Snarer, instead of which he was
an important land owner in the county, holding a considerable
estate, the reward doubtless of his skill as -Pudsey’s great
builder. Bishop Pudsey, we are told, began to build a Lady
Chapel at the east end of the Cathedral. He caused marble
columns and bases to be prepared for it, which came from beyond
the sea. These still exist in the Galilee, and are made of Pur-
beck marble. The meaning of “‘ beyond the sea,” no doubt, is
that they were brought by sea to Newcastle from Dorsetshire.
He commenced building, but as the work went on cracks began
to appear in the walls, and Pudsey thinking the work was dis-
tasteful to God and St. Cuthbert, left off building there, and
transferred the chapel to the west end, where it still remains, a
most beautiful specimen of twelfth century work, and shewing
how great was the taste and skill of Pudsey’s architect. There
can be little doubt as to the cause of the shrinking. The
Cathedral at the west end is close to the rock; whilst at the other

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 69

end the soil is deep, and in places of a peaty nature. The old
builders cared little about the foundations, they frequently
planted the walls upon the surface, and thus, when the soil was
of a compressable nature, shrinking of the walls was apt to occur.
From the same cause that affected Pudsey’s work, the east end
of Carilef’s choir began early to shew signs of instability and be-
came ruinous.

Though we have no record of the builder or of the date when
it was built, it is certain that the outer part of the south-east
doorway of the cloisters is of the time of Pudsey. It is a
characteristic work of his and very rich in its details, although
not perhaps so beautiful a specimen of late twelfth century work
as the doorway of Pudsey’s great hall in the castle. From the
_ time of Pudsey we have no account of any work done until
Bishop Poore (1220-37), and to him has always been attributed
the building of the Nine Altars, probably from the fact that he
began to make preparations for it. It was not commenced until
after his death, when in 1242, Prior Melsanby began to build.
Poore had been a great builder at Salisbury before he came to
Durham, and he must always have the credit of the intention, if
he did not live to carry out the building of the noble specimen
of 13th century architecture we see in the Nine Altars. Some-
time before his Episcopate cracks had begun to appear at the
east end of the church, and we have a number of indulgences,
some of them going back to an early period, and one coming
down as late as 1278, granted by various Bishops in aid of the
new work. Following upon the building of the Nine Altars was
the replacing of the original Norman groining by the present
roof, which may be attributed to about the year 1300, and is a
good example of early decorated work. Prior Thomas of
Melsanby (1233-44), who commenced the building of the Nine
Altars, had been elected Bishop by the monks, but was refused
by the Crown. He was one of the greatest men who have sat
in the Prior’s chair at Durham, and to him must be given much
of the credit of that beautiful building the Nine Altars. I am
sorry I am not able to tell you the name of the architect. It is
very rarely that the name of any of the mighty builders of old
has been preserved. They did not care that their names should
be handed down to posterity. They were content to build, and
leave the work and not their names to speak. I once came

70 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

across the name of the architect of the new work, as the Nine
Altars was called, as a witness to a conveyance of some land near
Durham. The date of the deed was of the time when this chapel
was building. I neglected, unfortunately, to make a reference
to the deed, trusting to my memory, and I have never since,
though I have often sought for it, been able to find it again,
or to remember the name of the architect. The next date we
have in connection with the building is that of Prior Hoton
(1289-1307), who repaired the roof of the nave. It is due
to Prior Fossor (1341-74) that the large window in the North
Transept was inserted, and which was restored by Prior
Castell (1494-1519). To Prior Fossor also is due the great
west window of the Nave. The Bishop’s throne and his own
tomb were built by Thomas de Hatfield (1345-80). In 13880
the altar screen was erected, mainly at the expense of Lord
Neville of Raby, though Prior Berrington bore some part of
the cost. It was made in London, and brought to Newcastle
by sea. Hence the notion that it was made of Caen stone.
It is really Dorsetshire clunch. The cloisters were begun in
1368, and not finished until 1498; they have been much
mutilated. In 1404 the Dormitory was completed. In Car-
dinal Langley’s time (1406-37) a great amount of work was
done in the Galilee ; windows had been inserted during the 13th
century in the north and south walls, and Langley, who found
the Galilee in a ruinous condition, put on a new roof, inserted
the windows in the west wall, and, possibly, added two
piers to the original Purbeck shafts of each column. He
also erected his own tomb in it, behind which he placed the
altar of the Blessed Virgin. The wood work of the reredos
of that altar, of great interest, containing paintings of the
fifteenth century, was taken away a few years ago, and
not a vestige of it now remains. Why it was thought necessary
to destroy this I cannot tell you. I would rather not speak
of the ruthless destruction which has taken place in the
Cathedral. It is too painful. There has been more mis-
chief done during the last forty years than was done pre-
viously during a couple of centuries. Beautiful pieces of work,
containing many interesting features, have been swept away
under the ridiculous notion of restoring the building to what was
called its original state of Norman simplicity. All the

Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell. 71

perpendicular tracery in the windows has been destroyed. The
screens dividing the transepts from their aisles, and the clock
case, which had been originally erected by Prior Castell, and still
contained much of his work, have all been removed.

The central tower, which was struck by lightning in 1429, was
so much ruined in 1456 that it was almost entirely rebuilt, and
was not finished in 1474. This only refers to the building above
the great tower arches, which themselves are the work of Bishop
Carilef. ‘The last work I shall have to mention is the tabernacle
work of the stalls of the choir. This was put in after the
restoration in the time of Bishop Cosin. Cromwell confined the
Scotch prisoners in the church after the battle of Dunbar, and it
is said that in order to keep themselves warm they used the
wood work for fires. Bishop Cosin also put up a solid oak choir
. screen, which, though some people did not like it, was, neverthe-
less, a handsome piece of work of great boldness in its carving,
and I much regret its removal. There was in ancient times a
screen between the two western tower piers, which separated the
church into two parts. In fact, the building was originally con-
structed for two churches, the one in the choir for the monks, the
other in the nave for the people. The throwing open the whole
church I cannot but regard as a mistake. It is quite impossible
to utilise a building of such vast proportions for one service. If
the church were divided as of old, then week-day services might
be held in the choir, and the Sunday service in the nave. I
have to regret another piece of wood work, of much interest,
which has also been swept away. Round the shrine of St. Cuth-
bert there was, until lately, a screen of oak, which was probably
put up during the time of Queen Mary. It was a handsome
work of its kind and did not interfere in any way with the general
effect of the building, but rather enhanced it, and in addition it
marked an epoch in the history of the church. During the reign
of Henry VUI. the building passed from the monks into the
hands of the Chapter, which was established by that king; but
during Mary’s reign the old religion was restored, and again
possessed the Cathedral. There can be little doubt that the wood
work which surrounded the Shrine of the patron Saint corres-
ponds with the time of the re-introduction of the monks, and it
was, therefore, one of the historical facts connected with the
Cathedral Church of Durham. It is ever to be regretted that it

72 Durham Cathedral, by Rev. William Greenwell.

should have been removed. As the Cathedral is seen at present,
I think there is too much of the mere building. It is empty, and
wants furnishing; almost every part of itis seen at once. Others
may differ from me upon this matter, and perhaps I may speak
influenced by early associations, but I cannot but say that the
screens had a good effect, and told generally on the building as
a whole. At present the church appears to me too naked.
There is nothing left to the imagination, there is nothing of
mystery—so important an element in that which appeals to every
mind.

I will now make a few remarks upon the general effect of this
most majestic building in which we are assembled. I assert
without hesitation that no grander Norman building exists in
England, and if not in England, then in no part of the world. I
will make a still bolder assertion, and say that no more impres-
sive and effective Cathedral exists in England, I would almost
say in Europe. You may go where you like, you may tell me of
the beauties of Lincoln, the size of York, the varied architectural
features of Canterbury, Winchester, and Ely, and the grace of
Salisbury,; but I say the Cathedral Church of Durham, as it now
stands, is the finest ecclesiastical building in this country. I do
not say that some others of our Cathedrals may not possess more
exquisite pieces of architectural work, that some of them do not
surpass it in size; but, granting this, where will you find any-
thing which will compare with the Galilee. The Galilee is un-
equalled for its unique beauty and elegance. Itis as beautiful in
its hghtness as the choir and nave are in their solemn massiveness.
The Nine Altars, with its vaulting, its shafts carrying capitals
carved with the most charming mixture of foliage and animal
form has no rival to compete with. JI say unhesitatingly that,
taken as a whole, and looking at the solemnity of the building,
its beautiful proportions, and the admirable way in which a great
design has been carried out, Durham Cathedral stands unrivalled.
Look at the symmetry of the great arcades of choir and nave;
the pillars are not too short and broad, nor again too lofty
and stilted, but admirably fit into the proportions of the
whole. Look how the triforium and clerestory, neither dwarfed,
nor too important, harmonise with the arcades which support
them, and form with them a design of perfect symmetry and
proportion. Everything isin complete harmony, and the church,

Durham Castle, by Mr W. H. D. Longstaffe. 73

choir and nave, have a most solemn effect, and cannot but deeply
move us. Peterborough, Norwich, and Gloucester, magnifi-
cent as they are in their early portions, sink down, I may say
to nothing, when compared with the greater glories of Durham.
When we stand within its time-hallowed walls, as we do to-day,
and allow our minds to feel the due influence of its massive but
perfect proportion, it seems as if it had been built for ever. It
looks like the eternal hills.

This church we owe to William of St. Carilef. The whole
plan of the building must have been elaborated and the main
lines laid down by that Bishop. The choir and other parts
are of his own building, and the nave, though built by Flam-
bard, carries out in its main features the original design. The
only difference between the two parts is in the richer effect
- given in the nave by the use of zig-zag and in the different
patterns on the pillars. The work throughout harmonises in
the highest degree, and that harmony is made more apparent
by the variation. Two men have, it is evident, worked upon
the church with the same intention, and upon the same plan ;
and the slight difference in the character of their work but
adds an additional interest and charm to the whole. In con-
clusion, I may repeat that the plan of the whole church is, 1
think, unquestionably due to Carilef, who finished a great part of
the church, and who, I believe, carried the walls to the top of the
arcade of the aisles round the whole building. JI have now con-
cluded my remarks, and will go round the building with you.

Mr Greenwell then conducted the party through the church,
and pointed out in succession its various architectural features.

Report of the Meeting at the Castle, Durham.

Arter the Cathedral had been inspected the company pro-
ceeded to the Castle to hear a paper by Mr W. H. D. Longstaffe.
That gentleman having sustained an accident to his eye, the
paper, so far as complete, was read by Canon Ornsby :—

Although one very early story of Durham is, it must be confessed, some-
what obscure, and the questions arising as to its occupation in Roman days,
and the identity of Maiden Castle with Wardenlaw, where St. Cuthbert’s
body became immovable, do not enter my scope; it is, however, noteworthy,
we cannot doubt, that the town was fortified in some fashion during the

J

74 Durham Castle, by Mr W. H. D. Longstaffe.

Saxon period. After the defeat of Malcolm’s besieging Scots by Ucthred,
during the episcopacy of Aldhun, the erector of a Saxon Cathedral there, the
most handsome heads of the slain were carried by their tangled hair to Dur-
ham, and, having been washed by four women, were arrayed upon poles
round the walls, each woman having a cow for her pains. It may also be
mentioned, as to this or some later period, that, according to newspapers, ex-
cavations for sewers showed that the carriage way of the Baileys surmounts
a vast accumulation of refuse, including the bones of boars, stags, horses,
domestic animals, and the extinct elk. The same appearances were reached
at the outside of the city wall at Claypath Gates, and in both cases they sug-
gested that ancient moats had been filled up with débris. Three years after
the Conquest, in 1069, we gain another glimpse of Durham in a military
point of view. The conqueror sent Earl Robert, surnamed Cumin, to the
Northumbrians at the north side of the Tyne. He entered Durham and per-
mitted his soldiers to act hostilely, they even slaying some of the ‘‘ rustics’’
(i. e. serfs) of the Church, but was received by Bishop Egelwin with all
civility and honour. The Northumbrians, determined not to submit to a
foreign lord, marching all night to Durham, at dawn burst its gates (portas)
with great force, and slew the earl’s men, thus taken unawares, everywhere
in the houses and streets. They then proceeded to attack the bishop’s house,
in which the earl had been received, but, not being able to bear the javelins
of the defenders, they, in Cabul fashion, burned the house with its inhabi-
tants, including the earl. The house was near the Cathedral, for, while the
assailants were endeavouring to throw fire into it, the flaming sparks, flying
upwards, caught the western tower of the period, which, according to
Symeon, was in immediate proximity, and it appeared to be on the very verge
of destruction. The people prayed St. Cuthbert to preserve his church from
being burned, and a wind arose from the east, which drove the flames back-
wards from the church, and freed it from danger. The house had then ©
caught fire, and continued to blaze. It will be remembered that Bishop
Walcher was destroyed through the same Northumbrians setting fire to the
roof and walls of Gateshead Church a few years afterwards.

The event sufficiently explains the erection of a castle at Durham. Wal-
cher, of Lorraine, was made bishop in 1071, and in 1072, when the King had
returned from Scotland, he built a castle in Durham, where, says the pseudo-

‘Symeon, the Bishop might keep himself and his people safe from assailants.
Of the nature of this castle we are, of: course, ignorant, but, whatever were
its beginnings, it soon rose to importance, for great stress upon its possession
was laid in the controversy of 1088 between King William Rufus and Bishop
St. Karileph, the successor of the murdered Walcher. It is difficult to
ascribe an exact date to the early Norman chapel in the castle, but consider-
ing that it is so totally different from the peculiar Norman design which was
introduced by St. Karileph in 1093, when he began his new cathedral, and
was followed by Bishop Flambard, it would appear to be earlier than it.
The defensive works at Durham by Bishop Flambard, who also built a castle
at Norham (soon after destroyed by the Scots), were these:—‘‘ The city
‘urbem), although Nature had fortified it, he rendered stronger and more
august with a wall. He constructed a wall in length extended from the

Durham Castle, by Mr W. H. D. Longstaffe. 75

chancel of the church as far as to the citadel (arcem) of the castle. The place
between the church and the castle, which many little habitations took up, he
reduced to the plainness of an open field.’”” Thus Place Green or Palace
Green arose. In the time of his successor, Geoffrey Rufus, the monks’
Chapter-house was completed, having caryatides and florid work, and we
must assign to his episcopacy or that of Wm, St. Barbara the doorways of
the nave, and perhaps the gateway of the castle. The possession of the
castle was again an element during the assertion of a claim by William
Cumin between the rules of Rufus and St. Barbara to be bishop himself.

We now come to the important episcopate of Bishop Pudsey. He built
‘a new wall from the north gate to the south one,” by which Dr Raine
understands ‘‘that part of the city wall which extends from the old goal
gate (now destroyed) to the water gate, of which, towards its southern end
there are (he says) some curious remains.’’ But more to our point is the
following assertion of Coldingham, the historian of Durham, about this busy
prelate who put, or attempted to put, all his houses in order. ‘‘In the
castle of Durham the edifices, which in the first times of his episcopate, the
flame had consumed, he renewed; and the castle of Northam, which he
found infirm in fortification, he rendered strong with a very substantial
tower.” One of the continuators of Symeon also mentions his building a
castle on the Tweed, at his entrance to the bishoprick, by command of his
relation, King Stephen, the earliest fortress erected by Flambard having
been destroyed by the Scottish army, and then he proceeds thus :—‘‘ Many
buildings he made in the bishoprick, and in the city (wrde) itself of his See,
the old ones being destroyed, he made new and noble (insignia) edifices.”’

In considering the remarkable works of Pudsey, we must remember that
he acceded in 1158 and died in 1194, passing through the whole of the
Transitional period, beginning with the late and florid Norman style, and
ending with a fairly advanced early English one. Notwithstanding the ex-
amples before him, his predecessors’ Chapter House and the doorways of the
Nave, all Pudsey’s works, however rich, seem to have been chastened and
toned down by that peculiar spirit which St. Karileph’s style, continued by
Flambard, would produce upon an artistic mind in a time when purity was
in great danger from ornament. Magnificent as is the doorway to his hall in
the Castle it is not meretricious. Then again, with the most eminent archi-
tects employed, he appeared to have been indisposed to desert the Norman
style, notwithstanding the swift current of the fashionable pointed style.
The Galilee is a wonderful specimen of what the Norman style, in its last
days, with light and plain treatment, was capable of. Its date is about 1175.
In this Galilee the prevailing characteristic is that ornament peculiar to
Pudsey’s time, a peculiar ornament used on capitals, usefully called the
Transitional volute, capable of much variety, but always readily recognisable.
Repeating my words, ‘‘ rich as is the doorway,”’ there is no trace in it or in
the gallery above it of this volute. The Keep at Norham is too plain and
utilitarian to yield details, but in the church, there, we find the Transitional
volute surmounted with bold and good moulded arches, and in the windows
of the chancel an unusual treatment of the common Norman zigzag orna-
ment, by setting it edgeways. This we again find in Durham Castle. The

76 Durham Castle, by Mr W. H. D. Longstaffe.

inference from all this probably should be that Pudsey’s works there pro-
ceeded from the non-existence, or at all events his non-use of the volute,
but that they were executed by the architect of Norham Church, who did use
it there. Now Pudsey had two successive architects, and perhaps we shall
not be far wrong in assuming that the old architect could not altogether
shake off the old style, though he carried it to the utmost pitch of refined
decoration and lightness, while the new architect, whose works at Darling-
ton and other places we need not discuss to-day, could not decline the at-
tractions of the new pointed style.

We hear nothing more of erections at Durham Castle until Chambre tells
us that Bishop Hatfield built a curious work on the south side of the choir,
near the stalls of the monks, in the middle of which was the ‘‘ episcopal
stall,’? and a place for his sepulture under the stall, and that ‘‘in the castle
of Durham he renewed the edifices, which had become consumed or debilitated
by antiquity and decay, and constructed afresh (de novo) the episcopal hall
and the constable’s hall, with other edifices in the same.’’ Now, there are
small portions of Hatfield’s work in the corner of the castle seen on entering
the city from Framwellgate Bridge, but unless he was using old materials
wholesale, what is now known as the Great or Hatfield’s Hall is manifestly
earlier in its details, not later than Bishop Bek’s time. Then there are two
halls mentioned. The explanation may probably be in the fact that in all
seats of consequence there were two halls, the one for state purposes, the
other for domestic comfort. The episcopal hall here mentioned may well
have been the bishop’s private one. The constable’s hall was, of course, an
office for the transaction of his business, which was very multifarious, the
Constable of the Castle being a sort of Receiver-General and responsible for
the accuracy of the Pipe Rolls of the Palatinate. But this solution does not
get over all the difficulty. The same author, Chambre, tells us of the much
later prelate, Bishop Foxe, that he transmuted the hall in the Castle of Dur-
ham, for whereas there were two seats of regality, one at the top and the
other at the bottom of the hall, now he left only the upper one, and on the
site of the lower one made a pantry, &c., with two seats above for musicians,
&c., works easily recognisable still. He also began to make a hall, kitchen,
&c., in the high tower of the castle, but left them unfinished on his transla-
tion to Winchester. It seems plain that at some time Pudsey’s Hall had
ceased to be the principal hall before Tunstall encased it with his gallery,
from the ground as Chambre and the works themselves show. The only
theory that I can offer is that here as at Auckland, for some reason, what
became the hall was originally the Great Chamber, standing in the same
position, and probably built by the same bishop Bek. It is observable that
Pudsey’s hall at Durham stands east and west. So does that at Auckland,
now the chapel.

Immediately after the sentence about these works by Hatfield, we have
another one, plainly suggested by that of the earlier writer about Flambard’s
wall. Only that wall, as well as Nature, has now to be mentioned.
‘¢ Although Nature and a wall had sufficiently fortified it, yet he rendered the
Dunelmensian city (wrbem} stronger by the construction of a very strong
tower at his expense in the castle.’? This is obviously the present keep, the

Durham Castle, by Mx W. H. D. Longstafte. 77

picturesque character of which before its conversion into a University many
eyes remember.

After Canon Ornsby had concluded the reading of this paper
he invited the members of the two societies, and the visitors
present, to accompany him round the Castle, so that he might
point out to them, as nearly as possible in their chronological
order, the various parts of the building which are more especially
worthy of notice. We subjoin a brief conspectus of the informa-
tion given by Canon Ornsby respecting the portions of the
structure to which he directed attention :—

1. The entrance gateway, the groining of which’ probably belongs to
Bishop Pudsey’s time. Its exterior presents no features of antiquity, having
been restored and refaced by Wyatt, about the early part of this century, or
the latter end of the preceding one. The door, with its little wicket, is
worthy of attention as regards its great strength, being almost wholly made
of iron, justifying the expression of the chronicler, William de Chambre, who
‘records that Bishop Tunstall ‘‘ construxit portas ferreas ejusdem castri,’”’ an
epithet which they well deserve.

2. The original Norman chapel of the Castle, of very early work, possibly
of the time of Walcher, the first Norman bishop (1072-1080), but certainly
not later than the early part of Karileph’s episcopate (1081-1096). It bears
a great similarity to the crypt of the abbey of the Holy Trinity at Caen,
founded in 1066. The capitals of the piers, with their square abaci and rude
imitation of the Ionic volute, are very like some in the Church of St. George
Bocherville, near Rouen, which dates from the middle of the same century.
The chapel is divided into nave and aisles, the altar platform being on an
elevation of two steps. There are brackets for images or lights on either
side of the east window, and an almry in the north wall. Each aisle has had
a window at its eastern extremity. The two side windows which give light
to the northern aisle were enlarged in 1840. In their original state they
were widely splayed, plain, round-headed openings, not more than six inches
in width. The capitals of the piers are peculiar and interesting in their
ornamental details. The pavement, with the herring-bone arrangements of
the small flag-stones which form it, is probably coeval.

3. The great stair-case of the Castle, the work of Bishop Cosin (1660-
1674), gives access to what is now known as the Norman Gallery. The
weather-worn stones of what was once its external wall are seen at the head
of the staircase. Internally it presents a range of triple arches, adorned
with chevron ornament, the centre one, containing the window, being
higher in each case than the blank ones by which it is flanked. At the
eastern end is a round-headed doorway of the same period, communicating
by a staircase in the thickness of the wall with the floor in a lower hall.
This doorway makes it obvious that this range of windows belonged to a
large upper hall or chamber of state, and recent alterations have shown that
a similar range of windows existed on its northern side. Below it was
another hall. Both belong to the time of Pudsey (1154-1197). Access was
given to the lower one by a very richly decorated doorway, clearly belonging

78 Durham Castle, by Mr W. H. D. Longstafte.

to Pudsey’s period. It now gives access from Bishop Tunstall’s gallery
to some comparatively modern apartments. This doorway was long hidden
by brick and mortar, which was removed by Bishop Barrington (1791-1826).
The lower portion shows signs of exposure to the weather. The upper part
is perfectly fresh, probably owing to its protection by a sort of penthouse
roof open at the sides, which covered a staircase which gave access to it from
the courtyard below. The upper hall must have had a high pitched roof.
One of the original corbels is visible above the east side of the upper door-
way.

4. The great hall of the Castle is commonly associated with the name of
Bishop Hatfield (1345-1382). The great entrance from the courtyard had an
external porch added to it by Bishop Cosin after the Restoration. The inner
doorway is clearly earlier than Hatfield’s time, and dates probably from
Bishop Bek’s period (1283-1310). Hatfield no doubt carried out a consider-
able work in this and other parts of the Castle, but it is clear that there must
have been a great hall in existence on this side of the Castle at an earlier
period, replacing probably some Norman buildings. A window on the north-
west side of the large fire-place has escaped restoration, and shows banded
shafts and caps which undoubtedly belong to the 13th century. In all pro-
bability this great hall, originally of the most stately proportions, owes its
first foundation to Bishop Bek. Until the time of Bishop Fox (1494-1501)
it occupied nearly the whole length of the block of buildings on the west side
of the courtyard. The last mentioned prelate divided it, leaving it little
more than half its original length, and converted the space gained at the
southern end into different chambers and offices. His badge—a pelican in
her piety—is twice repeated on the wall which forms this division. To
Bishop Fox are also due the stone gaileries corbelled out on either side, in-
tended for trumpeters and musicians. He also added a large and lofty kit-
chen and offices. The buttery hatches still remain, of oak, black with age,
carved with Fox’s badge, and the motto est deo gracia, and the date 1499.
Bishop Cosin curtailed the upper part of the hall in order to gain two
additional rooms, and the space they occupied is now restored to the hall.
He also added a screen, shutting off the tower part of the hall. This has
untortunately not been allowed to remain.

5. Bishop Tunstall added a gallery, which leads to the present chapel of
the Castle, usually known by his name, and built by him. His arms are
carved on the jambs of the windows. It was lengthened by Bishop Cosin,
but he re-inserted Tunstall’s east window. This chapel has recently been
carefully restored, under the superintendence of Mr C. Hodgson Fowler.
The stalls were brought by Bishop Tunstall from a chapel in Auckland
Castle. The misereres of these stalls have much curious carving. The
standards have Bishop Ruthall’s arms carved’on them (1509-1522).

6. The Keep, externally and internally, is perfectly modern, as far as ap-
pearance goes. No ancient work is to be seen, though there can be little
doubt that it owes its erection, in the first instance, to William the Con-
queror, and portions of his work are no doubt embedded in some part of the
structure. The main part of it, as it stood, a stately and picturesque ruin,
previous to its restoration, was probably the work of Bishop Hatfield.

On Fossils found at Foxton Hall, by G. A. Lebour. h:)

Canon Ornsby then conducted the visitors to the terrace on the
north side of the Castle, pointing out a portion of the building
which is associated with the name ot Bishop Butler, who made
some alterations on that side, and whose arms are carved on the
exterior. He also directed their attention from that point of
view to the remains of the exterior defences of the Castle, and
the position of the barbican or great outer gateway, so long
known as the gaol gates, from the fact of its having been occu-
pied until its demolition, about 1820, as the County prison. He
also mentioned an interesting account given by Lawrence, Prior
of Durham (1149-1154), of the old Norman Chapel, the Keep,
and the position of the Castle, in a Latin poem (entitled Liber
Dialogorum Laurentii Dunelm. Monachi). Prior Lawrence also
tells of the havoc made by the wolves upon the young colts be-
‘longing to the bishop in the winter season. Durham at that
time was surrounded by a wide tract of half forest, half moor-
land country. It is probable that a breed of wild horses, some-
thing like the Exmoor or Welsh ponies, roamed over the uncul-
tivated hill and dale which extended from the country immedi-
ately about Durham to the head of the valley of the Wear.

List of Fossils found im the Calcareous Shale cropping out
on the beach at Foxton Hall, about half a mile to the
North of Alnmouth, Northumberland. By G. A. LEBour,
M.A., F.G.S., Professor of Geology in the University of
Durham College of Physical Science, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Tuts shale is almost entirely covered by the sea at high water,
and can, therefore, only be collected in at certain times. It con-
tains a large number of fossils, both as to species and individuals.
Of these none appear to be peculiar to the bed, but many which
are common in it are not usually found so high up in the series.
Although the exact horizon of the fossiliferous band is not known,
there is no reason to doubt that it occupies a position very near
the top of the Carboniferous Limestone series—approximately
that of the Filltop Limestone. The latter bed may be looked
upon as bringing before us the last assemblage of marine forms
existing in the Bernician area of the Carboniferous Limestone

80 On Fossils found at Foxton Hall, by G. A. Lebour.

Sea. Special interest, therefore, attaches to authentic collections
from this zone.

Harlow Hill, on the line of the Roman Wall, near the Whittle-
dean Reservoir, is the best known locality for Filltop Limestone
fossils, but they are even more numerous in the shale of Foxton
Hall. Comparing collections from both localities, one is chiefly
struck by the presence in each, of abundant specimens of Produc-
tus latissimus, a form which is by no means of common occurrence
elsewhere. The beautiful corals belonging to the genus Lithos-
trotion, which are so common at Harlow Hill, seem to be entirely
absent at Alnmouth, a fact which must probably be referred to
the less calcareous nature of the sea bottom at the last named
place. On the other hand one of the Trilobites and most of the
Crinoids found at Foxton Hall, have not yet been recorded from
the Felltop Limestone proper. In the following list the species
known to occur at Harlow Hill are marked thus ‘“‘H. H.” :—

1. Clisiophyllum bipartitum, McCoy. Not rare. H.H.

2. Cl. sp., a long vermiform species. Common.

3. Chetetes tumidus, Phill. Not uncommon.

4. Griffithides sp. Rare. H.H.

5. Gr. Farnensis, Tate. Rare. Sometimes in clay ironstone
nodules.

6. Poteriocrinus nuciformis, McCoy. Not rare. I have found
several perfect calyces of this small crinoid. The late Mr
G. Tate, F.G.8., referred the form to P. nuciformis of McCoy,
but my friend, Mr W. Percy Sladen, F..8., who has made
the group the study of his life, doubts whether it belongs to
the genus Poteriocrinus. He has, however, not yet decided
the question, and in the meantime, I have placed my speci-
mens in his hands for determination.

7. Crinoidal Plates of a larger form than is usual, are not rare.
These are also awaiting Mr Sladen’s determination.

8. Crinoidal Stems, some very large, attaining an inch in diameter
occasionally, and ranging from that to the smallest size are
very common. ‘They occur in little local groups, probably
occupying much the same spots which they inhabited during
life. Some of these, undoubtedly belong to the genus
Poteriocrinus, but it is not possible, at present, more
accurately to name them,

On Hdin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. Si

9. Fenestella plebeca, McCoy. Common. H.H.

10. J. membranacea, Phill. Rare. H.H.

11. Glauconome pluma, Phill. Rare. H.H.

12. Gl. sp. Rare.

13. Lingula squamiformis, Phill. Rare. Occurs in beautifully
preserved specimens in small ironstone nodules in the shale.

14. Productus punctatus, Mart. Rare.

15. Pr. longispinus, Sow. Not uncommon. H.H. Occurs in
two well marked varieties, one large and one small.

16. Pr. giganteus, Mart. sp. Rare. Very common at Harlow
Hill.

17. Pr. latissimus, Sow. Very common. H.H. Chiefly young
individuals.

18. Pr. semireticulatus, Mart. Rare. H.H.

19. Orthis Michelinis, Lév. Fare.

20. Edmondia arcuata. One fine specimen in a nodule only.

21. Macrocheilus sp. Rare. Bad specimens not specifically
determinable.

22. Murchisonia sp. Very rare. A bad cast only found.

23. Bellerophon Urei, Flem. Mare.

24. Huomphalus sp. Common. A beautifully marked medium
sized species.

25. Orthoceras attenuatum, Flem. “Rare.

26. Fish scale, not determined.

12th March, 1880.—P.8.—I collected all the above during the
summer of 1879.—G. A. L.

On Edin’s Hall. By JoHn TURNBULL of Abbey St.
Bathans, W.S., F.S.A., Scot.

THE first mention of Edin’s Hall is in the Scots Magazine, vol.
Xxvi., p. 431. The communication is dated from Musselburgh,
30th August, 1764, and is signed J. Murray. Though neither
minute nor correct, it is interesting, as by it public attention was
first directed to the remains. The name is there spelled ‘‘ Kedin’s”
Hall, which probably was the pronunciation the writer then heard,
and it exactly corresponds with that now used. The writer
says :—‘‘Some will have Heden’s Hall to be a Temple of the

K

82 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

God Terminus, but the form and manner of building is an invin-
cible argument of the contrary. Others will have it to be a
Temple for Druid Worship, but they ought to reflect that the
Druids as well as the magi had no temples. It seems to me
very probable that the Scots kept constantly an army of observa-
tion on the Lammermoor hills to be ready to defend the borders,
if they were invaded from England by land, or by a foreign fleet
from the Frith of Forth. As soon as the signals were lighted
up along Tweedside or along the Forth this army would march
down to their relief.”” This he thought might have been one of
their positions. The next mention is in Sir John Sinelair’s
Statistical Account of the Parish of Dunse, in 1792, vol. iv., p.
389. It is there stated that the building is ‘‘ by some called
Wooden’s Hall, but commonly called Edin’s or Edwin’s Hall.”
The writer says, ‘‘ It is supposed to have been a British building,
and afterwards used as a military station. What the original
name was we have no tradition of, but in after times it has gone
by the name of Edin’s or Edwin’s Hall,” so called from the king
of Northumberland, who is supposed to have “ taken possession
of it for a military station for an army of observation, as the
Danes were frequently invading Scotland both by sea and land.”
Next in point of date is Chalmers’s Caledonia, vol. ii., p. 211,
where the description is almost the same as that in the Scots
Magazine (to which reference is made) but not so correct; for it
misinterprets the description of the entrances, and applies it to
the building of Edin’s Hall, whereas the description in the Scots
Magazine was of the entrances to the Camp or enclosure in
which Edin’s Hall is situated. The New Statistical Account of
the Parish of Dunse in 1845, vol. 11., p. 253, contains a short
account, and more accurate than any of its predecessors; but
the author of it afterwards explained that it was written
hurriedly from memory and the testimony of others, without
himself verifying the description on the spot at the time (Ber-
wickshire Nat. Club’s Proc., vol. iii., p. 9, foot-note). The late
Mr Turnbull, of Abbey St. Bathans, contributed a paper to the
Proceedings of our Club, in 1850, which contained a fuller
account than any that had then appeared, and proceeded upon
measurements so far as the remains then admitted of them. He
also had the use of a MS. account, written by the late Mr John
Blackadder of Blanerne Hast Side, a most accurate observer and

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 83

surveyor, and the author of a map of the county. Dr Robert
Chambers visited the remains in 1854, and gave a short notice
of them in Chambers’ Journal for 10th June of that year, in an
article entitled ‘‘A Day on the Whitadder.” The object of the
paper, however, is more philological than descriptive, and he
derives the name from ‘‘ Etin,” which, in old Scottish tradition,
isa giant. ‘‘Thus we hear in our early national literature of
the tale of the Red Etin,” Popular Rhymes of Scotland, 3rd
Kd., p. 248; and ‘Sir David Lindsay in his Dreme speaks of
having amused the infancy of King James V. with ‘Tales of the
Red Etin and Gyre Carling.’’”” Dr Beddoe, President of the
London Anthropological Society, when visiting Kdin’s Hall,
stated that the name ‘ Etin’s hald’”’ reminded him of the Scan-
dinavian word for a giant ‘‘aétan.” It is confirmation of this
derivation that there is a tradition of a giant connected with
Edin’s Hall.

On 25th July, 1861, the Club visited Edin’s Hall, and in his
Anniversary Address, Mr Milne Home gives an account of the
visit, and makes some observations on the remains. Some years
afterwards, he suggested that the ruins might be cleared out;
and Dr Stuart, the eminent antiquarian and secretary to the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, read to that Society, on 11th
January, 1869, a paper on Edin’s Hall, in which he mentioned
Mr Milne Home’s proposal ; and on his suggestion, ‘‘ the Society
cordially approved of Mr Milne Home’s plan for clearing out
and preserving the very curious remains in question, and voted a
sum of £5 towards the necessary expenses of doing so.”’ In the
Transactions of the Archzeological Institute of London for 1870,
General Lefroy gives a short account of Edin’s Hall (and of the
Picts house which was discovered at Broomhouse). He is of
opinion that the earth-works of Edin’s Hall are on a scale be-
yond the efforts of a very primitive people; and he refers to Mr
Skene’s preface to the Chronicles of the Picts and Scots, p. exv.,
where is mentioned the defeat of a chieftain, Donald Brec, in the
year 638, at a place not identified, but certainly south of the
Forth, called Glenmairison, after which Etin was besieged (in
Tighernac, Chronicles, p. 70, the name is spelled Etain). Mr
Skene conjectures that this place may be Caer Edin now Carri-
den, in Linlithgowshire ; but it is quite possible that it may
have been Edin’s Hall. If so, it must have been a place of some

84 On Edis Hall, by John Turnbull.

importance in the seventh century; and if St. Bathan ever
visited the place, which still bears his name, he may in all pro-
bability have resided in Hdin’s Hall.

In consequence of the suggestion of Dr Stuart, a fund was
raised by subscription, and the following paper contains an
account of the excavations which have been made from time to
time, and of the remains as now exposed.

Edin’s Hall lies in the parish of Dunse, on the north-eastern
slope of the hill called Cockburn Law, one of the range of the
Lammermoors, and about a mile east of Abbey St. Bathans.
This hill rises to the height of 1065 feet above the level of the
sea. From its summit an extensive prospect of the country to-
wards the south and east is obtained. The sea is nearly shut
out by the hills which terminate abruptly at St. Abb’s Head,
and by the range of high ground extending from Ayton to Ber-
wick ; but glimpses of it are got at two or three places, and the
view includes Eyemouth, Ayton, Berwick, Holy Island, Bam-
burgh, and the Valley of the Tweed from Berwick to above
Coldstream, bounded on the south by the Cheviots at a distance
of twenty miles, and the remoter hills of the county of Roxburgh
on the south-west. Hdin’s Hall itself is not so situated as to
command any expanded view. It is about 400 feet below the
top of the hill on which it is situated, and which bears nearly
S.W.; and the look-out from it is much circumscribed by the
neighbouring hills; being confined to two or three miles of the
Glen of the Whitadder, which is here narrow, steep, and rugged,
and of the Valley of the Kye. ‘The camp at the head of Preston-
cleugh is a prominent object from it. It stands on a shoulder or
terrace, uneven in surface, and having a considerable slope to
the north-east. This shoulder or terrace is bounded on the
south-west by the acclivity of the hill; on the north-west by a
deep hollow or ravine running down to the Whitadder ; on the
north and north-east by a very steep bank covered with heather
and brush-wood, at the foot of which is the Whitadder in a
rocky bed about 250 feet below; and on the south-east by
irregular but moderately sloping ground.

From this position of Edin’s Hall, Major-General Lefroy, who
visited it with Mr Milne Home, says, that it appears to him that
it was provided against dangers apprehended from the eastward,
and has a relation of opposition to the circular camps on the

On Ediv’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 85

opposite hill. On this platform is situated the enclosure or
camp in which stands the building called Hdin’s Hall. This en-
closure measures somewhat less than 200 yards from east to
west, and somewhat more than 100 yards in greatest breadth
from north to south. It is formed by earthen ramparts and
ditches. On the north and north-east, where it is very inac-
cessible owing to the steepness of the ground and the river
below, there is only a single ditch between two comparatively
low ramparts; but on the other three sides there are two very
deep ditches, and the same number of high ramparts—a ditch
being outside, then a high rampart, next a very deep ditch, and
inside of these another rampart. Hven now these ditches are in
some places from 12 to 15 feet deep, measuring from the level of
the top of the ramparts, and the breadth varies from 15 to 25 feet.

The principal entrance to this enclosure or camp is at its east
end. It is composed of a roadway or passage having a wall on
each side of it. This passage commences at the inner of the
ramparts and runs in a direction a little to the north of west,
continuing of a breadth of 13 feet for a length of about 77 feet.
It is then taken in or narrowed 6 feet on the north side, which
reduces its breadth to about 7 feet, so as to form what may be
regarded as a gateway dividing the outer from the inner passage.
The stone constituting the projecting corner of this intake
measures 21 inches on each side by 18 inches in height. Just
before reaching this intake there is on the south side of the pas-
sage the appearance of a recess, measuring 8 feet along the
passage, by nearly 3 feet deep; the west end of it forming a
straight intake in the same line with the intake on the other side
of the passage; but possibly this may be caused only by the dis-
placement of the foundation stones of the wall. From this in-
take the wall on the south side of the passage continues in the
same direction for 43 feet, providing a narrowed passage or gate-
way of that length, and it then turns south-westerly at a right
angle, and can be traced for 20 feet, but is then lost. After the
intake, the north side of the narrow passage or gateway does
not run parallel with the south side of it; but slopes out 2 feet,
so as to make the gateway about 9 feet wide at the west side.
This north wall of the entrance passage then runs 66 feet in
nearly a straight line parallel with the direction of the outer
passage. It then forms the arc of a circle, widening the passage

86 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

by a circular recess measuring 30 feet along the line of the pas-
sage by 8 feet deep, thereby making the widest part of the pas-
sage here about 23 feet. This are is prolonged at its western
end so as again to narrow the passage to 6 feet, of which breadth
it continues for 15 feet in the same north-westerly direction,
where it terminates in a wall running north and south or nearly
at right angles to it. At:the inside or west of the first men-.
tioned gateway there is no trace of a wall on the south side of
the passage for a space of 20 or 30 feet; but a wall reappears
there and runs and forms the south side of a passage, of which the
wall already described forms the north side. The cross wall at
which this passage terminates runs from the enclosing rampart
on the north to the largest of the subsidiary buildings to be
afterwards described on the south. The foundations of the wall .
along the whole south side of the outer passage are perfect ; the
stones being large; from 18 inches to 2 feet each way. The
wall itself, composed of earth and stones, is 6 feet thick ; and is
from 3 to 4 feet high on the side next the passage; but only
about 2 feet high on the south face in consequence of the rise of
the ground. The outer corner of this wall is formed by a large
stone with a square angle which stands 24 feet above the
ground ; the exposed faces of it being respectively 23 feet and
1ft. 9in. broad. The face of the wall on the north side of the
outer passage ts much obliterated for 30 feet at the east end, but
the foundations of the remainder of it are perfect, the stones
being of much the same size as those on the other side of the
passage. The north face of this wall is not distinct, possibly it
had no face of masonry at all, so that its thickness cannot be
ascertained. The whole of the passage, as well as the circular
recess near the west end of it is paved with flat irregularly
shaped stones. At one or two places, however, the natural rock
crops up and forms the roadway. The rampart running south
from the entrance of this passage shows foundations for about 6
feet from the entrance on its outer face, and for about 60 feet on
the inner face.

There is another entrance to the camp or enclosure on the
south west which appears to have been an original one; but it
consists simply of cuts or openings through the two ramparts.
These openings are in a line with each other, but inside they are
confronted by a high traverse, which falling in height on either

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 87

side is continued as a line of lower mounds or walls from 6 to 7
feet thick; the east horn whereof touches the largest of the sub-
sidiary buildings to be afterwards mentioned, and both it and
the other horn meet the north rampart. The whole combined
form an inner enclosure in which the main building, or Edin’s
Hall, is situated. In the east horn or wall and nearly in a con-
tinuation of the lines of the main entrance-passage first described,
is the appearance of one side of a doorway, but it is too indis-
tinct to speak of with certainty. On the sides of the cuttings
through the ramparts, and on the face of the traverse are stones
which may be the remains of building. There is another open-
ing through the ramparts near the middle of the south side,
formed by the ramparts being lowered and the ditches somewhat
filed up. It has a much more modern appearance than that on
the south west, and has no traverse or defence as it has ; but it
had existed at the time Mr Murray visited the place in 1764, it
being mentioned by him. From this south-west entrance, a wall
or mound, without trenches, of from 180 to 200 yards in length,
and more than 5 feet in thickness, runs first westward and then
north, into the ravine or hollow, which bounds the terrace or
shoulder on that side. Many of the large stones remain on each
side of it.

Situated in the north-west quarter of the large enclosure or
camp, and within the smaller enclosure which has been described,
is the building of Edin’s Hall. Until the excavations were
made several years ago, it might almost have been mistaken for
a huge cairn. The form, however, of the principal features of
the building could be traced ; though the work on the south-east
side was so covered up and overgrown as to be almost indis-
tinguishable from the natural surface, and in excavating the in-
terior most of the debris was carted over it without causing any
injury. It now shows from 2 to 3 feet high at this place.

The building is circular, and is about 55 feet in internal and
92 feet in external diameter. The external circumference is
nearly a true circle, the diameter being from—

N.toS. - - 923 feet.
KE. to. W. ==. 90.) ,,
S.E. to N.W. 922 ,,
S. W.,\to IN. EE 792). * 5,
The interior circumference diverges very considerably from a

88 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

true circle, the walls varying from 15 to 20 feet in thickness.
The foundation is composed of large flat stones, which project
from six inches to a foot beyond the face of the wall, so as to
form a scarsement as in modern buildings. The wall above this
scarsement now varies from 2 to 6 feet in height, and is perpen-
dicular. It is constructed of dry stone, that is, of stones without
clay, mortar, or any cementing material. The stones are whin.or
greywacke obviously taken from the hill on which the building
stands. There is no quarry in the neighbourhood from which
they could have been dug out; and in all probability they were
gathered from the surface where plenty of similar stones still re-
main. They are angular and irregular in shape; and it is
doubtful if there are any marks of dressing on them. The
largest blocks mostly occur on the outer face of the wall, and:
measure from 2 to 3 feet in length, and are often of the same
height, but there are many of larger size than this. The outer
face is regular and smooth, and presents a very perfect specimen
of dry stone masonry. ‘The stones are very carefully adjusted in
their places, the projecting part of one stone being fitted into the
hollow of the adjoining one ; necessary interstices being filled up
with smaller flat stones laid in courses. The interior face of the
wall is not nearly so carefully built; the stones are smaller, not
so well fitted to each other, and not so smooth on the exposed
face, and the interstices are not “‘ pinned” as on the outside.
The heart of the wall is composed of much smaller stones than
the faces, and apparently thrown in without any regular assort-
ment. ‘The perfection of the dry stone masonry had attracted the
attention of the earlier observers, for Mr Murray, in 1764, says:
‘Tt has no cement or mortar of any kind. The stones, however,
lie very close and compact, the interstices being exactly filled up
with small stones. Among the mass of ruins almost every stone
has some irregular figure cut out upon it, and not one of these
figures resembles another. I believe, for my part, that the
upper part of every stone has been cut to receive the convexities
and rugged surface of its fellow, and that this is the whole
mystery of the figures.” It is almost unnecessary to say, that
there are no “‘ figures cut out” upon any of the stones, and what
_ was meant is probably that the stones themselves are of very
irregular shapes, and these shapes the observer believed had
been artificially produced. In Sir John Sinclair’s Statistical

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 89

Account (1792) it is stated—“ The building is not cemented with
any sort of mortar. The stones, which are whin and many of
them very large, are all grooved into one another—that is the
concavity of the one receiving the convexity of the other, so that
they are locked together, yet all these locks are different.”

There is only one entrance or doorway, and it is on the east
side. The wall where it pierces it is 163 feet thick. The door-
way forms a passage, the south side of which is 16 feet long, and
the north side 17 feet long. For a depth of 7 feet from the out-
side it is 4ft. 9in wide. It then widens by the wall being re-
ceded at aright angle, 3 inches on the south side and 6 inches
on the north side, so as to become 5ft. 6in. wide for the inner-
most 9 feet. The intake is effected by large stones having a
square angle set upright. It is probable that this intake was
meant for a door closing against, but there is no socket or chase
into which a bolt or beam could be fixed behind it. There is
no special arrangement in the passage, as if for a second door,
which was common in such buildings. In the entrance part of
this doorway lie two stones, the larger of which measures 6ft.
3in. long by 3ft. 3in. broad, and Ift. 6in. thick, the other being
only a few inches less. They probably weigh 33 tons each.
These have evidently been lintels covering the doorway. They
are sufficiently broad to cover only the outer half of it. No
stones large enough to form lintels for the inner half were found,
and this half was probably covered by the gradual convergence
of the walls on each side, as has been the case with the
chambers or cells to be presently described. The outside sill of
the doorway is formed by one large stone. The height of the
wall remaining on the north side of this doorway is dft. 3in. ;
and on the south side is 4ft. 6in. The highest stone remaining
on the north side of the doorway measures 3ft. 6in., by 3ft., by
1ft. 6in. Itis close to this doorway, on the south side of it, in
the interior of the building that the great fire-place seems to
have been ; for here the stones are much calcined and blackened
by a fire having been made against the wall, and were crumbled
a good deal away. There is no appearance of a built fire-place
or chimney. The passage is paved. The central area to which
this doorway enters has a slope from west to east, and about a
fourth of it on the east side next the doorway is paved with flat,
rough stones, which are generally from 1 to 2 feet square, but
some of them are 3, 4, and almost 5 feet long.

L

90 On Ediv’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

Opening from the inner and wider part of the entrance-passage
on each side of it, and formed in the thickness of the wall, is a
small chamber or cell. The cell on the north side of the passage
enters and is on the same level with the passage. The doorway
to it is 8 feet wide through a wall 2 feet thick. This chamber is
kidney shaped; the south end in which is the doorway being,
however, cut square. Its width is 7 feet, and its extreme
length from the south-east to the north-west corner is 16ft. 4in.
The thickness of the wall between the chamber and the interior
court is 4 feet, and between the chamber and the outer face of
the building is 8 feet. The walls remain to a height of 6 feet,
and at the north end show a convergence inwards as if to form a
vault-shaped roof. The floor is paved.

The chamber on the south side of the passage enters by a
doorway 23 feet wide, which is 23 feet above the level of the
passage. It had originally been only 13 foot high, and has
been raised to the present height by another stone, a foot thick,
being put on the old sill, but recessed from 4 to 6 inches, so as
to form a narrow step. Inside the chamber is a rude stair of
three steps down. The chamber measures 7ft. 8in. each way,
being nearly a square, with one of the angles rounded... To the
south of this chamber and separated from it by a partition 4 feet
thick, is another chamber, which is of the same width as that just
described, but only 5 feet long, and rounded at the south end.
In the south-east corner traces of a fire were found. There is
no entrance to this chamber through the partition or elsewhere.
These two chambers had originally formed one chamber of the
same kidney-shape squared at the one end, as that on the north
side of the doorway, and exactly the same in size. The partition
or dividing wall has been built after the chamber was formed,
and rests against the walls of it, but is not bonded into them.
The walls of these chambers are from 3 to 5 feet high.

All the other cells or chambers enter from the interior court.
Of these there are three, or at least there are three entrances
from the court—for each entrance leads to more than one cell.
The entrance to the cells in the north side of the building is 3ft.
2in. wide. Facing it and projecting from the opposite wall is a
partition, the thickness of which is exactly the breadth of the
door. It projects 5ft. from the north wall, and as the chambers
or cells are 7ft. wide, it leaves entrances to the right and left

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 91

about 2ft. wide into two separate cells. The cells are each 10ft.
long by 7ft. wide, the ends being rounded and the side walls
taking the shape of the circular wall in which they are formed.
The walls and partition are from 4 to 5 feet high. ‘The floor of
the north cells is not paved. The entrance and the floors of
these chambers are on the level of the central court of the build-
ing. The thickness of the wall between these north chambers
and the outside face of the building is 6 feet at the east end and
7 feet at the west end of them. Beside the entrance there were
traces of a fire.

On the west side of the building are three cells, or more
properly a lobby and two chambers entering by one door. The
door is 3ft. 6in. wide, and rises from the floor of the court in one
step about a foot high. On each side of this entrance is a parti-
tion leaving between them what may be called a lobby 5ft. 10in.
wide. The partition on the south side of this lobby and dividing
it from the south cell projects from the west wall so as to leave
a door into the cell between it and the east wall; but the parti-
tion on the north side of the lobby projects from both sides, and
the doorway into the north cell is in the middle of it. The south
partition is 4ft. 4in. thick—the north partition is 3ft. 2in. on the
east side of the door and 3ft. 10in. on the west side of it. The
length of the three chambers is 33 feet, and the width 7 feet to
7ft. 6in. The wall between the cells and the court is on the
north side of the entrance door, 4ft. 8in. thick, and on the south
side 4ft. 1lin. These cells are not exactly of the same size; the
north one is 9ft. 6in. long; the south one, 12ft. The height of
their walls is from 3 to 4ft. The central or entrance cell is
paved, and a part of the south cell nearest the door. Beside the
door of these cells in the court, traces of a fire were found ; and
in the southmost cell in the middle of the floor a hearth and
remains of a fire were also found. On the upper surface of the
stone forming the south side of the doorway to these cells is the
only artificial marking which has been found. The surface in
which it occurs has always been exposed above ground, and that
the marking is not very recent is evident from the fact that it is
overgrown with lichen. But whether itis ancient and contem-
porary with the building itself, it is difficult to say. It is repre-
sented in the Plate of the real size. None of the partitions,
either in these or in the north cells, form part of the original

92 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

building. They are not tied or bonded into it, but are separate
pieces of building of ruder masonry, and built of stones smaller
in size and worse in quality. In none of the doorways of the
building, except the main entrance, is there any projection or
‘“‘kepp”’ for a door. There is no scarsement in any of the cells.

There are indications in all the cells of the building of con-
vergence towards the roof. In the chamber on the north side of
the entrance this convergence begins at a height of 8 feet, in the
north chamber at about the same height, and in the west cham-
bers (those opposite the entrance) at about 1 foot 6 inches.

On the south side of the building is an entrance or doorway
3ft. 2in. wide and entering not quite straight in, but bending
rather to one side. To the right on entering, that is to the west
from this entrance, runs a passage 11 feet long, and from 3 to 5
feet wide, leading to a stair of which nine steps remain. These
steps are very rudely formed, each of a single stone, which may
possibly have been broken (for they are not dressed) into its
present shape. They are respectively, beginning at the lowest
step, 5, 6, 7, 6, 10, 5, 7, 8, and 9 inches high, and 9, 9, 5, 9, 6,
7, 6, and 6 inches broad in the tread. The edges of some of
these steps appear to be slightly worn; and as the stone is a
hard whin, this indicates the use of the stair for a long period of
time. The staircase is narrow, being 2ft. 1lin. at the lowest
step, and 2ft. 2in. at the highest. In the passage leading to the
stair and on the south side of itis a low bench. It is 5ft. long,
and from lft. 6in, to 2ft broad, and 1ft. high, and, like all the
rest of the structure, is composed of dry stone building; the
longer and flatter stones being used for the top. The height of
the walls in this passage is from 3 to 5 feet. At the other end
of this passage from the stair, and on the left or east of the
entrance to it, is a cell or chamber one step (of 1ft. 3in.) below
the level of the passage. It is of an irregular shape, the largest
dimensions being 9ft. 8in. from N. to S., by 6ft. 4in. from E. to
W. The height of the walls is 3ft. 6in. In neither the passage
nor the cell is there any pavement.

In the north-west and south-east of the building there were
supposed to be traces of other chambers, but now that the build-
ing has been exposed it is found that none such exist.

Outside of the building and attached to it on the north side
of the doorway is a chamber, 7ft. 3in. long by 4ft. 9in. broad.

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 93

It has two entrances. One of these is on the south side and close
to the door of the principal building. It is raised by a high step
about two feet from the ground. It is 2ft. 3in. wide, and the
wall through which it passes is 5ft. thick. The other entrance
is on the south side. It is 4ft. wide, and is on the level of the
ground. The east wall is 2ft. 3in., and the north wall 3ft. thick.
In this chamber were found some bones, teeth, remains of
burned wood, a stone whorl, and what may have been a hone
or sharpening stone. On the east of this building are found-
ations, but the plan could not be traced.

Besides the important building which has just been described ,*
there are within the space enclosed by the ramparts several
smaller remains, which have also been excavated. Nove of these,
however, are within the subsidiary enclosure in which the prin-
cipal building is situated. The largest of them is about 50 feet
south-east of the principal building, and touches the wall form-
ing the subsidiary enclosure already mentioned. It is a circular
building, or rather foundation, 47ft. in internal diameter. The
wall along the north and east sides is 8 or 9ft. thick. On the
south-west the ground rises, and has been cut into, so as to pre-
vent the floor having too much of a slope, and here accordingly
there is no wall having faces, but the stones rest against the
face of the cutting. Some of the stones are 3ft. by 2ft., but
most of them, though of considerable size, are smaller than this.
The door is on the east side, and is about 43ft. wide, but it can-
not be exactly measured. One of the outside corner stones
which remain, measures 2ft. 7in. high by 2ft. 6in. outside of the
wall, and 1ft. 9in. to the doorway. There is no stone near,
which could have formed a lintel, nor are there any accumula-
tions of stones or debris to indicate that the walls had ever stood
much above the level of the ground. About 7 feet south of the
doorway was an appearance as if of another doorway, but if
such had ever existed at all it was too indistinct to be traced
when excavated. Outside of the doorway, both on the north
and south sides, are foundations as of walls enclosing a small

* A reason for such a prodigiously massive construction as Edin’s Hall
exhibits, Major General Lefroy is of opinion, may be found in the ex-
cessive insecurity of a circular building of dry stone without external
openings, against an active enemy who could get at the foot of the wall; for
he would certainly quarry through in time.

94 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

court yard. This court, as well as most of the circle itself, is well
paved.

Twenty-five feet east of this circle is another but smaller
circular foundation. It is 32ft. in diameter. It is mostly cut
into the slope of the ground; but on the north side, where the
wall of it is on the level of the surface, it is nearly 7ft. thick.
The door is to the east, but only one side of it is perfect, so that
its width cannot be ascertained. About half of the circle next
the door is paved.

About 40ft. south of the last is another and a smaller circle.
It is 17ft. in diameter. It also is cut into the slope of the hill
on its south side, and the wall on the north is not sufficiently
perfect to admit of measurement. The door can be seen on the
east side, but its exact width cannot be measured. The eastern
half of the circle is paved.

Still further south, and about 25ft. from the preceding, is
another circle of 16ft. diameter. Being on steep ground on the side
of the innermost rampart, it is almost wholly cut into the slope
of the hill; but notwithstanding of this the floor has still a con-
siderable slope on it. On the north-east, where it is not sunk
into the ground, the wall is 6ft. thick. The door is to the east,
and is’5 feet wide; but it is doubtful if the sides of it are entire.
The doorway and about a quarter of the circle next to it are
paved.

On the north side of the entrance, and almost touching the
north wall of that entrance just before it contracts to the 7ft.
doorway before described, is a circle between 19 and 20ft.
diameter. The south half of it is sunk into the slope of the hill,
and the wall on the north half is 33 feet thick. The door is on
the east side, and appears to be about 5 feet wide, but one side
of it is indistinct. The stones on both the inside and outside
corners of the side that remains are 23ft. by 2ft. by lft. The
doorway is paved, as also is about a quarter of the circle next
it.

To the north of this last, and situated between the two ram-
parts, which here diverge considerably, are four structures in a
row, within 10 or 12 feet of each other. The eastmost of them
is a circle of 17 feet diameter. The ground slopes steeply to the
north, and while the south half of the circle is cut into the hill,
the north half is supported by a wall, which must have been 4

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 95

or 5ft. high, in order to raise it to the level of the south half.
This wall is 7ft. thick. The doorway is on the east, but does
not admit of accurate measuremeut, though it seems to have been
54ft wide. It is paved as well as a small space outside of it, and
nearly a quarter of the circle inside next the door. There isa
step, 6 inches deep, from the doorway down to the floor of the
circle.

The next structure is so indistinct that the plan of it cannot
be made out. It seems to be rectangular rather than circular,

The next is a rectangular foundation, 10ft. from east to west,
and at least 12 from north to south. ‘There is a doorway, which
may have been from 38 to 4ft. wide, near the east end of the
north side. There is no pavement. The wall exists on the
north side, and for the length of 10 or 12ft. on the east and west
sides, but does not remain on the south side.

The farthest west of these four structures is a circle from 20
to 21 feet diameter. The south half is cut into the slope of the
ground. ‘The north half is supported by a face wall, with the
material which has been dug out of the south half apparently
filled in behind it. The door is as in all the other circles to the
east, but it is too incomplete to admit of its width being ascer-
tained. Nearly half of the circle is paved, as well as the door-
way, and a path 12 feet long by 6 feet broad leading from the
doorway down a steep slope.

In the extreme north-east corner of the outer rampart is a very
distinct circle from 16 to 18 feet diameter, but on its being dug
into no wall or building was found. There is also the appear-
ance of another but somewhat smaller circle, 30 feet to the south
of the largest of the subsidiary structures, but on being dug
into, it too showed no remains of building.

There does not now remain in any of these subsidiary struc-
tures what is properly a built wall, unless it be the retaining or
supporting wall of the eastmost of the four, which are situated
between the ramparts. What has been called walls in the fore-
going description is only a row of single stones on each side of a
narrow mound, which is composed of earth and smaller stones ;
and in none of them is there any remains of actual building on
the top of this rude foundation, nor is there debris to show that
building of any extent had ever existed.

From the entrance through the ramparts on the south-west of

96 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

the camp or enclosure, a wall runs westwards and northwards
for a distance of about 180 yards, losing itself in the ravine or
narrow glen forming the west boundary of the platform or
shoulder on which the remains stand. A good many of the
stones forming the face of the wall still remain 2 situ so that its
breadth and direction can be quite ascertained; but the ground
on each side of it has been ploughed, so that if any road ran
alongside of it, all traces have been destroyed ; but on the un-
cultivated ground further west is a road which is still used,
though overgrown with turf. It stops on reaching marshy
ground, which, except in very dry seasons, will not carry a cart.
It can, however, be traced through this bog to firmer ground on
the other side, and for a considerable distance westwards till it
is lost at the side of the Whitadder, near where the Allerburn
joins that river; and fully half a mile from Edin’s Hall. It
may have crossed the river by a ford, but there is no appearance
of it on the other side. The greater part of this road is not used
now, nor has been in recent times, but it is impossible to say
whether it was in any way connected with Edin’s Hall.

Within the enclosure or camp there is no well or water supply,
but on the hill, a few hundred yards above it, is a good spring.
Dr Hood, of Sunnyside and Mains, states that when he first ex-
amined the remains, there was a cut or conductor from this
spring to the camp ; the water from which was discharged by an
opening in the steep bank below the north rampart, where a
break in the bank still remains; but as the ground through
which this conductor passed has been ploughed for many years
there is now no trace of it. There is no path or road from the
enclosure down to the river.

On the top of Cockburnlaw is one of the circular camps so
common in the neighbourhood, and on its slopes are several
other remains, which have never been described, but these do
not fall within the scope of this paper.

The articles found during the excavation were :—

1. A stone ring or whorl, 13 inches diameter.

2. A hone or sharpening stone, 43 inches long; 1 inch broad ;
2 inches thick. These were found in the chamber outside
the main building.

3. Piece of a ring apparently of jet; 2% inches in external
diameter,

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 97

4. An amber bead, ot a brownish-yellow colour, } inch in
diameter. These were found outside of the building, near
the base of the wall on the south side.

5. Stone knife or implement found in chamber on north side of
doorway. It may be doubted if this is not simply a water-
worn stone. [Mr Joseph Anderson says this looks as if it
had been used as a whet-stone.] It is 7} inches by 23 and
2 inches.

6. A quantity of bones, teeth, &c., most of which were found in
the chamber outside the main building; although both
bones and teeth were found occasionally in all parts of the
main building.

- 7. An oyster shell.

. Fragment of a translucent glass armlet.

9. A small bronze [or brass] thimble. ‘‘ This,”’ says Mr Ander-
son, ‘‘seems to be the head of a brass nail, such as was
used for Highland shields, &c., but more conical.” It is 3
inch high ; 2 inch in diameter.

10. Octagonal buckle of bronze or brass {more probably the
latter |, 2 inches in diameter, with traces of ornamentation.
These two articles cannot belong to the earliest occupants of
the stronghold. The brooch was found in cutting a trench
through one of the earthen ramparts in order to wheel away
more conveniently some of the rubbish from the excavations.
It has been examined by Mr Albert Way and Mr Franks
of the British Museum. Mr Way writes:—‘‘I thought
that it might be early fifteenth century, but Mr Franks, on
whose opinion I have great reliance, will not give it a date
earlier than the close of the century ;’’ and in another com-
munication he says—‘‘ I wish I could have sent you a more
detailed note on the brooch, or referred you to a similar ex-
ample. I know that one has fallen under my observation.
I feel, however, no hesitation in following my friend Franks’
opinion of the date of the relic, which hears indeed the
evidence of its age in its style of workmanship.”

All these articles [8 excepted] have been deposited in the
Museum of the Society of Antiquaries in Edinburgh.

11. Various fragments of querns.

Mr Fergusson, in his Essay on Brochs (1877), says, that there is
not so far as he knows, ‘‘ any example in any part of the world

(oe)

98 On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull.

of so numerous a class of buildings, which show so little differ-
ence in design or dimension,” and he then gives a general
description of a Broch, as follows :—

‘‘ They are all circular, about 60 feet in diameter externally,
and contain internally a court yard 30ft., more or less, in
diameter. The walls of this inner court are practically perpen-
dicular, while the external walls slope inwards at a considerable
angle so as to give the towers the form of truncated cones. The
walls of the towers are consequently about 15 feet in thickness
at the base, and in them on the ground floor are generally found
- two or three large apartments following the curve of the walls,
which were apparently the living rooms of the inhabitants.
Above these, still in the thickness of the walls, are generally to
be found a series of low apartments, divided by horizontal slabs
into berths like those in our passenger steamboats and used
apparently for the same purpose; but higher up, where the
walls get thinner, they could only be used as store places or cup-
boards for the custody of provisions or valuables. All these
apartments were lighted from the interior by openings looking
into the court yard, which, at least, originally never appears to
have been roofed. In addition to these there is always a stair-
case—also in the thickness of the walls—leading from the base-
ment to the top of the building and giving access to these
various apartments. In none of the Brochs is there any opening
externally, except the doorway. That is always on the level of
the ground, low and narrow, and leading by a passage of about
the same section as the doorway, but 15 feet long, to the interior
court of the building. ‘There were always apparently two door-
ways in this passage, and between the outer and inner either
one or two ground chambers, which formed very efficient defences
against any one trying to penetrate by this entrance to the in-
terior. * * *. They are all so much alike * * that we
may certainly assume without fear of error, that they were all
erected by one people for one purpose, and within a very limited
space of time, say two, or at most three, centuries from the
earliest to the last.”’ .

From the particular description which has been given of
Edin’s Hall, and Mr Fergusson’s definition of Brochs, it is evi-
dent that Edin’s Hall is a Broch; but that it differs from Brochs
in general in three particulars. (1) It is the largest Broch in

On Edin’s Hall, by John Turnbull. 99

existence. (2) Itis surrounded or defended by important out-
works. (8) It is accompanied by other buildings which evi-
dently belonged to and were dependent on it. And (4) it is
further remarkable by being furthest south of all Brochs, and
by being one of a very few which are found out of what may be
called the native country of Brochs; namely, the north and
south-west of Scotland, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands
and the Hebrides. It is estimated that there are in exist-
ence, the remains of about 500 Brochs altogether; and of these
there are only five beyond the boundaries mentioned. Of these
five, there are two in Forfarshire, one being on each side of Dun-
dee, one in Perthshire, and one in Stirlingshire situated on the
top of two hills, about 8 miles apart, looking at each other across
the Forth, and the fifth is Edin’s Hall.

To what influence we are to ascribe these isolated examples, it
is impossible to say, and is a question of the same nature as that
which arises with regard to the round towers at Abernethy and
Brechin, being the only examples existing out of Ireland; or in
regard to the stone on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, which is
the only one with incised symbols found in Saxonia.

The tradition of a giant which has been alluded to as con-
nected with Edin’s Hall is, that such a person lived there, and
maintained himself mostly by plunder. On one occasion, return-
ing from Blackerston (a farm on the other side of the Whit-
adder) with a bull on his shoulders and a sheep under each arm,
he crossed the river at the ‘‘ Strait Loup,” and in ascending the
slope towards Edin’s Hall, he found a pebble in his boot.
Taking it out he tossed it from him on the wayside, where it
still lies as evidence of the truth of the tradition. It isa boulder
between one and two tons weight.

100

Notice of Squirrels colonizing a District in South North-
umberland. By Rev. J. F. Biccr, Stamfordham.

Tue first Squirrel seen here, was about twenty-five years ago.
I met a man one morning, and he told me the day before, that
he was riding over the bridge at Corbridge, and he saw two
Squirrels running along the parapet of the bridge northwards
very early in the morning. Two days after a farmer told me,
that he saw two Squirrels sitting on the roof of his byre, at
Muckeridge ; the next day they were seen at the Birness, and
within a few days after they landed at Dissington, the residence
of Mr Collingwood; where they used to lay down nuts for them ;
and they are still there, and in the neighbouring woods at
Cheeseburn Grange and Matfen.

On an Ancient Phial, found at Kelso. By FRANCIS
Dovuauas, M.D.

Dvurine the summer of 1878, the foundation was being dug
for a new Public School at Kelso, in the vicinity of the Abbey,
and on a portion of ground, which, from the numerous remains
of stone sarcophagi and bones, must have at one time been used
as a burying-place. About five feet below the surface, and in
close proximity to a perfect stone sarcophagus, was found a small
glass phial, which happily attracted the notice of the contractor,
was secured by him, and subsequently presented to the Kelso
Museum. The phial is one inch and three-quarters in length,
with a narrow neck, expanding again to a funnel-shaped lip.
The greatest circumference is three and a half inches, that of the
neck one inch and half—colour greenish, semiopaque and par-
tially iridescent, like Venetian glass. ‘The phial is of consider-
able strength, and has a base hollowed out like a wine bottle of
the present period. The sarcophagi found at the same spot be-
long to the 11th or 12th centuries.

On comparing this phial with others in the Museum of the An-
tiquarian Society of Scotland, in Edinburgh, I found no speci-
mens at all resembling it in form, excepting one which was very
much larger and slighter. The obliging Curator and Dr Mitchell,

On Ancient Interments, by James Hardy. 101

who carefully inspected the phial, were of opinion that it was of
Grecian manufacture, and about 700 years old, a date which
nearly corresponds with the building of Kelso Abbey, by King
David of Scotland. Such phials are believed to have contained
unguents for the anointing of the dead. The drawing which
accompanies this brief account was made by my friend, Mr
Frain, whose name is a sufficient guarantee for its correctness.

On Ancient Interments in a Tumulus, called the Favry
Knowe, near Stenton, East Lothian. By JAMES HARDY.

A piscovEery of a funeral urn and accompaniments was made
in a cairn or mound, on the 20th January, 1878, on the farm of
Meiklerig, near Stenton, Hast Lothian, the property of Lady
Mary Nisbet Hamilton, and farmed by Mr Stewart. For the
particulars, and a sight of the articles then disinterred, I am in-
debted to the Rev. George Marjoribanks, minister of Stenton,
who was not aware of the circumstance of any such operations
being proceeded with, or of anything being found, till after-
wards, when the most interesting portion was removed.

The mound for generations stood in the middle of a flat field,
and was supposed to be composed of rock, with a thick layer of
earth covering it, and stones led from the fields piled about it.
The name of the mound was the Fairy Knowe; and in former
times it was a source of fear to the children of the parish, be-
cause of the fairies who danced round it. Whins and broom to
shelter the ‘‘ good people,’ when tired with their frolics, grew
on its skirts. The tumulus was 110 yards in circumference ;
and from 10 to 12 feet high in the centre. As the mound
covered a good large space of valuable ground, the farmer was
induced to remove, at least a portion of it. The constituents, on
being tested, proved to be entirely of stone and boulders, without
a rock nucleus. Hundreds of cartfuls of stones were led away.
When the workmen had got beyond the outer stones—the accu-
mulation of ages from the field itseli—they came to a much
larger size of boulders, forming quite a circle round the heap.
These were with difficulty got into the carts.

102 On Ancient Interments, by James Hardy.

It was at the east end that they commenced their operations.
They had not gone far into the cairn proper, till they came to a
small square cist, placed near the level of the original surface.
The cist was formed of red sandstone slabs, which are native to
the district, and inside the cist was an Urn. The slabs contain-
ing it were very carefully arranged, the top slab or cover being
a few inches above the urn, so as not to press upon it. Re-
moving one of the side slabs first, the urn appeared quite entire.
The urn was placed like a flower pot upside down, and when
lifted was found to cover icinerated bones and ashes. Of these
the urn was quite full. A most ludicrous remark was made by
one of the men at this stage: ‘‘ Here’s a’ richt noo,” he said,
‘“‘there’s the grey-beard.”” They had not been over-careful
with the “ grey-beard,”’ for during its removal part came away,
exposing the ashes of the dead, bones, etc. Not being carefully
looked after, the urn got smashed into fragments, most of which
were subsequently collected. Within about a foot they came
upon another cist. This was about four feet long, and contained
a few pieces of acranium. [The remains of a spine are also
mentioned, possibly found here. It is evident that a grave four
feet long would not be constructed forthe skull alone.] This
cist was built entirely of white sandstone, which could not have
been got in the neighbourhood. ‘The slabs in neither case were
large. Mr Marjoribanks, whose report, in two separate letters
here combined, I chiefly follow, says: ‘‘ Both this cist and the
urn-box (if I may so call it) lay north and south, not east and
west as graves are made now.” Both were reckoned by the on-
lookers to be one interment, but I believe there were two burials
here, and not only so, but that they may have belonged to very
distinct periods, one of them being intrusive. The remains of
bones were reckoned to be those of a full grown man. Along
with one or other, I cannot ascertain which, a small flint-knife
and miniature whet-stone were obtained; most likely with the
cranium.

The earthen-ware urn was of large capacity, and stood up-
wards of 12 inches high ; being broken, the diameter across the
mouth could not be ascertained. Its general design was a very
large sub-triangular vessel, moulded into three divisions. The
upper and widest was 23 inches high, and projected all round
above the next division, from which it was separated by a

On Ancient Interments, by James Hardy. 103

strong rim. The next was contracted in circumference into a
concave, this space being 382 inches high. It then shewed a
bulging rim or rib, and below this the remainder diminished in
breadth triangularly and appeared exactly in shape like a flower-
pot. This third portion ended in a flat-bottom with a slightly
protuberant margin, the bottom diameter being 4 inches, and its
thickness 1 inch. This third division was 6 inches in height, and
looked as if it had been shaped with a knife, or some cutting in-
strument. ‘The external surface of the urn was well smoothed,
and displayed on the two upper divisions a considerable amount
of ornament of a simple kind, but very rude. The lip round the
mouth, which sloped inwards, was 2 inch broad, and had two
rows of irregularly running double lines, which had been im-
_ pressed by plaited thongs of leather, or by plaited rushes. The
upper division of the urn shewed a lattice or trellis pattern of
double oblique lines of impressions of plaited thongs, crossed
mostly by single similar lines ; the two forming rhombs of which
there were five in each series. A double plait-formed line en-
circled the urn at the top of this design ; a second passed round
it in the middle; and the projecting rim below presented two
similar encircling bands, both from a double impression. The
ornament on the concave area was differently disposed. This
was divided into broad, but not equidistant, spaces, which were
occupied for the most part by sets of double perpendicular and
horizontal lines, arranged alternately. There were first 7 upright
double lines of thong-impressions ; then 10 horizontal; then 6
uprights followed »y horizontals; then 8 uprights, and the
horizontals again; and then these lines were piled up aslant,
one against the other like slabs, forming a kind of inverted Vs;
while again after the interposition of the horizontals; the lines
were impressed in lattice work, with larger openings than on the
upper division. There was no pattern on the under portion.
The urn was clay-coloured ; in the interior it was much blackened
with ashes. At one time, a boss of some reedy grass, had been
enclosed within it, while the clay, of which it was composed, was
still soft. The impressions left by this were very like the leaves
of Reed-Canary-Grass (Phalaris arundinacea).

The oblong-sharpening stone with blunt ends, has four faces,
which are smoothed, but had never been rubbed on. It is 3
inches long, 2? inch broad, and 4 inch thick. It is of primary

104 On Ancient Interments, by James Hardy.

clay slate, of fine grain, of a grey colour, and shews specks of
mica. It had been a fragment selected from the boulder-drift
of the district, in which rolled portions of a similar stone occur.
Near one end on each side there is a small perforation of no
ereat depth, the size of a gimlet hole. The use of this diminu-
tive article is unknown. It might have sharpened needles or
prickers.

The small, thin, neat knife-blade is of a grey-brown flint, and
had no marks of ever having been in use. It is 32 inches long,
and 2 of an inch broad; semi-elliptical in shape, with a blunt
point, and a truncate base. It is formed of a chip, of which one
side shews the smooth original fracture ; the convex side is finely
chipped to a serrate cutting edge. It is thinned out by chipping
at the base, where it would enter the haft, the edge there being
blunted.

It is unfortunate that the articles had been confused, because
we have here probably (1) a burial of the Stone Period; the
body being placed in a folded up position, with stone imple-
ments; and (2) an urn of a subsequent age, introduced as a
secondary interment; the one surrounded with stones from the
calcareous sandstone, and the other with red-sandstone slabs.

Everything suggestive is gone now; the venerable tumulus
with its mysterious consignments ; the sprightly assemblages of
rural fays with the belief in them; the tasselled broom and
golden-bloomed furze ; and the linnet-nest which they sheltered
and concealed. The ploughshare has crossed the place, and the
field is now one dead level.

The objects described have been deposited:in the Museum of
the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

105

The Catratl, or Picts- Work-Ditch in 1880. By JAMES
Smal, F.8.A., Scot.

THERE is no great wall, or road, or ditch, of ancient date about
which so little reliable history is extant, as the Catrail or Picts-
Work-Ditch. In point of fact it has no authentic history. Its
ancientness is undoubted ; and although historians do not agree
on several matters connected with it, no disputes have ever
arisen in which its antiquity was called in question. No war-
weapons, implements, coins, or other relics have ever been found
in its course, or in the forts or camps, so-called, through which
it runs, by which its makers could be traced, or the exact time
fixed when it was made, hence the difficulty of historians to give
definite information regarding it. And yet its length from end
to end is, or was rather, 48 miles—in Selkirkshire 28, and in
Roxburghshire 20. The crow-line length of the Catrail in the
former county is only 18 miles—from Torwoodlee ‘‘ Rings’”’ to
Hoscote ; and from Hoscote to Wheelrig at the Peel fell, on the
edge of Northumberland, the crow-line (in Roxburghshire) is
nearly 15 miles. The Catrail must thus have been well known
to a large number of inhabitants of the Borders for many genera-
tions ; and it is therefore both odd and perplexing that so little
is known of its history. So far as I can learn it is not men-
tioned in any of the many Royal and other Grants or Charters of
lands in its,yicinity. My friend, Mr Craig-Brown, of Selkirk,
who is writing a history of Selkirkshire, and who has had access
to nearly all the charters and papers of the county families, has
informed me that he has in no instance found the Catrail men-
tioned in any of these documents ; and yet there are miles of the
Catrail still strongly marked in the county.

WRITERS ON THE CATRAIL, OR PICTS-WORK-DITCH.

- Alexander Gordon, A.M., was the earliest writer on the Cat-
rail, in ‘‘Itinerarium Septentrionale,’’ London, 1726, fol. He
thought it a boundary-line of the era of Severus, between the
Roman Province and the Caledonians. He seems to have been
the only writer who traced it nearly from end to end. He made
several mistakes, however, as to places, and in a few instances
he seems to have travelled backward a little; and he names some
' places where he said he found it on which the Catrail could not
N

106 The Catrail, or Prcts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

possibly be found, the places named being miles from its track.
He must have erred in the latter case from having taken some
similar roadway for it; and in those days he would have no maps
indicating its course. Many old road-lines similar to the Cat-
rail exist at the present day, both in its vicinity and on other
parts of the Border hills, which, but from maps and enquiries
made on the spot and at well-known old residenters, might have
been looked on as sections of Catrail by the writer.

He states that ‘‘ the first vestiges of this work appear at this
day about a mile to the west of Galloshiels, in the shire of Sel-
kirk, and two from Melrose in Teviotdale, at a place called the
Rink Hill.” Every one now knows that the northern end of the
work, ‘‘the first vestiges,” still very deeply marked, and un-
doubtedly Catrail, is on the wooded hill above Torwoodlee
mansion, at Galashiels, fully three miles from the Rink hill.
But he adds a little further on, that ‘‘the whole length of this
boundary from Pirle fell (Peel fell) in Cumberland (the Peel
fell divides Northumberland and Roxburghshire) to the town of
Gallowshiels is 22 miles; from the last of which places I am con-
vinced, Gallow water served as the rest of its limit.” Many
parts of the Catrail have disappeared since he visited it; but
what remains of it from Rink to the southern end is on the
whole, and with the exception of the errors referred to, very
accurately laid down by him. Some parts of it are nearly as
deep and broad as at the time of his visit, nearly 160 years ago.
The names of some of the hills and burns given by him have
now passed away ; and he names several farms or places of abode
which are totally unknown at the present day ; but this, doubt-
less, has arisen from the fact of many farm dwellings and
shepherds’ houses of his day having been removed, and their
names and respective situations forgotten. But although he
pretty accurately describes the Catrail and gives its measure-
ments with apparent care, it is a matter of fact that very many
well-defined stretches of it, which he saw and described, are
now totally obliterated.

Chalmers, in his Caledonia, gives an account of it; and the
late respected Rev. Dr Douglas, Galashiels, spent some time in
tracing it, and he furnished Chalmers with data as to its line of
route and its markings. One writer, however, the late Mr Nor-
man Kennedy, Hawick, an intelligent and shrewd observer,

The Catrwil, or Picts- Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 107

familiar with the Catrail in his district, says of Dr Douglas, in
connection with his account of it :—‘‘ There can be no doubt that
he must often have been imposed upon, while making enquiries
of individuals resident in its neighbourhood, * * * asmany
isolated trenches running in a contrary direction are still pointed
out as portions of that work, although unconnected with it; and
as they are identical in appearance, his ignorance of the locality
would prevent him detecting the unintentional mistake.” This,
in the present writer’s opinion, seems probable.

Chalmers calls the Catrail a ‘‘dividing fence between the
Romanised Britons of the Cumbrian kingdom and their Saxon
invaders on the east.”

Sir Walter Scott in his Border Antiquities, 1817, p. 23, says :—
‘‘ All good antiquarians allow that the remarkable trench, called
the Catrail, was intended to protect the native inhabitants of
Strath-Clyde from the too powerful Saxon invaders.” In a letter
to George Ellis, he speaks of Drumelzier, many miles above
Peebles, as on the Catrail route. It seems somewhat singular
that Sir Walter had paid little or no attention to the ‘“‘remark-
able trench,” which he could almost see from his windows at
Abbotsford, and is still strongly marked on the hills on which
he delighted to roam behind Yair.

Here is a rather sad paragraph :—‘‘ This was for him the last
year (1825) of many things; among others of Sybil Grey, and
The Abbotsford Hunt. Towards the close of a hard run on his
neighbour, Mr Scott of Gala’s ground, he adventured to leap the
Catrail—that venerable relic of the days of—

‘Reged wide
And fair Strath-Clyde.’
He was severely bruised and shattered; and never afterwards re-
covered the feeling of confidence without which there can be no
pleasure in horsemanship. He often talked of this accident with
a somewhat superstitious mournfulness.”—Life of Scott, vol. viii.,
p-. 105.

Mr Wilson in his Annals of Hawick, 1850, gives it a notice
similar to Chalmers.

Mr Alexander Jeffrey, the historian of Roxburghshire, writes
at considerable length on the Catrail, and other peculiar and
ancient roadways of the Borders, including the Devil’s Cause-
way, the Maiden Way, and the Wheel-Causeway, the last of

108 The Catrad, ov Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

which (by the way) passes the south end of the Catrail, and is
still, 1880, strongly marked, and is in shape the exact counter-
part of several sections of the Catrail. He states that these
‘‘war fences were constructed about 446;’’ but like all other
writers on the subject, he cites no authority for his opinions. He,
however, states that ‘‘the honour of the discovery of this impor-
tant remain is due to Gordon, who visited this part of the king-
dom in 1720;” and that ‘‘nearly ninety years passed between
Gordon’s survey and that of Dr Douglas.” He further says:
‘The object of this ditch may be learned from its name: Cat
signifying conflict or battle, and Rhail a fence; a war fence or
partition. This gigantic undertaking was carried through by
the Ottadini and Gadeni people after the Romans left, to protect
themselves and possessions from the Saxons, who were advancing
upon them from the north and east. It would also serve asa
screen, under cover of which the tribes could pass from one place
to another without being seen by the enemy. In the same way
their flocks and herds might be conveyed without being ob-
served.”

The late Mr William Kemp, Galashiels, wrote an excellent
paper on the line of the Catrail, in the neighbourhood of Gala-
shiels ; and he noticed at some length the so-called forts on its
route. © ;

The late Mr Norman Kennedy also wrote a very good paper
on it, particularly in connection with the Roxburghshire part of
it. The paper was read at a meeting of the Society of Anti-
quaries, Edinburgh.

The writer of the account of Cavers parish in the ‘“‘ New
Statistical Account of Scotland’? bestows only a few lines of
notice on the Catrail; and Dr Chambers, in his excellent History
of Peebleshire, gives a short account of it. Mr Hardy has, be-
sides, informed me that Dr J. A. H. Murray had, many years
ago, read a paper on the Catrail to the members of the Hawick
Archeological Society, but this paper I have not seen. Itis also
adverted to in Chatto’s Rambles in Northumberland, pp. 171-175,
which furnishes also a reference to other works of the kind else-
where.

THE CATRAIL, OR PICTS-WORK-DITOH, As IN 1880.

lt may be right to mention here, that I passed ten days, and

several parts of days in tracing, and trying to trace, the Catrail

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 109

from end to end, and that in this I was greatly aided in my re-
searches in Selkirkshire by my friend, Mr Craig-Brown, who ac-
companied me during four days; and my friend, Mr Elliot,
Hollybush, who was with me five days, four of them in Rox-
burghshire and one in Selkirkshire. The Ordnance Survey and
other maps were used; and found very useful. The Catrail, as
laid down in the Ordnance Survey maps of Roxburghshire is, in
my opinion, correct, or nearly so; but in some places it is not
correctly indicated in the Selkirkshire maps. This must have
arisen from the surveyors having been misinformed by resi-
denters; for of course the surveyors in many cases as to land-
markings had simply to enter what they were told by shepherds
or others.

The northern end of the Catrail is on the wooded hill fully
half-a-mile above Torwoodlee mansion-house, two miles from
Galashiels. There has been a large camp on the spot, and the
deep trench of the Catrail partly circles the camp, which is itself
circular ; and many stones belonging to it, and deep indentations
connected with it may still be seen. This camp, with the accom-
panying part-circles of the Catrail, has long been locally called
“the Rings.”’ The Catrail cannot now be traced down the field
leading from the camp; but it is faintly traceable in Torwoodlee
policy. It passed Redburn foot into the wood opposite The
Birks gate; and at the south end of that wood it is clearly and
deeply marked ; and is quite visible from the public road leading
alongside the wood. From this wood its line ran towards Knowe
Park, and on to Mossilee homestead, which stands on its track,
and a few hundred yards south of the homestead it appears on
the edge of the field road, and is nearly filled with stones.
Twelve years ago its track was plainly seen by me in the field
adjoining the steep field leading up to the young plantation on
the north end of Hollybush farm, through which the public foot-
way leads to Fernielee. On the steep field mentioned it is
plainly marked. It leaves the field and enters the wood through
which the footway above mentioned passes. After crossing the
wood it leads into the field above, and is easily traced along two
fields to an old quarry at the end of the wood on the hill im-
mediately above Hollybush farm-house. In this wood it is very
deep and wide; and it is nowhere. in its course more strongly
marked than here, being 20 feet wide and nearly 6 feet in depth

110 The Catrail, or Picts- Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

at the deepest part. Twenty-three years ago, the late Major
Scott of Gala planted the woods now on the heights along Holly-
bush farm. They were planted for shelter for the farm, but Mr
Elliot, the tenant, suggested to him that by carrying along a
strip of the plantation on the line of the Catrail, the ditchway
might thereby be preserved for many years. The hint was acted
on, and hence the still well-defined Catrail on these heights.

From the last-named wood it cannot be traced for several
hundreds of yards; but it comes strongly into view on a field near
the British Camp on Rink hill. This section of the Catrail can
be seen plainly at a distance of several miles. It apparently did
not enter the camp; and the late respected tenant’ of Rink, Mr
Riddell, who had lived many years there, told me he did not
think it had entered the camp; but Mr Jeffrey affirms that it
did. Its line passed along the slope below the camp about 100
yards, and it is very deeply marked in the wood fully 100 yards
below the camp.

Although I do not mean to notice the very numerous so-called
camps, forts, or resting-places in the track of the Catrail, the re-
mains of the fine camp on Rink hill must not be passed without
aword. It is British, and the well-grown fir wood planted over
it, about 1812, for the double purpose of protecting the camp
lines, and affording shelter to the flocks and herds, has helped
much to preserve its remains. Ido not know of any camp so
well marked. Itis an oblong circle 90 yards by 60 within the
walls. It had two defence ditches; and even now the fosse is
upwards of 380 feet wide, and in several places about 20 feet
deep. Hundreds of tons of the old wall stones are lying moss-
covered in the fosse. :

From the cultivation of the land the Catrail is not traceable
from the wood below the Rink Camp to the Tweed, which it
crossed at Howdenpot burn foot on to Sunderland Hall grounds.

The late Major Plummer, of Sunderland Hall, wrote me in
February, 1879, that ‘‘The Catrail can be traced on Sunderland
moor for about 700 yards.” After leaving the Tweed it passes
along a wood on Sunderland Hall grounds and then enters the
‘‘moor,” most of which is now under cultivation. Mr Craig-
Brown and I traced its line through the lands of Sunderland
Hall on to Linglee hill, where, near its top, it is very deeply and
distinctly marked. This part of the Catrail, from Tweedside to

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 111

where it is lost on the soft land on Linglee, measures a mile-and-
a-half; but much of it is very faintly marked, and will shortly
disappear. After leaving Linglee hill it disappears on soft
ground for about three-quarters of a mile ; after which we caught
it up without difficulty and followed it with certainty, although
it is not deeply marked, for many hundred yards. At this part
it crosses a portion of the Peatlaw, and a wire fence runs along-
side of it for several hundred yards; and near this fence it
crosses the bridle-path that leads from Yair on Tweed to Broad-
meadows on Yarrow, at the spot where Sir Walter Scott and
Mungo Park bade farewell, just before the latter last sailed for
Africa. The incident is mentioned by Lockhart in his Life of
- Sir Walter.

From the bridle-path mentioned, we traced it a mile on the
Three Brethren hill; and after losing it we also ourselves got
lost, from a dense fog, which darkened allaround. After a good
deal of bewilderment, for the pocket-compass of each seemed to
point the wrong way, we found ourselves when the fog cleared,
about three miles out of our reckoning.

After it leaves the Three Brethren hill, behind Yair about two
miles, it runs westward for about four miles, nearly as high as
the watershed between Tweed and Yarrow, but on the Yarrow
side of the watershed. It then reaches Wallace’s Trench where
it is fairly well marked; but in the space between Three
Brethren hill and this there is very little of it to be found.
From Wallace’s Trench until it reaches a part of the farm of
Whitehope on Yarrow, nearly five miles, almost no traces of
the Catrail can be found. The course from Wallace’s Trench
was westward on to the south-east end of Minchmuir, “ the hill
of hills,” along the ridge of which a part of Montrose’s defeated
army retreated from Philiphaugh. It then curved to the south
and crossed the uplands through Lewinshope and Tinnis to
Whitehope hill. Mr Lindsay, the respected tenant of White-
hope, kindly accompanied us to the Catrail; and it is very
plainly marked on his hill for a few hundred yards. He pointed
out where it was said to pass in the direction of Henhole and
Minchmuir ; but as I have said, almost no traces of it, if any,
can be found in that direction. He also pointed out its reported
line towards the Yarrow, and the same on the further side of the
river.

112 The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

The distance, southward, between the Catrail on Whitehope
and the Catrail on the north of Girnwood farm, where the shires
of Selkirk and Roxburgh meet, is twelve miles, ‘‘across country.”
Mr Craig-Brown and I spent two long days on the reputed track
of the Catrail in this locality, or rather on the first nine miles of
it southward of Whitehope. We had with us written accounts of
its track, and maps old and new to guide us; and we had also the
company and guidance over a goodly part of the distance, of
farmers or shepherds who had known the district from boyhood ;
but, sad to relate, the Catrail has now totally disappeared from
that wide stretch of country. We at times, but only two or
three times, came to lines that we thought might turn out Cat-
rail; but in no instance were we satisfied that we had really
found it. Our first day was spent on the track between Ladhope
and Gilmanscleuch on Yarrow and Kttrick waters respectively ;
and the next day we traversed the same district from Sundhope
to Gilmanscleuch; and from Gilmanscleuch southward to Clear-
burn Loch. We faithfully and literally wandered, often zig-
zag, over these fine hills; and had both weather and guides in
our favour for finding the ancient way; but it is not to be found.
Seventy years ago, Dr Douglas was told by the farmers in
Ettrick Forest, when he was tracing the Catrail, ‘‘ that the re-
mains had greatly diminished in their remembrance, and that
the traces were becoming less visible every day. Nearly ninety
years passed between Gordon’s survey and that of Dr Douglas.”
Most of the land in the part under notice is very soft, hence the
tendency of the Catrail to become so rapidly less visible; and
here it has at last disappeared.

The line from Whitehope to Clearburn Loch ran through Cat-
slackburn, Yarrow Feus, then crossing the Yarrow it ascended
Sundhope Height, and after crossing the very top of Singlee
Burn it descended and crossed Inch Burn, and Gilmanscleuch
Burn, and entered the Ettrick at the School. It then ascended
the west side of Deloraine Burn, and passed near the foot of the
Stanhopelaw over to Clearburn Loch, also on the farm of De-
loraine.

From Clearburn to Henwoody, on the north of Girnwood,
the distance is somewhere about three miles. In Gordon’s
time, even, there seem to have been no traces left of the
Catrail in this part of the country ; for he says ‘‘ passing hence

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 113

(from Stanhopelaw) to the southward I lost its track for two
(5?) miles, the ground being full of bogs ;” and my friend, Mr
Scott, Girnwood, who is familiar with the Catrail, corroborates
the above, there being no vestige of it in the place indicated.

The Catrail enters Roxburghshire at Hoscoat Burn, but after
a nearly two miles course again crosses a narrow point of Sel-
kirkshire at Hoscoat, and then enters the former county. From
Hoscoat Burn, along the lands of Girnwood the track is wider
than on any other part of its course. It is fully 28 feet wide, in-
cluding the ramparts or ridges on each side. This part of the
road. has been long in use as a drove road, and from this cause
it has perhaps become broader than it was originally made.
The mound or ridge on one of the sides is much higher than the
’ one on the other side. Altogether it is a fine section of the old
ditch-way in question ; and except in two newly reclaimed fields
at Girnwood homestead, its course can be traced without a break
for a mile-and-a-half. It passes the gate at Girnwood farmhouse,
and enters Hoscoat wood a few hundred yards below Girnwood.
It is not traceable up Broadlee Burn ; but to the east of Broad-
lee Loch it is very distinct, broad and deep, for upwards of a
mile on Woodburn farm. From that point to Teviot water it
cannot now be traced; but its course was south-south-east by
Teindside Burn; and it again appears on the south side of the
Teviot, about a mile-and-a-half behind Northhouse farmhouse.
It there ascends the hill to Doecleuch, and is easily reached, as
it is on the edge of the road leading from Northhouse to Priest-
haugh. Mr Elliot and I were indebted to the hospitable tenant,
of Teindside, Mr Govenlock, for valuable information; and he
saved us some miles of rough walking, by telling us where to
go. On Doecleuch, on Skelfhill farm, the Catrail measures from
the centre of each side-ridge, 18 feet in width, and it is 4} feet
in depth. From Doecleuch it cannot now be traced to the
Whitehillbrae Hill, on the south side of Allan Water, where it
is next visible, the intervening land being partly under cultiva-
tion and the moorland soft. It ascends Whitehillbrae Hill, a
steep one, in an almost direct line, and is very distinct there,
and can be seen from a long distance. Crossing the ridge of the
hill it descends, and enters a flattish moor near a well-marked
camp called the Pyot’s Nest, which is fully half-a-mile west from
the peak of Penchrise Pen.

O

114 ‘The Catradl, or Picts- Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

Though pretty tired, and knowing we had still some six miles
to travel through deep spret and bent-grass, and across mossy
land, sometimes mid-body deep among fern or wet rush-
clumps, we could not resist climbing to the peak of this remark-
able hill; and the view from it down Teviotdale amply repaid us
for our hard work. The peak or summit of Penchrise is very
small; but it has been strongly fortified. Some 20 yards below
the peak two well-made ramparts, what would now be called
half-moon batteries, are nearly as plainly marked now as they
could possibly be when made. All this part of Penchrise,
though grass-covered, is composed of rock to within a few inches
of the surface, so that ramparts once made on such a place, were
certain to last for ages.

Returning to the subject of the Catrail: from the summit of
Penchrise we had a fine view of it in the direction we had to
travel. From a point near to the before-mentioned Pyot’s Nest,
it runs through some flattish soft land for about a mile, on which
it is traceable only here and there. It then ascends the Pike
hill, called the Carriage Hill by Gordon, 1516 feet in height, in
a broad deep straight line ; and passes over its highest point and
descends on the other side in the same way. This is by far the
best part of the Catrail at the present day. It is so deeply
marked, and from this, and the Pike hill being so high, it can be
seen distinctly six or eight miles off. Mr Elliot and I saw it as
plainly as the Pike itself from Mid Hill, some five miles to the
south of it. Gordon says of it here: ‘“‘It mounts the Carriage
Hill, and is more conspicuous here than throughout its whole
track, being 24 and 26 foot broad, and very deep; the ramparts
on every side, 6 or 7 foot in perpendicular height, and each of
them 10 or 12 foot thick, the whole being great and visible.”
The above measurements are much too great for this part of the
Catrail at the present day. But from the hardness of the Pike
hill, and from the depth and breadth of the Catrail still to be
found there, I have no doubt whatever but its lines will remain
clear and strong on this hill for hundreds of years to come.

Next day Mr Elliot and I crossed from his farm, Langburn-
shiels, over the ridge of Shankend hill, and caught up the Cat-
rail at the southern base of the Pike. From that point we
traced it with ease to Roberts-linn, a distance of nearly three
miles. We came to afew short blank spaces, where the land

The Catrurl, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 115

was very spongy, but the blanks were so diminutive that it may
be said to be almost continuous for the above named distance.
At the foot of the Pike it crosses Langside Burn, and then
passes by the east, at the foot of what Gordon calls ‘‘ the re-
markable Hills called the Maiden Paps”’—a well-known land
mark, 1,677 feet in height, being a spur of Greatmoor, 1,964
feet. We walked to the top of the first named height, which is
remarkably steep, from which we had a fine view of mag-
nificent and almost countless hills, rising tier on tier as far as
the eye could reach. After passing the Maiden Paps the Catrail
crosses Harwood Burn, where it is lost for a short space, and it
then runs through a somewhat flat bit of ground lying between
Shankend hill and the Leap Fell, until it reaches the Waverley
line cf railway, which cuts through it about a quarter of a mile
from the Shankend Railway Tunnel. It can there be seen from
the windows of a passing train. From the railway it runs in
almost a direct and in an unbroken line to Roberts-linn, on
Langburnshiels, at the Limekilnedge road. It is plainly marked
in all the flat land just mentioned, but is shallow, and only from
12 to 14 feet broad. Even where it is level, the line is easily
traced, for along its whole course the bent grass is lighter in
colour on its track than the surrounding grass ; and, on the other
hand, on cultivated land, where much soil has been ploughed into
its track the grass is generally greener on the line of the Catrail
than on the surrounding parts. Snow also lies longer on even
the flat parts of the Catrail than on the other flat land; and in
‘‘a griming o’ new fa’en snaw” the flat parts are more easily
traced than at any other time.

From Roberts-linn to near the Abbey, a sweet spot at the foot
of Cliphope Burn, a distance of 4 miles, it is not now traceable.
We came to only one short part of it; and I was not really cer-
tain that it was the Catrail, near the very top of Laidlerhope
Burn—north side. At Cliphope it is very probable that the Cat-
rail has been turned into the ‘‘ Galloway road”’ for some dis-
tance, and the same on Dawston-rig, for that road is in the track
of the Catrail.

The Galloway road was used for a long period of years
as a highway for carrying coal to Hawick from the edge
of England. The coal was carried in bags on the backs of the
well-known Galloway ponies—hence the name ‘ Galloway road.”

116 The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

It was a common thing for one man to drive a string of 8 to 10
of these ponies, coal-laden, across the hills on this road, which
was much used for this purpose up to the early part of the cen-
tury. A similar mountain road, used for a like purpose, runs
from Northumberland across the fells by Kale water head and
Riccalton to Jedburgh.

At the Abbey, the Catrail is visible and broad, and the road
above-mentioned is on its exact line. Across the Dawston-rig
we could not find it, although the southern part of the Dawston-
rig is hard land. We found it, however, at the southern edge
of the Dawston-rig, where it dips into the Liddel water; and
here it makes an abrupt curve, and runs to the north-east, up
the land called Wormescleuch, and crosses the burn of that name
on to Wheelrig, where it is strongly marked for a few hundred
yards. Here it terminates, in the neighbourhood of the site
of the Wheel Church, but not before it is crossed by the Wheel
Causeway or Roman way, which runs north from this by Needs-
law and Wolfelee, and south ‘“ alang by the Dead Water Stank.”
The Peel tower, at the foot of the Peel Fell, stood on the other
side of the Peel Burn—opposite this southern end of the Catrail.
Where it ends there are several curves and lines of a peculiar
kind, the lines resembling the Catrail in form, and the whole
much like the lines and curves, ‘the Rings,” at the northern
end of the Catrail at Torwoodlee. I was much aided, at this
part of the Catrail, by my friend Mr Scott, the proprietor of
Peel; and also by one of his shepherds, who has been long
resident at Wormescleuch.

THE WHEEL CHURCH.

I must say a few words about this church of ancient days,
although there is not a stone of it standing, nor yet are there any
stones lying where it once stood. Its foundation lines are, how-
ever, quite as distinct, as is also the form of the churchyard, in
which neither grave nor tombstone can now be seen, as if the
walls of each were still erect. The fine short dark-green grass
on the site of the church and churchyard shews the exact
size and shape of each. The church was an oblong square, some
20 feet long; and the churchyard is on the west of the church site,
but adjoining it, and is circular, a wheel in form. The writer
of the Old Statistical Account states that the Wheel Church was
‘« pretty large,”’ a decided error. Jeffrey says: ‘‘ After the sack

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 117

of Berwick in 1296, Edward I. performed a pilgrimage to St.
Ninian’s shrine in Galloway, and lodged two nights here, one
night in going and one night in returning.* It is difficult at
the present day, even to imagine where the worshippers in this
church lived.” The ‘‘ Old Statistical Account” (Rev. Mr Arkle),
1793, also states that, ‘‘ Many grave stones appear in the church-
yard, yet when standing on this spot, at this time there are only
three farm houses in view, taking in a circle of many miles.”’

In reference to these quotations I may remark that it is per-
fectly evident, on the spot, that the Wheel Church has been very
small; and as I have carefully gone over the immediately sur-
rounding land, and have found the remains or sites of a con-
_ siderable number of dwelling-houses on Wheelrig, in the neigh-
bourhood of the church site, I have no doubt in my own mind
that the worshippers lived on Wheelrig, and in some of the farm
places near it. Friends of mine, who know more than I of the
place, are of the same opinion. There must have been a hamlet at
Wheelrig. It is a sweet and very solitary spot, well sheltered by
the surrounding mountains. But of the people who lived and died
there, nothing whatever is now known. A small field adjoining
the site of the church has been walled round; and many of the
stones show that they have of old been under the mason’s chisel.
These stones have, doubtless, been taken from the ruins of the
church and the neighbouring houses. We saw one half of a
quern stone at the side of this field. It was of a very large size,
and might once have been in general use among the inhabitants
of Wheelrig. It is of too large a size to have been for the sole
use of only one house or family of the period.

THE NAME—CATRAIL,.

Writers do not all agree on the derivation of Catrail.
Chalmers in his Caledonia calls it ‘the dividing fence” or “‘ par-
tition of defence ;” Jeffrey ‘a war fence,” stating that Cat signi-
fies conflict and Rhail a fence. Then we have elsewhere Cater a
camp, and Cad a ditch, with Rhail in each case given as a fence.
The learned Mr Mackenzie of Delvin says: ‘‘That the newly
discovered Boundary was originally designed as a limit of separa-
tion is evident trom the etymology of Catrail; which comes from

* (“On the fifteenth day, being Wednesday (May 23), Edward went to
Jedborough ; on the Thursday to Wyel, on the Friday to Castleton, on the

Sunday afterwards back to Wyel; on the Monday to Jedborough.’’—Journal
of the Movements of King Edward, Documents Hist. Scot., ii., p. 27.]

118 The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

an old Highland word signifying Vallum separationis, a wall or
ditch of separation.” —Gordon, p. 104. Gordon also states, when
he speaks of it as crossing Borthwick water, he having traced it
across Selkirkshire to Borthwick water head, on the edge of Rox-
burghshire, ‘“‘here it is known by the name of the Catrail, but
northward of this place it is called the Picts-Work-Ditch.”’ Ina

ballad describing a Border fray one personage is descrived thus :
‘The next ane was ane careless scemp,
Moss-mudded head and tail ;
Ye might trowed him the ghaist 0’ a’ gurly Pict
Wha had sheughed i’ the grit Catrail.”’

Then we have several places in the neighbourhood of the Cat- ,
rail bearing significant names. A few miles to the north of Tor-
woodlee, we have Muckle Oatpair and Little Catpair, two estates.
On the farm of Tinnis in Yarrow Water there is Cat Crag; and
the Catrail crossed the higher part of this farm. Further on the
Catrail crossed the Cuatslack Burn; and close to Yarrow Feus
there are some indentations called the Cat Holes. In Roxburgh-
shire the Catrail crosses Harwood Burn, into which falls Catlee
Burn.

And may not ‘‘the Rings” at the northern termination of the
Catrail have by the name a colateral connection with the Wheel-
rig at its southern termination? Rings and wheels are in some
cases somewhat similar terms in the south of Scotland. Besides,
as Lhave before stated, the vestiges of rings or wheels at each
termination of the Catrail exhibit a verisimilitude. Of course
the Wheel Causeway is ancient, and crosses the Wheelrig, and
may have been the means of originating the name both of that
part of land and of the Wheel Church. But who can tell? One
writer thinks the Wheel Causeway was so named because its
centre was rounded, and composed of large stones which sloped
downward toward the respective edges of the road something like
a wheel; and another states that the name was applied because
it was a road along which a machine with wheels could travel.

The Maiden Way which “leaves the Roman wall between the
Solway and Tine,” runs many miles and then crosses Dead Water
on to Wheelrig, where it assumes the name of the Wheel Cause-
way. There is, therefore, doubtless some perplexity as to the
origin of the names “ the Rings,’ Wheelrig, Wheel Church, and
Wheel Causeway, and at this time it would be a very difficult
matter to clear up the peculiar ramifications, Many theories

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail. 119

could be deduced, because there are data in plenty, but of such
a complex and peculiar nature, that theorists, I suspect, would
probably have to romance a little in order to bring matters to a
logical conclusion.

WHAT WAS IT MADE OR USED FOR?

This is a point on which great diversity of opinion has been
shown. After reading the productions of many writers on the
Catrail, I have had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that
several of them have simply followed the theories of those who
preceded them. A considerable number of writers disagree as to
what it was made or used for, and they also differ in their accounts
of its width and depth. Those writers who looked on it as a de-
fence, notice conspicuously the numerous forts and tower-sites

‘along its course, while some of those who considered it to have
been a boundary line, and others who thought it was simply a
ditch-road used for peaceably driving cattle and sheep from place
to place without exposure to marauders, say next to nothing
about the forts, &c., along its lines.

Unless perhaps in the neighbourhood of Galashiels, I do not
think the forts and strengths much more numerous in the vicinity
of the Catrail, than on several of the Border districts known to
me.

I have little or nothing of a theory to offer on the subject of
its use. I certainly disagree, however, with Gordon and others,
who thought it a boundary line between either kingdoms or
tribes. IJ have traced its course on a map which I have sent to
the Club’s respected Secretary, Mr Hardy, and anyone examin-
ing it will at once see that as such a boundary line it would
have been most eccentric, and indeed absurd. As an illustra-
tion I may mention that the Catrail so curves in its course
between Torwoodlee and the south-east point of Minchmoor that
it describes the outline of a large cul de sac. The crow-line from
Torwoodlee to the place indicated on Minchmoor is 6 miles in
length, and the Catrail line is nearly 12, and it must be re-
membered that in that course of twelve miles, besides making
the general curve alluded to, it, in many places, and over a
large portion of the distance, shows just about as many windings
and twistings as an ordinary parish road. The smaller curvings
were doubtless made in most cases to avoid rocks or damp,
very wet land.

120 The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smail.

As a defence it would present a strong barrier to an enemy on
either side of it, but the total absence of all war-like weapons or
instruments in or near its precincts, for none have been found,
goes some way, at least, to show that the purposes of warfare had
not been especially considered along its route.

For my part, I am inclined to think that it would be used
much oftener as a road than a defence, although I also think,
from its construction, it in many places and cases might have
answered well for both. In those wild marauding days the resi-
denters in the district might find it useful and convenient to have
a secret road of this kind, more for the peaceable removal of
their herds and flocks from place to place, than for enabling
those living on the one side of it to protect themselves from
those on the opposite side. Besides, under its covert of from 6
to 12 feet in depth, and hidden by its many windings and curv-
ings as already described, large numbers of men, for war or
other purposes, would, with a little caution, be able to move
along it unseen, unless from distant points here and there,
chiefly on the hills. .

What many writers call forts on its course, I am inclined to
call resting-places or shelters; but those were so formed and
placed as to enable those under their protecting walls to defend
themselves when necessary. These shelters have been in most
cases very small, and are not by any means to be confounded
with forts or camps like those at Rink, Pyot’s nest, or Dawston’s
Rig on Liddell water-side, and others. It must be remembered,
too, that had the Catrail been made chiefly as a defence, it
would have proved a better barrier had it been constructed on
the flat lands, where it would have been filled with water;
whereas it has been, as a whole, run through wonderfully dry
land, which would make it all the more useful as a road, along
which to drive sheep and cattle.

In the neighbourhood of several of the forts or shelters there
have been small spurs of Catrail thrown out, and such spurs have
also in a few instances been made where no resting houses or forts
had been placed. These spurs would answer as sidings, into
which flocks could be driven, either to allow flocks travelling in
another direction to pass, or for refuge in storms, or for a lair at
night, or even for temporary concealment. Traces of the sidings
can be seen at Hollybush, Rink, Girnwood, Wormescleugh, and

The Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, by James Smai]. 121

other places. They have puzzled several antiquaries; and I, of
course, admit freely that my idea as to their use, and the Catrail
having been made and used chiefly for protecting from marauders
the flocks and herds of residenters when driven from place to
place, may be just as incorrect as the theories of others. I am
also aware, too, that several of the writers with whose ideas
Ido not agree were much better acquainted with archeology
than Iam. Atthe same time it may be considered in favour of
my remarks that I have actually spent many days tracing the
Catrail from end to end, and before doing so I had made myself
conversant with all the writings I could get on the subject. I
had also a supply of excellent maps, government and others ;
and had, besides, the aid of my friends, Messrs Craig-Brown
and Hlliot, over nearly all its course; and we had the pleasure
also of receiving kindly aid from many intelligent and hospitable
farmers, and from many shepherds both in Selkirkshire and
Roxburghshire. On the whole, [ have endeavoured to collect
all the information I could on the subject of the Catrail;
and I regret that my work has really brought out nothing very
new or definite about it. I have written from what I saw, which
was an advantage.

I must state that over and above the gentlemen already re-
ferred to, I have been greatly indebted to my friend, Mr Hardy,
for data; and for the many letters he has written first and last
on the subject, I beg to thank him heartily.

I may close by stating that any one interested in the Catrail,
and fond of rough upland walking, would, in the summer
months, find enjoyment in tracing its lines through the fine
hills of both counties. I am certain that the delightful
wanderings over hill and valley, that my friends, Messrs
Oraig-Brown and Elliot and I had, in trying to trace that
wonderful and mysterious ditch-way, will ever be pleasantly
remembered by us all.

LIDDESDALE ‘‘ KILN POTS.”

In Upper Liddesdale, on the estate of Peel and on Myredykes
farm, which is divided from the former by the Peel Burn, there
are a large number of peculiar holes or hollows locally called
‘“‘ Kiln Pots.” They are very often found singly ; but in some
places they form a sort of chain, and give the ground a very
peculiar appearance. The hollows are many of them of the size
P

a

122 SLjfects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

and shape of a huge circular potato pit inverted, viz., a con-
cave, and some are irregular in shape, but all are of course
hollow and they vary in depth from four or five to about twelve
feet. But change is always in operation, though slow in its
nature; for moderately deep holes are, almost imperceptibly it is
true, gradually growing deeper, and new hollows are ever and
again beginning to show themselves. The grass or heather and
surface soil gradually sink along with the soil or rock beneath ;
and the hollows therefore are either grass or heath-covered.
Here and there an irregularly-shapen hollow shows a deep side
hole filled with delightful spring water, and water can be heard
running beneath many of the ‘‘ Kiln Pots.” The cause of this
peculiar sinking of the land is water. The rock below is mostly
of limestone or soft sandstone; and on those rocks over a long
course of years there has been a constant action, more or less, of
water, moving under the soil; and as the softer parts of the rock
decay the land, being soft, also sinks. When the ‘“ Kiln Pots”
are full of melted snow it is rather a dangerous affair to walk
amongst them. Shepherds, however, know them well, and
easily keep clear of them.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1878-9 on Animal and
Vegetable Life on the Borders.

BERWICKSHIRE.
1.— Oldcambus by Cockburnspath. By JaAmEs Harpy.

Tur inadequacy of my own hmited resources for drawing up a
Report on the influence of the severe and long-continued winter
of 1878-9, over a wide district, has induced me to have recourse
to those members of the Club who had experienced its effects, or
to others who took an interest in such inquiries. I will not at-
tempt to summarise the returns, or compare them with. other
statements. Dr John Duns in the “Transactions of the Royal
Physical Society of Edinburgh,” Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown in the
‘‘ Transactions of the Natural History Society of Glasgow,” and
Col. Drummond Hay and others in the ‘‘ Scottish Naturalist,”
have made excellent contributions applicable to various parts of

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 123

Scotland, and what is now presented is only a portion of an ex-
tensive subject, which would require some other labourer to
make a combined view of.

I will chiefly confine myself to my own observation of passing
events, and with this I shall incorporate my notices on the
arrivals of migrants, as these depend very much on the tempera-
ture prevailing when they make their advent, and that again as
a resultant upon the weather of the antecedent months. The
sufferings that animals endured, I attribute chiefly to the long
continuance of extreme cold, rather than to a deficiency of what
has been called a natural provision for their support.. Hips and
haws were left untouched to wither on the branches, while ivy
berries, a very full crop, clustered on the twigs in sheltered
places, till they dropped disregarded into the soil. Worms,
shell-snails, slugs of all sorts and degrees, and Tipula grubs,
were most abundant, had there been any birds left to disengage
them from their retreats, when the ground became mollified, and
the snow began to dissipate. The rigorous cold had no appre-
ciable effect in diminishing the numbers of vermin of this sort.

On the 9th October, 1878, the wild ducks began-to resort to the sea for
their winter quarters; 60 being counted. After a heavy gale on Oct. 31,
two fieldfares arrived; and the sea-pipits had been leaving a few days pre-
viously. On Nov. 6, after a series of northerly gales, considerable flocks of
fieldfares frequented the old grass fields, which were increased on the 11th
and 12th, on which last day snow fell. Redshanks and lapwings, as if pre-
admonished, had already resorted to the sheep folds. Nov. 9. Wild geese
passed from the north. Nov. 14. Fieldfares continued to frequent the fields,
and on that day a single snow-flake, much exhausted, was observed on the
post-road near the Pease Bridge. Capt. Norman noticed two snow-flakes on
the 15th, on the road on Halidon Hill, Berwick. Nov. 18th, the weather
was milder, and the bands of fieldfares were joined, on the fields, by wood-
pigeons. Three grey-wagtails, the last for the season, flew sportively round
a pond, in beautiful feather ; grey linnets had not then left. Towards the
end of the month, the weather became milder. A wren and dipper were
noted on the 20th; fieldfares had disappeared on the 21st, and birds on the
coast became few; red-breasts and sea-pipits were on the sea-banks on the
22nd. Dec. 4th, the frost commenced, and on that and the previous day, the
fieldfares began resorting to sheep-folds and recently-ploughed fields. Dec.
9th, snow-storm commenced, and continued more or less on the 10th, when
in the evening great assemblages of fieldfares arrived from the surrounding
Vicinage, to roost among the furze in the lower part of Oldcambus dean ;
these were mingled with thrushes and blackbirds. The metallic tinkle of the
snowflake’s call-note was heard, and a flock passed at gloaming. I was not
abroad every day, but on the 14th the snow lay deep on the ground, and

124 Lffects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

extended in one continuous sheet to the sea-side, except where washed by the
tide. There wasa keen frost. Fieldfares in want of insects and worms
were greatly distressed, and from their dishevelled feathers appeared to be
pinched with the frosty air. Many of them kept in the folds all the day,
hollowing out with their bills turnips that had been broken by the sheep; or
fluttering about weakly; or fighting with each other, for the fragments
picked out. Others were turning up the soil, which the sun had thawed on
warm inland banks, or on the coast. In these last resorts the redwings were
mixed with them, reduced toa still more pitiable condition, tamed by starva-
tion so as to allow any one to approach them; either hopping just to get out
of the way of the observer, or flying a short distance, and alighting with de-
pendent wings, when they appear like two birds instead of one, among the
snow. The fieldfares were still able to maintain a bold flight. Two birds in
beautiful feather and fair condition were picked up dead, although this was
only the fifth day of the storm. The thrushes were still procuring shell-
snails by wall-sides. The grey linnets had left in a body at the setting in of
the frost. Redbreasts came to the windows to be fed, and entered houses.
The green finches attacked the heads of burdocks in neglected places, and
dismembered them for the seeds. Hundreds of wood-pigeons crowded to the
fields of Swedish turnips, and stripped them of their leaves. Dec. 16th,
more dead fieldfares; several mountain-finches came to the stack-yard.
Dec. 17th, frost still severe. Fieldfares were following wood-pigeons in the
turnip fields, to profit by the morsels they left, when picking holes in turnips.
They were in great extremity, hopping before me, and tumbling over, with
low dragging wings. Sometimes they would in flying, dash themselves
down before me, as if supplicating relief. Passing a woodside, their mutilated
remains, as well as those of the redwing, were strewn wherever a sunny bank
had tempted them with an offer of support. The carrion-crows, dark
messengers of fate, were flying about silently over the white frozen surface
of the snow on the outlook for falling birds. Few were left undevoured; I
even saw a thrush picking the bones of a fieldfare; but thrushes still con-
trived to procure snail-shells at the wall-sides and under furze. Three or
four thrushes, however, had become victims to the cold, at a hollow on the
sea-banks where sheep had rested at evening, having sought shelter among
the flock, but in vain. Elsewhere other thrushes had succumbed, and had
been eaten by the carrion-crows. ‘Two blackbirds had perished. No missel-
thrushes were seen here during the storm. To-day I witnessed a most busy
scene on some of the sea-banks facing the south, where the sun’s rays had
sufficient efficacy to penetrate the frozen soil; hundreds of dusky birds,
mostly redwings, were labouring away for the dear life; their little heads
bobbing up and down, when assiduously digging for worms; or having ex-
hausted one spot, they took short flights to break up untried ground, uttering
as they rose a feeble call-note. This scene was presented for about half-a-
mile along the sea-banks. There was considerable slaughter of redwings at
a sandy beach, called Greenheugh shore, their carcases being piled up among
the sea-weed landed by the tide. Starlings were associated with the red-
wings and fieldfares in excavating the banks for food ; but for the most part
they were taking advantage of the sea’s retreat from off the kelp-weed

Ejfects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 125

covered rocks, and were searching for food beneath the fucoids. Redshanks,
curlews, and golden plovers also make this platform their feeding-ground.
A young starling and two rooks were found dead. On this day there were
several wrens observed stealing out and in among huge black blocks of rock,
uncovered by the retiring tide. After this the wrens wholly disappeared
from this part of the coast, and nota single bird has been detected since,
where a visitor at all seasons was always sure of meeting with them more or
less; and among the stone-walls that encircle the fields, from whose aper-
tures they were constantly issuing, as if in lively pursuit of their prey, not a
bird is now visible ; and in our deans and woods the wren’s silvery voice is
seldom now heard. They probably migrated, as no remains have been
observed in hollows or anywhere ; except that Mr Muirhead at Paxton saw
three during the storm, and afterwards found them dead in a hole of a wall.
Dec. 25th, the snow remained undiminished. Four or five fieldfares alone
survived in the turnip fields. The rest had either perished, or along with
. the redwings departed to another district. The ground under furze-bushes
was strewed with the wings and skeletons of these birds. Starlings com-
menced to follow the sheep’s evening resting-places. Rooks attacked corn-
stacks, and wood-pigeons continued to flock to turnip-fields on the coast,
where the leaves surmounted the snow ; and when driven off, hid themselves
on the sea-banks. ,

At Bowshiel during the storm, the servant lad used to set out the remains
of his porridge for the cats, when three or four blackbirds regularly came to
help themselves, whenever the weather was unusually severe. Starlings in
vast numbers assembled in the stackyard; and greenfinches and chaffinches
were very numerous.

Jan. 10th, 1879, the ground already sealed up, acquired a fresh coating of
snow. A pair of fieldfares still persisted to frequent the sheep-fold; cushats
continued their attacks on the turnip-foliage. Lapwings had gone ; but the
golden-plover still kept to the coast. Jan. 22nd, frost and snow still held the
supremacy, curlews frequented the margins of inland pools; two fieldfares
still shewed themselves, and a snowflake was heard. Three titmice (ox-eyes),
hitherto absent, came to the window to be fed. Black-headed gulls were
noticed on the coast to-day and on the 23rd. On the 23rd, eight eider ducks
appeared at sea; there were two fieldfares still on the fold (it is to be re-
marked that the sheep were fed with cake in addition to turnips) ; anda
flock of starlings came to the stackyard. Jan. 31st, the snow had been
further increased on the 30th and 81st, but the curlews on the shore were
uttering their spring-tide notes on the 29th and 30th, prematurely as it so
happened. A kestrel hovered about, and araven made his advent on the
far-spreading white scene, marked at once by his great bulk, his breadth of
wing, and his strong flight, interrupted at intervals by curious diving move-
ments, and by his repeated hollow barks or croaks. Rooks were attracted to
the carcase of a dead horse; and for several days had resorted regularly to
feed among the sea-weed on the kelp-covered rocks, bared at low tide.
Starlings clustering on the old grass leas, have sounded with their bills, for
worm or lurking insect, all the projecting tufts of grass ; and have diligently
with the same object, turned over all the sheep-droppings. Several still

126 §©Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

return to the stack-yard. Three blue-tits and three greater tits come to the
window for crumbs. The blue-tit was victor over the other birds then being
supplied with food, and to-day one snatched a piece of bread out of a robin’s
bill, and flew off with it. A missel-thrush seen to-day.

Feb. 1. Starlings now betake themselves to banks where the snow had
been melted off by the sun; much congratulation going on among them
meanwhile in their own language. Two long-tailed field-mice (Mus
sylwaticus) found dead in the snow in the garden. Carrion-crow, for part of
the day, now searches, solitarily, the bared rocks along the sea’s most distant
margin. No thrushes to be seen. Hawthorn trunks appearing above the
snow have been barked by rabbits. Chaflinches fed on crumbs keep up a
continual fight ; the females are the boldest. There is no separation of the
sexes in this quarter, during the winter, into separate flocks. Feb. 5th and
6th, a thaw, with the wind W. and N. W. A blackbird noticed at carrion.
A sea-pipit appeared on bared ground. Feb. 7. The ground bared by the
melted snow now revealed some of the places where the havoc had been
among the birds, that had been unable to extricate themselves from the in-
clement conditions in which they had become environed, by not timeously
shifting their position. The spot examined to-day was a burn side adjacent
to a turnip-field, which finally terminates on the sea-side. Wings and re-
mains of more than a score of fieldfares were come upon here, wherever there
had been the likelihood of a piece of soft ground to perforate with their bills ;
‘and also among some whins on a sunny bank, where they had slept at night,
after distributing themselves over the turnip-field by day. Besides these
there were found dead here, one blue pigeon of the sea-stock, two or three
redwings, one golden plover, two blackbirds, a partridge, and a woodcock.
A water-hen had fallen a victim on the sea-coast. There were very few dead
birds on the sea-banks. One of these was a thrush. To-day the larks were
hovering in the air. Feb. 8th, snow disappearing ; three blackbirds appeared
in the garden, the only ones left? ; anda thrush was afterwards seen in a
ditch on the coast. Redshanks and curlews were scarce, but wild ducks
were numerous in the sea. Black-headed gulls in their winter dress were
flying about; alsoa great black-backed gull. Larks were again hovering
about. In the evening a pair of corn-buntings appeared on the garden fence.
No lapwings had been visible for a long period. Going along the coast
northwards, I found at the Bents shore, a razor-bill, Alea Torda, driven in ;
probably in Dec. or Jan. I found another on Feb. 14; other two on Feb.
25; other two and a dead gull on Feb. 27, at other parts of the coast. Dead
redwings and fieldfares were less numerous here, than on our more exposed
situation. Feb. 9. The runs of the long-tailed field-mice about the roots
and clumps of the cocks-foot grass, which were much eaten, and cut through,
became now manifest at wall-sides, when freed from the deep snow. Long
tracts by hedge-sides, and by the footpaths in the woods were, after the thaw,
seen to be hollowed out, and ploughed by these mice ; the poor animals when
covered up by the snow, in order that they might not go far from their nest,
being reduced to feed on the roots and shoots of the creeping kinds of grass.
The woodmen call them ‘‘ Shear-mice,’’ perhaps from their cutting the grass
into short lengths, to place in their retreats. A railway bank was noted to.

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 127

be quite perforated with apertures, whence these mice had their outlooks
during the storm. Ina cottage garden in the wood, the crocus flowers and
leaves were eaten by a short-tailed field mouse ; and at Bowshiel I heard of
nineteen that had been trapped, which had come out of an old wall to feed on
crocus roots. I suspect the species was Arvicola glareola, Schreb. (A. riparia,
Yarrell). It was described as having a dark back and a white belly, and a
thick head. I know that this species eats cabbage plants in gardens. From
Feb. 15th to 19th, more or less snow fell; and on the last of these days the
snow once more extended to the beach. That small birds resort to the coast
during a storm to feed is a circumstance that never happens here. Ina
storm of moderate severity, there is as much snow on the coast as inland,
although perhaps it does not lie so long. In the coast stackyards there are
not even so many birds in winter, as are congregated about inland steadings
in the vicinity of woods. When birds disappear from inland localities, they
probably migrate. To-day several missel-thrushes frequented the margins of
_ pools, and appeared to be pairing ; the sea-pipit also came to the open pools.

A small company of golden-eye ducks (?) appeared in Siccar bay. Grey-
backed crow, rooks, jackdaws, and common gulls were frequenting carrion.
Feb. 20th. Thrush still visible in its favourite ditch. Feb. 25th, on a field
partially bare of snow, a flock of about thirty snowflakes appeared, most of
them dark-coloured. About forty-two golden-eyes (?) at Siccar-bay.
Ploughing was tried, and two lapwings came in the evening to the ploughed
ground. Wild ducks were still prevalent at sea. Feb. 26th, ploughing con-
tinued, although the air is still frosty ; four or five lapwings are now on the
ploughed portion; a missel thrush seen. fF eb. 28th, fresher; curlews
venturing inland; golden-plover heard; missel-thrushes singing; great
collection of wild ducks all round the shore ; no thrushes to be seen.

Mar. 3rd. Large flock of lapwings appeared ; 170 wild ducks were counted
off the rocky coast here. A thrush among furze; hedge-sparrow singing.
Mar. 6. Several larks in small flocks in the fields, as if arriving from a
different district ; while the resident larks keep separate, and are in song. A
thrush in song. Mar. 8th. Being at Dunbar, I noticed the remains of several
dead fieldfares in the woods at Lochend ; also near a plantation that shelters
the farm house at Skateraw ; and again near Linhead onstead. I heard that
on one evening during the storm fieldfares repaired in a dense body to the
shrubbery at Thornton-loch, which is adjacent to the sea-side, and were
nearly all lying dead on the ground in the morning. Also, one night, a
great crowd of starlings roosied in one of the shrubberies at Ayton, and were
so numerous and heavy that they broke down the bushes on which they
settled. The corn or common bunting was seen at Hast Barns. There were
many lapwings in the fields, waiting for the clearance ot the Lammermoor
edges, on which they nestle. Larks and the greater titmouse were in song.

March 11. Water-hens returned to the inland pools. March 17, after two
days snow, a great collection of lapwings and golden plovers appeared on the
leas near the coast, having been driven from the upland country ; but ducks
were now scarce at sea. A thrush seen. Mar. 18th, first pied wagtail;
missel thrush in song ; redshanks, hitherto few, are now assembled in a con-
siderable flock.

128 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

March 19th. Visited Woodhall in Innerwick parish. Its late proprietor
had allowed this farm, and the adjoining woods, to be overstocked with
rabbits, and the effects of this winter’s deprivation of food, had driven them
to attack the trees, and bark the thorn hedges to a degree and extent that I
never before witnessed. Those acquainted with the place said there had not
been such a severe storm experienced there for the previous 18 years. Rood
after rood of the thorn and beech fences was gnawed bare; the broom and
whins even were peeled several feet high, wherever they could be reached,
and much of both was killed. Even bramble was eaten off by the snow- line,
and the shoots peeled. Brier-bushes, wild gooseberries, black thorn, they
also fed upon; shewing little discrimination ; except that laburnum was
untouched. Branches cut down in the woods in felling trees, were completely
barked ; and even the stumps of cut trees were bared to the timber. After-
wards I remarked that on the Halls farm many old oaks that had been cut,
never had been allowed to spring, by the over-prevalence of these destructive
rodents. Coppice oak in a scrubby state having been drifted full of snow was
peeled, 3, 4, and even 5 feet high. Elms, ashes, oaks, ivy, birch, mountain-
ash, hazel, holly, sycamore, and even firs were attacked, either by strips
being peeled off, or having rings cut all round the stem, Where the snow
had held down the points of the branches, the rabbits had climbed up to
attack the upper parts of the trunks, which they could not otherwise have
reached. A shepherd had come upon one rabbit that had got hanged in a
sloe-bush, while thus feeding aloft. It lay across a dean, and the rabbit had
ascended the stem by a buttress of snow, and had been stretching down with
its head between a cleft, to reach some twigs anchored by the snow, when
these becoming released by its efforts to browse on them, the animal was
launched into spacé, with its head fixed between the forks, where it remained
suspended at 9feet high. I noticed several large oaks that had been climbed,
by the aid of the snow, in order to be at the young twigs. Of trees killed
by them, firs, hazels, and some young ashes were observed. A large ivy that
had been killed overhung a rock, and the rabbits had probably obtained
access to the stem over a snow bridge. Hollies were gnawed even at the
people’s doors to a certain height, the rabbits standing up on their hind legs
to strip off the twigs. They even ventured on to the ice-covered ponds and
peeled the willows, which were left a crop of white wands. They did not
relish snowdrops, but ate the crocuses all over. Greens and green-beds in
the gardens were cropt by them; leeks were cut level with the snow; and
cabbage stalks peeled. Here many thrushes were singing in the evening,
and lapwings and curlews had settled in the fields near their breeding places,

March 22nd. In the Pease dean, hips are still adhering to the branches
uneaten ; and many haws were afterwards observed in a variety of places.
It is noticeable that fieldfares leave haws till they are reduced to extremities ;
and with regard to hips the redbreast obtains the greater share of them, and
not the thrush kind. March 26. After bitterly cold weather, the baffled
lapwings were driven to the ploughed fields and the coasts, and curlews re-
gained the sea-shores. Wild ducks had left the rocky coast. Mar. 28. One
grey linnet returned. The furzy dean here was once notable for the number
of these linnets that bred in shelter of the bushes; but only three or four

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 129

birds were visible during the summer ; and it is doubtful if any bred. They
were plentiful in the preceding autumn. The scarcity was noticed elsewhere.
Flying for refuge to the South of England, immense numbers became victims
to the bird-catchers. Six thrushes on a warm part of the sea-coast, where
the sun’s rays had melted the frozen soil, had associated to dig for worms,
&e., as their congeners had done in the depth of winter. These were
probably all the neighbourhood could supply, as they are quite thinned out,
the migrants not having returned. Several lapwings were noticed to-day
going off to the hills in a body; others spread down to the sea-side on the
coast-fields. On the 29th, which was fresh and sunny, they had disappeared,
as well as the curlews and thrushes.

On April 1, wild ducks were again numerous at sea, but the golden-eyes (?)
had left, except a single bird. No redshanks were seen, nor afterwards did
they appear. April 2. No thrushes anywhere. Long-tailed field-mouse
dead in the open field. Turned out the skeletons of two redwings that had
. erept into an aperture under a stone wall, and perished. Three pied wagtails
present. April 4th, two grey wagtails arrived ; fourteen eider ducks seen in
a flock at sea. April 5th, a wheatear arrived. April 7th, another grey
wagtail ; four or five wheatears on the coast; another party of six more to
the north ; nine or ten wild geese passed. Sea verystormy. April 12, three
thrushes seen; a single wren visible. April 13th and 14th, snow fell; on
the 15th the coast fields were cleared of snow. A single gold-crested wren
was seen among furze in Oldcambus dean. This was the only one visible for
the season. The fir-tree tops were tenantless during the summer, so far as
regarded this bird. One ring-ouzel appeared ; and several more wheat-ears.
Ten eider ducks at sea, male and female equal in numbers. A very large
flock of wild geese passed in the evening, the largest seen for many years.
They haunted the fields at Penmanshiel and Howpark for three weeks, doing
much damage to the grass.

April 16, I went to examine some miles of wood, on the banks above the
Pease burn. Birds were almost absent, and only one thrush was heard. It
appeared like a deserted part of creation, waiting to be repeopled. One was
reminded of an Irish record of the year 903, when there was such a mortality
of beasts and birds, ‘‘ ut non audita fuerit vox merule aut turdi hoc anno.”’
(Annales Inisfalenses). Some of the hedges were peeled with rabbits, and
they had attacked the holly, ivy, sloe, wild brier, ash, mountain-ash, hazel,
and elm, but not to any extent; silver fir and larch branches cut down were
peeled, as well as those of other trees. Only the remains of one dead bird
noticed, a fieldfare, nor were there any by the foot-paths. They had avoided
the woods, which were deeply covered on the ground with snow. A greater
tit seen, but no other kind of titmouse. April 17th, a single blue ox-eye
seen; first humble bee appeared.

April 18th, examined the sea-banks between Redheugh and Dowlaw Moors.
Dead fieldfares were scattered by the burn-sides, and among the beds of
woodrush, and the willow-scrubs. They had resorted there at night, after
passing the day on the turnip fields above, and had perished. A dead lark
and grouse were observed. There were no wrens on the coast, this being a

Q

130 §©6© Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

favourite residence of these birds. More pied wagtails arrived. Sea-pigeons
scarce. Meadow-pipit and reed-buntings on the moors.

April 21st. On the river Eye from Reston to Coveyheugh, birds were
scarce. A single dead blackbird and fieldfare were noticed. Birds had been
dealt more leniently with here. Two wrens were seen, and several
redbreasts ; the missel-thrush was building. The reed-bunting and the
greater tit, single birds, were noted. Several bla¢kbirds visible; a thrush
heard in the evening. Dead wheat-ear on the moors. April 25th. On the
sea-banks before rain, five bank martins and two of the common swallows
seen. A flock of about thirty rock pipits, an unusual circumstance, this not
being a migrant ; but it had probably been to some extent this season; this
convocation being the returning wanderers. April 27th. Swallow appeared
in the valley of the Eye. April 28, Middle willow wren (Sylwia Trochilus)
arrived near Renton House, and on the 29th near the coast.

May 1. Swallow seen, but not on the 2nd, 8rd, or 4th. Two whin-chats
near Cockburnspath. May 2nd and 3rd, solan geese commenced passing up
and down the Frith of Forth. May 3rd, a very large number of queen
humble-bees (Bombus terrestris) have survived the winter, and frequent at
present the willow catkins; this was observed by Mr Currie also, at Linthill.
One day I counted about 100 on one willow. Three golden-eyes (?) remain
at Siccar-bay.

May 5th. Good day. Visited Dunglass. Two martins on the coast;
wheat-ears, new arrivals ; pair of swallows in the valley of the Pease. Bank
murtins at Dunglass Mill. No thrushes at Bilsdean, which is in a well-
sheltered seclusion, and even common sparrows were scarce there. There
were some blackbirds at Dunglass among the shrubs, a single thrush and
missel thrush, where one might have seen them in scores in ordinary years.
The remains of two redwings and a fieldfare by the side of a walk. Pair of
whin-chats on the fallow land. May 9th, very cold, no swallows. May
10th, two bank martins, and two wheat-ears appeared. May 11th, willow
wren began to be widely diffused in hedges and woods; cuckoo seen. May
12. Four swallows at Pease Mill; whinchat seen ; general tale is the want of
thrushes to enliven the year. No wrens or tits in the Pease wood; two
creepers seen. A blackcap warbler, and two of the wood wrens have arrived.
First wasp visible, and first white butterfly (Rape). Rock-pipits pairing.
May 18th, mild and fresh. Willow wrens well diffused, the three kinds of
swallows seen; and four fresh wheat-ears. Grey and black slugs are par-
ticularly numerous, as well as shell snails ; and the grubs of Tipula oleracea
are as plentiful as if they had not felt the winter. May 15th, dotterels
appeared on the moor edges. May 21st, martins and swallows began to in-
crease in numbers ; white-throat arrived.

May 22nd. This was a most remarkable day amongst the migrants; a rush
had taken place, and a variety of species had appeared in company. The
common willow wrens predominated. Trees, whin-bushes, sloe-brakes,
hedgerows, and even the grass were lively with birds in search of food, and
leaping up and down after flies. The willow wrens had very little song, and
were greyer than the early arrivals; perhaps these late birds were mostly
females. They were very hungry; and at evening were occupied like the

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 131

common wrens in prying into the hollows of stone walls for lurking spiders.
At night they roosted in the whin-bushes. The next largest constituent of
this swarm, was the grey flycatcher. There were three or four blackcap
warblers also; several sedge-warblers in full song ; some redstarts; one or
two whitethroats; and a considerable contingent of wheat-ears. Martins
had increased in numbers also at their sea-side residence. Two swifts were
seen. May 23, most of yesterday’s arrivals had left, there remaining a pair
of flycatchers, a pair of wood wrens, not observed then, a few whitethroats,
a sedge-warbler, as well as some of the wheat-ears. Swallows took up their
residence. May 24th, grey slugs very numerous in the fields. May 26th,
more flycatchers had arrived keeping in little bands of seven or eight.
Another company of wheat-ears, of from eight to ten, in a very tame
condition were-also present. They had come with a south wind, the air
having become quite mild.
On May 27th, the first swallow had got up to the Lammermoors at
. Boonsley above Woodhall, East Lothian. A shepherd here remarked to me:
“'There’s something no richt wi’ the birds the year—there’s the lav’rocks—
they’re no singin’—they get up into the air as they used to do, but they’ve
nae sang, naething ye may say but their winter chirp.”’

May 28th. Wheat-ears had mostly left. June 2. In a dean near
Oldcambus, where the fieldfares had fallen so numerously, an ivy bush was
quite loaded with full-grown berries; and I noticed the same circumstance
at Houndwood house ; not ene of them had been touched by the birds. Slugs
and snails were extremely numerous on clover leas, and almost everywhere.
In gardens they ate up lettuces, and the flowers in greenhouses. The grubs
of Tipula oleracea were very noxious to oats on several farms in the neigh-
bourhood; and many were turned up by the turnip hoers. The frost had
had no effect on them. A cold, moist, damp season appears to increase their
vitality.

June 5, a late arrival of grey-wagtails, two females, and a male.

Now in the spring of 1880, thrushes, blackbirds, missels, wrens, redbreasts,

tits of all kinds, gold-crests, grey linnets, and stone-chats have never re-
covered their old numbers, and several of them are extremely scarce.
Yellow-hammers and hedge-sparrows are as plentiful as ever; and the same
may be said of the house-sparrows; but there were fewer greenfinches and
chaffinches during this last winter, and only a limited attendance accom-
panied the sower, to pick up the uncovered grain. It will probably be some
time before the blank becomes refilled by migrants, or restocked by those
that have remained attached to the locality. We have had no fieldfares or
redwings during winter of 1879-80. A mere handful were noticed on Nov.
13th, but they never returned.

With regard to vegetation, so long as the snow covered the majority of
plants, they were pretty safe ; but the cold was so lengthened and extreme,
that several perennials that I had planted in the borders during autumn,
which had to depend only on the strength of their own vitality, never grew.
On Feb, 1, whins had not been touched by frost, and were full of forming
blooms. On the snow departing from the garden on Feb. 6, Penstemons and
Antirrhinums were withered to the roots, and they nearly all perished in

1382 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

subsequent black frosts. Garden and lemon thymes were both frost-bitten.
Old plants of stocks and wall flowers were killed ; Nepeta grandiflora, was cut
to the ground. Feb. 26, Fuchsia Riccartoni commenced casting much of its
bark. Here it attains in the open upwards of 6 feet in height, and is very
hardy. The frost of Dec. 1879, however, has nearly killed one of the
bushes. Many of the garden roses had to be cut over. On March 3, the
winter aconite and snow-drops were in blossom, and some Christmas roses ;
catkins appeared on the hazel. On March 8th, at Lochend, near Dunbar, no
injury had happened to shrubs. In the cottage gardens, wall-flowers and
the Bass mallows were reduced to bare poles. At Dunglass the Portugal
laurel was much blackened by frosts; at Dryburn bridge in the open it was
in full flower. The turnip fields in East Lothian had been deprived of their
entire foliage at the snow-line. At Cockburnspath the young cabbages in
beds came safely out from beneath the snow, but while still flabby and moist,
the frosts that followed the snows, penetrated them, and the heads came off
entirely in a piece; the snow had only pressed them down. Greens and
green-beds of the cottagers were annihilated. Of calceolarias in cold frames,
there were few escapes. On March 25th and 26th the cold frosty winds
were much felt ; furze became sore withered, and some of the branches were
killed. Snowdrops and winter aconites were flattened to the ground, and
the flowers of the first withered; Alpine cress was nipped ; flowers appeared
to shrink together; ivy on walls was pinched; the Sweet Williams grew
withered ; crocus ready to blossom, kept its flowers closed ; but they opened
to the sun on the 29th, when the coltsfoot bloomed. April 2, blue Hepatica
bloomed ; and whins were in bloom.

April 21. Near Lemanton and Houndwood the furze was extremely
flattened by the pressure of snow, and the twigs were more than usually
browned. Very little damage had been done to shrubs in the policy at
Houndwood. scallonia macrantha was hurt, and a narrow-leaved species
had its twigs pruned. Guelder rose had been much hurt in the twigs.
Rhododendrons had escaped. Some budded roses had been destroyed, and
other kinds had to be cut down. Cabbage plants and broccoli escaped.
Garden thyme was much bitten. Near the public road where much exposed,
hollies were singed, a cotoneaster was much shattered, and garden thyme
was nearly destroyed. At Horsley, which stands high, several yews were
nipped, Mahonia aquifolia was much blasted. Whins were sore tarnished,
and curiously twisted and flattened by the snow. April 28th, at Renton
House, some recently planted Rhododendrons were hurt, and Arbor-vitees
were killed ; some of the Coniferze were browned.

May 2, reported from Coldingham, that border pansies kept fresh all the
winter, till the cold thaws came, when they seemed to wither up. Many
young double wallflowers and Antirrhinums planted in autumn, had at the
above date, become mere skeletons without bark (a fate that befell the entire
lot of my own). In the beds only small cabbage plants survived.

May 5. Furze was sore blasted on the sea banks at Bilsdean ; Mahonia
aquifolia was much scorched in the nursery. At Dunglass, lauristinus was
much withered, and also the Arbutus, near exposed walks. Near the Man-
sion House, on the south side, a larger and smaller leaved variety of

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 133

myrtle, which had grown to a considerable height, had the foliage shrivelled
up. In the winter of 1879-80, these have been still more damaged. scal-
lonia macrantha was sore cut down. Roses had been cut to the ground. A
Garrya elliptica had its bark peeled off ; the Mahonias were much injured.
Pampas grass, well sheltered, had the tops of the leaves converted into a
withered wisp. Araucaria was in good condition, but was greatly browned,
1879-80.

May 27, at Crowhill, Innerwick, the winter has cut down common laurels,
Mahonia, lauristinus, and a trained yew. Thyme, as a border plant, stood
the winter unaffected at Innerwick Railway Station.

June Sth, at Chirnside and vicinage, Garrya elliptica, at the station, was
stripped of its leaves and bark, but, being pruned, it was again springing
at the base and on the branches. Whins were very much killed near Black-
adder Mains. Mr Boyd remarked that with him, at Ormiston, some of the
tender foreign kinds of ivy had been much cut down, and great quantities of
shrubs. Dr Stuart’s conclusion was that where things were dry the least
damage occurred, but damp and re-freezing did the mischief. At the Paper
Mill, Prunus lawro-cerasus was rauch hurt, lauristinus blasted. Ivy was much
injured at Allanbank. At the Pistol Plantings and Allanbank the hawthorn
hedges were considerably peeled by rabbits.

June 19th, in the manse garden, at Oldhamstocks, a very flourishing
Australian blue gum tree (Eucalyptus) had perished. Much damage had
been occasioned in the shrubbery, particularly to trees and shrubs planted in
the preceding autumn; many young Scotch pines were killed; common
laurel was much withered ; a double cherry was half killed; Fuchsia Riccar-
toni was killed to the ground, as had also happened to it elsewhere in the
village ; several Thuja orientalis and yew were killed ; butcher’s broom was
much hurt; Portugal laurel was killed to the ground; hollies had stood
well uninjured.

Chirnside and its Vieintty. By Dr Cuartes Stuart.

Writing 6th March, 1879, Dr Stuart says :—

The winter has been unprecedentedly severe and protracted. Your idea of
comparing the vitality of plants in the garden, which have withstood the
severity of the season, is good. The green vegetables have suffered severely,
when not covered with snow. The cabbages of any size became like soap,
and the broccolis not much better. Brussels sprouts and Savoys have held
out bravely, and furnished the only dishes of greens for the table obtainable.
The winter spinach, being well covered, is quite safe; and comes in hand by
and bye. On my rock garden, last year at this time, I had the Himalayan
primrose (Primula denticulata), in beautiful flower, with eleven spikes of
bloom open at once. I see the plants are throwing up their flower stems
vigorously, and are quite safe, but cannot flower till the end of the month, or
April. A large-leaved blue Hepatica, perhaps angulosa? is the only flower
on the rock-work out; it is a very pretty blue, quite different from the

134 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

ordinary forms of that plant. Cyclamen Hederifolia, a true British plant, is
also quite fresh. Sisyrinchiwm anceps and Bermudianum, two early liliaceous
plants, are shooting up their grass-like foliage. A fine patch of Sazxifraga
hirculus, which I was very anxious about, is beginning to show signs of life ;
and Primula Scotica has stood out bravely. This is quite a gem, to my mind
the most interesting of British plants next to Linnea borealis. The Azalea
procumbens from Cairngorm and Braeriach is untouched by frost, and all the
Scotch Alpines seem safe.

In the flower garden, roses, especially standards, have suffered severely. I
have a small collection of tea-roses in a spare roof-frame without heat, which
have withstood the cold well, the frame being during the worst of the
weather buried in snow. There are actually flower-buds on some of them,
and others are sending out new growth. Penstemons are killed.

As regards birds: I noticed the rooks at Ninewells, on the 28th February,
building their nests, carrying sticks, and making a great noise, preparing for
the coming breeding season. I have seen considerable companies (one con-
taining 22) of the long-tailed titmouse, a bird, that though plentiful here at
one time, I have failed to observe for some years. I saw one family at the
Pistol Plantings, Blackadder ; another in the parish at Harelaw. They are
a very singular bird. Although very shy, I got within ten yards of some of
them. The keeper at Edington has observed the goosander on the Whit-
adder this winter ; and I have noticed flocks of golden plovers since the fresh
began. Grey plovers, with the common pewit, were seen by the Edington
keeper. The blackbirds and thrushes have got a great thinning; I fed them
regularly every morning after breakfast when the snow was on the ground.
I have not observed them since the fresh, but on Sunday night, when visit-
ing at Chirnside Station—I heard the mavis in full song distinctly. The
red-wings and field-fares left this district when the snow begun, and have
not been seen since.

16th March. Owing to the protracted snow storm, wild animals were
driven to great straits for food, especially hares and rabbits. At one period
of the storm, the turnips were deeply covered with snow and not to be got
at. At this time these animals attacked the bark of the thorns, and
especially the crab-apples in the hedges, laying them bare ever so high up
the stems, which it will take years to recover from the damage done. I have
often before in severe seasons observed the barking of the hedges, but never
to the same extent as has been done during the late storm, whole lines of
hedges being greatly damaged. I was also struck with the preference
shown to crab-apple bark ; next the thorn; and strange to relate, the labur-
num was extensively barked, as well as the common holly, both very bitter,
if not poisonous. The seeds of the laburnum are undoubtedly poisonous —
but I cannot be sure of the bark. The Scotch firs were also extensively
barked—where branches had been blown off, or young tender trees accessible.
The rabbits became skin and done, and were an easy prey to dogs and other
enemies. The wood-pigeons came into the gardens in the middle of the
village here, and in front of the windows ate the broccolis, Brussels sprouts,
and other greens they could get near. In some gardens where the hares
could get in, especially at Fishwick Mains, they barked the wall trees so as
completely to ruin them for ever.

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 135

7th April. When driving to-day between the Pistol Plantings and Cross-
rig, in the Parish of Hutton, I saw a cuckoo, which had evidently just
arrived. 1t took short flights, alighting again and again on the hedge bank
alongside the road. I was within two yards of it on several occasions ; and
it seemed tired, and unwilling to rise. It could hardly have come in a more
dreary day; for a more soaking persistent day of rain we have not seen for
some time.

May 38rd. The swallows, sand and house martins appeared at Allanton
Bridge in flocks, on the 25th April, nine days later than last year. None
have been seen since that day. The Sylvia trochilus, I observed at Hutton
Bridge on the 28th in full song. Mr Evans from Scremerston visited me on
the 21st April. He came to inspect the heronry at Pistol Planting. He
found 50 nests in a colony, full of young birds; the old ones carrying large-
sized fish to them for food—the young emitting a peculiar grunting cry of
satisfaction. He watched their operations for three hours. The cold

weather does not seem to have affected the nesting of the hardy birds. He
' got the young of the tawny owl, and young dippers in Cheviot, a few days
before he was here. He was close to the peregrine nest in the Henshole.
End of May. The sand-martins appeared on the 16th April at Whitadder
Bridge, Allanton. The cuckoo was heard on lst May at Swinton House
woods. The swifts were first seen on 5th May ; the redstart on 2nd May ;
and the corn-crake on the 20th May.

May 3, the frost has fatally damaged Araucarias and Wellingtonias in
many places. Garrya elliptica and Berberis Darwinii are in instances killed,
never having been previously tried by a severe season. Laurels, Portugal
laurels, and the common whins are killed to their roots in many places.

At Broadmeadows. Hutton, where there is the finest collection of roses in
the county, all the plants budded on the dog-rose—short and tall standards—are
killed. Those budded low on the Manettii stock are safe. I was there yes-
terday, and Mr Macbraire showed me the damage. He has lost 300 plants of
rare quality. At one time he thought there would be 600 killed.

At Ninewells the frost was very severe, and the same may be stated of the
roses there, as at Broadmeadows; also the evergreens. I lost few roses,
mine being dwarfs on the Manettii. You are right about the scarcity of
small birds that are insect and grub feeders.

July 2, when at Fishwick Mains, on Monday, my second son and I ob-
served the blasted condition of several oak trees, not a single green leaf, nor
appearance of any. We came to the conclusidn that the frost of last winter
could alone have been the cause. The laurels and evergreens generally at
Ninewells are completely killed to the ground. The Mahonias seem to have
escaped, but Berberis Darwinii is completely killed where it grew as a shrub.
On the wall it is allright. Itisa pretty shrub. Garrya elliptica, which has
stood the winter for twenty years, is quite killed, but sprouting from the
root. Fuchsia Riccartoni, which has stood the winter for twenty years, is
killed to the ground, but is coming from the root. I also notice the common
privet very much blighted, the leaves coming in a blighted form,

136 fects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

Ayton Castle Gardens, 2nd July, 1879.

Mr Bowuitt supplied the following report, furnished by the
Gardener at Ayton Castle :—

Whins killed to the ground. Portugal and Common Bay Laurel, a good
many injured; but none killed outright. Broccoli, only 60 plants saved
out of 500; greens nearly all killed. Peas sown on 29th November, 1878,
quite uninjured and blooming beautiful. Birds and Slugs seen as plentiful
as ever; I think I never saw more slugs than I have this season. Caterpillars
more abundant than ever on gooseberries. Frost severest on the morning of
14th December, 1878—29°. Average temperature all winter never ex-
ceeded 352,

Kiummerghame and Dunse.

Mr Campsett Swinton writes, April 3, 1879 :—

My gardener assures me—and my own observations confirm his report—
that our plants and shrubs have suffered much less from the very severe
winter than was to be expected. Our chief enemies have been rabbits, who
have attacked many plants, which I never knew them injure before. The
laurels are much browned on the younger shoots, but a little pruning will
restore them to excellent condition. The only trees which I can mention as
having been killed—or nearly so, are an Araucaria, which has all its ends
bitten hopelessly ; and a variegated Wellingtonia, which looks very bad;
but was unfortunately planted in a position unusually exposed to frost.

Mr Joun Fercuson writes from Dunse, May 2, 1879 :—

In the few walks I now take, I seldom see a thrush, and several observers
have remarked to me that they seem almost extinct.

The newspapers recorded a great slaughter of blackbirds, &c., during the
storm, by some of the people in the vicinity of Dunse, for the purpose of sell-
ing the dead birds, [ suppose, in London. A cockney appears to eat every-
thing that has feathers on it ; but there is no need for Scotch people supply-
ing this craving to the disregard of the dictates of mercy.

Report on the damage done to Trees, Shrubs and Plants at Paxton
House, in the Parish of Hutton, Berwickshire, by the severe frost
in the months of December, 1878, and January, 1879. By GEORGE
MvIRHEAD.

The winter of 1878-79 will be long remembered in the neighbourhood of
Paxton, as one of the most severe and protracted which has been experienced
during the present century, for the oldest people in the village say that they
do not recollect of a winter of such extraordinary severity, or of the snow
lying so long upon the ground without a thaw. For nearly nine successive
weeks in December, January, and February, snow lay deep all over the

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 137

ground, and the ponds and brooks were frozen. During that time, also, the
Tweed was three times frozen over from bank to bank opposite Paxton
House, so that men could walk across the river on the ice. The hardest
frost occurred on the night of the 13th and early morning of the 14th De-
cember, when the thermometer at the height of four feet from the ground,
and fully exposed to the open air, marked no less than 40 degrees of frost,
or 8 degrees below zero.

At 10 o’clock at night on the 13th December, the thermometer fell to 5°
below zero, and at 9 o’clock on the following morning the indicator of the
thermometer showed that the temperature had fallen other three degrees
during the night, for it stood at 8° below zero.

At the Meteorological Soeiety’s Station, in the garden at Paxton House,
the thermometer did not fall lower than 2° below zero on the night men-
tioned. It is not placed in the open air, but in a covered wooden box with
louvre boards at the sides.

During the month of December last, 203 degrees of frost were registered
at Paxton garden; in January, 155; in February, 63 deg.; in March, 25;
in April, 14; and in the first week of May, 7°.

The damage done to the trees and shrubs by the severity of the frost has
been very great.

Fine specimens of the Conifers, such as Cedrus deodara and Cedrus Libani,
5 and 6 feet high, have been filled, as well as Taxodium sempervirens,
Cryptomeria elegans, and Japonica, in some cases. Cupressus elegans, Pinus
nobilis, Pinus cembra and Pinus pinea, Andromeda procera, and Salisburia
adiantifolia have also been destroyed; and Wellingtonia gigantea, and Thuja
gigantea have been injured.

Evergreen shrubs have suffered severely. Great Bays and Portugal
Laurels, 10 and 12 feet high, and 20 feet thick, have been killed to the
ground; as well as common ivy on walls and trees, Lauristinus, Aucuba
Japonica, Cytisus, Cotoneaster, Garrya elliptica, white Jasmine on walls, com-
mon Privet, double flowering and common whins, Daphne Laureola in many
instances, and some Cotoneaster microphylla on walls.

Common rhododendrons in some cases have been injured on the points of
the shoots, and a good many hybrid kinds killed to the ground.

Even the common hollies and yews have not escaped—the points of the
shoots being browned.

The gardener at Paxton House has remarked that the bays and yews under
the shade of large trees, especially beeches, seem to have suffered more
severely than when fully exposed.

The whole of the standard H.P. roses have been killed, but the dwarf
H.P.’s have not suffered much. Tea roses on walls have been all killed to
the ground, although in many instances well protected with spruce fir
branches.

Peach trees on walls have been injured, in some cases, as much as 2 feet,
from points of shoots being destroyed.

The flower buds of apricots have been much hurt.

Vegetables have sustained great damage—Broccoli especially, for none of
it has been left alive. Savoys, parsley, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts have

R

138 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

been injured. Fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables are about a month or six
weeks behind their usual this year.

In a subsequent note, of 8th July, 1879, Mr Muirhead remarks :—‘‘ I
notice the oaks here are affected the same way as at Ormiston House (Mr
William Boyd’s) ; a great number of their smaller branches being killed, and
the ground below them being littered with dead twigs.”

—

Ladykirk House. By Mr Atexanver Scott.

The late winter has been the most severe we have had since 1860, the frost
then being 36, and last December 35 degrees. During the winter there were
often from 20 to 30 degrees. Owing to the severe frost and the long con-
tinued snow. vegetables and many kinds of shrubs have been badly hurt.
Cedrus deodara, Araucaria imbricata, Wellingtonia gigantea, common and
Portugal laurels, lauristinus, ivy, clematis, Huonymus variegata, hollies of
variegated sorts have all been less or more hurt; and about 50 per cent. of
tea, hybrid perpetual, China, noisette roses have been entirely destroyed.
Spring and winter vegetables are nearly all destroyed, Broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, cabbages, savoys, and greens have been most hurt. Some of the
late sorts of apples are very much hurt, both the blossom-buds and spurs,
are destroyed Since the end of November there have not been two weeks
free of frost; and lately it has been severe for the season of the year, causing
seeds to germinate badly, and it will cause a bad succession of garden crops.
Blackbirds, thrushes, linnets, squirrels, and the brown-backed garden mouse
have been reduced in numbers very much. Not a third remains of their
usual number. Slugs also are not nearly so plentiful as they are in most
seasons. :

Ladykirk, \1th May, 1879.

Notes as to the Effects of the late Winter, 1878-9, at The Hirsel,
Coldstream, the seat of the Earl of Home. By Mr Joun Catrys,
Hirsel.

The grounds and gardens at The Hirsel are comparatively low-lying, and
are bounded on the south-west by a lake of considerable extent. The Leet
runs through the grounds from N.W. to S.E. I am not quite sure as to the
height above sea level, but should suppose about 50 to 60 feet.

As being of first moment to the subject at issue, I give the lowest tempera-
ture, and number of days in each month in which the thermometer was
below the freezing points :—

LOWEST DAYS BELOW
MONTH. DATE. TEMPERATURE. FREEZING POINT.

November .. 29th a4 9° of frost 22
December .. 14th a 2° below zero 30
January on 24th ve 29° of frost 30
February 22, 24, 25, and 26 PT? Tras 20
March he 20th te br ea 5 20
April aH 19th iy OS ae: 14

May ar Ist he OP anes 6

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 139

We have not many Coniferz here, but such as we had have stood the
winter very well; roses have suffered very much, Standards of the hybrid
perpetual family, from their being more exposed suffered most, so much so
that we may say none were left. No doubt a few struggled through, but
their vitality was of short duration. The dwarfs of the same type suffered
less, from their being easily protected; but even of these about half died.
Tea roses were cut down to the ground, but where on their own roots are
now coming away quite strong. We had a large plant of Maréchal Niel
entirely killed, though it had the protection of a wall, while the well-known
Gloire de Dijon, in good situations, came through unskathed.

China roses, even on walls with southerly aspects, were cut down. On the
same wall the sweet bay, Lawrus nobilis, Berberis Darwinii, and Buddlea
globosa, shared the same fate. Lavender was killed outright, as also Globe
Artichokes; the Gyneriwm argentewum (Pampas grass) has suffered much,
though well protected; the plants may come round yet. Another grass,
the Arundo conspicua, seems hardier, having fared better than the above.
' Tritomas of sorts are almost killed out, though they stand our ordinary
winter without hurt.

Of shrubby plants the common Bay Laurel suffered most, the young im-
matured shoots in many cases being quite killed, though the general vitality
of the plant will not be permanently injured. The Portugal Laurel has
suffered, if anything, very little; and as interesting and suggestive, shewing
how situation more than distance above the sea has much to do with plant
life, at Lees, the seat of Sir John Marjoribanks, the Portugal Laurel is
very much hurt. The same applies with stronger force to the Bay Laurel—
one can almost account for this owing to the lowness of the situation, being
only a few feet above the level of the Tweed. The Lees from here is not
over a mile as the crow flies; but as at variance with the above theory, at
Newton Don (Mr Balfour’s), 8 or 9 miles from this, and almost due west,
and much higher above the level of the sea than here, the Laurels are much
hurt by frost; so much so that many have had to be cut down. Such facts
are noteworthy, and deserve the attention of those whose business it is to
solve such seeming contradictions.

Some of the rhododendrons have been injured by the frost ; they are of the
more tender kinds, evidently hybrids, having either parent from a warmer
clime. Clematis on the open has in some cases been killed. Aucubas have
had their foliage hurt ; but the plants not permanently injured.

June 12, 1879.

Rosy-bank, Coldstream. By Wit1i1am Cunnincuam, Esq.

I have, in my place, sustained a certain amount of damage. The
Jasminum (white and yellow) which covered a considerable part of the front
and east end of the house has suffered materially, and also a large Wistaria
and other shrubs in front of the house; while a climbing Clematis, a Gloire
de Dijon, and a Wellingtonia in and about the same situation, have retained
their vitality. In the garden Spirea belia, Laurel, Rhododendrons, Ayr-
shire climbing Roses, large White Broom, Privets, large Lavender Bushes,

140 Lifects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

Carnations, &c., have all been greatly injured. Other shrubs in the garden,
however, such as Weigelia, Yews, &c., have weathered the storm, and pre-
sent a healthy appearance.

The feathered tribe also suffered severely. I, from time to time, came
upon a blackbird that had succumbed to the storm. I have still, however,
several survivors, but there is scarcely a thrush left. There is one, however,
at present hatching in an ivy bush, whose progeny, I hope, may be spared to
enliven us.

Marchmont. By Mr Prrer Loney.
Writing May 7th, 1879, Mr Loney says :—

We have no swallows, thrushes, wrens, tits, or grey linnets yet. In fact
I never saw fewer birds at this day of the month and year. Then as to
vegetation it is very far back, the larch is looking a little green, thorns are
budding, horse-chestnuts and oak and ash are barren as winter. Elm in’
several instances in bloom, but generally speaking our woodlands have a very
wintry aspect. Grass has made but little growth, and where stocked is very
bare—it isa serious job on stock; ewes and lambs are suffering severely
from inflammation, I believe caused as much by frost on the grass, as with
the scarcity of bite. In some instances hoggs are. going down from the same
cause. The effects of the late winter with me have not been so disastrous as
with many. Qur shrubs have stood well; I have lost a few roses, but not
more than usual. ;

Note of the Lowest Temperatures and the effects on Vegetation, at
Thirlestane Castle Garden, during the winter 1878-79. By Mr
James WHITTON.

Thirlestane Castle Garden is 558 feet above sea level, and is situated in
the middle of an oblong valley, with hills enclosing it on the North-East,
West, and South-West, which rise to the height of about 1,000 feet.

The lowest temperatures registered during the past winter are as follows :—

THERMOMETERS
IN AIRAND BLACK BULB
PROTECTED. ON GRASS.
1878.—Dec. 14 ote Ie ss 0-3°
jo Ae sae 2 és 0
Bate Al) te 2: 0-1
1879.—Jan. 20 Ae ic Sie 1
ee 7 ye 8 at 5
MDB Epa, Digits 1
3 24 A 5 5 0
ssihiuad eis 5) ‘ 1
Feb. 20 én 8 ae 4
Mar. 14 at 7 0-4

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 141

The following plants were all killed unless where well covered with snow:
Hybrid Perpetual and other fine Roses—WMenziesia polifolia, Pernettya
mucronata, Arundo conspicua, Tritomas and Globe Artichokes ; also all the
Brassica family.

Those growing on walls which shared the same fate were Escallonia
macrantha, Tea Roses (except Gloire de Dijon), the white and light flowered
Clematises; while the dark varieties were not in the least injured, and
Jasminum nudiflorum growing by their side was but slightly checked in its
flowering by the severe frost of 14th of March. None of the wood of our
fruit trees was in the least injured ; even Peach trees in pots plunged in the
open border did not suffer in the least.

In the pleasure grounds some of the Common and Portugal Laurels have
suffered very much, especially those growing in the shade of trees, a good
few of which are killed, Some of our common Yews are also pretty sorely
injured; while Wellingtonia, Cedrus Deodara, and some of the Barberries
are slightly hurt.

The following have received no injury whatever :—Rhododendrons, Box,
all the Thujas, Thwiopsis borealis, and dolabrata, var., Cupressus Lawsoniana,
and Picea amabilis, nobilis, grandis, magnifica, gh al ee lasiocarpa,
orientale, Douglasi, &e.

I do not know of anything more to add, unless to state that judging from
present appearances our fruit crop on walls appears to be all but a complete
failure, though I don’t know what share the past winter may have in it, as
the blossom was plentiful and good to appearance.

21st June, 1879,

Harry-burn, Lauder. By Rosert Romanszs, Esq.

My own garden and grounds lie in the immediate neighbourhood of
Thirlestane Castle gardens. I fancy they are close upon 575 feet above sea
level. A stream called ‘ Harryburn”’ flows between the garden and the
house; and we are about 700 yards west from the ‘‘ Leader’’ water. The
garden is well sheltered, and has a southern exposure; but we suffer much
more severely from frost than places which are much higher, and havea
colder appearance, and this I suppose is owing to our stream. The conse-
quence, however, is that we do not attempt to grow delicate plants; and
have, therefore, comparatively little harm to lament in a severe winter.

My gardener says that the last winter has been more injurious than any
since 1860; that the whole of our evergreens have suffered to some extent;
namely Yews, common and Irish Bays, Laurels, and Ivies; almost every
leaf has fallen from the large plain leafed Ivy—while the smaller leafed
Ivies, and those more serrated have suffered less. Some of the finer Roses,
such as tea scented, have been killed; and the wood of 1878, of the
commoner kinds, has gone—and none of the buds put in last year have
started. The blooms of the finer varieties of Rhododendrons have been
destroyed. The Arbor-Vites are the plants that have withstood the
severity of the winter best.

142 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

EAST LOTHIAN.
Tyninghame House Gardens. By Mr R. P. Broruerston.

I think the extent of damage caused by frost during the late winter is now
fully patent. Of vegetables, Globe Artichokes were badly damaged, old
Cabbages entirely destroyed, most of the Broccoli the same, Endive killed,
Brussels Sprouts rendered worthless, Parsley just now is beginning to come
away again; Spinach and Beet are much damaged, also Leeks, Onions,
Scotch Kale, Spinach, and young Cabbages, Cauliflowers, and Letiuces ;
Lamb’s Lettuce and Turnips were not damaged to any appreciable extent.
Celery was somewhat the worse for the snow which caused a deal of rotten-
ness after the thaw set in. Many Roses were damaged to the surface of the
soil. The dark foliaged variety of Ajuga reptans, and the variegated
Dactylis glomerata were very badly cut up; Dahlias and Salvia patens left in
the ground were entirely killed. Agapanthus wmbellatus and Tritomas were
completely cut down, but will spring again; Fuchsia Riccartoni was cut
down, and Lonicera flexuosa was killed. In the hundreds of other flowers
grown there is no damage apparent, but there is a singular lateness in bloom-
ing and starting into growth. Shrubs which have suffered are Benthamia
fragifera and Escallonia macrantha only ; on a wall where Tea Roses were
badly handled the only shrub damaged was a Ceanothus. Escallonia sanguinea,
Desfontainea spinosa, Azara microphylla, Clematises, &c., were not damaged at
all. Garrya elliptica is in full flower at present.

Whin is killed to the ground in some positions. The rabbits have caused
a vast amount of permanent loss through barking trees, shrubs, and hedges,
killing and disfiguring to a large extent.

All kinds of birds are very scarce. In former years the daily concerts
they got up were quite deafening, but this year it is almost possible to dis-
cern the individual songsters.

It may be of interest: perhaps to let you know the state of the fruit crops,
in prospective, of course. The Plum show is very sparse, so are Apricots,
though quite a sufficient number for a good crop are setting. Some Pear trees
are well budded, others but very sparely so. Apples in general look ex-
tremely well. Cherries and all small fruits are showing exceedingly well.
There has been a fine show of spring flowers, but most extraordinarily late,
and as a matter of course their display has not been so long continued.

May 3rd, 1879.

NORTHUMBERLAND.
Berwick. By Mr Gzorce Botam.

The following extracts are derived from various communica-
tions of Mr Bolam. They suffice to furnish a general idea of the
state of matters in the neighbourhood of Berwick. Other par-
ticulars with regard to bird life on that coast, may be found in
the ‘‘Proceedings” of the Club for 1878-9. On March 27th,
1879, Mr Bolam remarks :-—

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 143

‘In Berwick, though some people have lost a few roses, &c., I do not
think the frost has done so much harm to vegetation as in the country, the
sea air having probably a good effect.’’ Feb. 27th. ‘‘ Yesterday and to-day
the blackbirds and thrushes have been singing in the garden, so also have
the larks in the fields ; it is quite spring-like. There are still a few thrushes,
redwings, and fieldfares left, but their numbers have been sadly diminished
by the storm.”? March 8th. ‘‘ Yesterday there were 15 eider ducks off shore
here, as well as several flocks of mallards and scaup ducks; also a few solan
geese.” April 28th. ‘‘I got a ring dotterel’s nest last week. The redshanks
were in considerable force along at Goswick, but I did not succeed in finding
anest. Blackbirds and thrushes, and in fact all our small birds ure very
much diminished in numbers this year, and in the fir plantations, where last
year every good place held a nest, they are this year comparatively scarce,
and the thrush’s song is very seldom heard. The swallow was seen here on
the 25th inst., very late.”’

Tweed Villa, Norham. By Miss Dickinson.

8 large Lauristinus all killed to the ground ; 17 Laurels (15 killed to the
ground, 2 not quite so bad) ; 5 Aucuba Japonicas all much injured; 1 Gum
Cistus killed; 7 large Hollies (2 killed quite to the roots, 3 much injured) ;
8 small Hollies unhurt; 7 large Portugal Laurels all much blighted ; about
one half the Roses killed to the ground, or very much hurt; 1 Ayrshire Rose
dead, the Roses sheltered from the north-west least hurt ; 4 large Lavender
Bushes (2 killed, the others broken a little by the weight of the snow).
1 Plum (standard) killed. 1 young Pear killed. A pink Fuchsia nearly
killed ; all the red ones as usual, only later. The Deutzia and Weigelia, all
unusually good. The other shrubs much as usual.

Rose Bank Villa.
Much the same as the others, except 1 large Deodar killed, and 2 injured.

Pallinsburn. By Epwarp Wit.osy, Jun., Esq.

In answer to your enquiries regarding the destruction caused by last
winter’s frost, to Shrubs, &c., at Pallinsburn, I find that Bays, Hollies, and
Portugal Laurels have suffered extremely, especially those upon cold wet soil.

Trees of the Cedar class have stood the winter remarkably well.

Great destruction has also been caused to small birds—in fact thrushes and
blackbirds are rarely to be met with.

Ford Castle. By Mr Henry Trotter.

T am sorry that I only kept a register of the frost for ten days, during the
severest of the winter. I never found anything like the morning of the 14th
December in my life; at Millfield the thermometer was 7° below zero; at
Paston it was 6° below zero. The winter has cut down mostly all the com-
mon Laurels, while the Portugal Laurel has suffered very little. We have
lost a great many Standard Roses; the dwarfs have not suffered much,

144 Lffects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

T have enclosed an account of the frost that I kept :—
1878.—Dec, 13.—29 degrees of frost at 4.30 p.m.
5, 14.—41 ditto. at 7 a.m.
», 15.— 6 ditto. at 7 A.M.
» 16.— 7 ditto. at 7 A.M.
», 17.—214 ditto. at 7 A.M.
» 18.— 5 ditto. at 7 A.M.
» 19.— 4 ditto. at 7 A.M.
», 20.—26 ditto. at 7 A.M.
», 21.—23 ditto. at 7.30 A.M.
55 22.— 8 ditto. at 7 A.M.
»> 28.—12 ditto. at 7 A.M.
», 24.—15 ditto. at 7 A.M.

Chillingham Castle Gardens. By Mr Rosert Bowrz.

I regret that I am unable to give you an authentic account of the weather
here during the winter, not being in the habit of keeping a regular register.
I may, however, say that we have had nothing to equal it in severity since
1855; at that time we had 5° more frost on one occasion than at any time
during the winter just past. The lowest degree at which I saw the ther-
mometer this season, was at mid-day on December 14th; then it was 8°
below zero, on an open part of the garden and on the north side of a post, 3
feet from the ground. The long continuance of a low temperature was, in
my opinion, the cause of the injury done to trees, &c., being greater than
usual. No doubt the snow we had at the time of the severest frost was a
considerable protection to what was completely covered. I however find
that things of a large size are killed quite to the ground, where their tops
were above the snow, more particularly in low lying situations ; the same
kinds of trees and shrubs in the park, where exposed to the wind from all
quarters, have not sustained any injury whatever.

May 28rd, 1879.

Writing July 3rd, Mr Bowie says :—

TI notice that shrubs and trees of an evergreen habit have generally sus-
tained most injury ; more particularly in low and damp situations, and that
the same varieties out in the open and higher parts of the park are not
materially hurt, at least nothing like so much as they appeared to be three
weeks or a month ago; many oaks of large size were, only a fortnight ago,
more like dying than not; now, however, I am pleased to say it is an excep-
tion to see any that are not in (almost) full leaf; and although I have for
more than 50 years been pretty well informed in much, very closely con-
nected with Chillingham Park, I have no recollection of having seen it look
so well as it does at the present time; no doubt there are some sad blanks,
more especially in and about the Castle, put in time, I hope that from what
has been done by way of replacing what had been rendered an eye-sore from
the effect of frost, there may not be great reason for regret.

I was over at Fowberry Tower a few days ago; it is only some three or

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 145

four miles north from here; the death-rate there amongst trees has been
much greater than with us. Several oaks I noticed, which must have been
planted early in the last century, all but killed.

List of a few trees and shrubs that have been killed or injured here by
frost during the past winter :—Killed to the ground—Hollies of different
sorts; Laurels, common and Portugal; Rhododendrons (hybrids); Roses ;
much injured, but are, I think, recovering— Yews, common ; Ivy, various
sorts ; Conifers of various kinds are much hurt, some all but dead. .

Mr Gregson of Lowlynn, of date June 18th, 1879, when trans-
mitting the two last notices, which he favoured me in obtaining,
remarks :—

‘““The 14th of December seems generally to have been the most severe
night. Here we had 23 degrees of frost, and that was our lowest; 24 at
Haggerston; 8 ‘‘below zero”’ at Chillingham and Milfield; and 6 at
Paston. Iwas at Ford the other day, and walked through the pleasure
. grounds, and there I saw all the shrubs below the Castle, cut to the ground.
T noticed a Pinus excelsa almost killed ! I have never known that Pine cut or
injured before. The Ivy too on the Castle walls is very much injured, and
much of it will not recover. Here we have not suffered at all, and I may say
the same of Haggerston.”’

Coupland Castle. By Matrurew T. Currey, Esq.

T am glad to give such information as I can to your letter of enquiry, as to
the effects of our late winter. Unfortunately, I cannot, at the moment, give
you our height above the sea-level, nor can I give you the exact temperature
of last winter, as I have not a registering thermometer ; however, I can tell
you that on the morning of December 14th last, the thermometer stood at
20 degrees in the entrance-hall, with all doors and windows shut, We are
near a river, but high above it, and the river is streamy and the soil light,
warm, and gravelly, so we are not troubled with those nocturnal mists that
are so destructive to vegetation in frost. Nevertheless, we did not altogether
escape, though mercifully dealt with in comparison of our neighbours.
Hollies suffered, but were not destroyed: common Laurels were cut to the
ground, as also Bays and Lauristinuses, but Portugal Laurels suffered com-
paratively little. Ivy on trees was nearly destroyed ; the ivy with which the
front of my house is covered, seemed dead for long, but has revived, and is
growing vigorously, only a few shoots being actually killed. A great many
rose bushes are cut to the ground. No forest. trees have suffered but the
oaks, and in a few cases—one before my window notably—the young twigs
of these of the last two or three years’ growth are quite withered, and have
snapped off like tinder at the joints. I did not notice this till my cousin,
George Culley of Fowberry, pointed it out to me; he has suffered terribly in
this way, but Fowberry lies low on the banks of a sluggish river. Most of
my oaks have escaped.

Gorse (whins) are nearly destroyed, and so is much broom.

146 = Eifects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

Peas and potatoes are so much delayed that I did not get a dish of the
former till July 11th, and the latter till July 7th.
July 16th, 1879.

Fowberry Tower. By GrorcEe Cuntey, Esq.

Winter of 1879; Effect of frost on some of the trees and
. shrubs at Fowberry, on the river Till :—

Trezs, Decinvous.—Apples lost young wood. Oaks lost young wood,
and look very miserable now at the end of July, with, in some cases, only a
few tufts of leaves on stems and limbs. Some have apparently lost two years’
wood, and there is a great difference between common oaks standing side by
side. The same thing happened after the winter of 1860. Other ordinary
deciduous trees, except Wych Elms, are in as good foliage as I ever saw
them. In 1860 many Ashes, Limes, and Wych Elms were so split that you
could put your arm into them, but nothing of that kind took place during
last winter.

Conirzrs. — Cedrus Atlantica, three specimens transplanted in 1860, killed.
Cedrus Deodara all killed, including two which survived 1860. Cedrus Libani,
the only specimen I had, a tree of about 50 years of age, was killed in 1860.
T lost all my Araucarias in 1860; I did not replace them. Cupressus Law-
soniana, several fine specimens damaged in patches ; one large one near the
river, I think, killed ; two good plants at Chatton Vicarage killed. No plant
has altogether escaped.

Taxus. —Common Yews terribly damaged ; I am afraid they will have to
be cut down to snow-marks in many cases. As far as I remember the Yews
were not hurt in 1860, and some of the plants now apparently killed are 70
or 80 years old. Nothing has surprised me so much as the damage to the
English Yews. Irish Yews all damaged.

Thuja aurea killed. Thuja gigantea, two near the river apparently killed,
others all damaged. Wellingtonias all badly damaged, and very unsightly.

Evereresns.—Laurels—Bay and Portugal both killed down to snow-
marks. Hollies nearly all killed down to snow-mark; the only Holly unhurt
is a smooth-leafed specimen, which also stood unhurt through 1860. As to
Laurels and Hollies, the state of things is very like 1860, when plants, which
must have been then 50 years old, were killed down to snow-marks. Ivy,
all sorts damaged, some killed; about the same thing happened in 1860,
when the Ivy covering the west end of the house was altogether destroyed.

Box.— Several sorts badly damaged. Privet.—Many plants killed.

Aucuba Japonica slightly damaged ; was killed to snow-mark in 1860.

Rhododendrons.— Ponticwm, several plants killed, others damaged ; Cataw-
biense and some other Rhododendrons unhurt, but flowered badly.

Some of the better Conifers, which are unhurt :—Abies Albertiana, Abies
Canadensis, Abies Douglasi, Abies Menziesi, Abies orientalis, Biota orientalis, .
Cupressus Nootkaensis, Cupressus Lobbi, Picea grandis, Picea lasiocarpa, Picea
Lowi, Picea nobilis, Picea Nordmanniana, Pinus Austriaca, Pinus Cembra,
Pinus Lambertiana, Pinus Laricio, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus radiata,

July 28th 1879.

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 147

Lilburn Tower. By Mr Joun Dzas.

I am just now busily engaged in cutting down shrubs that have sufiered
most here by the hard winter. They are chiefly Common Laurels and Rho-
dodendrons. Cyprus and Red Cedars have also been hurt a good deal.
Arborvitas are very much broken by the weight of snow; even the Yews,
hardy as they are, are very much browned, and likewise the Ivies. ‘The
Portugal Laurel has stood almost uninjured. Roses: Standards all killed ;
Dwarfs killed to the snow-line; Biennials all killed; Broccoli totally
destroyed ; in fact little of the Cabbage tribe left alive, and I fear some of
the fruit trees are injured, Pears especially.

Lilburn Tower. By Mr Tuomas Extiorr.

Feb. 3, 1879. A great many birds have perished with the severe storm. I
found a great quantity of blackbirds after the last storm, that appeared to
have been frozen to death with two nights of intense frost that we had here,
as the birds were in good condition. The thrushes have all disappeared from
this neighbourhood. Partridges and wood-pigeons suffered very much. We
commenced to feed the partridges in the turnip fields, with hay-seeds, which
saved a good many. ‘There have been a great quantity of snipes, woodcocks,
and ducks about the Aller Burn these last few weeks,

Rock. By Mr Jamzs Cieucu.

Effects of last winter’s frost on shrubs and trees :—

Lauristinus most injured ; Common Laurels a little injured ; Sweet Bays
much scorched ; Escallonia much scorched ; Menziesia banks much scorched ;
Rhododendrons, in exposed places, much scorched; Rhododendrum arboreum
(white) uninjured ; about 30 flowers coming out. Rhododendrwn ultroclarens *
(scarlet), coming out full of flower; Phillyrea, a little browned; Portugal
Laurels not at all injured ; Azores Laurel not injured. Some of the tender
Roses cut down, many came again from the root. Wellingtonias, a little in-
jured where exposed. Pines, the various sorts not hurt, except one, insignis.
Fruit trees in general are promising. This, as far as I can see, is the extent
of damage done.

April 29th, 1879.

Mr Bosanquet, in supplying this report, states, that they have
not suffered much at Rock :— ,

The thermometer has not, I believe, been below 13 degrees (19 below
freezing), that was in the middle or end of January ; on the 13th of Decem-
ber it must have been nearly as low. We have only a few Conifers, mostly
of hardy kinds, in the pleasure grounds. The Wellingtonia will not stand our
winds, several promising ones have become thin and bare; only those in
sheltered situations have a chance. The Cembra, Nordmanniana, Thuiopsis
borealis, Thuja gigantea do capitally. The Lawrus Azorica does well too,

148 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

Subsequently Pinus Austriaca manifested symptoms of being harmed. On
September 12, 1879, it was still quite brown, excepting just at the top, and
looked as if it would hardly recover. Another P. Austriaca was somewhat
browned, but a third has not suffered at all. The Pines in question are be-
tween 30 and 40 years of age. Mr Bosanquet says, ‘“‘ they have always
hitherto seemed quite hardy, so that I should think there must have been
something unhealthy about the individual tree in question.”

Alnwick Castle. By Mr Coxon, Wood-Bailiff of the Duke of
Northumberland.

A great many of the Common Laurel cut down by the frost ; also Aweuba
Japonica; and many of the Climbing Roses.

There is very little damage done to forest trees generally, but Larches in
some districts are looking very unhealthy, but I think it is more from the
ungenial summer than from the hard winter. Oaks have suffered very much
in some parts of the country from the caterpillars, being completely denuded
of their leaves. [The caterpillars probably of Tortrix viridana. |

A good many of the Hybrid Rhododendrons are more or less hurt; but
Ponticum is very little the worse.

Many of the Coniferze have suffered considerably. The Deodar Cedar has
not lost many of its tops, but it looks sickly, and is not getting its foliage
well; and the same may be said of the Araucaria imbricata, and Pinus Pin-
sapo, P. Strobus, and P. excelsa. The most hardy, and likely to make good
timber trees, of those lately introduced, are the P. Nordmanniana, P. nobilis,
and P. Douglasi, more especially the last, as the timber, when matured, is
one of the best in the market. In certain situations it is by far the fastest
grower. We have them growing in the Park here, not more than fourteen
years from the seed, 25 feet high. We also have them under 40 years old,
with upwards of 100 cubic feet in them.

[The Wellingtonia, which is as fast a grower as the Douglasi, though not
considered so good a timber tree, has not suffered.—F. H.]

The Gorse has been nearly all cut down.

August 11th.

From an Agricultural point of view.—Myr Joun Parven, of the
Park Farm, Alnwick, remarks :—

The past severe winter was very trying both to animal and vegetable life.
Notwithstanding extra care and attention, animals of almost all kinds
showed, at its close, unmistakeable signs of its severity. The feathered
tribes, small birds in particular, have perhaps sustained the greatest havoc,
owing to the intense cold, and their inability to reach their food. The
silence of the woods, and the absence of marauders in our gardens substanti-
ate this fact.

The destruction of a certain class of animal life, which is a benefit rather
than otherwise, is seen in the great diminution of grub [of Tipula oleracea]
this summer, as compared with last, the larve, no doubt, having in many

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 149

instances, been destroyed. Vegetable life has also suffered. A portion of
autumn wheat on cold clay soils perished, and the crop in spring presented a
very unpromising appearance, while grass left, and intended for winter feed,
was cut down by the frost. Turnips not stored, and intended for sheep
feeding, before long rotted, and the value of the crop was considerably
diminished.

August 11th.

Stannington, Cramlington. By the Rev. AmBrosEe Jonzs,

With regard to the damage done by the late severe winter, in this neigh-
bourhood, I have little to record of interest. The road in front of Stanning-
ton Vicarage is marked on the Ordnance Maps as 202 feet above the sea.
The house faces due south. One large Gloire de Dijon Rose, on that side,
was entirely destroyed, while another of equal size on the wall facing west
escaped all injury. Two fine specimens of Cotoneaster, planted ten years ago
on the south wall, suffered much, and some younger ones were killed. Some
young Lombardy Poplars met the same fate. The Roses planted in the
open were a good deal injured by the frost, especially those budded on briars.
They have now pretty well recovered, and are in better bloom than I have
seen them for years. One shrub, the Escallonia rubra suffered in some de-
gree.

With regard to the diminution of birds—robins, blackbirds, and thrushes
—bf which we used to have great numbers, have almost entirely disappeared.
Sundry robins took refuge in the greenhouse, and were able to go in and out
through a hole, which I purposely kept open for them. They were regularly
fed, but after a time died or disappeared. The house-sparrows weathered
the storm, and are as plentiful as ever. There are also many chaffinches and
bullfinches. On December 13th the thermometer stood 3 degrees below zero.

August 7th, 1879.

Stamfordham. By Rev. J. F. Braces.

Towards the end of the year 1878, all the starlings disappeared, and so did
the song thrushes. The wild ducks, which frequent the Whittle Dean reser-
voirs for the supply of Newcastle, usually in a frost are to be found in the
streams in the neighbourhood, but I have for long remarked that when the
storm is going to be severe and last a long time, they go away, probably to
such places as Seaton Slake, at the mouth of the Tees. Last winter, after a
few days frost, they all disappeared. The greenfinch also went away; I
heard of 13 being picked up after a very severe frost under some stacks at
Nellburn, Ovingham, on the Tyne. The only birds we had here during the
storm were titmice, sparrows, chaffinches, hedge-sparrows, blackbirds, robins,
wrens, and rooks. The robins have been sadly thinned ; they came into
houses, and got so tame that they were pounced on by the cats, and I know
of many that were killed in this way.

As regards shrubs, the frost which was at zero two consecutive nights has
done much havoc.

150 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

KILuep To THE Grounp.—Anagyris Nepaulensis on a wall, Ceanothus Lobbi
also on a wall; Double Whin, Common Broom, English Laurels above snow-
line ; Privet in some places dead.

PartiaLLy InsurED.—Portugal Laurels much singed, Sweet Bay, Yews,
Pyrocanthus, Mahonia (Berberis) aquifolia, Heart-leaved Ivy.

UnroucHEeD.—Wigelia rosea, Jasmine (Yellow).

Birds’ arrival at Stamfordham, 1879 :—

Wheatear, April 16th; redstart, April 23rd; swallow, April 25; cuckoo,
April 28th ; sandpiper, May Ist; sandmartin, May 14th; swift, May 16th;
corn-crake, May 18th; flycatcher, May 25th.

Hedgeley, Northumberland. By Ratru Carr-Exuison, Esq.

Just before the first hard weather last November, and during the whole of
October, I had been surprised at the great activity and lively gracefulness of
the common wrens (Tvroglodites), which seemed to be present at Dunston Hill,
in unwonted numbers. Probably they were in more high plight than
ordinary ; the insect world and their favourite spiders being doubtless
numerous after the very high temperature of August and September. But
after the first or second spell of severe weather, not a wren was to be seen or
heard throughout the winter. They never came with redbreasts and
“‘hedgies,’’ blackbirds, tits, and sparrows to feed on crumbs, &c., at our
windows any more than in preceding years. They do not seem capable of
partaking of scraps of meat or fat, dressed or raw, like the tits, but are some-
times found frozen to death in outhouses, whither they have gone in search
of spiders. A few, and only a very few, have survived both at Dunston Hill
and at Hedgeley, as I believe they undergo hibernation in cavities, chiefly
under the foot-roots of large trees, such as are frequented by mice. And as
wrens roost in haystacks in groups of half-a-dozen together, so I fancy they
may seek mutual warmth in old mouse-nests through such a winter as we
have had. ‘There seems to be thus pretty strong evidence that our little
Troglodite is capable of enduring torpidity in winter, for a time, if it retires
whilst in good condition and in parties together, as we know it often roosts,
for boys catch them so, when procuring sparrows at night in stacks.

Blackbirds (all males but one) were fed with the robins on four sides of my
house at Dunston Hill, two were repeatedly in my dining-room. They are
almost as numerous as usual this spring, at least the cock birds, and singing
merrily, but I believe the hens to have returned in but small numbers from
their winter-haunts near our coasts. Thrushes are singing only here and
there, at either Dunston Hill or Hedgeley. The missel-thrush came through
somewhat better, wheresoever it may have wintered. One solitary missel
used to come with our blackbirds for food, and I think lived by robbing
them of crusts of bread which they carried away. In like manner lived a
solitary jay, too sly to come quite to the windows. I also laid supplies of
white peas for him, but am not sure that he took the hint. No doubt he had
an eye to any sickly robin too. Chaffinches (all males) came regularly with

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 151

the sparrows and wintered admirably by help of hemp-seed, which I got for
the sparrows to save bread. Green-linnets are plentiful this spring ; they
are very hardy against cold and pass the winter, as you will have observed
about the foldyards and stackyards in the Lothians, the Northumberland
coast-country, Hast Yorkshire, &c. Grey-linnets are never common either
at Dunston Hill or Hedgeley, preferring the open coast-country and the
links. But the little redpole breeds regularly around Dunston Hill. Its
nuptial flight is extremely lofty, its song being delivered as it flies in large
wide circles or excursions higher than the skylark goes. If I mistake not,
it is abundant this spring. Skylarks plentiful this spring, also the tree pipit.
Skylarks are described as wintering in vast numbers in the great valley of
the Ebro, in Arragon.

Columba enas, the stock-dove, breeds for the third summer at Dunston
Hill. It is not at all shy, likes to be near a house, but yet is very little seen,
and its low quiet cooing excites hardly any attention. It is most heard early
of a morning. I think it is this year nesting among thick ivy.

Quercus ilex is quite killed at Dunston Hill and Whickham. Araucarias
have stood quite unhurt. Wellingtonia, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Thuja
borealis all unhurt. Cryptomeria Japonica hardy and doing better than any
thing on soils too dry and gravelly or shaly for the others I have named, or
for Cupressus Lawsoniana, which is also quite hardy and thoroughly
naturalised by abundant seedlings. Muhonia aquifolia is hardy everywhere
with us, except under shade.

Berberis Darwini is, alas! killed like the native whin, but is springing
again from the root. Its fine orange inflorescence at this season is much
missed. Sweet Bay killed down but ready to spring again. Garrya elliptica
considerably hurt, but not so as to require being cut down, and it is budding
forth readily.

The beautiful Laurocerasus Azorica, nearly akin to the Portugal Laurel,
has come very well through at Hedgeley. Ardutus half-killed. Portugal
Laurel unhurt. Lawrocerasus Caucasica very tall and robust at Hedgeley,
and quite unhurt. Its blossom is like that of its near ally, the Common
Pontic Laurel, and now very showy at Hedgeley.

The Rhododendron ponticum is quite unhurt. Also many fine Hybrid Rho-
dodendrons, scarlet, white, and crimson, uninjured, and now in lovely flower.

Hedgeley, June 16th, 1879.

ROXBURGHSHIRE.
Springwood Park, Kelso. By Mr Gzorcze Wemyss.

The following is the temperature of the months of December, January, and
February, for the last ten years— showing the mean mean of each month, and
the mean of the three months of each winter .—

MEAN MEAN OF THE
YEAR. MEAN. THREE MONTHS.
1869.—December .., 30°.70
1870.—January oe 32 .51 age Oa sad.
February o6 33 .60

152 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

MEAN MEAN OF THE
YEAR. MEAN. THREE MONTHS.
1870.—December .. 30°.35
1871.—January ie 28 .6] 32°,78
February ce 39 .39
1871.—December .. 33°.16
1872.—January 56 36 .25 »- 39°.52
February we 39 .17
1872.—December .. 35°.83
1873.—January te 38 .30 ex 86°.45
February are 34 .28
1873.—December .. 43°.54
1874.— January oi 41 .71 41°.30
February ... 38 .67
1874.—December .. 29°94.)
1875.—January a 39 .80 ja oO Le
February .. 30 .71
1875.—December .. 37°.57
1876.—January Re 87 .95 37°.50
February Le 36 .98
1876.—December .. 39°.34
1877.—January ae 37 .18 39°.44
February nic 39 .82
1877.—December .,. 39°.62
1878. — January 5 38 .42 38°.19
February 20 36 .54
1878.—December .. 25°.75
1879,— January 4: 28 .06 } 29°.01

February “- 33 .22

You will observe how low the temperature in December was the mean
maximum being only 2°.67 above freezing ; and the mean minimum on less
than 15°.17 below the freezing point, thus giving a mean mean of 25°.75.
The lowest point reached during the winter was on the 17th of the same
month, when the thermometer went down to 3° below zero,

As regards the disastrous effects of the low temperature on vegetation
during the past winter, I find it difficult to speak, for as usual circumstances
have so much to do with the results; and I confess I have not given the
matter that amount of investigation this spring it would require in order to
go into details minutely, which I had hoped to have been able to do. In the
kitchen garden the Brassica suffered‘much, for example, broccoli, a third of
it was destroyed, and what was left produced very small heads, which
prematurely went to seed.

The fruit-buds of some of the finer kinds of pears are destroyed. Peach
trees on the open wall have escaped with a bare existence. All sorts of
tender Roses are either killed or have been cut down to the surface of the
ground. Laurels in low situations are a good deal hurt; they are, however,
putting forth young shoots from the old wood. The following may also be
mentioned as having suffered.—Sweet Bay, Variegated Holly, Lauristinus,
Cedrus Deodara, Aucuba Japonica, Garrya elliptica, &c.

June 20th, 1879.

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 153

Memorandum on the Effects of the past Winter on Gardens and

Shrubberies as observed at Woodside, Kelso. By CuaritEs Dove-
LAs, M.D.

Although not much above the level of the Tweed, and therefore subject to
a temperature during the frosts of winter lower than our neighbours have in
higher grounds, I think, now that summer is trying to declare itself, that we
have suffered less than many from the past severe winter. I find, however,
that the damage to shrubs is greater than it appeared to be two months’ ago ;
Laurels especially still shew dying branches, and the outside leaves and
twigs in many places have still an unhappy look; but as far as I have ob-
served, the only losses in the shrubberies have been a Barberry, which was in
great beauty last year, and an Evergreen Oak. Another of these Oaks was
much punished, but is now recovering, and the Laurels generally are throw-
ing out vigorous shoots from the larger stems.

Several of our climbing Roses have been killed outright, notably a
. Maréchal Niel, which, in a snug corner, had flowered in the open the two
previous years. Our Roses generally looked miserable, many apparently
dead, but now most are coming away wonderfully, and with fine weather
may still make a respectable appearance. There was a very fair display of
Pear blossoms, but although the weather lately has been, in spite of N.E.
winds, comparatively mild with no frost at night, I can scarcely see any fruit
set, which is disappointing, as there seemed a fair promise of a good crop
after two years of barrenness. The lowest temperature marked this month
was 34° on the morning of the Ist, and the general average since the Ist, of
the minimum has been 42°.

The Apple trees are scarcely sufficiently advanced in fruiting to give a fair
opinion of the prospect, but I am afraid, from the appearance of the blossom
after late dashing rains, that the chance of a fair produce is also very small
The Rhododendrons, of which we have only the later and hardier kinds, do
not appear to have suffered at all.

I have noticed that last year, Thorn hedges were shewing green on March
3rd, this year they were no farther advanced on April 27th. Hawthorn
blossom on trees was noted as partially out on the 15th May; this year on
the 16th June.

Last year Mahonia flowers were shewing on March 17th, this year on May
18th. Last year Laburnum was out on May 19th, this year on June 4th,
Last year the common double white Lily was out on May 18th, this year on
June 4th. Last year Apple blossom was well out on 18th May, this year on
15th Jane. Last year Rhododendrons were shewing blossom on 1st June,
this year on 15th.

The lowest temperature registered during the winter was on the morning
of the 13th December—1° below zero.

June 19th, 1879.

Kelso. By Mr Anprew Brotuerston.
March 10, 1879.—It is impossible, as yet, to judge with any degree of cer-
tainty, the effects of the winter on plants; but, so far as I can see, it will
T

154 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

not be so destructive as that of 1860-61, when most of the Laurels (both
Portugal and Bay) in this district were either killed to the ground or so
seriously damaged that they had to be cut over. The little damage they
have sustained is chiefly confined to gross young shoots—the result of severe
pruning — or to half-smothered plants, from which sufficient light and air are
excluded. The previous summer and autumn have much to do with the
manner in which such plants stand the succeeding winter. If the young
growth is well ripened, they can resist a much greater degree of frost than
when they make a late ill-ripened growth. If last winter had followed the
summer and autumn of 1877, there would have been a different tale to tell.
I may mention the effects on a few well-known plants, Araucarias are for
the most part unhurt, but some are very brown. The leaves of many hollies,
especially the variegated varieties, are seriously damaged. Rhododendrons
(R. ponticum) and Aucubas are unscathed. [I have since seen some plants of
Aucuba which were transplanted late in the spring that are much cut up.]
Lauristinus is much cut up, the flowers all destroyed. Garrya elliptica,
which usually stands the winter well, is very much damaged. I may say the
same of Cotoneaster microphylla. Penstemons, Antirrhinums, Wall-flowers,
&c., many killed. Spring flowers are late. Ihave seen only one Daisy.
Snowdrops, Winter Aconites, Christmas Roses, Hepaticas, and Bulbocodiwn
vernum, are now in flower; but Crocuses are not yet out.

Ormiston House. By W. B. Boyn, Esq.

T have to report the following amount of damage done to trees and plants
by frost during the last winter at Ormiston House, Kelso. Lowest reading
of thermometer, 5 degrees below zero. A large proportion of the Oak trees,
near the river Teviot, have the last year’s wood killed off. Spanish Chest-
nuts and old Apple trees much the same.

Plants killed to the ground:—Portugal Laurel, Common Bay Laurel,
many of the tenderer kinds of Ivy, Ceanothus dentatus, Escallonia macrantha,
Escallonia rubra, Escallonia Montividiensis, Pernettya mucronata, Cercis Sih-
quastrum. Nearly all the Roses killed to the ground. Most of the points of
Araucaria imbricata killed back three inches. Abies Douglasi very brown,
Cryptomeria elegans very brown, Thuja aurea very brown, Juniperus
recurvus very ditto. All the blossom at least a month later than usual.

1st July, 1879.

On the Lateness of the Spawning of Salmon during the Spring of
1879, Salmon Disease, §c. By Francis Russet, Esq., Sheriff-
Substitute of Roxburghshire.

In compliance with your suggestion, that I should send to you some notes
as to the unusual lateness of the spawning of Salmon in our rivers during the
last season, I can give you what information I have on this curious and in-
teresting point. I have not had many opportunities of personal observation
bearing on this subject; but I caught in the second week of April, in the
Teviot at Sunlaws, a Bull trout of about 63 lbs., which looked in good con-

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 155

dition ; and when opened, was found to be a female fish, as yet unspawned,
but with the ova well developed, and plainly near spawning. In the
sworn evidence of water-bailiffs, several instances were stated of salmon
which had not completed their spawning as late as the first week in
May. In like manner, the exceptional nature of the weather has this year
retarded the development of the water-flies, and so late as the 17th May last,
T saw the familiar “ March brown”’ in some abundance on the Tweed at Mel-
rose. The earliest appearance of this fly was unusually late; but I can-
not name the precise date of its first appearance.

The salmon disease, known to naturalists as the Saprolegnia ferax, appears
to have been very destructive in the Tweed and Teviot, in both of which
rivers large numbers of dead fish are observed covered more or less with this
fungus. It has also attacked Trouts, which I have seen swimming with this
parasite on them ; and it appears to have been especially fatal to Graylings ;
and I am told, also to Hels. With reference to Graylings, I may mention
that I found, some weeks ago, a dead one on the channel opposite to Mer-
toun House, shewing that this fish had advanced thus far up the Tweed.

This peculiar disease is to be made the subject of a scientific inquiry, and I
fear I can throw no special light on its causes. It is not mew in the
Tweed. I well remember a good many (perhaps about 6 or 8) years ago,
when fishing in late spring for trouts about Old Melrose, to have observed
Salmon, shewing a similar fungus growth on them, swimming about in a
helpless condition close to my legs, as well as dead fish lying on the channel,
or in the water, similarly marked. The fish had been detained in the river
that season to an unusually late period. The number of Whitlings in the
Tweed and Teviot this spring was very great, and they remained in the
rivers much later than usual; I mean fish that had spawned; but, on the
contrary, Salmon Kelts were unusually scarce ; and I was told at Mertoun
that only two Kelts had been landed with the rod this season in that part of
the river.

As to the effect of the cold, long winter on plants, I have little to add to
what you will have to state, or have already stated. The Wall-flower plants
were nearly all killed, unless specially protected ; and a considerable number
of Roses—nearly all Standard Hybrid Perpetual—were also killed.

On the other hand, the Spring Flowers have been in great profusion and
beauty ; Primroses especially ; and the Hawthorn, now coming into bloom
here, is in greater abundance than I ever saw it before. On some of the
branches the flowers form a solid mass.

June 23, 1879.

SELKIRKSHIRE.

On the Effects of the Winter 1878-9 on Gardens and Shrubberies in
the neighbourhood of Selkirk. By the Rev. James Farquuar-
son, M.A., Selkirk.

The six-months’ winter of 1878-9 seems to have been much less injurious
to vegetation in this high-lying district, than in many other parts of Scot-
land nearer the level of the sea. Nor have the prolonged periods of hard

156 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy.

frost, and the repeated heavy snow-storms been so hurtful as the shorter but
more intense frosts of such winters as that of 1860-1. Still, gardens and
shrubberies have suffered a good deal, and the Club may find interest in some
facts which I have either observed myself, or gleaned from a pretty general
inquiry among persons likely to give accurate information.

The first shower of snow fell here on October 29th, followed at an interval
of a few days by a regular snow-storm ; the last snow, as far as I observed,
fell on the 9th of May. ‘Thus we had fully six months of winter; and the
period between these dates was characterised here as elsewhere, not by short
sudden dips into intense cold, but by a uniform. low reading of the ther-
mometer, bringing the average maxima and minima much below what is
generally observed. At Bowhill (elevation 595 ft.), one of the Scottish
Meteorological Society’s Stations, the average monthly readings were as
follows :—

1878. MAX. MIN. 1879. MAX. MIN.
October .. 53.19 43.26 January .. 34.25 23.58
November ., 41. 1 32. 6 February .. 36.96 28.57
December .. 34.09 25.32 March »- 42.30 31.23

April nie Are LOt 33. 8

The lowest readings were—in November, 29th, 24° ; in December, 14th,
10°, 24th and 25th, 19°, and 26th, 17°; in January, 20th, 6°, 24th, 7°, and
27th, 10°; in February, 25th, 18°, and 20th, 19°; and in March, I4th, 12°.

-In April there was a sudden fall on the 19th to 23°.

Down to the end of February evergreen shrubs seemed to suffer little, a
fortunate result to be ascribed, perhaps, to the unusual stillness of the
weather ; but when March arrived with its bitter N. and N.E. frosty blasts,
they visibly yielded- to the fierce assault. But for the unusually severe
March and April, I think we should not have found more injury done than
in an ordinary winter. As things are, however, what I have noted is, that
in flower gardens herbaceous plants have come through much as usual, and
the freezing of the ground for a long period to the depth of 18 or 20 inches,
does not seem to have affected hardy bulbs. Roses have been a good deal
disfigured,—cut down but not destroyed,—the only Rose in my garden quite
dead being an Austrian Briar. In the kitchen-garden there has been no
little havoc, the whole Cabbage tribe having been well nigh annihilated, so
that there is a dearth of spring vegetables. Broccoli, which never promised
better in the end of autumn, was reduced to pulp; Brussels Sprouts stood
longer, but became useless ere the end of winter; and autumn-planted Cab-
bage (Macewen’s) proved but a ragged regiment when the snow melted—
most of the plants killed, and such as survived proving so weak that they
never ‘‘hearted,’’ but shot up into feeble flower stems.

Among the shrubs about the Manse (530 feet above sea), the common
Laurel (Prunus Lauro-Cerasus) and Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex) have
suffered most, none being killed, but the foliage much damaged, indeed
stripped from large portions of the bushes, so that we must wait for the
young leaves, which are growing vigorously, to clothe them again. Portugal
Laurel, Holly, Aucuba, Mahonia, Weigelia rosea, Berberis duleis, and B.
Darwinii, &c., are untouched.

Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 157

Around Bowhill comparatively little injury has been done. The fine old
Rhododendrons (R. ponticum) are untouched, and promise a profusion of
blossom. Quercus Ilex has suffered there also, and the common Laurels, just
as about this house, scathed but not ruined. The common Yellow Azalea
is quite safe, and covered with flowers. But Laurustinus, Arbutus, Phillyrea,
have been cut down, and show no sign of sprouting from the root. Escallo-
nias of different species have also suffered much.

At Sunderland Hall (under 400 feet) a fine Berberis Darwinii trained on
the lodge, has been cut down to the ground, but is sprouting from the root ;
and a like calamity has overtaken an old Fig-tree on a south wall, which has
stood the frosts of upwards of 40 years. It, too, is showing life at the crown
of the root. Wellingtonias and Deodars, with several other Conifers
scattered over the grounds, are safe and vigorous, as is also a splendid collec-
tion of Hybrid Rhododendrons, at present (June 24th) in magnificent flower.
Portugal Laurels are for the most part safe, and Mahonias ; but I observed
here plants of these two species quite dead in immediate proximity to others
alive and flourishing. No difference in soil or shelter could explain this
diversity, which, I fancy, must be due to differences in the vigour, or as one
may call it, the ‘‘ constitution ’’ of individual plants.

Throughout the country generally the Whin and Broom have been much
damaged, in some places killed, in others greatly injured from the ground
upwards, although now showing much blossom on the highest branches.

The foliage of forest-trees, and blossom on such as flower conspicuously,
i.e. Chestnut, Laburnum, Lilac, &c., are unusually massive and rich ; as was
the blossom on fruit trees in the garden and orchard.. The six months’
winter, fortunately, has not counteracted the wood-ripening processes of last
year’s splendid summer.

Selkirk Manse, 24th June, 1879.

Galashiels.
Writing from Galashiels, Sept. 9th, 1879, Mr James Woop re-
marks on the scarcity of birds :—

‘In our glen we used to have several wrens’ nests every summer. This
year we havenone, The birds must have all perished last winter. We used to
have also a great many yellow-hammers and ox-eyes. We fed these fora
good while during the winter, but their number got fewer and fewer every
morning, until all had perished. I have not seen a yellow-hammer or a tom-
tit in our neighbourhood this summer.”’

It was, perhaps, owing to the extremely cold summer consequent on the
shadow cast by the dreadful winter over the entire season, that the following
circumstance occurred, of which I owe the recital to Mr Sait, now of Kirk-
caldy :—

Gooseberries in October.

On 7th October, 1879, I gathered Gooseberries from several bushes in
Fernieknowe garden, Galashiels, belonging to Mr Cochrane. The fruit was
no more than fairly ripe; and was fairly well-flavoured, considering that it
was gathered from the lower shaded branches. No artificial preservation
had been tried,

158

Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, found in Parish of Swinton,
Berwickshire. By Davip Mitne Home, Esq., of Milne-
eraden, LL.D., &e.

Happenine te pass through the village of Swinton one day
last autumn (1878), I observed in a small garden plot adjoining
the principal inn, what appeared to be a large Cannon Ball of
Stone.

On asking the innkeeper the history of it, he informed me that
it was one of five or six which had been found together in the
river Leet, in 1865, when its channel was being altered; and
that his idea was that they had belonged to the large cannon
known by the name of Mons Meg. He added that when in
Edinburgh lately he had gone to the Castle, and found that
Mons Meg has a mouth large enough to admit the ball; and
that there were lying beside the gun several Stone Balls
apparently about the size of the one in Swinton. He said that
some one had told him it was known to readers of Scotch history
that Mons Meg was at the siege of Norham Castle in the time of
King James IV.

The above six balls were thus disposed of. Mr Chalmers has
one at Swinton Inn. The Rev. Mr Sherar, F.C., Swinton, has
one. A third was got by Mr White, which is now at
Milne-graden. Mr Hannan, of Dunse Castle, took away the
other three. One of these is now at St. Mary’s Cottage, Dunse
Castle. Mr Chalmers thinks the other two were sent by Mr
Hannan to Edinburgh.

I went to Swinton House and saw there three stone balls—two
are in the garden ona wall. The third is at the end of the
house occupied by the farm steward. ‘This last one I found has
a girth of 583 inches. He said it had been found in the river
Leet, at the back of his house. The other two in the garden
seemed to be of smaller size. Mr Chalmers did not know their
history ; but he was sure they had been in the garden more than
40 years. )

The ball at the steward’s house has inserted into it a piece of
iron, and a groove has been made at each side in connection with
this bit of iron. Itis probable that the object of this was to
convert it into a heavy weight for a cheese press.

There is another stone, somewhat smaller, at a cottage door in

Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home. 159

Swinton village with a bit of iron in it, which is supposed to
have been used for a similar purpose.

On obtaining this information, I asked Mr Cossar, of Green-
knowe, to have the goodness to enquire as to the exact spot
where the Balls were found, and in what position they had been
lying.

He did make. enquiry, and he writes to me, that when the
channel of the river Leet was lowered in the year 1865, five
Stone Balls were found at the side of a bridge over the river to
the north of Swinton Mill, on the property of Colonel Trotter of
Charter Hall. Mr Cossar says the Balls were at the S.H. side
of the bridge, placed apparently so as to guide the water through
the arch of the bridge. The bridge (Mr Cossar adds) was re-
paired in the year 1745.

I went to Edinburgh Castle and examined Mons Meg. The
gun rests on a handsome iron carriage, bearing the following in-
scription :—‘‘ At siege of Norham Castle, in 1497.”

On measurement, I found the mouth of the gun to be twenty
inches across, and that the inside bore becomes slightly smaller
towards the breech. The length of the gun is 16 feet.

It has evidently been made with longitudinal iron bars, out-
side of which other iron bars have been hooped round and
across the former.

I found six Stone Balls lying beside the gun, the largest of
which is about 42 inches in girth. The others are 35 or 36
inches.

Having, through the good offices of Mr Cossar, obtained pos-
session of one of the Stone Balls, I find that its girth is 56
inches. It is apparently of limestone, as vinegar poured on it
causes effervescence.

The Ball at Swinton village has a girth of 58 inches, and is
said to be of grey granite.

Lately on visiting Norham Castle, I found near the porter’s
lodge a Stone Ball, with a girth of 57 inches, which I learnt had
some years ago been found in the river Tweed, a few hundred
yards to the west of the Castle. The spot where it was found is
in a line between the Castle and Ladykirk village. An old
grass field to the east of the village shows the remains of
military ramparts, where artillery might suitably have been
stationed for firing on Norham Castle. The probability therefore

160 Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home.

is that Mons Meg had been brought to this field, and that a
Stone Ball fired from it had fallen short of the Castle and fell
into the Tweed, where it had lain till discovered on the occasion
just referred to, when the river was unusually low. The Ball
was drawn out from the channel by some of the Norham fisher-
men, and was taken up to the Castle in a cart.

Thinking that Scottish historical books might throw light on
the subject, I went to the Library of the Society of Scottish
Antiquaries, and obtained access to a book containing copies of
extracts from the Scottish Lord High Treasurer’s Accounts, in
which all expenditure by or for the Scottish Executive Govern-
ment is minutely detailed. There is a valuable preface by Mr
Dickson of the Edinburgh Register House, which supplies the
following particulars :—

“« Mons Meg” is supposed to have been constructed at the town
of Mons, in Flanders; and to have been brought to Scotland
about the year 1455. At that time there was great intercourse
between Scotland and Flanders, and many articles were ob-
tained from Flanders. Prior to 1497, occasional references are
made to the gun under the appellation only of Mons. In July,
1489, it seems to have been taken to Glasgow to assist in the
siege of Dumbarton. In the year 1578, the gun is still referred
to in the Treasury Accounts, under the name of Mons. In the
year 1650 it is referred to in these accounts as ‘‘ the great iron
murderer Muckle Meg.”

In the early part of the summer of 1497, preparations began
to be made in Scotland for a siege of Norham Castle. It seems
that the expense of military expeditions at that period was
arranged in this way :—That the king made a proclamation of a
raid having been resolved on, and that thereupon each district
of country was bound to send a certain number of men, provided
with arms and also with provisions to last 21 days. The cost of
the artillery fell on the sovereign personally.

Mr Dickson states that a tax called ‘‘ Spear Silver” was on
such occasions leviable from the inhabitants of towns; but that
in order to obtain exemption from supplying soldiers and from
paying this tax it was allowable to contribute a slump sum of
money. The following entries illustrate this point :—

“1497. July 18.—Received fra the community of the toune of
- Perth, for ane composition maid with thaim be the King, for leif
- to them to remain at hame fra the Raid of Norem.”

Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home. 161

‘24th July.—License was giffen to the toune of Dundee, to
remane at hame, fra the host at this time, for the soume of 450
crowns of gold, giffen be thaim to the furth bringing of the
King’s artillery.”

To obtain the full sum necessary to defray the king’s expenses
in sending artillery to Norham, it is mentioned by Mr Dickson,
(from entries in the State Accounts) that the king had to sell a
certain great chain of gold, and other personal ornaments. He
appears also to have sent the hat round among the nobility, as
in the State Accounts credit is given for many donations towards
the raid ; one of £100 being from David Home, of Wedderburn.

It appears that much expense was incurred in equipping
Mons Meg for joining in the expedition. One hundred workmen
and five carpenters and smiths were hired by Sir Robert Ker,
the master of the artillery, to pass with Mons alone, 7.e. to attend
to her exclusively.

It will be seen also from the entries in July, 1497 (annexed
hereto), that a cradi or carriage was made for Mons, and canvas
to cover her—as well as tows or ropes to draw her.

At this time Mons was in Edinburgh Castle. After her eradal
was made, she was drawn doune the gait—that is, the Canongate,
to the Abbey of Holyrood, where the rest of the artillery pro-
bably was collected. It had been made a public ceremony, as
there is a payment to the Minstrels that playit before Mons, doune
the Gate.

The first attempt to start Ions for the Borders was unsuccess-
ful. For, as Mr Dickson observes, ‘‘ the great gun broke down
before the outskirts of the town were passed.”’ Accordingly
there is an entry on 24th July for carrying érees to be Mons new
cradil, to her at St. Leonards, where she lay.

This mishap delayed the setting out of the expedition. The
extracts show, that on the 6th August six horses were employed
to draw Meg to ‘‘ Norem.”’

Mr Dickson says that the King, impatient of the delay, had
started for the Borders on the 20th July, and repaired to Mel-
rose, where there was to be a general gathering of troops. He
probably started from Edinburgh on the 19th July ; for on that
day there is an entry of a payment to a woman who brought
strawberries to the King at Dryden, which is a village in Mid
Lothian, on the way between Edinburgh and Melrose.

U

162 Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home.

On the 7th August, Mr Dickson says the King had established
his quarters at Upsetlington, on the north bank of the Tweed, im-
mediately opposite Norham ; and he is found there playing cards
with the Spanish Ambassador, and others of his retinue. This
was no good trait of the King, when he ought to have been
looking after his troops, and planning the siege of a most formid-
able stronghold.

Mr Dickson observes that ‘“‘the Bishop of Durham (to whom
Norham Castle belonged) being forewarned of King James’ ex-
pedition, had garrisoned and strengthened the Castle so effectu-
ally that the King found it impregnable. News at the same
time came of the rapid advance of the Harl of Surrey with a
numerous force. King James immediately withdrew into Scot-
land. Surrey followed, hoping to overtake the aoe army,
and failing in this, laid siege to Ayton Castle.”

On the 30th September, 1497, a truce was entered into between
‘‘ England and Scotland, to ina for 7 years. It was signed in the
Church of Ayton, on behalf of King James by Andrew Forman
(Prothonotary and Prior of May), Patrick Home of Fast Castle,
and Mr Lawson, Justice Clerk of Scotland. MHostilities being
thus at an end, orders were given for the home bringing of the
artillery, and Sir Robert Ker accordingly collected and brought
back to Edinburgh the guns which had been placed at Wedder-
burn, Home, and other strengths on the Borders.”

“During the hostilities of this and the preceding year, the lands
on the East March (holding of the Crown), had suffered so much
that an abatement was allowed on the rents, —‘‘ propter vastita-
tum terrarum de Hersell, Gradene, Letheme, Grenlaw, et Burgham,
vastatas per guerras Anglorum.”’

Mons Meg was, in the year 1745, carried off from Edinburgh
Castle to the Tower of London, where she remained till the year
1825. Itis understood that the gun was restored to Scotland,
by means of a personal application by Sir Walter Scott to King
George IV., when His Majesty visited Scotland.

It is uncertain where the quarries were from which these large
Cannon Balls were taken. The Treasurer’s Accounts show that
there were quarries belonging to government at Dunbar and
Stirling. In the Lord Treasurer’s Accounts, frequent reference
is made to one Johne Quarreour ; this surname being synonimous
with our word ‘‘quarryman ;” and this Johne is also spoken of

Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home. 163

in the Accounts as one of the gunners, whose duty it was to ob-
tain Stone Balls for the artillery. In the Extracts of 5th and 6th
August, payments are entered as made for ‘‘ Gun-Stanes that
were new made,” to go to Norham, and which required six
horses to draw them.

It is evident, therefore, that the six Stone Balls found in the
channel of the Leet were balls which belonged to ‘“‘ Mons Meg.”
How they should have been left there, can only be matter of
conjecture. It is possible that when Mons Meg, with the rest of
the Scotch artillery, was being brought back to Edinburgh, the
retreat may have been so hurried, that the balls were left be-
hind. ‘The passage of the Leet would, no doubt, be difficult for
any carriage or vehicles which conveyed balls of such size and
weight ; and one may have broken down so completely, that there
was no way of extracting the balls from the moss or mud which
abounded on the low flat through which the river Leet
meandered.

I heard a report that at or near the place where the balls were
found the bones of a horse, and some iron bars were found. In
that case the probability of this last conjecture would be
strengthened.

In Boston’s Biography there is notice of a lake which, even
in his time, covered a part of the meadow where the Stone Balls
were found, and he mentions that on one occasion when he was
fording this lake his horse Jared in the mud, and it was with
difficulty he got out.

Extracts from State Accounts kept by the Lord High Treasurer
of Scotland.

1496.—To Johne Quarriour, for correking of gun-stanes, £4 2s.
1497. April 5.—To 4 miller quarreours at Dunbar, for stanes wynning.
April 7.—To Johne Quarreour, for the redding of Dunbar, at the
mason’s mycht wirk.
(Johne Quarreour was one of the gunners who had charge
of the artillery)
April 10.— Giffen to John Mawer, elder, in part payment of quhelis
(wheels) making to the Bombards and to Mons.
April 10.— (Another payment for same object).
July 8.—One hundred workmen and 5 carpenters to pass with Mons
to Norham,
For 4 great trees to Mons, weighing 16 stones.
July 9.—To seven wrights for 24 days, to mak cradill for Mons.

164 Notice of Stone Cannon Balls, by David Milne Home.

July 9.—To Lord of Hilhouse, for expense of coming hame for Mons.
To stones weight of irne and clath for Mons.
July 19.—To the wif that brocht straberries to the King fra Dri-
dene, 14s.
July 20.—To ane wif that brocht cheriis to the King, 4s.
July 20.—For four gret towis (ropes ?) to Mons, weyand 16 stans,
£4 ds 8d.
July 20. To bere them to the Abbey for Mons.
July 24.-To pynouris (pioneers) to bere ye tree, to be Mons new
cradil, to her at St. Leonards, where she lay, 4s. 6d.
July 28.—For 13 stanes of irne to mak graith to Mons new cradil, and
Gavilokkis to go with her, 30s. 4d.
July 28.—To the Minstralis that playit before Mons doune the gait,
14s.
July 29.—To 7 wrichtis for twa days, that maid Mons cradill, 23s. 4d
For walking (watching) of Ifons and uther artillery.
To Robin Ker to fee workmen to pass with Mons.
For 23lbs. of talloune to Mons.

For $ gallone of tar to Mons.
For 8 elne of cammus (canvas?) to be Mons claits to cover

her, £9.
For sewing of it, 4d.
To twa wrichtis to pass wi Ions, for their owke's wages, 32s.
August 3.—Giffen for wyne to the King at none and evin (noon and
evening ?)
August 5.— For 2 spikin nales to turs with Mons.
For 6 carriage horses, to Norem fra Edinburgh with gun
stanes that were new maid.
August 6.—Giffen for 6 hors of carriage to Norem, wi ma (more ?) gun
stanes, for ilk hors, 5s.
August 7.—Giffen to the King to play at the Cartis with the Span-
ziards at Norem, 20 unicorns,
August 7.—To Robin Ker for the artillery at Norem that day we cam
away, £9 18s.
August 10.—Giffen to the littill gunner that cam with the King fra
Norem, at the King’s command, 18s.
August 11.—To Schir Thomas Gabreth, for paynting of Mons claith.
To ane man of Sir Robert Kerris, that brocht tithings
to the Kin g of the Inglismenn’s coming.
Sept. 18.—To the workmen to bring hame Mons and other artillery
fra Dalkeith.

165

Ornithological Notes. By GrorGe Boiam, Berwick-on-
Tweed.

Honry Buzzarp (Pernis apivorus).—The bird shot at Long-
houghton Low Stead, on the 16th September, 1876, and recorded
as a Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris) in the Club’s Proceedings
for that year, page 190, I have since had an opportunity of ex-
amining, and find that it belongs to this species, a bird perhaps
scarcely so rare in the district. It is one of the dark variety,
and seemingly a young bird.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius Collurio).--About the beginning
of August, 1879, a boy killed a Red-backed Shrike, with a stone,
amongst some willows by the side of the embankment at the
south end of the Berwick Railway Bridge. It is in the first
year’s plumage, and is now preserved in the Museum here.
This Shrike is a rare casual visitor to the district, but several
examples are recorded as having been captured during the last
few years. In Scotland, generally, it appears to be increasing.

Hooproe ( Upupa Epops).—One was killed at Eyemouth in the

beginning of May, 1879, and sent, for preservation, to a shop in
Berwick, where, upon going to see it, I also saw another speci-
men which had been shot at Holy Island four or five years pre-
viously. During the spring of last year there were numerous
' newspaper reports of the capture of this bird in different parts
of the country.
_ Prep FrycatcHer (Muscicapa atricapilla)—On the 16th of
October last, I shot a specimen of this bird in the garden here.
When first observed it was busily engaged catching insects, and
this it did in exactly the manner of the Spotted Flycatcher, flit-
ting about from branch to branch, or returning to the same
position from which it had flown; when sitting too, its likeness
to the common species was very marked, in its habit of raising
the wings and uttering a short note every now and again.

Srock Dove (Columba Ginas).—I have to record what is, so far
as I am aware, the first authenticated instance of the breeding
of this bird in Scotland. _ On the 20th April, 1879, whilst walk-
ing on the steep banks on the north side of the Whitadder, a
short way above Hutton Bridge, a Stock Dove flew out some
little way below me, and on going down to the place I was agree-
ably surprised to find its nest, containing two eggs, a good deal

166 Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam.

incubated, placed a foot and a half down a rabbit hole; after
watching the bird for some time, and satisfying myself that I
had not mistaken the species (for escaped tame pigeons breed in
the banks in many places in the neighbourhood), I removed the
eggs, and they now form an interesting addition to my collection.
On re-visiting the place, about six weeks later, namely, on the
3rd June, in company with Mr Muirhead of Paxton, we were not
a little astonished to find that the nest contained two fine young
ones, almost fully feathered, and we again saw the old bird leave
the hole.—At Kyloe, in Northumberland, on 16th May of the
same year, I took another nest of two eggs, and about the
middle of April of the present year a third, on the banks of the
Whitadder, near Edrington, also with full complement of eggs.
The former of these nests was made in a rabbit hole, the latter
in a slight natural depression of the ground, at the bottom of a
whin bush and sheltered by long grass, which growing from
both above and below, completely concealed it from view. This
interesting species is fast becoming a rather common resident in
the district, and may now be met with throughout the year,
though most plentifully during summer. Its rapid increase may
probably be traced as in the case of its congener, the Wood-
pigeon, to the ruthless destruction of all so-called ‘‘ vermin” by
the ‘‘ game-preserver.”’

Sapine’s Snree (Scolopax Sabini)—While walking over a
marshy field upon Goswick Farm, in the beginning of February,
1880, 1 flushed a specimen of this variety; it was wholly of a
deep brown colour, and seemed to be a good deal darker than a
Woodcock ; whilst flying past me, at a distance of perhaps
eighty yards, it several times uttered the well-known “ scrapi,
scrapi,” of the Common Snipe. Ina game shop in Berwick,
during November of last year, there was exposed for sale,
amongst others, a Snipe of an unusually dark hue, being in fact
almost midway in colour between Sabine’s and the common
variety ; the whole of the under parts, including the thighs,
being blotched over with brown, and the pale margins to the
feathers on the upper parts of the body being altogether want-
ing—unfortunately it had been too long dead, and had received
too much injury, to permit of its being preserved.

Duntin (Tringa variabilis) breeds sparingly on the Cheviot
Hills, above Langleyford, seldom more than a single pair

Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam. 167

seeming to frequent the same marsh. When the nest or young are
approached, the old birds become very tame and run about with-
in a few yards of the intruder, uttering their strange purring cry.

BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER (Actiturus Bartramius.—A. most beauti-
ful specimen of this rare British bird was shot by Mr Jas. Grey,
on the sea-banks at Longhoughton Low Stead, in the county of
Northumberland, on the 21st November, 1879, and is now in my
collection. It had been in the neighbourhood for about a week
before it was killed, and was in the habit of frequenting the
long grass or ‘‘bents,”’ with which the links at Low Stead are
covered. Mr Henry Grey, who had a very good opportunity of
observing it while alive, and who spent a considerable time in
watching its habits, informs me that it was not at all shy, and
when amongst the tall grass lay like a Snipe or Woodcock,
allowing him to approach within a few yards of it before rising,
and when flushed, after flying for a short distance (seldom more
than a hundred yards at a time), it would again drop into the
long grass, or alighting on the bare sand would run off to some
convenient place of shelter. When surprised in the open, with-
out any covert at hand amongst which to hide, it ran very
swiftly, frequently stopping behind a stone, or, after it had got
some distance away from him, standing on a slight hillock or
other eminence and watching his movements, its tail all the
while moving up and down with a peculiar swaying sort of
motion, not observable in any of the other Sandpipers. Its note,
uttered for the most part when flying, was a shrill piping
whistle. Very unfortunately it had not recovered from the
autumnal moult, many of the feathers being only partly grown,
while others are entirely wanting. On dissection it proved to be
a female, and the day after it had been shot, when it came into
my possession, weighed 54 oz., but as it was badly wounded and
had bled a good deal, it must when newly dead, have been con-
siderably heavier. Its measurements and description taken
before the skin was removed were shortly as follows :—From tip
to tip of fully extended wings, 224 inches; from tip of bill to
tip of tail, 123 inches; middle toe and tarsi together 34 inches,
of which the tarsi measured 2 inches; legs and feet reddish
orange in colour, and bare of feathers for about an inch above
the knee joint ; claws black and strong, and considerably curved.
The tail wedge-shaped, the central feathers being 3} inches in

168 Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam.

length. The bill measures—to gape, 13 inches; from front to
tip, 12 inches, and is slightly turned down towards the end; in
colour the upper half of the upper mandible is dark brown, the
lower half and the under mandible orange yellow, except at the
tip, which is dark brown for about a quarter of an inch in both
upper and lower mandible. In colouring and general descrip-
tion of plumage, this specimen agrees pretty closely with the one
figured, and described by Mr Morris in his ‘‘ History of British
Birds,” except that in the latter case the outer feather on each
side of the tail is said to have been white in ground colour, while
in the preseut instance it is yellowish fawn like the rest of the
tail. Professor Newton, to whose kind courtesy I am indebted
for some interesting information on the subject, tells me that so
far as he is aware ‘“‘the Bartram’s Sandpiper has, up to the
present time, unquestionably occurred three times in England,
namely :—One near Warwick, 31st October, 1851, Yarrell Hist.
Brit. Birds—Ed. 3, vol. ii., page 633; one near Cambridge, 12th
December, 1854, Yarrell, op. cit.—in the collection of Mr J. H.
Gurney ; one near Falmouth, 13th November, 1865, Bullmore,
Zoologist, 1866, page 87; and that Mr Murray Matthew states
(Zoologist, 1877, p. 3889) that Dr Woodforde’s collection at
Taunton contains a specimen said to have been obtained ‘at
least thirty years-ago,’ on the river Parret, in the parish of
Cambwick, Somersetshire ; while Mr Morris (Hist. Brit. Birds,
vol. iv., p. 296) quoted from the Illustrated London News, a state-
ment by a person signing himself ‘N. 8. R.’ to the effect that
he had shot one at Bigswear, on the Wye, in Gloucestershire, on
the 19th January, 1855. As it is not known whether this last
has ever been examined by a competent authority, the record
can hardly at present be accepted. The species does not appear
to have been obtained, as yet, in either Scotland or Ireland.”
Rover (Machetes pugnax).—Occasionally occurs along the coast in
autumn. There is a specimen in the Berwick Museum, which
was killed in the early part of September, 1879, on Annstead
farm, near Beadnell, and I have two others, the one shot at Gos-
wick, on 12th October, 1877, the other purchased from a game
shop in Berwick, on 4th September, 1878, and believed to have
been killed at the mouth of the river Tweed. Two of these are
in the winter plumage, the other is immature. In addition to
the instances above mentioned, I have seen several specimens

Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam. 169

which were procured on the shore near Boulmer, and a few years
ago shot one in that locality. Usually they are seen in company
with small parties of Redshanks and other Sandpipers, but the
Goswick bird was found on a grass field feeding with a large
flock of Peewits and Golden Plovers.

GREEN SANDPIPER (Zotanus ochropus).—Not unfrequently met
with on the coast in autumn, appearing as early as the middle of
July. It used regularly to visit the banks of the Till, near
Weetwood, being generally found singly or in pairs in spring,
and in small parties of from three to six in autumn.

Grey PHararore (Phalaropus lobatus).—A person named Reed,
living at Goswick, shot an example of this rare casual visitor
during the autumn of 1877. When killed it was swimming on
a small pool in front of his cottage, and was, he says, very tame.

Pomarine Sxva (Lestris Pomarinus).—A flock of Skuas, princi-
pally composed of this species, visited us in October, 1879, anda
great many were killed. One man, in whose possession I had
an opportunity of examining eleven specimens, told me that ‘‘he
had shot over a score to his own gun,” on the 14th of that month,
and that several other persons had killed almost as many, The
greater number of those procured seem to have been old birds
(or at all events not in the first plumage, in which stage they are
most frequently found on our coast), and were nearly all of the
pale variety, indeed I can only hear of two, in the uniform dark
brown or black plumage, having been seen or obtained. Ina
young bird in the first plumage, the central tail feathers are
scarcely half-an-inch longer than the others, while in some of
the adults these two feathers extend as much as 33 inches be-
yond the rest of the tail. Most of the birds obtained here how-
ever, as I observe seems to have been the case elsewhere, had
these long tail feathers broken. Three examples, shot by Dr
Colville Brown the day before, were exhibited at the Berwick
meeting of the Club, on the 15th of October last, but were then
supposed to be Richardson’s Skuas.

Burron’s Sxva (Lestris longicaudus).—A single example of this
Skua was killed at Eyemouth during November last. It is in the
usual adult plumage, and has the central feathers 7 inches longer
than the rest of the tail. I have not heard of any Great or Richard-
son’s Skuas being obtained during the past winter, in the district,
and the above is the only capture of the Arctic Skua which has

Vv

170 Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam.

come under my notice, but in other parts of England a few of each
seem to have arrived with the flocks of Pomarine Skuas.

Foutmar Perret (Procellaria glacialis).—A person living in
Spittal told me that he had shot a Fulmar in the middle of
October, 1879, on the sands at Holy Island, and had seen
another flying past a day or two afterwards. ‘‘The one shot
was,” he said, ‘‘ of a creamy white colour all over, and came so
close to him that he blew it all to pieces; indeed, believing it,
when flying, to be only a Gull, he would not have shot it but for
its impudence in coming so near him.’’ The man seemed so sure
that he had not mistaken the bird, chiefly identifying it by its
peculiar bill, that I have little doubt it was really a Fulmar, and
its extreme fearlessness, which at first attracted his attention,
would seem to confirm this belief. A specimen was found in
December by Mr Grey, on the shore at Low Stead, it had been
washed up by the tide, and was when he picked it up partly
destroyed by crows. The head, however, which is perfect, has
been preserved.

Guavcous Gui (Larus glaucus).—Several mature birds of this
kind were observed in the river here during the past winter, and
one at least was killed. Another, which is now in my collection,
was shot near the Berwick Railway Bridge, in December, 1878,
by a man then residing in Tweedmouth. Immature birds have
been less common than usual this winter; generally they are
pretty frequent visitors to our harbour, and may, even at a dis-
tance, be easily distinguished from the young of the greater
black-backed and other Gulls, by their steady soaring flight.

Rep-Trroarep Driver ( Colymbus septentrionalis).—A. specimen
in full summer dress, now in the Berwick Museum, was killed at
Holy Island, on the 25th October, 1879. Examples in this state
of plumage are not uncommon on the coast early in autumn and
late in spring, but this one seems to have been unusually late in
changing from the summer to the winter plumage.

VELVET Scorer (Ordemia fusca).—A male bird of this species
frequented the rocks in the vicinity of Berwick pier throughout
the summer of 1879. It was constantly seen by the men engaged
at the salmon fishery there, and used often to allow their boat to
pass quite close to it without any apparent alarm ; never more
than one bird was seen at a time, and it remained in the neigh-
bourhood until about the middle of September.

Berwick-on-Tweed, 1st June, 1880.

171

On supposed Unpublished Verses by Sir Walter Scott. By
JAMES B, Kerr, Esq.

In the midsummer of 1877, a powerfully-built man, near
seventy, yet active for his years, called upon me with a friend
and asked me to negotiate for him a bill on America. This was
at once agreed to, and, during the few minutes conversation that
ensued, I detected a strong New York accent, varied with that
of lowland Scotch.

I was sufficiently interested to ask him in what part of Scot-
land he was born. With much good nature, he informed me
that for many years he had been a stable lad at the principal inn
at Melrose. A beam of pleasure lighted up his face, as he told
me that it was part of his duty to receive Sir Walter Scott when
at Melrose, and that in giving help to the good Baronet to mount
his pony on his return to Abbotsford, whilst many kind words
were said to him, they were always accompanied by the gift of a
shilling.

His name was James Riddle. In early life he had emigrated,
and by steady self-denial, and hard work, had reached a com-
petency. He was then on a visit to his native land. With
marked reverence he related that he drove the hearse with four
horses, which contained the body of Sir Walter Scott, to the
burial place of his ancestors amid the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey.

By a somewhat curious coincidence, in the summer of the
following year, 1878, the niece of John Nicholson, who died at
Kelso in 1841, called upon me to ask my advice respecting three
documents, and some other articles connected with Sir Walter
Scott, and belonging to her uncle at the time of his decease.
Nicholson was well-known to have been in Sir Walter’s house-
hold from his boyhood, became afterwards his faithful valet, and
Scott’s family never mentioned his name without respect and
gratitude. There can, therefore, be no doubt as to the docu-
ments being authentic and genuine. They were :—

1. Three supposed unpublished verses in Sir Walter Scott’s
handwriting, perhaps the last he ever wrote. The writing
is very feeble.

2. Passport in favour of Sir Walter Scott, signed by Prince de
Polignac, the French Ambassador in London, and dated
25th October, 1826. The passport bears Sir Walter’s

172 Unpublished Verses by Sir W. Scott, by Jas. B. Kerr.

own signature and address, viz :—Hotel Windsor, Rue de
Rivoli, No. 38.

3. Diploma of the Society of Autiquaries of Normandy in
favour of Sir Walter Scott, Bart., President of the Royal
Society of Edinburgh, and dated A Caen, le 19 Janvier,
1829, and bearing the signature of le President, le Sec-
taire, le Secretaire adjoint, le Cusorier.

What now follows in this paper refers to the supposed unpub-

lished verses.

The last words written by Sir Walter are said to be in the
Guest Book of a small inn in the Tyrol :—

“Sir Walter Scott, for Scotland, 1832.”

In the verses submitted this day to the Club, some gentlemen
are of opinion that they were the last ever written by him, and
that no clean copy was made of them. JI differ from this view,
and think that a clean copy was made and presented to the
Countess Wollenluss, and that the rough draft in my possession
was cast aside, picked up by Nicholson, and preserved with
many other relics of Sir Walter.

In Lockhart’s ‘‘ Life’”’ it is mentioned, that, when at Rome, a
lady had requested him to do something which was disagreeable to
him. He was asked whether he had consented. His answer
was ‘Yes. Why,-as I am now good for nothing else, I think it
as well to be good natured.” Perhaps this anecdote may refer
to the Countess of Wollenluss, and it would be interesting to
trace where her family is, and if such a completed document is
to be found in their possession.

Assuming that there is no other copy in existence, these verses,
as the first rough draft, are, no doubt, a literary curiosity.

The evidence is in them that they were written in Rome in
April, 1832; and we know from Lockhart’s ‘‘Life” to what extreme
weakness Scott was reduced. Infirmity had checked his curi-
osity. He was unable to walk. Only the aspect and society of
Rome had for a moment checked his irritation and impatience,
and it gave great pain to many of his old friends to see the
ravages disease had made upon him, and that it was only when
warmed with his subject that the light blue eye shot from under
the pent-house brow the fire and spirit of other days.

The hand-writing of the verses is feeble in the extreme.
_ There are two mistakes in the spelling—eleven words deleted—

Unpublished Verses by Sir W. Scott, by Jas. B. Kerr. 173

and although the mechanism is defective, yet there is still some
of the glow of his early inspiration.

The last sayings and writings of men of genius have an in-
terest for us all, as melancholy as it is lasting, To very many
in his own land, and need I not say in other lands also, the ab-
rupt pause in these verses will be touching. 7

The hand that had so long swept the harp of Caledonia was
paralysed in its effort to stir the chords again, and the re-
sult is a tone, pure, full, and strong, suddenly checked, whose
meaning is for ever lost in the depths of Sir Walter’s own soul.

The verses are without place and date, but being a rough
draft, this circumstance may account for the want of them. If,
as is supposed, they were the last Sir Walter ever wrote, the
lines are a striking example of his chivalrous character. If he
was at times imprudent, all know how courageous he was, and
that his vast intellect and life were sacrificed in his deep desire
to be honourable and independent.

In these verses, after the great exertions Sir Walter made, and
at the time living in a foreign land, irritated and anxious to get
home, and with his whole system rapidly giving way, may not
the fine line taken in all its deep humility, in which he compares
himself to ‘‘a withered Scottish thorn” be considered, amidst
all his clear and cheerful, yet delicately sketched and poetically
elevated descriptions, if not one of the finest in the English
language, at least one of the most simple and best that Scott
ever wrote ?

VERSES

WRITTEN
BY

THE COUNTESS OF WOLLENLUSS
Reques* (sic) a Russian Lady

Lady, they say thy Native land
Unlike this clime of fruit and flowers+
Loves like the Minstrels northern strana
The sterner share of natures powers
Even Beautys (sic) powers of Empery
Decay in the decaying bowerst
Untill (sic) even you may set set a task
Too heavy for the poets powers

* For ‘‘ Request” ? + Originally, ‘‘ clime of fruit flowers and.’? +‘‘sun,”’
obliterated before ‘‘ bowers.’’ § The word “‘set’’ is twice written.

174 Unpublished Verses by Sir W. Scott, by Jas. B. Kerr.

Mortals in vain—so says the Text

Seek grapes from briars from thistles corn
Say can fair Wollenlus expect

Fruit from a withered Scottish thorn
Time once there was alas but now

That time returns not now again
The shades upon the Dial cast

*

Proceed but pass not back again

Yet in this land of lengthened day
Where april wear (sic) the autumns hueT
Awakened by the genial ray
Thoughts of past visions strive to blow
The blood grows{ warm the nerves expand
The stiffened fingers take the pen
And

[In the transcript revised from the original, the i’s are not dotted ;
and there is no punctuation except a comma andadash. The variations,
obliterated by the author, are appended in the Notes. |

Note on the Countess Wolkonsky.

In consequence of a copy of these fragmentary verses having
been inserted in the Bristol Times and Mirror, Mr Hardy re-
ceived a communication on the subject from Miss Scarth, the
Rectory, Wrington, Somerset, dated October 17, 1879, of which
the following is the purport :—

‘“‘TIn the grounds of Villa Wolkonsky, in Rome, is an upright
stone erected to Sir Walter Scott’s memory. This inscription is
in French. I regret I did not copy it, but the idea was: ‘The
Lamp which brightened our winter evenings is now extin-
guished.’ Countess Wolkonsky is mentioned in ‘A Sister’s
Story,’ by Mrs Augustus Craven, in the year 1832, at which
time she seems to have gathered ‘round her people of cultivation
and refinement.”

Miss Scarth kindly undertook to make inquiries at Rome, and
communicated her success in February 26, 1880. ‘I said that
perhaps I should be able to procure a copy of it through a
friend now resident there. In a letter received from her this
morning she says:—‘The monument, which isa pillar about

* The word ‘‘indelibly ”’ is obliterated here. + Originally : ‘‘ Where April
wear autumnal wreath bloom;’’ and the latest conclusion had ended ‘‘the
autumns glow.’’ { Originally ‘‘ glows.’’

Ornithological and other Notes, by Andrew Brotherston. 175

three feet high, with a broken top, has on it
‘A Walter Scott
La douce lampe
de nos veillées
s’est eteinte.’
I have put the words in the same order exactly as they are on
the pillar.

‘“‘T have no doubt in my own mind that the lady who erected
this stone, and the one to whom he addressed the verses, was in
reality the same person. A. M. E. 8.”

The reading of the MS. is certainly the ‘‘Countess Wollen-
luss,’’ but very probably Sir Walter in his extreme illness and
weakness had mistaken, or half forgotten the name. Signore T.
Catalini, the present Italian Secretary to the Court of St.
James, thus writes, July 30th, 1880, ‘‘ There is in Rome, a Villa
Wolkonsky near ‘8S. Giovanni in Laterano.’ I suppose that the
Countess Wollenluss was no other than the Countess Wolkonsky,
who belonged to a well-known family, I believe of Polish ex-
traction.” §S. Catalini promises to make further inquiries.

Ormithological and other Notes, 1879-1880. By Mr ANDREW
BROTHERSTON, Shedden Park Road, Kelso.

PEREGRINE Fancon (Falco peregrinus), Tunstaty.—In spite of
game-preservers, this fine bird—owing to the difficulty of trap-
ping it—is still keeping its ground on the Borders. An adult
female was shot near Leitholm, on May 10th, 1879, when making
a swoop ata stuffed wood-pigeon, which was used as a decoy,
and another, a young male, was shot by T. Taylor, Esq., at
Hendersyde Park, January 15th, 1880.

Hossy (falco subbuteo), Linn.—A very fine female specimen of
this rare and beautiful Falcon was shot at Kelso Bridge, by Mr
A. Steel, June 23, 1879. It frequented the district for about a
week, during which time it was frequently seen, flying up and
down the river, for a short distance above and below the bridge,
hawking for insects, in much the same manner as the Swallow;
when it came to the bridge, instead of rising above it, it usually
darted through one of the arches. A few weeks later, Capt.
Taylor told me that he saw another at the same place. As he is

176 Ornithological and other Notes, by Andrew Brotherston.

a good ornithologist, and had previously seen the bird in the
south, he could scarcely be mistaken. If the first bird had not
been shot, it is probable that they might have nested in the ad-
jacent woods of Floors, or Springwood Park.

Turren Duck (fuligula cristata), Leace.—On August 20th,
1879, I received a young female from Mr A. Robertson, which he
' had shot on Hoselaw Loch. The primaries were not over half
grown, so that it was unable to fly, thus showing that in all
probability it had been bred at the Loch. I think it will be
found that the Tufted Duck nests more frequently in this
country than is generally supposed. See also ‘“‘ Proc.” vol. viii.,
521. This interesting specimen is now in Kelso Museum.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lantus collurio), Linn.—Near the end of
August, 1879, a specimen was obtained amongst some willows
near the Railway Bridge at Tweedmouth. I am not aware of
this species having been found so far north previously.

THE LARGE RUSSET VARIETY OF THE Common Syipz.—A speci-
men (male) of what I take to be this variety—or perhaps distinct
species—was shot in Liddesdale, in the beginning of October,
1879. Besides the difference of colour, this was a larger bird
than the Common Snipe, which appears to be a characteristic of
the Russet Snipe.

PomatorinE SxKvua (Stercorarius pomatorhinus), Tamm.—On
October 11th, 1879, I received two specimens—both males—to
preserve for the Kelso Museum, to which institution they were
kindly presented by Mr V. Knight, who shot them at Holy
Island. About this time there was an extraordinary flight of
these birds over the whole country, especially the east coast.
The variety of colour in different individuals of this species is
remarkable. One of them appears to be a bird of the first year.
It is dark brown on the upper parts, the feathers on the back
tipped with pale yellowish brown, the under parts barred with
dark and light brown, legs pale blue in front, webs and toes
black, the middle tail feathers barely half an inch longer than
the others. In the older bird the back is more uniformly dark,
while white is the prevailing colour below, mixed with blackish
brown towards the breast and tail, the centre tail feathers three
and a quarter inches longer. Neither had the yellow colour, in
the side of the neck. The long tail feathers, in most of the speci-
mens obtained at that time, were either one or both of them

Ornithological and other Notes, by Andrew Brotherston. 177

broken, apparently not by shot, but by some other means—pro-
bably stormy weather.

Leacu’s Perret (Procellaria leucorrhoa), V.—A specimen of the
Fork-tailed Petrel was found dead near Eckford, December 38rd,
1879. Another sea-bird—a Razor-bill—was found near More-
battle, in the middle of March following.

Heyerran Goose (Anser Hygyptiacus), Junyns.—One of these
handsome geese was shot on the ‘l'eviot, March 2nd,1880. From
the appearance of one of the wings, which was “ pinioned,” it
had been a tame bird.

“ Masxep ” Guuu (Larus capistratus), Fuum.—On February 5th,
1880, I received an immature male specimen of this interesting
gull. It was shot near Berwick by Mr T. Darling. Its habits
he observed were solitary, sitting outside of the flocks of the
Blackheaded and Common Gulls, and not rising with them when
frightened off. It was very fat and in good condition. Weight
rather under 8} oz.; length from bill to end of tail, 143 in.;
length from bill to end of wings, 16} in.; length of wing from
carpal joint, 11 in.; expanse of wings, 353 in.; bill, tarsi, and
toes, same as given by Yarrell (1843), vol. iii. 431. Ornitholo-
gists differ as to whether the ‘‘ Masked” Gull is a distinct species,
or merely a small specimen of the Blackheaded Gull (Larus ridi-
bundus). Size is not a safe characteristic to go by, as individual
specimens of many species of birds vary more in size, than that
between the ‘‘ Masked” and Blackheaded Gulls. The habit of
remaining after the others take flight, is interesting. Yarrell
quotes a similar instance:—‘‘It was found associating with
several of the Blackheaded species, but remained after all its
congeners had taken wing.” Prof. Newton, writes regarding
this specimen :—‘“‘ I have long had great doubts whether such a
species as the ‘Masked Gull’ exists. All the specimens bearing
that name, which have come under my inspection, have certainly
been immature Black-headed Gulls—rather smaller in size than
the average. Such a bird (in summer plumage) as that figured
by Yarrell, I have not met with, and I imagine that the small
size of the dark mask must have been due to the stuffer not having
pulled the skin back to its proper place after operating upon it.
Whether or not a distinct species, I think there is no doubt
that this specimen is what was considered by Yarrell, and others,
to be the ‘ Masked Gull.’”’ It is now in Berwick Museum.

WwW

178 Remarks on Walluce’s Trench, by Thos. Craig-Brown.

Deatu’s Heap Morn.—I have seen two lately; one was caught
at Cliffton Park, July 8th, the other in a greenhouse at Kelso,
August 5th, 1880.

August 9th, 1880.

Remarks on Wallace’s Trench, Selkirkshire. By THOMAS
_Craic-Brown, Esq., Woodburn, Selkirk.

Ir may be said that the Trench lies almost direct north and
south, stretching from the summit to the base of a steep hill
called the ‘‘ Brown Knowe” on the Ordnance Survey Maps. It
is intersected near the lower end by the well-known mountain-
road leading from Yarrow over Minchmoor to Tweed. The
trench below this road is deep and clearly traceable, but not
being certain at what point it lost itself in a ravine, which, if it
ever was artificial, is now apparently a natural gully, we did not
measure this end. From the Minchmoor road to the top of the
hill, Wallace’s Trench proper may be said to be 1,600 feet in
length, but on nearing the top it deflects a little to the right,
and thence forms one side of a rather extensive rectangular en-
closure. [By a sketch-plan annexed, the distance from the hill-
road upwards to the fortified enclosure is 1,100 feet ; then after
a slight interruption, there are 200 feet of the trench in the same
continuous line, till it bends round and forms the side of the en-
closure for other 300 feet. The distance across the enclosure
from H. to W. is 100 feet.] The.opposite side is a well-marked
shallow fosse and rampart, but the Trench itself is deep enough
to hide a man on horseback [this I tried myself on a previous
visit | for several hundred yards. It is laboriously constructed,
the high ramparts on either side, being. in many places paved
with flat whinstones set on edge. Except that it is in close
vicinity to the Catrail, it has nothing to do with it. Compara-
tively speaking, it is a bit of modern military engineering, as
contrasted with that ancient work.

Lie

Sea Trout or Common Trout—The Carham Pond Experi-
ments. By Mr ANDREW BROTHERSTON.

On May 17th, 1874, 133 fish, averaging about 7 or 8 inches in
length, were selected as good examples of Orange-fins and placed
in artificial ponds at Carham. They were examined, weighed and
measured at intervals, and on May 2nd, 1879, after five years
confinement, 30 of them were weighed, measured, and marked,
and returned to the Tweed. One of them was caught near
Birgham, on June 4th or 5th and sent to me for preservation.
Inserted into the flesh behind the adipose fin, was a silver wire,
on which was stamped Twrezp IV. I communicated the fact to
Mr List, asking particulars about it, when he kindly informed
me, that it was one of the fish taken from Carham Pond, on May
21, 1879, at which time it was 12 inches long, and 12 ounces in
weight. When recaptured it was 123 inches long, and weighed
102 oz. Another, marked TwrEp HI (also preserved), was cap-
tured near the same place, on or about July 17th. It was then
173 inches long, and weighed 283 oz. From Mr List, I learned
that it was the same length and weight when placed in the
Tweed. Both were undoubtedly common Trout! Another, I did
not see, but got the wire with which it had been marked (‘TWEED
I> ) from the person who caught it ; he said it was from a common
Trout, and being an experienced fisher, it is very probable that
he was correct. It was captured below Kelso Bridge on the 5th
of July and weighed 2Ib, 80z., length not taken; when liberated
it was 183 inches long, and same weight when recaptured.

There is a paper in the “Proceedings,” vol. viii., p. 169, by
Mr Huntley, and another (173) by Mr Stirling, on these fish.
Both papers lead to the belief that all the 133 Orange-fins placed
in the ponds on May 17th, 1874, were the young of ‘‘ Sea Trout.”
It is very probable that some of them were, but ail were not!
By referring to these papers it will be seen that all those who
examined them, except two—Major Dickens and T. T. Stoddart
—were unanimous in the conviction that they had successively
exchanged the character of Orange-fins for that of Black-tail and
Whitling ; the above two gentlemen maintaining that they were
Common Yellow or White Trout. In a case of this kind, if ex-
periments are to be of any use, there should be some unmistake-
able characteristic, whereby the different species of the Salmonide,

180 Straw Bonds, by G. H. Thompson.

may be distinguished in their different stages. Colour, spotting,
number of fin-rays, and general appearance, are very uncertain
marks. ‘The dentition is more satisfactory, although some say
otherwise. KExcepting hybrids (which cannot be referred with
certainty to any of them) it holds good in all that I have ex-
amined. The following is condensed from Sir John Richardson’s
edition of Yarrell’s ‘‘ British Fishes ”’:-—

Satmo.—A few teeth on the front of the vomer, but none ex-
tending backwards along the mesial line.

S. salar, L.—Salmon.

S. erioz, L.—Grey Trout—Bull Trout.

S. salvelinus.—Charr.

Fario.—Salmons with a single row of teeth running along the
mesial line of the vomer.

fF, argenteus, Val.—S. trutta, L.—Salmon Trout.

Ff’, Levenensis (Yarr.)—Lochleven Trout.

SaLar.—Vomer armed with two rows of teeth, without the re-
markable group in front, such as exists in Salmo and Fario.

S. Ansonii, Val.— Common Trout.

S. ferox (Yarr.), Great Lake Trout.

There are other differences, such as the form of the gill-covers,
&e.

Assuming these characters of the dentition to be correct, the
fish figured and described at p. 175 of last volume of the “ Pro-
ceedings ’”’ could not be a Sea Trout (S. eriox or trutta), but was
either a Common Trout or a hybrid, as it had the double row of
vomerine teeth, whereas the Salmon Trout has one row, and the
Bull Trout none on the mesial line.

Straw Bonds.

Is there anything known of an old practice in money lending,
to give a straw-bond? This was a number of straws bound to-
gether lengthwise, and then divided with a knife; the lender
and the borrower each keeping one half. My informant, Mr
Robt. Simmons, of Netherton, buried an old man forty years ago,
who had had dealings in this way. This man, John Turnbull,
was 80 years of age when he died, so that the practice must have —
existed in the latter part of last century. J have made many
enquiries, but Mr Simmons is the only person who seems to be
acquainted with the matter now.

Alnwick, 1880. G. H. THompson.

181
Obituary Notice of Mx George Shield.

WuEn recently discussing with our learned Secretary the pro-
priety of allowing a niche in the Obituary Notices of the Berwick-
shire Naturalists’ Club for persons, who, though not members,
had directly or indirectly, from their scientific acquirements,
furnished information to forward our inquiries, I was well
pleased to have the acquiescence of one of our ablest members,
who accompanied us. Such was, likewise, the view taken by
our secretary, from whom I lately had a request to furnish a
short biographical notice of the late George Shield of Wooler,
long known as an earnest prosecutor of scientific research. I am
persuaded that it cannot but be pleasing to our members to
preserve from oblivion the names of men, who, though unob-
trusive and retiring, had possessed and exercised that faculty for
investigation, so essential to the study of nature.

George Shield was born in Tweedmouth, about the year 1804;
and his daughter writes, that, from his earliest years, he had
been a close student of Natural History. Like many of the
Berwick youths at that time, he found his way to London, and
obtained employment in the establishment of.a tailor. After a
few years spent in the metropolis his health seems to have failed,
and at 30 years of age we find him married and settled in the
country town of Wooler. Though for a few subsequent years
engaged in his trade, or in instructing the young men apprenticed
to him, he found leisure for an occasional ramble on the shores
of the Farne Islands, St. Abb’s Head, or among the upland valleys
of the Cheviot Hills.

At that time Mr Selby, of Twizel, was engaged in preparing
his work on British Ornithology, and the subject of our memoir
had occasional interviews with that distinguished naturalist, from
whom he must have acquired that impulse, which induced him,
at the age of 40, toretire from his profession and devote his time
nearly exclusively to science. Being in the prime of life he was
able to undertake long walks and excursions, during which he
captured many rare specimens, which he carefully stuffed or etched
upon steel. This art he acquired by perseverance, having had
no preliminary instruction, even in sketching, which will astonish
those who have seen his life-like engraving of the ‘‘Rough-legged
Buzzard.”” In this way he gradually elaborated plates, which

182 Obituary Notice of Mr George Shield.

were fitted to illustrate a work on the scale of that of Audubon
or Selby. The last-named ornithologist had, however, just com-
pleted his standard work on British Ornithology, and publishers
were unwilling to speculate upon another work on so large and
expensive a scale. I remember, when a boy, visiting the studio
of George Shield, with a few London friends of my father, and
listening to their suggestions as to publishing; and offers of
assistance towards carrying out his object. The work, as at first
intended, was perhaps wisely discontinued; but in many a
Northumbrian house is to be found, one, at least, of the large
preparatory plates. They are remarkable for their truth to
nature, and the dash and liveliness of the attitudes characteristic
of their subjects. This knowledge had been acquired by direct
study of the habits of living specimens, with which his house
and garden were often filled. A few specimens which I was
fortunate in having stuffed by him, I esteem as equal to any-
thing I have seen in the largest collections of the old or new
world. George Shield was frequently on the Farne Islands in
search of specimens, and had formed the acquaintance of the
Darling family. During her last illness, poor Grace, the heroic
daughter of the Darlings, found an asylum for change of air
under their friend’s roof at Wooler, where her mild and unas-
suming figure might have been seen in the Parish Church of a
Sunday. A decline removed her while yet young, but the
fragrance of her hazardous adventure of loving benevolence has
not perished ; but is the watchword of the fishing-boat, and a
treasure in the bosom of the hardy mariner as he steers past the
solitary Farne Isles, as the waves rise.

When a lad, I frequently visited Mr Shield’s room, where I
listened with all the ardour of youth to the narrative of his
adventures.* My nerves would quiver as he described himself
suspended by many fathoms of fishing lines over the rocks at
Tantallon, in quest of sea-birds’ eggs, or the young of the Pere-
grine or Osprey. The danger seemed nothing compared with
the honour of overcoming it in the cause of science; and an ex-
cursion was soon arranged, with men and ropes, to the rocky
side of Cheviot.

There, suspended over the Bizzle Cliff, I endeavoured to procure

-* [Mr Shield, I am told, was a good narrator, and enchained as by a spell,
a youthful audience.—J. H.]

Obituary Notice of Mr George Shield. 183

one specimen of the Peregrine’s eggs; but alas! the nest
had been previously robbed by a ruthless town collector, who,
for a number of seasons had carried off the eggs or young of
these handsome, but now rare birds. Mr Shield had acquired a
knowledge of science generally, and I am informed had delivered
numerous lectures to the Mechanics’ Institute of Wooler, on such
subjects as ‘‘ Astronomy,” ‘‘ Electricity,” ‘‘ Races of Men,” and
“Geology.” [He communicated several hints to his friend, Mr
Mackay Wilson, which are embodied in his well-known “ Tales
of the Borders.”’ |

For some time he was engaged in writing an ‘“‘ Exposition of
the Prophecies of Daniel and St. John,” but none of his papers
have been published. This work, regarding which I have fre-
quently talked with him, showed much ingenuity and research,
but might not agree with the views of all who have made that
subject a study.

George Shield was possessed of a refined taste, gentle manner,
and a most obliging disposition. His health, which was never
robust, became impaired towards the end of his life-time by fre-
quent attacks of rheumatism, the result of his early adventures ;
but a severe attack of cold, during which he superintended the
decorations for a large public dinner in Wooler, seems to have
accelerated his end. He died on the 29th January last, in the
76th year of his age. His keen and suggestive intellect seemed
to me admirably adapted for chemical investigation, in which
branch of science I have no doubt, he would have attained to
eminence ; but his greatest effort was in the line of ornithology,
for which too much had just been accomplished, by an able and
more wealthy contemporary, to leave him a chance of authorship.

His six plates are the size of life, and are—1. The Peregrine
Falcon; 2. The Water Hens; 3. The Rough-legged Buzzard ;
4. The Titmouse and Finches; 5. The Cormorant; 6. Black-
birds and Thrush.

G. P. H.
17th July, 1880.

184
Obituary Notices. By JAMES HARDY.

MR WILLIAM RICHARDSON, ALNWICK.

WiutraAm Ricuarpson was born at the village of Hebburn,
near Chillingham, August 31st, 1797. At present Hebburn,
situated in an angle of the steep public road that leads over a
natural pass between the roots of Ras-Castle and Hebburn hills,
skirting the Karl of Tankerville’s Park wall, consists of a double
row of humble cottages, one on each side of the highway, but
not exactly opposite each other. Some of them have flower-plots
in front. Higher up, is a gushing spring of limpid water, by
the way-side, most refreshing to the traveller. The place had
been much more populous, as is indicated by the large ash trees
on the right hand as one ascends, that once sheltered the garden-
plots, when occupied by the retainers of the Hebburn family,
the ruins of whose old tower stand on the right, within the pre-
cincts of the deer-park. At the period referred to, the pro-
prietrix of the Hebburn estate, was Mrs Brudenell, the heiress
of the old family of Hebburn (which dated from the period of
King John), who, on coming of age, had made an unfortunate
marriage with the Rev. Edward Brudenell, an unworthy dissi-
pated man, of noble birth, who spent her means and neglected
her, and from whom she was obliged to separate with a very
restricted maintenance. Relieved by his death in 1804, this once
gay and light-hearted lady entered once more on her hereditary
estates, and came back at the age of 66—‘‘ a shattered, feeble,
old woman’’—to the hills and ruined castle of her ancestors.
She died at Tadcaster, Dec., 1806, and out of gratitude left her
landed property to her friend, Mrs Fletcher, wife of Mr Archi-
bald Fletcher, an eminent Whig lawyer, and a member of the
famous literary society of Edinburgh of a bygone period. The
Fletchers spent part of the summer and autumn of 1807 at Heb-
burn House. Mrs Fletcher speaks of it as situated ‘‘ at the sum-
mit of a bleak, bare hill. It was built’ by the late Mr Brudenell,
who pulled down an old baronial castle which time had spared,
and fixed upon precisely the only part of the estate which affords
a prospect utterly devoid of picturesque beauty.” Mrs Fletcher
describes the condition of the village of Hebburn, when William
Richardson would be ten years old, and he probably participated
in the picture here presented.

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. 185

“The village of Hebburn is a short mile from us. There has
not been a school there in the memory of man. Last Sunday
(July, 1807) we assembled about twenty children in the remains
of the old castle, read a little appropriate address to them, and
prevailed on them to accompany us to church, about a mile dis-
tant from the village. They had never been in any place of
worship. Their parents were chiefly Dissenters, and their
chapels and tabernacles were many miles distant, too far for the
children to travel barefooted; so they were suffered to run wild
on Sunday. I was much pleased with the liberality of the
parents; there was no bigotry amongst them, for, though of
many different persuasions, they all willingly sent their children
to accompany us to the nearest place of worship. The children
on their part were delighted ; most of them could read; and we
agreed that ‘the Sermon on the Mount’ was good for us all.”
The Fletchers appear not to have sufficiently appreciated their
romantic Northumbrian property, which was purchased in 1817
by the Earl of Tankerville, whose estate of Chillingham adjoined
it, and who added the wild part of Hebburn to his range for the
celebrated wild cattle.*

Long ere this latter event, William Richardson had left his
paternal residence to commence the business of life, having
served his apprenticeship to the trade of a saddler. Whether in
his youth he culled the wild flowers from Hebburn Wood, and
was then struck with their singularities, or whether the images
of their beauties remained as an abiding joy in his memory in
after years, to influence him in the studies of his maturity, we
know not. In the rough rocky bottom sheltered by the native
oaks, the rare Zirventalis Europea, springs up in all its grace and
in full luxuriance ; and Ovalis is still more profuse in its tender
verdure, and offers here in its flowering plots, a pink variety
with purple veins, which is a charming addition to the flower
border. <A peculiar form of Melampyrum pratense, and the rosy-
bloomed Vaccinium Vitis-Idea, are distributed among the purple
heather on the heights that margin the wide brown craggy
moors behind; and also ornament the bilberry-clad summit of
Ras Castle, that most conspicuous land-mark from districts far
away. He would know about them afterwards, but it was not
here, that he was to commence his first searches after wild plants.

* Autobiography of Mrs Fletcher, pp. 96, 97, 93, etc.
x

186 Obituary Notices, by James Hardy.

His daughter, Mrs Gibb, says, ‘“‘he was always fond of flowers,
and took great pleasure in gardening, but it was not till the year
1846, that he commenced the study of Botany, which he pur-
sued, I may say, until his death.”

Mrs Gibb’s narrative enables me to continue the story of this
amiable and worthy man. ‘The pleasure which he derived
from Botany must have been very great; for his business took
up most of his time, and he was seldom absent from his place in
the shop. He was, however, happily situated for carrying on
his botanical studies, the surrounding country being rich in
plants. Early and late he prosecuted his search for them, and
every public holiday was specially devoted to the procuring of
those specimens that were not within immediate walking dis-
tance. Kyloe Crags, Cheviot Hills, and Holy Island were
periodically visited hy him ; and many other places of less note,
but not less cherished by him, from furnishing the habitats of
certain plants not seen elsewhere. He was an excellent walker,
and did not fail to tax himself to the very utmost; always
arranging the plants for botanical specimens, that same evening,
although often very tired. He was most particular about leaving
the roots of rare plants, lest they should become extinct; and I
have often heard him speak with sorrow at what he called the
‘rapacity’ of collectors. He did not think those were true
botanists, that would, in thorough wantonness, carry away roots
of the rarer species, where it could be avoided.”

Mr Richardson’s careful surveys resulted in the finding of a
variety of new localities for several rare species, which brought
him several correspondents. From their communications I shall
select a few notices either illustrative of the local Flora, or that
afford passing glimpses of Mr Richardson as a man.

Mr Richardson was the discoverer of Alliwm Schenoprasum, or
Chives, growing in a wild state on the back of Spindlestone Hill.
With this Dr Johnston of Berwick was greatly pleased, and there
are three notes preserved, two of dates June 25th and one on
the 28th, probably in the year 1852, fixing a meeting with Mr
R. to visit the station. Dr J. writes: ‘‘The plants can only be
Allium Schenoprasum, of which, however, I never saw a native
specimen. Although my time is uncertain and not at command,
yet I may endeavour to find a few hours to go in search of it.”
Let us hope that this pilgrimage was accomplished with mutual
satisfaction.

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. 187

Mr Richardson’s correspondence in connection with the Thirsk
Botanical Exchange Club, had commenced with Mr J. G. Baker,
F.L.S., in 1861, and there are a series of notes down to 1872. In
1864 and 1866, we find him contributing notes of localities of
rare species to Messrs Baker and Tate’s ‘‘ New Flora of North-
umberland and Durham,” published by the Tyneside Naturalists’
Field Club. The following notes form a sort of Adversaria on
some of the entries in that useful and painstaking work.

Among the plants forwarded in 1864, there were two species
of Thalictrum from Kyloe. ‘‘The smaller,” Mr Baker writes,
‘“‘is evidently the inland rupestral form of T. minus called
calcareum by Jordan, and montanum by Wallroth; the large one,
although there is no fruit on your example, I think we are quite
safe in referring to T. flewuosum.” See ‘‘ New Flora,” &c., p. 114.

In 1863, Mr R. finds ‘‘a form of Barbarea vulgaris with upper
leaves resembling those of B. stricta; but in true stricta, the pods
are rigid and adpressed to the stem.”

In 1864, Alyssum calycinum, an alien, was gathered by Mr R.
“on the Railway side south of Warkworth Station ;” and in the
same year Polystichum angulare was gathered in Cauledge woods
near Alnwick.

Sept. 10th, 1865, Mr Baker mentions: ‘‘ There are fine speci-
mens of Hymenophyllum Wilsont in Winch’s Herbarium from
Bickerton, near Rothbury, gathered by Sir Walter Trevelyan,
who told me he had got it again lately in the same place.” Mr
R. had obtained local specimens somewhere to send to his friends.

On Aug. 9, and Dec. 20, 1865, Mr Baker informs him that he
had found Agrimonia odorata near the ruins of Staward Peel.
Although he calls Mr R’s attention to it, he appears never to
have found it at Kyloe Crags, where it had been gathered by
Professor Oliver. Hieracium pallidum, which Mr R. had got on
the basalt at Kyloe and Spindlestone, had made itself quite at
home on the rockery at Thirsk, and satisfied Mr Baker with its
identity with the Teesdale plant.

On specimens of Potentilla alpestris from Spindlestone, June
12th, 1867, Mr Baker observes, ‘‘I do not see any material
differences between them and the Teesdale and Craven alpestris.
Undoubtedly it and verna come very close to one another.”

In 1865, Mr Richardson’s attention is directed by the same
diligent investigaior to the Audi; the results were that of the

188 Obituary Notices, by James Hardy.

specimens assembled, the following were some of the local forms:
1. rudis? 2. rhamnifolius grown in the shade; 38, radula; 4.
corylifolius ; 5. umbrosus ; 6. cesius. Again a packet of Rubi from
Belford produced radula and wmbrosus ; and one from Buston in-
cluded diversifolius, corylifolius, radula, and macrophyllus.

About 1868, Mr Richardson sent a Rosa from the neighbour-
hood of Alnwick, which Mr Baker pronounced to be R. systyla,
which was not known with certainty before in England, north-
ward of Worcestershire; and subsequently Dr Henry Trimen
confirmed the accuracy of this determination. Somewhat later,
he sent what was considered to be R. micrantha, which was “‘ new
to Northumberland ; the most northern station in Britain, being
Sandsend near Whitby.” It is not included in the ‘‘New Flora.” —

On the 28th July, 1869, he sent to Dr Trimen, Rosa Forsteri of
Smith (L. urbica of Leman), a sub-species of R. canina; and also ©
the form called &. sarmentacea of Woods (£&. dumalis of Bechstein).

Lastly, in 1872, he communicates to Mr Baker and Dr Trimen
his grand discovery of Psamma Baltica on Ross links, and Mr
Baker congratulates him, Aug. 8: ‘‘I am very glad that the
discovery of such a very decided novelty has fallen to Mr
Richardson ;”’ and Dr Trimen hailed ‘the very interesting and
important discovery.”’

Mr Richardson’s other plants are recorded in the ‘‘ New
Flora ;’’? in Mr Tate’s ‘‘ History of Alnwick ;” and in his own
papers in Irvine’s ‘‘ Phytologist.”

Mr Richardson was very careful in drying his plants, and
those with whom he exchanged compliment him on their being,
as one expressed it, ‘‘ perfect”’ as specimens, the examination of
them as he phrases it making ‘“‘ one’s mouth water.” He was
also liberal in distributing his duplicates, without expectation of
return. The Rev. Wood Robert says that Mr Richardson ‘‘ did
indeed act on the principle—never to forget to return a benefit—
and I think in some instances you restore fourfold.” He was
kind and conciliatory to young beginners. One, in the fullness
of his heart, informs him that ‘he is very fond of plants,” and
has got together nearly four hundred British species, kept in
portfolios of his own construction. He offers Mr R. a living
plant of Angelica Archangelica or Heracleum gigantewm, which is
quite in the grandiose style of a boy’s gratitude. Bazaar con-
tributors also apply to him, one lady being sure that with his

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. 189

aid she could get up two dried collections of British ferns, to sell
at £1 each set, for the benefit of a ‘‘ church restoration fund.”’
No wonder how the stock of British ferns is rapidly diminishing.

Mr Richardson’s kindly disposition was manifested on hearing
of the misfortunes of his fellow naturalists in a variety of circum-
stances. He could at least speak a comforting word in season,
to refresh or uphold the downcast. The following quotation in
reference to some such occasion, is from a letter of Mr John
Sim, dated Perth, 16th June, 1872. ‘I return you my warmest
thanks for your very generous and friendly epistle, which this
morning I had the pleasure to receive. I very much admire the
simple, earnest, unaffected style in which it is written; the
words evidently emanated from the pen of one who possesses an
amiable and benevolent spirit; a man of noble soul and large
heart, who loves all mankind—the world wide—and rejoices in
the happiness and welfare of our common humanity. Would te
God we had more of such men; a new and auspicious era would
dawn upon our sin-curst earth, and our fair and fertile globe
would soon again be ‘ Paradise restored.’ ”’

In 1866, Mr Richardson sustained a great domestic affliction in
the death of a beloved daughter, which he bore, although feeling
keenly, with Christian fortitude. In 1868, he experienced
another deprivation in the loss by consumption of his promising
nephew, William Richardson, jun. This youth stayed in Mr
Richardson’s house, while learning to be a schoolmaster, and his
uncle taught him botany. His nephew was a great help to him
in drying plants, arranging his exchanges, and doing part of his
correspondence. He contributed a pleasing notice of Ratcheugh
Crag and its Plants to the new series of the ‘‘ Phytologist,” vol.
v-, pp. 97-100 (1861). Had he been spared, and given his at-
tention to Botany, he might have become a very successful
observer.

Mr Richardson’s modesty prevented him from contributing to
any extent to Botanical periodicals, and when he did venture, he
appended only his initials, to what the editor speaking of the
first, calls ‘‘ one of the most important contributions I have had
for many a month.” I am only acquainted with the articles
which he furnished to the ‘‘ Phytologist,” conducted by his
friend and correspondent, the late Mr Alexander Irvine. They
are: 1. Rare Plants near Spindlestone, Northumberland, Phytol.

190 Obituary Noteces, by James Hardy.

v., pp. 79-81 (1861); 2. Botany of Hulne Park, Ib. v., pp. 193-
198 (1861). In this, what is called Corydalis solida proved to be
a foreign species of Dielytra, either formosa or Canadensis; 3. On
the plants of Holy Island, Ib. vi., pp. 10-15 (1862). Dr Henry
Trimen’s description of Psamma Baltica appeared with a plate in
the ‘‘Journal of Botany,” 1872; and is transferred with some
additional remarks from a different source to the Club’s Proceed-
ings, vol. vi., pp. 441-443.

He had become connected with the Thirsk Botanical Exchange
Club in 1861, and in 1864 was elected a corresponding member
of the Society of Amateur Botanists (Science Gossip), 192
Piccadilly, W. It was not till Sept, 29th, 1875, that he joined
the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, but he had previously at-
tended many of the meetings, with great zest. There was a
meeting at Kyloe Crags, on May 25th, 1870, at which he was
present; and to it the following extract from a letter of the Rev.
Wood Robert, Westward vicarage, Wigton, refers. ‘‘ What a
treat your excursion with the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club
must have been. Did it not revive some of your old enthusiasm,
and raise again some of that feeling and spirit, by which I well
recollect you were once described as that ‘ energetic Botanist, our
correspondent from Alnwick, Mr Richardson.’ ”

Mr Richardson’s extensive Herbarium, amassed from a great
variety of sources, was bequeathed to his grandson, the son of
our active corresponding member, Mr T. H. Gibb, Alnwick.

I shall now resume Mrs Gibb’s narrative. ‘‘I think Holy
Island would be amongst the last places he visited. The August
holiday was always devoted to that place. Sometimes he staid
over the night. I need scarcely say, that it was at that time he
discovered the Psamma Baltica. You cannot conceive what
pleasure that gave him. As you know he was a man of few
words, and shrank from his name being brought forward ; but
he could not conceal from us how very pleased he was, when it
was declared to be a real discovery.

‘‘Of late years he was greatly failed. I mean old age crept
on his physical frame—but he was, as far as his mind was con-
cerned, as young as ever. He took the same interest in his
- botanic garden, especially his roses, as ever he did; and in pas-
sing events, and people and things surrounding him. He never
was an old man in the true sense; I never thought him old. He

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. 191

read with great pleasure Smiles’ book on Edwards the Naturalist ;
it just suited him. The wonderful perseverance and self-denial
of that man were just exactly what he liked and believed in ;
being of opinion that with persistent application, a man could
attain to be master of any branch of art and study; quite as
much so as a man with natural talent or aptitude for the same.”

Mr Richardson died at Alnwick, April 18th, 1879, in his 80th
year; leaving with his relatives at the close, the consolatory re-
flection, ‘‘that he is now enjoying that glorious hereafter for
which he lived.”

The Alnwick Scientific and Mechanical Institution at their
general meeting, Dec. 2, 1879, passed the following resolution :

“‘ By the death of Mr William Richardson we have lost an old
and valued member. He was one of the last of that small band
of pioneers who strove so nobly in the early years of this Society
to give life, energy, and stability to its undertakings. As a
student, and afterwards asa teacher, he attended some of the
earliest classes taught in connection with this Institution ; and
the advantages that he derived from such agencies were so great
that he was ever afterwards anxious that others should partici-
pate in the same privileges. For years he served on the Com-
mittee, and in that capacity he was acting at the time of his
death. His wise counsel and conciliatory manner, combined
with great business experience, always commanded among those
with whom he acted, the utmost respect. As Mr Richardson ad-
vanced in years, it must have been a source of no ordinary grati-
fication to him, to see the labours of this Society attended with
such beneficial results.”

JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ., ADVOCATE.
Wattz the Club in its original constitution embraced both the
‘ studies of Natural Science and Antiquities, much more promi-
nence has been allotted in its obituary notices to those of its dis-
tinguished members who were Naturalists, than to those who
were equally profound Antiquarians. As an instance of such
partiality, we have passed by Sir James Simpson, as also some
others; but fortunately a studious life is often a long one, and
we have not many such deprivations to record. One eminent
man we have recently lost, one known to very few among us,
who probably never attended a Club meeting, never with buoyant

192 Obituary Notices, by James Hardy.

companions traversed the hill-sides, looked out to sea from the
giddy cliffs, pondered by the lone barren beaches, tracked the
romantic streams, or penetrated the remote glens and deep
woodland retreats of the Border-land; never penned a paper for
the ‘‘ Proceedings ;”’ never picked up one of the beautiful wild
flowers of the Border, nor listened charmed to the song of its
free-throated warblers, hunted after its insects, or sought out any
other of the varied components of its Fauna; never hammered a
rock, exposed a fossil, or sketched a section; never even viewed
its ruinous castles, and half obliterated encampments, or the
luxurious environments of its modern mansions ; or traced on
wild moors and craggy wastes the remains of its ancient forgotten
people; was neither meteorologically nor hygrometrically obser-
vant; never even thought that it was a matter of obligation in a
member to perform any of all these open or private manifesta-
tions of interest in the Club’s aims and objects; but with quiet
and unostentatious approval adhered to us for a long series of
years, contented to observe that at least some others were busy,
bringing free-will and not tasked offerings, and that the results
although not particularly brilliant or new, had at least a certain
value; and that as the years advanced the institution was still
maintained in good heart, and in favourable reputation. This
was Mr James Maidment, the friend of Sir Walter Scott, Charles
Kirkpatrick Sharpe, Robert Pitcairn, John Riddell, and others
of a bygone period, famous as literary devotees, lovers of rare
books, or proficients in genealogical inquiries.

The son of a London solicitor, Mr Maidment was born there
towards the close of the last century, and, like his father, chose
the law as his profession ; havirig, on the adoption of Edinburgh
as a residence, become a member of the Faculty of Advocates.
It was, however, as an antiquarian litterateur that he was best
known; and it was probably in connection with such pursuits
that he formed a friendship with Sir Walter Scott, which was
only severed by the novelist’s death.

Mr Maidment, at the time of his death, was the last remaining
of the 25 members who originally constituted the Bannatyne
Club in the year 1828. He was also an active participant in the
Abbotsford Club, established like the Bannatyne, for the publi-
cation of literary rarities ; and he contributed to the works of the
Spottiswoode Society.

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. — 198

Mr Maidment’s publications were very numerous, and only
printed in small numbers of copies ; almost every one of them is
now out of print. Nearly all his works were published through
_ the medium of Mr John Stevenson, antiquarian bookseller,—Sir
Walter Scott's ‘‘ True Jock ’’—or his son, Mr Thomas G. Steven-
son. Mr Stevenson drew up and issued in the year 1859, ‘‘A
Bibliographical List of the Various Publications by James Maid-
ment, advocate, Edinburgh, from the year 1817 to 1859, in-
clusive,”’ in royal octavo. This has, without acknowledgment,
been transferred to the Appendix to ‘‘ Lowndes’ Manual’”’—see
Bohn’s Edition. As Mr Maidment’s life is written in his works,
T have obtained Mr Stevenson’s consent to reproduce the list,
with subsequent additions and particulars from his personal ac-
quaintance with his writings. Two works, however, are ex-
cepted, on the authority of Mr W. H. Logan, as being his pro-
ductions, and not Mr Maidment’s, viz.:—No. 24 of Lowndes’
List, ‘‘ West Digges’ Correspondence with Mrs Ward;” and No.
36, ‘‘ Memoir of Archibald Maclaren, Dramatist.”’

Mr Maidment was a contributor to ‘‘ Notes and Queries.” In
one of his notices in particular, I observed that both he and
Mr Logan had confounded Burnmouth, a locality in the ancient
Ettrick Forest—an old mustering ground for Scottish armies—
with the modern fishing hamlet of Burnmouth, near Berwick.
The inference deduced from this mistake—that the country be-
tween Burnmouth and Berwick was formerly covered with wood,
has no foundation whatever. Mr Maidment’s books and collec-
tions of papers were much enriched by annotations drawn from
the store-house of his vast experience.

Mr Maidment was considered as an authority on genealogical
matters. Among other fruits of his labours in this field were
“Reports of Claims preferred to the House of Lords in the cases
of Cassilis, Sutherland, Spynie, and Glencairn Peerages.’’ More
recently he prepared a statement of the case of Mr Goodeve
Erskine, in connection with that gentleman’s claim to the Earl-
dom of Mar. In the Annandale Peerage case, now being liti-
gated, the evidence of Mr Maidment, and of Dr David Laing,
both disenabled by the infirmities of age from appearing person-
ally, was taken by commission at their own residences.

In the same line of studies, he had just finished before his
death a curious volume, undertaken at the instigation of the Earl

Y

194 Obituary Notices, by James Hardy.

of Crawford and Balcarres, being the first of Notices of Peerage
Cases, in 4to, forming the contents of the first seven volumes of a
large collection of Peerage Cases, which he had gathered—the
entire collection now passing into the hands of his Lordship.
There are only 100 copies of this book printed at the private ex-
pense of the Karl. Mr Maidment never finished his preface, for
which, during his illness, he had taken notes.

Mr Maidment became a member of the Berwickshire Natural-
ists’ Club, June 28, 1859, having continued in the membership
for twenty years.

About 1848, or subsequently, his mother occupied the mansion
house of Tweedhill, and Mr Maidment often resided there. He
appears then to have delighted in private and theatrical repre-
sentations. There is a short account by him of Hutton hall, on
the Whitadder, which is perhaps the sole written memorial of
his Rorder visits. It refers to an early charter of resignation
and re-investment in the lands of ‘‘ Hutton-hawe,” to George
Ker of Samuelston, from William Earl of Douglas, &c., dated at
Edinburgh, 11th Jan. 1451, in which there is a very minute
specification of heirs of entail, down to eight degrees of substitu-
tionaries. Myr Charles Watson, Dunse, acquired the charter at
the sale of Mr Maidment’s library, and from Mr M’s remarks
accompanying it I may for its local interest preserve the follow-
ing extract :— .

‘The present house of Hutton-hall was not erected till a later period. It
is now falling to ruin, but at one time must have been a fine baronial
residence. Some of the trees which are adjacent, are evidently of consider-
able antiquity, and may rival those at Bemerside, the seat of the family ‘‘ De
Haga,’’ which are celebrated for their beauty. Notwithstanding the careful
entail and the number of substitutes, Hutton-hall long since passed from the
Kers. Some 40 or 50 years ago the estate belonged to one of the Johnstones
—a well-known border family. Upon this gentleman’s death it was sold.
Since then, the mansion-house, not being inhabited, has been permitted to
go to ruin, and one portion of it has fallen in.” |

Mr Maidment died at his residence, 25, Royal Circus, Edin-
burgh, on the evening of the 24th October, 1879, and his re-
mains were interred in the Dean Cemetery.

His extensive library of rare books, containing as catalogued
5059 works, with a miscellaneous assortment over and above,
was sold in May, 1880, by auction, in Edinburgh ; fifteen days
being occupied in its disposal. Large prices were obtained ;

ae proceeds of the fourteen days for the catalogued series being

Obituary Notices, by James Hardy. 195

£4,499 1s 6d. The following account of the nature of this
valuable collection is from the Scotsman of April 28th, 1880.
‘““The late Mr James Maidment, advocate, as may be gathered
from a very cursory examination of this collection, was an enthu-
siastic bibliographer ; and there are few volumes in his library
which do not in one way or other bear the impress of his indi-
viduality. His acquaintance with many of the most eminent
hitterateurs of his day enabled him to collect with facility not only
works of great value and interest, but numerous data and re-
miniscences relating to these works or their authors, which, em-
bodied in a permanent form in the books, invest the collection
with an additional interest. The 5059 works which he has
brought together in the course of over half a century’s collecting,
and which are now to be dispersed under the hammer of the
auctioneer, comprise histories and treatises on a great variety
of subjects. Not afew of these date from the 15th, 16th, and
17th centuries, and are as valuable as they are scarce. An
important feature is the collection of works relating to the
drama and dramatic literature ; a department in which Mr Maid-
ment took an especial interest, and in which, perhaps, he was
most widely known to the literary world. These number close
upon 1,000. There are also numerous historical and statistical
works, including 100 volumes entitled ‘Scottish Topographical
Collections ;? a great variety of biographical compilations and
relics, among which are collections of holograph letters by Sir
Walter Scott and other distinguished men ; many rare old ballads
and fugitive publications; privately printed works by J. Payne
Collier, David Laing, and others ; publications of the Abbotsford
and other Clubs ; and sets of privately printed works, edited by
Mr Maidment, ‘The books are in excellent condition, indeed, in
rebinding and renovating the most ancient specimens, the col-
lector has given some indication of how much he cherished them,
thinking, doubtless, with Charles Lamb, that however flimsily
current literature might be clothed, no binding was too good or
substantial for those relics of the past. Perhaps the most remark-
able, and to some extent unique, feature of the collection, con-
sists in the notes in the collector's handwriting, and newspaper
cuttings, which have been inserted more or less freely in a Jarge
proportion of the works. These relate principally to the authors,
or furnish some additional information on the subjects under
treatment.”

196

Bibliographical List of the Publications of James Maid-
ment, Esq.

1. Prymerose (David), Scotland’s Complaint upon the death of
our late Soveraigne King James, of most happie memorie.
(In verse, dedicated to John, Earle of Marre). Reprinted from
the edition of 1625, printed by John Wreittoun, 1817, 4to.
10 copies printed. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 1973.

2. Raid of Ruthven.—Ane declaration of the just and necessar
causis, moving vs of the nobillitie of Scotland and vthers ye
Kings Majesteis faithfvl svbjectis, to repair to his Hienes pre-
sence and to remane with him, &c., &. 4Derectit from
Striuiling with speciall command & licence to be prentit:
Anno 1582.—-with preface and notes. 1822, small 8vo. 45
copies printed and 2 on vellum. See Bibliographer’s Manual,
p. 2210.

3. Two ancient Ballads—Robin Hood’s Courtship with Jack
Cade’s daughter; and the Frieris’ Tragedy. Aberdeen: Pub-
lished and sold by William Robertson. 1822, 8vo., pp. 16.
12 copies printed. ‘‘The place of publication was purposely
falsified ; and the Ballads were printed for the purpose of
testing the knowledge of a literary friend who asserted that
he never could be imposed upon by a fictitious ballad.”

4, Nugae Derelictae quas collegerunt J. M. et R. P. (A collec-
tion of eighteen Tracts, privately printed, at various times,
by James Maidment, Advocate, and Robert Pitcairn, W.S.)
1822, royal 8vo. Only six complete sets of these tracts are
now supposed to exist. There is a set in the Grenville Library,
British Museum, and another in the library of Lord Houghton.
Contents:—1. Inventory of Arbuthnot —Title-deeds from 1206
to 1483. 2. Carta Comes de Buchan to Roberto de Warderobe.
3. Confirmatio Alexandri Regis. 4. Letters of Pardon by
Edward III. to Cecil Ridgeway, 13858. 5. Appendix. 6.
Charter by Magistrates of Edinburgh to Robert de Preston,
1454. 7. Procuratory to Rosse of the Hawkhead, 1466. 8.
Battayle of Flodden. 9. Appendix. 10. Geir of the Abbacie
of Lindoris, 1513. 11. Heraldic Verses, 1565. 12. Inventor
of Gudes of Dame Elizabeth Fleming. 13. Resignation by
Lord Binning, 1614. 14. Lord Dunkeld’s Prophecy. 15.
Dying words of Haxton of Rathillet. 16. Excerpt from

List of the Publications of James Maidment. 197

Inventory of Crown Donations. 17. Memoir of Robert, fifth
Baron Balfour of Burleigh. 18. Appendix.

. A North Countrie Garland. . (A collection of ancient Ballads,

never before printed.) 1824, 12mo. 380 copies printed.

6. Excerpta Scotica.—(A collection of twenty-nine short pieces,

illustrative of Scottish affairs) 1828, 8vo.

., Pittilloch’s (Robert) Tracts, Legal and Historical, 1659-1689.

Reprinted from the Original Editions with an Introductory

notice. 1827, small 4to. 40copies printed on small, and 4 on

large paper. Small 4to. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p.

1875.

Scottish Pasquils or Lampoons, now first printed from the

original manuscripts with Illustrative Notices and Notes.

1827-1828. 38 vols. 12mo. 60 copies printed on small and 15

on large paper. Small 4to. Principally directed against the

opponents of the House of Stuart.

9. Reliquiae Scoticae: Scottish Remains in prose and verse from
original manuscripts and scarce tracts. 1828, 8vo. 14 copies
printed, and 2 on thick paper. In this collection will be found
two abusive letters from John Pinkerton, to George Paton the
antiquary, including two bonds of Manrent—various poetical
scraps from original MSS.—An account of the witches of
Kelerman, &e.

10. Templaria: Papers relative to the history, privileges and pos-
sessions of the Scottish Knights Templars, and their successors
the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, &c. (Four parts).
1828-1829, small 4to. 24 copies printed on small and 2 on
large paper.

11. Gascoigne (George), the Wyll of the Deuill with his ten
detestable commaundmentes, directed to his obedient and
accursed children, &c. Reprinted with a prefatory notice.
1828, 18mo. 40 copies printed and 2 on vellum. See Biblio-
Beepbies s Manual, p. 867.

12. A Banquet of Dainties for Strong Stomachs. (A collection
of Scottish Satirical Poems from Robert Myln’s MSS., and
other sources prior to 1720). 1820, 18mo. A joint publica-
tion of C. K. Sharpe and J. Maidment.

18. Memorials of the Family of Row, viz.—The Redshankes
Sermon: preached at Saint Giles’ Church, Edinburgh, by a
Highland minister.—A cupp of Bon Accord or preaching by

nn

~I

a

198 List of the Publications of James Maidment.

Mr James Row, sometyme minister at Strowan, preacht by him
at Edinburgh, in St. Geiles’ Church, with an Introductory
Notice, Notes, &c. 1828, small 4to. 40 copies printed on
small and 12 on large paper. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p.
2135.

14. Davidson’s (Rev. John) Poetical Remains, 1513-1595, now
for the first time collected, with a Biographical Account of the
author, and various illustrative papers. 1829, small 8vo. 40
copies printed.

15. Ritson (Joseph), Letters to George Paton, to which is added
a critique by John Pinkerton upon ‘‘ Ritson’s Scottish Songs,”’
with a Preface and Notes. 1829, small 8vo. 100 copies
printed. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 2100.

16. Nugae Scoticae: (A collection of twenty-two separate
brochures) Miscellaneous Papers Illustrative of Scottish
Affairs, 1535-1781. 1829, 8vo. 60 copies printed.

17. Private Letters, now first printed from the original MSS.,
1694-1732. 1829, small 8vo. 50 copies printed on small
paper and 12 on thick.

18. Letters from bishop Percy, John Callendar of Craigforth,
David Herd, and others, to George Paton; with an Appendix
of Illustrative matter, Biographical Notices, &. 1830, small
8vo. 110 copies printed on small and 10 on thick paper. See
Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 1830.

19. Abstract of the Charters and other papers recorded in the
Chartulary of Torphichen, from 1581 to 1596 ; with an Intro-
ductory Notice and Notes. 18380, small 4to. 35 copies printed.

20. Notes of Charters, &c., by the Rt. Hon. Thos. Earle of Mel-
ros, after Earle of Haddington, to the Vassals of the Barony
of Drem, from 1615 to 1627 ; with an Introductory Notice.
1830, small 4to. 35 copies printed.

21. Trial of David Roy, Cook to Colin Eviot of Balhousie, for a
rape committed on the body of Elspeth Eviot, ist Feb., 1601.
1831, 4to. 30 copies printed.

22. Historical Fragments relative to Scottish Affairs, from 1635-
1664. 1832-18338, small 8vo. 60 copies printed. Contents:
Memoirs of Civil Warr, during the Usurpation, by James
Burns, Merchant and Bailie of the City of Glasgow, 1644-1661.
—The Glorious and Miraculous Battle at York, 1644.—The
Diary of Mr Robert Douglas when with the Scottish army in

Lust of the Publications of James Maidment. 199

England, 1644.—Some Remarkable passages of the Lord’s
Providence towards me, John Spreul, Town Clerk of Glasgow,
in the bygone course of my pilgrimage, 1635-1664.—Collec-
tions by a private hand at Edinburgh, 1650-1661.—Sir John
Cochrane’s Relations of the particulars that have occurred in
his Negociations since coming to Hamburgh, 1649.—A note of
the letters taken out of the Trunk that came to Dumbeath ;
with copies of two Letters from Colonel Gordon and the Earl
of Kinnoul, to the Marquis of Montrose, 1649.—A Memoran-
dum to be communicat to Mr Robert Johnson.—A dismal
account of the burning of our Solemn League and National
Covenant (with God) and one another at Linlithgow, May 20,
1662.—An account of any accessions the Earl of Balcarres had
to the late engagement; with a justification of the letter
written by his Lordship to the Committee of Estates, 1649.—
Declaration of the Inhabitants of the Hill countreys of this
Kingdom of Scotland, 1653.-—Letter from the Harl of Bal-
carres to his Majesty King Charles II. Proposals submitted
to his Majesty King Charles II. by the Earl of Balcarres. In-
structions from his Majesty King Charles II. to the Karl of
Balcarres.—Memorials and Letters relative to Mr Alex. Hen-
derson, addressed to Dr James Fraser by the Rev. Robt. Wod-
row, 1723, &c., &c., with Biographical Notices and Notes, &c.

23. Catalogues of Scottish Writers. 1828, small 8vo. 8&0 copies
copies printed on small and 20 on large paper. Contents :—
A short account of Scots Divines.—Divines in the Seventeenth
Century.—A Catalogue of Scottish writers.—Account of the
Learned men and writers in Aberdeen by the Rev. Laurence
Charters, minister of Yester and Dirletoun, and Professor of
Theology in the College of Edinburgh, with Literary Corres-
pondence, 1698-1723, including letters from Capt. John Slezer,
Bishop Sage, Sir James Dalrymple, James Fall, Alexander
Pennicuick, James Wellwood, Jas. Anderson, George Crawford,
Lord Grange, &c. With Biographical Notices and Notes, &c.

24. The Hubbleshue. By Miss Carstairs. 1834, 18mo. Thirty
copies reprinted from the original edition in possession of C.
K. Sharpe, Esq., with prefatory notice containing specimens
of the Lady’s poetry.

25. Analecta Scotica: Collections illustrative of the civil, eccle-
siastical and literary History of Scotland, chiefly from original

200 List of the Publications of James Maidment.

MSS. 1834-1838, 8vo, 2 vols. 106 copies printed on small
and 6 on thick paper.

26. Mary, Queen of Scots: Letters de quelques Hauts person-
ages, addressées a La Reine D’Hcosse, Marie de Guise, tirées
des manuscrits originaux et Autographs, recueillis Par Milord
Balcarres. 1834, 8vo. 13 copies printed from the original
Letters in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates.

27. The Argyle Papers. 1834, small 4to. 50 copies printed on
small, 6 on large paper, and 1 on vellum. Contents :—Anec-
dotes of the Marquis of Argyle and some of his descendants,
by the Rev. Robt. Wodrow.—Letter to the Marquis of Argyle,
1640, and Papers relative to his son, Archibald, 9th Karl of
Argyle.—Papers relative to the abduction of Miss Wharton,
by the Hon. James Campbell of Burnbank, and the Execution
of Sir John Johnstone, Bart., for his concern therein.—Letters
to and from and papers connected with Archibald 1st Duke of
Argyle, 16938-1703.—The correspondence of Elizabeth the
Duchess of Argyle, chiefly relative to the Death of her hus-
band, and the Proceedings adopted against Mrs Alison, &c.
—Miscellaneous Papers relative to John Duke of Argyle, 1704-
1717, &c., including the Burnbank papers, 1710-1723.—Letters
which passed between the Hon. Col. Campbell of Burnbank,
son of Archibald, 9th Earl of Argyle, and his wife the Hon.
Margaret Leslie, daughter of David first Lord Newark and
Anne Countess of Moray, to Mrs Campbell of Burnbank, &ec.,
with curious biographical notices and notes. (The original
Burnbank notices were purchased by the editor at the sale of
the Library of Principal Lee.)

28. The Genealogy of the (Hdmonstones) Lairds of Ednem and
Duntreth from the year of God 1063 to 1699, and more par-
ticularly of Duntreth and the family that married with Dun-
treth during the same time; from the edition of 1699. 1834,
18mo. 25 copies printed on small, 5 on large paper, and 1 on
vellum.

29. Ballads and other Fugitive Poetical Pieces, chiefly Scottish,
from the collections of Sir James Balfour, Knt., with Intro-
ductory Notice. 1834, small 4to. 40 copies printed on small,
6 on large paper, and 2 on vellum.

30. Galations, an ancient Mystery taken down from the recitations
of Guisards at Stirling. 1835, 12mo., p.4. 25 copies printed.

Inst of the Publications of James Mardment. 201

31. Hay’s (Father Richard Augustine, Prior of St. Pieremont,
Genealogie of the Hayes of Tweeddale, including Memoirs of
his own times; with Illustrative Notes, Papers, &c. 1835,
small 4to. 108 copies printed, 12 on large paper.

32. Genealogie of the Saint Claires of Rosslyn, including the
Chartulary of Rosslyn, with Illustrative Papers,’ with seven
views of Rosslyn Castle and Chapel. 18385, small 4to. 108
copies printed, 10 op small, 12 on large paper.

33. Letters from Lord Pollok to Rev. Robt. Wodrow, 1703 ;—
(two letters from Wodrow to his lordship are added). 1885,
12mo., pp. 21. 30 copies printed on thick paper.

34. Poetical Descriptions of Orkney, 1652, from original MSS. in
the Library of the Faculty of Advocates. 1835, small 4to. 35
copies printed.

35. The Correspondence of Sir John Gordon, Bart., on the occa-
sion of the Rebellion, autumn 1745, containing some particulars
of those times. 1835, pp. 386. 30 copies on small, a few on
thick paper.

36. Stanyhurst (Richard), first four Books of Virgil’s Aineid, in
English Heroic Verse, with other translations of poems. Re-
printed from edition of 1583, with a prefatory notice. 1836,
4to. 50 copies printed. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 2783.

37. The Whore’s Rhetoric, calculated to the meridian of London,
and conformed to the rules of the art in two dialogues, with a
curious Introductory Notice and Notes, &c. 1836, small 4to.
with 12 portraits of celebrated London courtesans. 50 copies
reprinted from edition of 1683, and one on large paper. See
Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 2913.

38. Tuberville’s (George) Tragical Tales and other Poems, 1587,
with prefatory Remarks, 1837, 4to. 50 copies printed. See _
Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 2720.

39. Remains of Sir Robert Sibbald, containing his Autobiography,
Memoirs of the Royal College of Physicians, portions of his
literary correspondence, and an account of his MSS. 1887,
8vo. 395 copies printed, and 1 on vellum.

40. Balfour’s (Sir James of Denmylne, Lord Lyon King at Arms)
Ancient Heraldic and Antiquarian Tracts, with Introductory
Notice and Notes. 1837, 12mo. 50 copies printed on small
and 20 on large paper. Contents :—The Coronations of Alex.
IIl., Robert II., and James IV.—Treatises on Nobility.—
: Z

202 = Last of the Publications of James Maidment.

Ceremonial at Royal Christenings, Rydings of the Parliament,
and Register of Interments and Funerals of Kings and Queens
and Dukes, together with the principal Scottish nobility.—
Countess of Lennox’s Memorial, &c.—Proceedings before the
Privy Council on the dispute between the Duke of Hamilton
and Lord Douglas, relative to the right of bearing the Scottish
crown at Royal Processions, as revised by John Riddell, Esq.,
one of the counsel, &c.

41. Roxburghe Revels, and other relative papers, including
Answers to the attack on the Memory of the late Joseph
Haslewood, with specimens of his literary productions. 1837,
4to. 50 copies printed.

42. Court of Session Garland. 1839, 8vo. Containing anec-
dotes of the Early Administration of Justice in Scotland ; the
Justiciary Opera by James Boswell; the celebrated ‘‘ Diamond
Beetle Case ;”” the Faculty and Court of Session Garlands ; the
various jeux d’esprits. 150 copies printed.

43. Epigrams and Satyres made by Richard Middleton of Yorke,
Gentleman. From edition of 1608, with a preface. 1840,
square 12mo. 100 copies printed. See Bibliographer’s
Manual, p. 1545.

44. Cock Lorel’s Bote from a transcript of the original, by the
Rev. Joseph Stevenson, with preface. 1840, square 12mo.
40 copies printed. See Bibliographer’s Manual, p. 486.

45. Peerage Cases, 1760-97. Reports of Claims preferred to the
House of Lords in the Cases of the Cassilis, Sutherland,
Spynie, and Glencairn Peerages, with the opinions of Lords
Marchmont, Mansfield, Hardwicke, Camden, and Lough-
borough thereon, with an appendix of curious documents
relative to the Oliphant Peerage, and the decision in the ques-
tion of precedency between the Earl of Sutherland and Harl of
Crawford, &c., && 1840, 8vo. 60 copies printed.

46. Scottish Elegiac Verses on the principal Nobility and Gentry,
from 1629 to 1729, with interesting Biographical Notices and
Notes, and an appendix of illustrative papers. 1842, small
8vo. 90 copies printed on small, 24 on large paper, and 1 on
vellum.

47. Extracts from the Diary of a Senator of the College of
Justice (James Erskine of Grange), from 1717 to 1718, now for
the first time published, with a Memoir and Notes. 1848,

List of the Publications of Jumes Maidment. 203

small 8vo. 70 copies printed on small, 24 on large paper, and
1 on vellum.

48. A new Book of Old Ballads, with Illustrative Notes. 1844,
12mo. 60 copies printed and 1 on vellum.

49. Genealogical Fragments. Berwick-on-Tweed, 1856, 12mo.
50 copies printed, with 12 on large paper.

50. Ancient Earldom of Carric. Some account of the, in a letter
to Geo. Chalmers by Dr Carric, now first printed, with notices
of the Earldom, after it came into the families of De Bruce and
Stewart. Hdin., Stevenson. 1857, small 8vo. 60 copies
printed. ‘‘ An interesting work, which will be found of con-
siderable service to those engaged in the study of Scottish
Peerage Cases.’”’ Some important observations will be found
in it on the curious point of the illegitimacy of the sons of the
titular King of Ireland.

51. Scottish Ballads and Songs, with Illustrative Notes, &e.
Edin., Stevenson. 1859, 12mo. ‘‘ This collection consists of
curious Scottish Ballads and Songs, which, with a few excep-
tions, do not occur in any other collection. The Illustrative
and Introductory Notices prefixed to the Ballads severally,
afford much valuable- information, and give indubitable
evidence that the writer was fully competent to fulfil the duty
he undertook.”’

52. Poetical Remains of William Lithgow, 1618-1660. Now
first collected with a prefatory notice of 54 pages. din.
Small 4to.

58. Penny’s History of Linlithgow. Copied from Chalmers’
Caledonia. 1832.

54. Notices of the Bannatyne Club from its Institution in 1823
to 1836. 50 copies printed. 4to, 1836.

55. Kay’s Portraits of Edinburgh Characters, 2 vols, 4to, 18387.
He was the principal and responsible Editor of this work.

56. The Riddell Papers: A Catalogue of the Heraldic and
Family Manuscripts of John Riddell, the celebrated Peerage
Lawyer, 1863.

57. Scottish Ballads and Songs, 2 vols. 1868.

58. A Book of Scottish Pasquils, 1568-1715. 1862. A new
edition.

59. Supplement or Appendix thereto. A Packet of Pestilential
Pasquils. 1868.

204 Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club.

60. Court of Session Garlands. New edition. 1871.

61. Dramatists of the Restoration. Edited jointly with his
nephew, Mr W. H. Logan. 14 vols, 8vo. 1877-78. (W.
‘Paterson, Edinburgh). .

62. Mar Peerage. Case of Mr Goodeve Erskine. 1878.

63. Peerage Cases, vol.i., 4to. Not yet published.

In addition to the above, Mr Maidment edited the undermen-
tioned works for the various ‘‘ Literary Clubs,” viz. :—

1. Lyon’s Teares for the Death of Alexander, Earl of Dunferm-
line, 1622.—Bannatyne Club, 1832.

2. Mercer’s Chronicle of Perth, 1210-1668.—Maitland Club, 1831.

3. The Melros Papers, 2 vols.—Abbotsford Club. 1887.

4, Miscellany of the Abbotsford Club. Jointly with Mr W. B.
D. D. Turnbull.—Abbotsford Club. 1857.

5. Letters and State Papers during the Reign of King James
Vi.—Abbotsford Club, 1838.

6. Liber Conventus §. Katherine Senensis prope Edinburgum.
—Abbotsford Club, 1838.

7. The Spottiswoode Miscellany, 2 vols, 8vo.—Spottiswoode
Society, 1844-5.

8. Niccols’ Sir Thomas Overburie’s Vision, 1616.—Hunterian
Society, 1875.

Tos. G. STEVENSON.

Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, from
Scientific Societies, etc., 1879-80.

Baru. Proceedings of the Bath Natural History and Antiquarian
Field Club, Vol. iv., No. 11. 1879, 8vo. The Club.
Betrast. Annual Reports and Proceedings of the Belfast

Naturalists’ Field Club, 1876-77, 1877-78, 1878-9. Ser. i,
Vol. 1, Parts 2y., v., and: viz, 1879; Svo: The Club.
Boston, U.S.A. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural

History, Vol. xix. Part ii., May, 1877—March, 1878; Part
iv. March—April, 1878; Vol. xx. Part i. May to Nov. 1878.
Part ii. Nov. 1878 to April, 1879. Part iii. April, 1879—Jan.
1880.--1878-9, 1880, 8vo. The Society.

Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. 205

Boston, U.S.A. Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural
History, Vol. iii., Parti, No. 11. The Early Types of Insects ;
or the Origin and Sequence of Insect Life in Paleozoic Times,
by Samuel H. Scudder; on Distomum Crassicolle, by Charles
Sedgwick Minot. Paleozoic Cockroaches, by Samuel H.
Scudder, 1878-9. 4to. Ibid.

——- Occasicnal Papers of the Boston Society of
Natural History, iii. Contributions to the Geology of Eastern
Massachusetts, by William O. Crossley, with Map. 1880,
8vo. Ibid.

Bremen. Abhandlungen herausgegeben vom Naturwissen-
schaftlichen Vereine zu Bremen, vi., Bd. 2 and 3 Heft.
1879, 8vo. The Socrety.

—- Meteorological Tables, 1879, 8vo. Ibid.

Camprinvegz, U.S.A. Annual Report of the Curator of Compara-
tive Zoology at Harvard College, for 1878-9. Boston, 1879,
8vo. The Museum.

Carpirr. Report and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists’
Society, Vol. x. 1878. London, 1879, 8vo. The Society.

CarraiL, THE. ‘Two Photographs: (1) of a Fragment of the Cat-
rail remaining at the Rink; (2) of the Catrail Fort at the
Rink, taken May, 1880.—Presented by Miss Russell of Ashesteel.

Curistiana. Om Stratifikationes Spor af Dr Theodor Kjerulf.
1877, 4to. From the Royal Norwegian University of Christiana.

— Enumeratio Insectorum Norvegicorum. Fasc. iv.
Catalogum Dipterorum continentem. (H. Siebke et J. 8.

Schneider). 1877, 8vo. Ibid.
EprysureH. Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. Session
1878-9. 1879, 8vo. The Society.

—-— Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot-
land, Session 1878-9. Vol. xiii. 1879, 4to. The Society.
———— Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society,

Vol. iii., Part iti. 1879, 8vo. The Society.
Esszex, Satem, U.S.A. Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vols. ix.
and x. 1878, 8vo. The Institute.
Guascow. Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow,
1878-9. Vol. xi. No.2. 1879, 8vo. The Society.

Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow,
Vol. v., Part ii. 1877, 8vo. The Society.

———— Ditto. Vol. vi., Parti. 1879, 8vo. Lbid,

206 Places of Meeting for the Year 1880.

Lonpon. Proceedings. of the Geologists’ Association. Vol. vi.,

Nos. 1, 2, 8, 4, 5, 6. 1879-80, 8vo. The Association.
Annual Report of the Geologists’ Association for 1879.
1880, 8vo. Thid.

Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain and Ireland; Vol. viii., No. iv., May, 1879 ; Vol. ix.,
No. i., Aug., 1879; No. ii, Nov., 1879; No. iii., Feb., 1880:
No. iv., May, 1880. 8vo. The Institute.
Newcasttze. Sundry Natural History Scraps, more especially
about Birds. By C.M.Adamson. 1879, 8vo. The Author.
Puymovutu. Annual Report and Transactions of the Plymouth
‘Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society,
Vol. vii., Part i., 1878-9; Part ii., 1880. The Institution.
Wasuineton, U.S.A. Annual Report of the Comptroller of the
Currency, Dec. 2, 1878. 1878, 8vo.—From the Department of
the Interior of the United States of America.
Ditto, Dec. 1, 1879. Ibid.
Report of the United States Geological Survey of the Territories,
Vol. xii. Fresh Water Rhizopods of North America. By
Joseph Leidy, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the University
of Pennsylvania, &c. 1878, 4to. Ibid.
Bulletins of the United States Geological and Geographical
Survey of the Territories, Vol. iv., No. i.; Vol. v., Nos. 1, 2,
3. 1878-9, 8vo. } From Dr F. Von Hayden.
Catalogue of the Publications of the U.S. Geological and Geo-
graphical Survey of the Territories, 3d Hd. Dec. 31, 1879. Lbad.
Wetsupoou. Collections, Historical and Archeological, relating
to Montgomeryshire and its Borders, Vol. xii. Parts u. and
iii,; Vol. xiii., Part i. London, 1879-80, 8vo.
From the Powys-land Club.

Places of Meeting for the Year 1880.

Dunbar, for Woodhall and Thurston .. Wednesday, May 26.

Gordon .. ihe fs June 380.
Belford i July 28.
Morpeth, for Nerarinter Aiiey and Mitford ss Aug. 25.
Gilsland, for Roman Wall, &e. re a Sept. 29.

Berwick in ao ®: Oct. 18.

207

Rain Fall at Glanton Pyke, Northumberland, wm 1879,
communicated by FRepx. J. W. CoLLINGwoopD, Esq. ; and
at Lnlburn Tower, Northumberland, communicated by
Mr JouNn Dias.

GLANTON PYKE. LILBURN TOWER.

Inches. Inches.

January .. .. 1.4070} January... .. 1.000
February .. ». 4:2175| February ~~. a 2990
March 3 .. 1.68’0| March ae pie pal oiah
April ¥ e293. L170), April oe i 2590
May sg .. 2.240} May a .. 2.050
June ae .. 4.7370} June 2 .. 4.475
July i. .. 6.82°5| July 7 .. 7.040
August oe .. 8.89'5| August Na van ante
September .. .. 1.065} September .. .. 0.805
October De ie Ny OO ET Den’ ay. .» 0.625
November .. .. 2.88’5| November .. .» 2.660
December .. .. 1.87’5| December .. .. 0.595
Total i 33.8375 Total “ih 28.739

Rain Gauge—Diameter of Funnel,| Rain Guage—Diameter of Funnel,
Sin. ; height of Top above ground,|10in. square; height of Top above
4ft. ak above sea level, 517ft. ' ground, 6ft.; above sea level, 300ft.

General Statement.
Tue IncomME AnD EXPENDITURE have been :—

INCOME. Bis. adi
Balance from last year .. LUE LO ELS? BO
Arrears received .. st 22 10 0
Entrance Fees is se ge ag a)
Subscriptions oi ae 72. 1810
—_————-£115 11 0
EXPENDITURE.
Keith and Gibb for ee in tik zum GO. LL) GC
Printing 70 12 4
Expenses at Meets wi irae OL
Postages and Carriage s 13'S 0
Berwick Salmon Company ied glk. eo
L0G | 2. Voy

Balance in hand SEAR
————-£115 11 0

208

LIST OF NEW MEMBERS FOR 1879.

ADMITTED OcTosEr 15, 1879.

Rev. Adam Spence, Houndwood, Reston.

Peter Cowe, Lochton, Coldstream.

James Greenfield, Reston.

James Mein, Lamberton.

George Skelly, Alnwick.

Rev. Canon Tristram, LL.D., F.S.A., Durham.

Rev. David Millar, B.D., LL.B., Mordington.
Thomas Cook, Alnwick.

Charles M. Adamson, North Jesmond, Newcastle.
Alexander Mackenzie, M.D., Kelso.

W. F. Vernon, Kelso.

Rev. Charles Kinnear Greenhill, Roberton, Hawick.
William Layton, High School, Kelso.

William Gunn, Geological Survey, Berwick.

Rev. F. B. Nunneley, M.D., Rennington, Chathill,
Rev. Thomas Calvert, 92, Lansdowne Place, Brighton.
Rev. Donald McLeod, B.D., Jedburgh.

Rey. George Gunn, Stichell, Kelso.

Patrick Kynoch, M D., Greenlaw.

George Anderson, Selkirk.

Thomas Craig-Brown, Woodburn, Selkirk.

Ralph Dunn, Melrose.

Thomas Fairley, Galashiels.

Robert Darling Ker, St. Leonard’s House, Edinburgh.
Hume Nisbet, Studio, Albert Buildings, 6, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh.
Rev. Robert Small, Caddonfoot, Galashiels.

Frank Rutherford, Bank of Scotland, Galashiels.

Rev. A. Duncombe Shafto, Brancepeth Rectory, Durham.
J.J. Vernon, F.S.A. Scot., Hawick.

Robert Henry Elliott, of Clifton Park, Kelso.

J. W. Barnes, Banker, Durham.

Ralph Patterson Nisbet, Chesterhill House, Belford.
George Bolam, Berwick.

Rev. Thomas 8. Marjoribanks, Prestonkirk, Kast Lothian.
Rev. James King, Vicar of St. Mary’s, Berwick.
James Bogie, 5 Spence Street, Newington, Edinburgh.
Rey. Alexander Milne, Swinton.

Francis D. Blake, of Tillmouth Park, Coldstream.
Andrew P. Aitken, Dr. Sc., &c., Nivelle Cottage, Liberton, Edinburgh.
F. Bamford, Edenbank, Kelso.

James Thomas Spencer Elliot, yr., of Wolfelee.

W. G. Macdonald, M.A., Grammar School, Berwick.
Thomas Rutherford, M.D., Kelso.

: ee PI

yee Ga
NUR AL >

3 6AM iass

ERRATA.

Pace 11, line 6 from the top, for Jungermanni read Jungermannia.

18, line 31 55 for Anas read Gnas.

30, line 23 ia for Athemanticum read Athamanticun-
36, line 11 43 for most read moist.

37, line 16 BA for Thinopsis read Thuiopsis.

37, line 31 * for Hippophe read Hippophae.

42, line 30 59 for have read has:

42, line 34 af for are read is.

42, line 38 ae for Taxonia Van Volkheimii read Tacsonia

Van-Voluemi.

43, line 1 rp for Taxonia read Tacsonia.

43, line 6 e for Lapygeria read Lapageria.

54, line 17 Fe for Harvey read Harvie.

54, line 29 a for have read has.

62, line 14 Pa for have read has.

69, line 4 5 for compressable read compressible.
120, line 21 for those read these.
134, line 1 a for Hederifolia read Hederifolia.

145, line 39 zs for these read those.
150, line 42 for sly read shy.

174, line 19 and elsewhere, for Wolkonsky vead Wolkousky.

Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club,

B

Sie uwaraye
2! ie
SLU IN i

p
BS

wees

eh ass

GRECIAN PHIAL FOUND AT KELSO,
from a Drawing by Mf Frain.

Plate, L

OT FROM GREENWOOD MOSS, BERWICKSHIRE,

Drawn. by Vass Starling of Renton.

Gibb & Hay, Litht® Aberdeen.

Berwickshire Naturalists Clab Plate, 11.

: jah
S) I
: ee:

Scale of Feot

EDINS HALL, ON COCKBURN LAW, BERWICKSHIRE.

Gabb & Hay, Iathographers to Her Majesty; Aberdeen.

S. ns

Pa a

Berwickshire Naturalists Club.

Plate, 111

MASONRY OF EDINS HALL.

Gibb & Hay, Lithographers to Ber Majesty, Aberdeen.

Berwickshire Naturalists Club. Plate, 1V.

Scale:— Full Size.

ARTICLES FOUND AT EDIN'S HALL.

Gibb & Hay, Lithographers to Her Majesty; Aberdeen.

;
nl

A

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

¢

Address delivered to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, at
Berwick, October 13th, 1880. By CHARLES WATSON, Exq.,
F.S.A., Scot., Dunse, President.

GENTLEMEN,

My year of office as President makes it incumbent on me
to thank you for the honour conferred, by electing me to
that position.

Although the meetings have perhaps not been so largely
attended as in some years, owing to weather and various
other circumstances which it is needless to repeat here, I
trust you will find, when the year’s Proceedings are put
into your hands, that our work has not been by any means
barren of results. And while on this subject, I would
earnestly appeal to every member to endeavour to add,
however little, to the pile of information which the Club
has been accumulating for so many years, for there is an
old and trite saying, if I remember right -by the celebrated
Border man, David Hume, “that a single man can scarcely
be industrious when all his fellow citizens are idle ;” the
riches of the several members of the Club will contribute to
increase the riches of the whole, and it only requires each
| B.N.C.—VOL. IX. NO. IL. 1a

212 Anniwersary Address.

individual to consider it his duty to help the common
cause, to obtain the desired end.

For some years there has been an innovation on our
original unwritten laws. I refer to meetings held beyond
what is considered the geographical limits of the Club.
Most of the members will agree with me in thinking that
this is likely to strengthen the Club ; the old ground has
been, although not by any means exhausted, indeed rather
otherwise, so well worked over, that a change as above in-
dicated, if not too freely indulged in, will give an additional
zest to the meetings, and enable the members, like the bee
in the fable, by a universal range, with long search, much
study, true judgment and distinction of things, to bring
home honey and wax.

Our worthy Secretary, Mr Hardy, has very kindly taken
upon him the trouble of writing the details of each meeting,
which will, no doubt, prove more interesting than were I to
do so.

I cannot help endorsing the opinion of my predecessor in
office, that a Jubilee Meeting should be held in 1881 at
Grant’s House, where the first meeting of the Club was
held. Few more interesting places, in many respects, are
within the Club’s range ; perhaps want of accommodation
will be the only objection, seeing that, as a rule, the meetings
are now so large, but that objection can, by a little fore-
sight, be easily overcome.

During the current year (1880) a descriptive list of “ Our
Ancient Monuments and the Land around them,” by Chas.
Philip Kains-Jackson, with a preface by Sir John Lubbock,
Bart., F.R.S., M.P., has been published. Two of our local
structures are mentioned, Edin’s Hall and Harefaulds in
Lauderdale; of the former a very meagre description is given,
of the latter merely the name. I only mention this here to
call the attention of any of the members who may have in-
fluence, and to induce them to use such influence in sup-
port of Sir John Lubbock’s Bill, or any similar one if again
brought before Parliament, Sir John, in his preface,

Anniversary Address. 213

concludes with the following quotation from Ruskin :-—“ The
dead still have their right in them (these monuments) ; that
which they laboured for, the praise of achievement, or the
expression of religious feeling, or whatsoever else it might
be which they intended to be permanent, we have no right
to obliterate. What we have ourselves built, we are at
liberty to throw down; but what other men gave their
strength and wealth and life to accomplish, their right over
does not pass away with their death; still less is the right
to the use of what they have left vested in us only. It be-
longs to all their successors.”

In retiring from the Presidentship it falls upon me to
_ thank, which I do with the most heartfelt pleasure, the
Secretaries and those members with whom I have person-
ally come in contact, for their uniform kindness and
courtesy, and for their assistance in carrying through the
meetings ; and also to congratulate you upon the uninter-
rupted prosperity of the Club, and its growing usefulness
evidenced by the numerous imitations that have sprung up
all over the land, and the increased desire to join our ranks.

It now becomes my pleasing duty to nominate the Rev.
Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E., Edinburgh, who was associated
with the formation of the Club, as President for the coming
year.

214

Report of the Meetings of the Berwickshire Naturalists’
Club for the Year 1880. By JAMES Harpy.

Tue first meeting of the Club for the year 1880 took place at
Dunbar, in the St. George Hotel, on May 26th. There were
twenty-eight present ; including Mr Charles Watson, F.S.A.,
Scot., President; Mr James Hardy, Secretary; Revs. J. F.
Bigge, Stamfordham ; Joseph Hill Scott, Kelso; G. W. Sprott,
D.D., North Berwick; W. Stobbs, Gordon ; R. Hopper William-
son, Whickham, co. Durham; Capt. J. F. Macpherson, Melrose ;
Dr Charles Stuart, Chirnside ; Messrs Thomas Allan, Horncliffe
House; W. B. Boyd, Ormiston House; James Bogie, Edin-
burgh ; Thomas Darling, Berwick; Robert Gray, F.R.S8.E.,
Edinburgh; G. P. Hughes of Middleton Hall, Wooler ; William
H. Johnson, Edinburgh; R. D. Ker, Edinburgh; James Knox,
Dunbar ; Peter Loney, Marchmont ; Thomas Patrick, Berwick ;
George L. Paulin, Berwick ; Stanley Scott, Kelso; J. J. Steytler,
London; John Turnbull of Abbey St. Bathans; Adam Watson,
Dunse ; William Wilson, Berwick; William Willoby, Berwick ;
Matthew Young, Berwick.

The morning threatened rain, and a high wind prevailed; but
at mid-day the sun shone out, and the wind lulled. The country
being in its fresh spring array, and the scenes visited being new
as well as worth seeing, the excursion was most enjoyable.
After breakfast, some of the old Council books (four venerable
folio volumes) of the town of Dunbar were inspected with much
interest in the Town Clerk’s (Mr Notman’s) office. These date
from the Cromwellian period. The older series was said to have
been lost by the shipwreck of a boat, which was transporting the
vols. for safe custody to the Bass, when Cromwell’s army was
about to occupy the town. There are many other documents of
the town still extant.

The members were conveyed in carriages. Spott Dean house
and village were first touched at. Before reaching these, Loch-
end, belonging to Sir George Warrender, was passed on the
right, which is at present in ruins, the house having been
burned down. ‘There are some good yew and silver firs, as well
as ornamental conifers, in the pleasure grounds. Scrophularia
vernalis, a garden escape, is abundant in a half-wild state, in the
precincts of the garden. aster and Wester Broomhouses, next

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 215

skirted, are two farms in Spott parish, and were from an early
period incorporated with the estate of Easter Spott, but were
sold by an improvident laird ; of whom it is still reported by the
country people, that when he appeared, after parting with them,
at the king’s levee in Edinburgh, the courtiers whispered :—
‘« Here comes the Laird of Spott, with two Broomhouses on his
back,”” which has become a proverb. lJHaster and Wester
Broomhouses had become the property of the Baillies of Loch-
end before Nov. 26, 1635; so that the saying has maintained a
long currency, and points to the first Sir Archibald Douglas of
Spott, who sold them to Sir James Baillie, one of the Lords of
the Secret Council. Near Easter Broomhouse an upright block
of sandstone is conspicuous ina field. This is not a rubbing-
stone, but an old boundary or funereal pillar, or the remnant of
an ancient judicial circle. In 1635, 1640, &c., title deeds speak
of the lands of Standarts, as being here ; and in 1645 there were
templar-lands in Spott called ‘‘ Standand stain-rig,’’ which may
either refer to this, or to some other similar obelisk. The green
banks on either side of the Brock or Spott water, as it flows
down by Easter Spott Mill, used to be a great haunt, within Mr
Gray’s memory, of the Whin-chat (Saaicola Rubetra). The
brook contains common trout. ‘Leaving the conveyances at the
foot of Spott dean, on whose margins many of the slain in the
battle of the Doon-hill were buried, the company ascended it by
winding walks to the manor-house and garden. The dean is
cut sheer through the Old Red Sandstone Conglomerate to a
great depth, and is less than a mile long. Like many of the
ravines in the conglomerate, there is little more space at the
bottom than what is sufficient for the passage of the burn—a
lively stream that rushes over many a tiny waterfall. At present
the dean is very beautiful; the tall trees of beech and elm, with
which it is well studded, wear their freshest foliage; and the
banks, where not too steep to admit of the retention of soil, were
covered with dense sheets of the tempting-looking, but disgust-
ingly scented, dllimm ursinum, or Ramps (which some plucked,
expecting, much to their disappointment, to have in it laid hold
of a handful of Lily-of-the-Valley) ; as well as with other repre-
sentatives of native greenery that do not require special enrol-
ment. Among the declivities on the west side there is a great
deal of Hart’s-tongue fern, of the Asplenium Trichomanes, and of

216 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Polystichium aculeatum, which is a very prevalent fern in the
East Lothian ravines. The tall woods give shelter to a rookery.
Spott House is finely situated, and a charming place. It is
founded on rock at the edge of the dean, and in its present state
of completeness is not fifty years old, but it incorporates an older
mansion, in which tradition reports that Oliver Cromwell slept
the night after vanquishing the Scots on the fields below Doon-
hill, Sept. 8, 1650. This old house probably represents another,
which appears to have been visited by James VI. in February,
1595, as he then intended going to Spott and Dunglas.* At
Spott House, in December, 1592, the attempt, on the 27th of
that month, to surprise James VI. at Holyrood Palace appears
to have been planned by Bothwell (Francis Stewart) and his ac-
complices.t The laird of Spott, James Douglas, had a principal
share in the adventure. The garden was prettily laid out, and
well stocked with evergreens, and a variety of healthy growing
Coniferee ; especially noteworthy was a curious Larch, which out
of a single stem, was divided into three tall full-grown trees ;
one ascending from the original stem, the other two forking from
a curved branch, which had taken up the growth consequent on
some accident to the leading shoot. December’s frost, so disas-
trous elsewhere, had only singed Aucuba Japonica here, and that
not fatally.

By a winding walk the company proceeded to the top of the
Doon-hill, and enjoyed the extensive prospect. A precipitous
bank on the N.E. is probably the ‘‘ Maiden Loup,” where three
witches, all of whom perished at the stake, the latest in 1629,
according to the Scottish judicial records, held an evening con-
vention with Satan. On the eastern slope of the hill stands Little
Pinkerton, at which there was formerly a chapel, which was con-
stituted into a prebend of the collegiate church of Dunbar.
Edward I., after his first campaign in Scotland, on his return
journey to England, stayed the night of Aug. 20, 1296, at Pink-
erton.{ One MS. of Fordun states that the first battle of Dun-
bar, gained by the English, April 27, 1296, was fought at Spott,
so that he rested near the scene of his triumph. Old accounts
state that there was a Roman camp (for so British camps were

* Calendar of State Papers, Scotland, ii., p. 672.
+ Rob. Jonstoni Hist. Rerum Britan.
{ Hist. Documents, Scotland ii., p. 31.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 217

once popularly called), as well as the lines of the Scottish Coven-
anters, traceable on the sloping western side of the Doon-hill.
Viewed from Hartside, the highest of the opposite Lammermoors,
vestiges of a triple rampart meet the eye, but on the ground
these identify themselves with out-crops of rock. This hill-top
appears to have been long under cultivation. Looking across to
the rising ground on Spott farm, the Dodd or Spott law may
possibly represent the ‘‘Domilaw above Spot,’? whereon there
was a beacon in 1547. At the western end of the farm of Spott
is the Chesters Hill, whereon was situated, but now ploughed
over, a vast British settlement containing many acres of space.
A gold chain was once picked up within its area attached to the
coulter of a plough, which had caught it up. On Spott Moor,
_ about 1297, according to the relation of Blind Harry, who had
obtained some local knowledge about this vicinity, Sir William
Wallace and his followers fought a battle with Earl Patrick, and
was nearly overpowered by numbers, from which he was only
extricated by desperate valour, when the foe retreated.

The soil on the upper platform is a tenacious clay, like that
produced from decayed Silurian slate. One of the fields is called
the Teuchits, having been much frequented, before being drained,
by Lapwings.

Above the village many old elm and ash trees mark the site of
the houses, or garden plots, or acres of the old population, which
began to decrease with the improvement of agriculture. There
are scarcely any cottages left, except those attached to the farm.
The manse, the church, the school and school-house may be said
to represent the village. In 1730 there were twenty-one farmers
in the parish ; in 1791 these were reduced to seven ; and, exclu-
sive of sections belonging to farms, whose main bulk lies in
other parishes, the number of separate farm-holdings appears at
present to be nine.

Tradition says that the farming people of Spott were much
alarmed with the Highland invasion in 1745, which they spoke
of as the period ‘‘ when the ‘Black Watch’ came through.” To
prevent their cattle being requisitioned for the supplies of the
rebel army, they drove them for concealment to Spott Wood.
After the battle of Prestonpans, the rebels carried off a cargo of
wine from the laird of Spott’s cellars in Dunbar.

The jougs, once the terror of parochial culprits, are now at-

218 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. |

tached as a fixture to the side of the church door. They were dug
out from about the foundations of the building. One of the tomb-
stones, nearly grown up with grass, has sculptured on it a cross
and sword, and may mark the resting place of a knight templar,
or knight of St. John, as there were several templar lands here.
St. John’s well, which is conducted in pipes to Dunbar, it is
almost certain, derived its name from the knights of St. John of
Jerusalem, who acquired most of the templar lands on the disso-
lution of that order. That they might have resided in Spott ap-
pears from a Retour, Oct. 29, 1640, where the templar lands are
explained as being ‘dwellings and buildings in the village of
Spot, and templar lands in Easter and Wester Broomhouses.”
On regaining the carriages a good view of the country at the
foot of the Lammermoors here lay in view. The face of the land
hereabouts is very unequal—one may say tumultuous—being
separated into sections by deep cleughs descending from the hills,
or by other gullies running cross-ways to these; in some in-
stances presenting long flat-backed ridges, and in others heaved
up, or rather worn down—for that is the process that has moulded
them—into detached hillocks (called Knocks, or Knowes, or
Dodds), of conical and a variety of irregular forms. Places that
appear to the eye to be distant but a short way are removed far
apart by these. hidden ravines, which are often so steep and
destitute of passes, with no passage up or down except for the
stream between their banks, that one has to take a far circuit to
get across them. The level of the tops of the sides of these
ravines usually coincides. Many of the deep cleughs are wooded
with native trees. Small groves also crown the brows of the
green steeps above grassy dells; these, if of oak, were at the
period of the meeting, of a yellow green intermingled with the»,
tints of the brown branches: Elsewhere, crowded into masses
of one uniform height, the trees occupy a whole hill-face, grow-
ing like a corn crop. Amidst them will tower up, singly or in
groups, scattered holly-trees of ancient growth—for seldom is a
holly cut down—always remarkable for their weather-beaten
aspect, and their dark solemn hue. There are groups both of
mountain ashes and hawthorns occupying special banks, but the
latter are not so well branched as in lower districts. Nearest
the hills the birch prevails. The indigenous trees here are oak
(which predominates), birch, hazel, mountain ash, wych elm,
sallows, holly, bird cherry, ash (doubtfully native), hawthorn.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 219

Along a cross ravine, which lies between Halls and the Dry-
burn, separating Spott from Helden, runs a series of lochs—the
Black Loch being one—which are filling up. Some of them
have no outlet. They are frequented by wild ducks and water
hens. One contains perch. The Brunt Wood, mostly of oak,
faces to the west. Blue hyacinths, forming great stretches,
gleamed through amongst the trees ; and the sides of the woods
were clad with stitchworts, which open in a sheet of white when
the sun shines, but close up when rain falls, and become assimi-
lated in verdure to the grass. A marsh at the bottom was one
mass of rich gold with the blooms of the marsh marigold.

While those who preferred passed on to Innerwick and Inner-
wick Castle, a walking party detached themselves, on reaching
- the Dryburn below Brunt, and proceeded up into the centre of
the Woodhall woods. The ravine now entered, like that at
Spott, is cut in the Old Red Conglomerate, and probably follows
the line of an original fissure, subsequently widened out and
dressed by abrading agencies. A narrow porphyritic dyke
crosses the stream, north and south, shortly after the haugh here
has been entered. On the banks of the southern side, which, as
well as those on the north, are wooded, the profusion of prim-
rose blossom was excessive, as it has been in most places where
it grows this season. At Wallace’s Mill, which is mentioned in
old writs, there are only now the remains of the garden-fence,
which was of Bour-tree. Here Myrrhis odorata, Pyrethrum
Parthenium, Aigopodium Podagraria, and Circea Lutetiana grew,
the only relics of the kindly folks who ‘‘wonn’d in the glen,”
when the tenants’ corn was thirled to the laird’s own mill. In
going up into the woods the party kept to the paths, there being
no time for divergence. The trees are mostly of oak. The
more interesting plants in this and the adjoining Wodolie dean,
and in their forks, which stretch far away up into the hills are—
Stellaria nemorum, Vicia sylvatica, Campanula latifolia, Rubus saxa-
this, Melica uniflora, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Adoxa moscha-
tellina, Veronica montana, Saxifraga granulata, Sisymbrium thalia-
num, Myosotis sylvatica (very fine and abundant), Endymion nutans
(white var.), Sanicula Europea, Ginanthe crocata in marshes,
Epilobium angustifolium (where the ravine, after a long curve,
turns towards the hills), Cvstopteris fragilis (frequent), Scolopen-
drium vulgare, Polypodium Dryopteris (frequent), Polystichium

1B

290 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

aculeatum, Asplenium Trichomanes (very luxuriant), Asp. Adiantum-
nigrum (profusely among dry rocks). The vegetation in general
was that characteristic of a dry soil. Juniper bushes were occa-
sional, but are more abundant on the hill faces. Viburnum
opulus grows in a ravine near Halls, and above Thurston Mains,
on Thornton burn. Elder occasionally appears. ncalypta
streptocarpa grows on rocks in Halls wood. The Halls burn, the
Dryburn, and the Thornton burn all contain the common trout.
The woody-gall of the oak has appeared in these woods. The
wind made it disadvantageous to mark birds, but at a corres-
ponding period in last season the following, among others, were
noticed here :—The greater and cole-tits, the wren (very scarce),
red-breast, bull-finch, grey linnet (especially where there was
furze), willow-wren, wood-wren, black-cap warbler, blackbird,
thrush (scarce, and still remains so), sedge-warbler, white-
throat, grey fly-catcher (far up near the hills), red-start (near
Thurston), wood-pigeon, pied wagtail, sand-piper (not arrived
this season), coot, water-hen, dipper, carrion-crow, heron. On
wet fields near Woodhall and all along the brows of the Lam-
mermoors lapwings have their breeding-places ; curlews, golden-
plovers, and grouse have their home on the heaths; and wild
ducks in the marshes. The cuckoo frequents the moor-edges in
numbers, where the pipit-lark builds, in whose nest the young
cuckoos are often found by the shepherds. The ring-ouzel
nestles in some of the cleughs ; and the wheat-ear on the stony
ground, formed where the Silurian rocks surmount the conglo-
merate deposits that lie in a trough along their base.

Time would only permit reaching the deeply-cloven fissure
where the dean takes an abrupt turn at right angles, and where
the steep rock overhangs on both sides at a considerable width.
This is called ‘The Tinkler’s Loup,” because a tinker, in
escaping with manacled hands from the officers of justice, once
leapt the chasm without breaking his neck. The people tell of
a boy who here fell over the precipice and was killed.
‘‘ Hawks,” perhaps kestrels, build in the rocks of this wild part
of the dean. Some of the promontories or protuberances in the
adjoining dean have peculiar names, such as the Kimmerstock
Knowe and the Priest’s Pulpit. One of the fields on Woodhall
is called the Boar’s Loch, and there is a tradition that the last
wild boar that haunted that part of the country was killed there.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 221

A shepherd’s house on the height above, where one of these
deans collects the waters from the hills, is called Boonsley. It
belongs to Pinkerton, and represents the shielings of the men of
Pinkerton mentioned in one of the old Kelso charters, who had
common rights on the Earl of Dunbar’s moor. This was in the
reign of Malcolm IV. The walk was now in the reverse direc-
tion down the water-side towards Thurston. Below the road
crossing to Brunt, where old Brunt Mill stood, the valley was
open, but was constantly intersected by the stream wandering
from side to side, and requiring repeatedly to be crossed. The
Brunt side, facing the south, was in a blaze of colour with the .
blossoming furze. On the Thurston side were several sheltered
nooks, whence the pale primrose glanced from amidst the green
_ grass. Gaining at length the Thurston woods the footpaths
were labyrinthine, and full of walks leading to false issues, but
by keeping the burn within prospect, the party extricated itself.
Now hollows were crossed filled with primroses with particularly
large blossoms, and then heights were scaled from which fine
bits of scenery were visible on the opposite side, or some peak
was gained that commanded the view of the entire valley, with
its wimpling stream. Vinca minor is extensively planted in the
woodland shades, and thrives well. There were many fine swell-
ing beeches of tall growth. A rookery was passed near the
farm, and there is another still more extensive on the grounds,
which has cast off a colony that populates a planting on a height
above Thurston Mains. At length the carriage drive to Dry-
burnford Lodge, which was the trysting place for meeting the
conveyances, was struck. At the lodge there was on view a
three-footed bronze pot. ‘This was a very neat pot, ornamented
with three projecting lines round the thickest part, and the
mouth had a neatly bevelled lip. It was quite perfect, and had
been found when cutting a drain at Thurston Mains. The car-
riages had just halted, after driving up to Thurston House, when
the walking party arrived in view. ‘Those who had visited
Innerwick Castle were greatly taken with its situation, and its
sylvan and craggy environments. It belonged to the Hamiltons
of Innerwick, who obtained it by marriage with a De Glay
heiress. Some old-fashioned flowers, among others Anchusa
sempervirens, still lingering there, were picked up. The wood
wren was heard. Cvistopteris fragilis descends the burn from the

222 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

hills to the neighbourhood of the castle. The castle (which is
figured by Grose) belongs to Lady Mary Nisbet Hamilton.

At Dunbar, after partaking of a most sumptuous dinner, busi-
ness was proceeded with. Messrs John Crawford Hodgson of
Buston Vale, Lesbury ; John Sadler, curator of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Edinburgh ; and Joseph and Ralph Moore, superin-
tendents of mines, Inveresk, were proposed as members. A -
letter was read from Sheriff Russell relating to a badger trapped
on Timpendean Moor, and killed after it had made off with the
trap. It was mentioned that Mr Robert Calder’s hounds had
once killed a badger near Foulden. Below Thurston Mains
there is still a bank called the Brock-holes. Mr Robert Gray
read a paper on Mr Alexander Wilson, the Paisley poet, and
American ornithologist, containing an extract from his journal
of a visit paid by Wilson to Dunbar on September 24, 25, and
26, 1789. Mr Gray exhibited several most interesting relics of
Wilson from his private collections. These consisted of—1st, A
portrait with autograph; 2, Letter addressed to Miss Sarah
Millar ; 3, Original Drawing of the Hermit or Solitary Thrush ;
4, Thirty-three proof plates of Wilson’s work on Birds ; 5, Rough
medallion portrait ; 6, Photograph of Wilson’s grave. Mr Gray
also exhibited a photograph of the eggs of the Great Auk. The
President exhibited two books acquired at Mr Maidment’s sale:
(1) Genealogical account of the family of Home of Wedderburn,
by John Home, who died in 1791, with MS. notes by Mr Maid-
ment. John Home claimed to be the rightful heir of George
Karl of Dunbar, as well as heir male of the family of Home of
Wedderburn. (2) A collection of Parchments labelled ‘‘ Chartze
et Sasinze Antiques 1451-1582.” The first of these is a charter
by William Earl of Douglas of the lands of Hutton Hall, Ber-
wickshire, to George Ker, dated at Edinburgh, 11th: January,
1451.—A MS§ leaf of one of Thomas Boston’s sermons, sent by
Mr David Jerdan, Dalkeith, was handed round, as a specimen of
the careful hand-writing of the author of the ‘‘ Fourfold State.”

Much interest was felt in the exhibition of the flag of Henry
Hall of Haughhead, in Teviotdale, the famous Covenanter,
which had been borne at the battles of Drumclog and Bothwell
Bridge. It is of blue silk, and carried in red letters painted on
it the vindictive inscription, ‘‘ No QuvarTERS To YE ACTIVE
ENEMIES OF YE Covenant.” The golden letters of another

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 223

inscription are falling out, so that the flag could not be fully un-
folded. Its story is told by Mr James Drummond, the artist, in
the Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Mr
Drummond found this banner in the possession of Mr and Miss
Raeburn, Dunbar, and after much persuasion he was allowed to
see and make a drawing of it. ‘‘It is of blue silk, here and
there a little faded; but having been treasured as a valuable
heirloom, is in very fair preservation, and is inscribed in Hebrew
characters (gilded), ‘Jmsovan Nisst,’ (see Exodus xvii., verses
14 and 15), ‘The Lord is my Banner.’ From some cause or
other, the cloth has given way where many of these letters are
painted, and what remain are so tender, that they will scarcely
bear touching. The next line is painted in white,—‘ For
CuRist AND uiIs TRuTHS;’ and then come the words ‘No
- QuaRTERS TO YE ACTIVE ENEMIES oF YE CovEeNnanT.’ This seems
to have been first painted in a light colour, and afterwards re-
painted in a dull, faded looking red, in fact quite a bloody colour.
It is 4 feet 53 inches by 3 feet 53 inches. Its history, as given
by the proprietor, is as follows :—It belonged to Hall of Haugh-
head, a zealous Covenanter, and one of the leaders at Drumclog
and Bothwell Brig, from the latter of which engagements he
escaped and fled to Holland, but shortly after returned. While
lurking near Queensferry, an attempt was made to seize him by
the governor of Blackness Castle. Hall, being mortally wounded
in the struggle, died on his way to Edinburgh as a prisoner. On
his person was found an unsubscribed document, afterwards
called The Queensferry Paper. Hall’s son, while on his death-bed,
gave the banner to a zealous Covenanting friend, of the name of
Cochrane. His own son, having turned Conformist clergyman,
was considered unworthy to be custodier of such a precious relic.
This Cochrane after wandering about from place to place, settled
in Coldstream ; his son again, bequeathed the banner to his
' youngest daughter Mary, who married Mr Raeburn of Dunbar,
the father of the present proprietors, now a very aged couple.
Along with the banner, there was a chest of arms, which had
been used in Covenanting times; these, however, have been
gradually given away to friends, excepting two swords.”

In the present vol. of the Proceediugs, pp. 22, 23, 56, I called
attention to this flag, and also to the descendants of Henry Hall.
They were of the ancient border family of the Halls of

224 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Newbiggin, parish of Oxnam, some of whom I find about 1622-3
to have been notorious Border thieves.* Dr Robert Hall, the
descendant of the Covenanter, died in 1824; in his latter years
apparently he was dependent on his pen for a livelihood. There
- was a Mrs Hall, daughter of Mr Crombie, a writer in Jedburgh,
who married a Dr Hall, who belonged to the Jedburgh district,
and settled in London. Whether this was, or was not, Dr Robt.
Hall, no one can tell me. She wrote a story in Frazer’s Magazine,
more than forty years ago, entitled ‘“The Autobiography of a
Scottish Borderer,’’ which has been republished in Jedburgh, in
1874. She is said to have ‘“ endured a chequered life in the
metropolis, for her lot was one of trial and privation. "When the
accustomed sources of support failed, she had to betake herself

* Tuz Hats or Newsiccinc.—At Jedburgh Circuit, 1622, ‘‘ Adam Hall,
callit of ye Buss, in Newbigging,” was outlawed for non-compearance for
the crime of theft or reset of theft. In April, 1628, ‘“‘Jone Hall, callit
Cheiff,.in Newbigging, and Lancie Hall there,’ were accused of stealing a
mare belonging to Roger Hall, in ‘‘ Daviescheill,’? Northumberland, and
were ‘‘ clengit ;’’ but for resetting seven nolt, stolen from ‘‘ Heronnesclois,”’
and being act and pairt with John Hall of Heviesyde, then an outlaw and
fugitive, in selling them, they were ‘‘fylit’’ or found guilty, and were sen-
tenced to be executed. In the same Circuit ‘‘ Jon Hall, callit the Gumer,”’
was accused of the theft of the mare from Davyshiels, and cleared. Adam
Hall of the Bus, was entered as a pannel by his cautioner Adam Hall in New-
bigging ; and the same “ Adie, callit of the Bus, in Newbigging,” was found
guilty of stealing a cow pertaining to William Ker of Ancrum, from the
lands of Spithoip in England, and was sentenced to be ‘‘brunt on ye cheik
with ye common birning irne of ye burghe of Jedburghe.”’ (Wilson’s
Annals of Hawick, pp. 247, 275, 300, 281, 292, 297, 304.) Previous to this
the Haugh-head Halls had obtained possession thereof. In the Taxt Roll of
the Abbacy of Jedburgh, 1626, ‘‘ Hall for the half of Haugh-heid, worth 15
bolls, payes 33s. 4d.” (Morton’s Annals of Teviotdale, p. 62.) The lands of
Newbigging were then held by Andrew Kerr, Master of Jedburgh. (Jdid.)
“The Newbigging Lairds,’”’ we are told in a paper by Mr William Brockie,
in the Border Treasury, p. 186, were tenants for generations, by payment in
kind, to the Abbey of Jedburgh, and continued to make good their footing
against the Lothian family, till the beginning of the present century, when
their titles being questioned, they were evicted by a decreet of the Court of
Session. The “ folks of Newbigging,’”’ were a primitive people. It is told
of them that they attempted to catch the moon by means of a ladder placed
on a hill, behind which it was seen to shine, but when they reached the top,
the luminary was as far distant as ever. On reaching the village, when they
returned, ‘‘ one of the party declared, to his astonishment, that he found the
moon shining into the hens’ baulk. The moon, they concluded, was too
fickle to lay hold of.’’

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 225

to her pen, to eke out a precarious subsistence for herself and
family.” She attended the debates in the House of Commons as
a reporter, clothed in apparel she had borrowed from a pawn
shop. She translated several works from continental languages,
one being ‘‘ The Exiles of Siberia.”” She died in London, in the
end of the year 1846. Nothing is known of the fortunes of her
family.

To return to the Covenanting Banner, which has occasioned
these remarks—after the death of the Raeburns, it passed to Mr
William Sinclair, Hartfell House, Moffat, who is also the
possessor of the sword of Col. Cleland, another national hero,
who was an officer both at Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge ; and
fell 21st August, 1689, at the head of the Cameronian regiment,
manfully defending the churchyard of Dundee against a superior
_ force of Highlanders, the remains of Dundee’s army, who were
defeated and never rallied again. Mr Sinclair, who is a skilful
draughtsman of birds, is a native of Dunbar, or its neighbour-
hood, and he obligingly forwarded the trophy from Moffat on
the occasion of the Club’s visit. An old long-barrelled musket,
a pistol or carbine barrel, and a sword blade, which were con-
nected with the flag, were also shewn. Mr Graham, Dunbar,
sent for the inspection of members an old Geneva Bible of date
1561. Mr Loney brought from Marchmont, Galeobdolon luteum,
and a Geranium, of which there were doubts as to the species ;
the first was growing there in a half-wild state. Mr Thos. Dar-
ling mentioned having shot on the Tweed, near Berwick, during
the winter, a very small gull, which had occasioned some con-
troversy. It kept itself apart from other gulls. Professor New-
ton, to whom it had been submitted, considered it to be a dwarf
of the black-headed species, Larus ridibundus. It is noticed by
Mr Brotherston in the present vol. p. 177, under the head of
“‘ Masked Gull” (Larus capistratus).

The second meeting was at Gordon, on the 30th of June; and
although held in a rural situation, it was very successful and
numerously attended. A loft or granary behind one of the vil-
lage inns was fitted up, and a licence procured, and the company
dined there with every comfort. The weather was not the most
favourable, as heavy blasts of rain occurred repeatedly, but the
spirit of adventure set at defiance the fickleness of the elements ;
and the mind, amidst researches of an encouraging character,

226 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

was too absorbed to attend to physical discomforts. Thirty as-
sembled ; including Mr Watson, President ; Dr Francis Doug-
las and Mr Hardy, Secretaries; Revs. James Farquharson, M.A.,
Selkirk ; Alex. Phimister, M.A., Gordon ; and William Stobbs,
M.A., Gordon; Messrs D. Angus, Edinburgh; W. L. Blaikie,
Holydean; James Bogie, Edinburgh ; W. B. Boyd, Ormiston ;
Andrew Brotherston, Kelso; Alexander Dewar, M.D., Melrose;
Charles Douglas, M.D., Woodside ; John Freer, Melrose; W.
A. Hunter, Dunse; William H. Johnson, Edinburgh; R. D.
Ker, Edinburgh; Peter Loney, Marchmont; Alexander Mac-
kenzie, M.D., Kelso ; Joseph Moore, Smeaton Park, Inveresk ;
Capt. F. M. Norman, R.N., Berwick; Robert Renton, Fans ;
Francis Russell, Jedbank ; John Sadler, Royal Botanic Gardens,
Edinburgh; William Stevenson, Dunse; Charles Stuart, M.D.,
Chirnside; J. Erskine Stuart, M.D., Dunse; John Thomson,
Kelso; Thomas Turnbull, Lilliesleaf ; James Wood, Galashiels.

The railway bank exposes the Old Red Sandstone near the
Station, not far from where the basalt forms an overflow. The
basalt quarried near the Station is employed for road metal and
paving stones. The traditionary site of Gordon Castle is on a
kaim, now planted with fir trees, at the side of the public road,
N.W. of the Station. A few fragments of pottery were the only
relics exposed, when the line was cut across what might have .
been its outworks; and there was no indication of a sewer. The
plantation on the roadside to the village is cumbered with
basaltic boulders; but none of them shew glacial markings.
These are examples of the obstructions, that the feuars of the
ground to the east of the village had to contend with, when it
was reclaimed. The numberless blocks that they excavated were
utilised in building enclosures to the intakes of double the usual
thickness, or were fractured. to fill up drains. The village is
mostly constructed of basalt. It consists of a lengthened double
row of houses, one on each side of the public road, and has a
cleanly look. Water is plentiful, being found wherever the
basalt cuts the sandstone.

The Rev. William Stobbs shewed the members through the
church and churchyard. The church is a plain modern edifice,
but is roomy and comfortable in the interior, and is seated to ac-
commodate about 300 persons. Mr Stobbs said that in intro-
ducing the heating apparatus, the workmen about the centre of

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 227

the building came upon a pit of about a yard square in which 76
skulls were huddled together, and a number of thigh bones cor-
responding to these, as if they had been removed from some
other situation, and deposited there. It was remarked that the
skulls were extraordinarily thick, and the thigh bones were ac-
knowledged to be longer than those of the past or present genera-
tion. The teeth were wonderfully perfect. Farther along the
‘passage, several complete skeletons at intervals were found, dis-
posed east and west. All these were conveyed to the churchyard
for re-interment. One of the seats in the church, on the author-
ity of the Session Records, was called the Wedderlie seat, set
apart for the Edgars of Wedderlie.

In the churchyard there are no particularly old stones, except
some slabs that had been resuscitated, when a small portion of
‘ the surface had been levelled. Several of these are of the red
sandstone of Greenlaw quarry. The following inscription ap-
pears on the stone over the grave of Thomas Henderson,
formerly schoolmaster of Gordon, who died January 138, 1772 :—

‘¢ Ah he was great in body & in mind
A loving Husband & a Father kind
As he most men Excided in his Stature
So he Exceled in his Literature
But although he is gone and greatly mist
God’s good will be done we hope he is blest’

For a list of the ministers of Gordon, extracted from Dr Hew
Scott’s ‘‘ Fasti Eeclesize Scoticane,’’ I am indebted to our Presi-
dent, Mr Watson. The church was dedicated to St. Michael,
the Archangel, and previous to the Reformation belonged to the
Abbey of Kelso.

rn Archibald Fairbarne, reader from 1574 to 1585.
Thomas Storie, removed from Bassendean, 1609-1625.
Francis Collace, A.M., 1625-1647.

Norman Leslie, A.M., 1647-1657.
John Hardie, A.M., 1659-1662. (deprived).
James Straiton, A.M., 1682.
John Findlay, 1682-1685.
Thomas Mabane, A.M., 1685-1689. (deprived).
John Hardie, A.M., M.D. (restored), 1690-1707.
David Brown, A.M., 1708-1726.
John Bell, 1727-1800.
Robert Lundie, 1801-1807.
Walter Morison, 1807-1814.
David William Gordon, 1814-1824.
le

228 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

James Paterson, 1824-1855.
William Stobbs, A.M., 1855.

The trees and shrubs about the village had not suffered much
from the winter; the ivy in particular was unimpaired. At the
manse, however, under the shelter, the Laurestinus (Viburnum
Tinus) and a variegated shrubby Veronica were killed; and the
common laurel-bay was cut down to the ground. None of the
yews nor hollies were hurt, and the box was uninjured. After
a time, I was told, apple trees get lichened in the garden, and
gooseberries do not bear well. This year the apex of the shoots
of the gooseberry, here as elsewhere, were attacked in an ex-
treme degree by Aphis Grossularie. <A fine double-hosed cowslip
of the elatior form is cultivated in the flower border.

At Gordon, Mr Thomson picked up the following scrap of folk-
lore :—‘‘ There is a good story told of some worthy Gordonians
who, wishing to have perennial spring and summer, thought to
attain their object by building a high wall round a place fre-
quented by the cuckoo. But the bird escaped, and the ‘Gowks
o’ Gordon’ consoled themselves by the reflection that the wall
had not been built high enough. Some worthy ‘Gowks’ in the
village also tried to drown eels in a ‘pool near where the railway
station is now situated, but, being unsuccessful, alleged the
water was not deep enough.”” Both specimens of Gothamism, I
have mentioned in an article on the ‘‘ Popular History of the
Cuckoo,” in the Folk-Lore Record, 11. pp. 67-69, but not as applic-
able to Gordon. ‘The cuckoo story is found at Lorbottle, in
Northumberland. Some of the inhabitants in the vicinity,
although they have no documentary evidence, have traditions of
the long continuance of their families in one holding. The
family of one of the farmers in the parish has been in occupancy
of the same place for 200 years. An old man has lately come to
the parish from Hume, where, it is the family belief, his
ancestry had lived for 400 years.

To widen the sphere of observation, three sections were
formed ; one party betook themselves to Mellerstain woods
and Gordon Moss; the other two, one on foot and the other
by conveyance, passed to Greenknow and Bassindean, but
afterwards held a separate route; and each of them at the
close had something distinctive to relate. The first headed by
Mr William Boyd and Dr Charles Stuart, was the earliest to
start. The walk was most productive of plants In Mellerstain

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 229

woods they found Linnwa borealis, large quantities of Listera
cordata, and abundance of Goodyera repens, while in Gordon
Moss they noticed Catabrosa aquatica (a somewhat rare grass),
Stellaria glauca, Orchis incarnata, Utricularia minor, and several
Potamogetons. Mr Sadler found one specimen of moonwort
(Botrychium lunaria) which measured 14 inches from the tip of
the spike to the root. The list of plants got, drawn up by Dr
Stuart and Mr Sadler, is too long to introduce here, but will be
given as a separate paper, along with the plants Mr Brotherston
had gathered in coming to the meeting, and subsequent dis-
coveries by the Rev. W. Stobbs. Dr Stuart has kindly supplied
me with his observations on the birds that were seen in the moss.

‘“‘Larks are plentiful here, having abundant shelter for nesting
. in the rough cover in the bogs. While sheltering in a clump of
willows from a heavy shower, the attention of the members of
the Club was attracted by an extraordinary noise proceeding
from some bushes, quite close to where we were, as if produced
by a concert of grasshoppers. The noise resembled very much
that of a ratch fishing reel, when being wound. This sound was
the note of the grasshopper warbler (Sylvia Locustella), a very in-
teresting summer visitor. In former years I have heard it at
Ninewells, in the parish of Chirnside. This season it has been
heard in the Kirk Walk, Whitehall, and at Hammerball, Bla-
nerne, parish of Bunkle, within a few miles of Chirnside. This
bird is very shy, and takes good care not to show himself to
every one. By lying down in the wood at Ninewells and watch-
ing, I observed him come out of an alder bush surrounded by the
wood-rush, and run along the ground like a mouse to another
place of shelter. He is of a brown colour, and rather larger
than a hedge-sparrow. From the information of Mr Watson, it
has been observed this season at Chapel, near Dunse.” [The
nest has been seen this season near Paxton, and at the margin
of the wood to the north, close beside Grant’s House. It has
been long known in that vicinity, and its distribution extends to
the sides of the Pease dean. It was more numerous, before the
meadows at the side of the railway were cultivated, which was
about fifty years ago, before the era of railways.| ‘‘In the bog
on the north of the Berwickshire railway, we also heard the
notes of several of the warblers. I caught a young sedge-
warbler (Sylvia Phragmitis), a very beautiful little bird. Its

230 Report of Meetungs for 1880, by James Hardy.

parents were close at hand, and in plaintive notes, lamented the
loss of their young one. After examination, I had the pleasure
of safely restoring it to their care. On liberating the bird, it
flew into the middle of a water-hole, alighting on a reed, in the
very attitude in which Morris in his book on British Birds, has
pourtrayed it. The stone-chat (Saxicola Rubicola) and the whin-
chat (Saxicola Rubetra) were in considerable numbers in the bogs ;
and many other warblers—which owing to the wet state of the
weather we were unable to examine more particularly.” This is
still one of the haunts of the reed bunting, ‘‘coal-hood”’ or
‘‘black-cap”’ (Zimberiza Scheniclus), of which considerable num-
bers breed here. The common bunting frequents the neighbour-
hood in spring.

Since the meeting, Mr Stobbs has sought out a resident bird-
fancier, from whom he obtained some ornithological data, which
are always welcome in regard to a neglected locality. Concern-
ing the chimney swallow (f7rundo rustica) he states that in the
summer of 1876 or 1877, the season was so cold that only about
a couple of pairs could be observed in Gordon parish. They
generally depart in the last week of September for the old birds,
and about ten days later for the young ones. The swift (Cypse-
lus Apus) called ‘‘cran,” occurs occasionally. The favourite ren-
dezvous of the swallows before starting for the south is the
steading of Greenknowe, or the church-roof. A great many rare -
birds come to Gordon Moss, at all seasons of the year. The
grasshopper-warbler is an yearly visitant to the moss, where he
has seen its nest. He often sees the bullfinch in the woods.
This summer he saw a pair of goldfinches. The parish is rich
in species of titmice. He speaks of a wren with a spot on its
crown, called the ‘‘ weary” or “‘ wheary” (Regulus awrocapillus.)
Siskins (Fringilla Spinus) were very numerous in the moss, when
Mr Stobbs wrote, Nov. 5. He has a number of stuffed starlings
. with varied plumage, for they are much given to “‘sports.”” He
has twice seen wild swans, but they were in flight. A great
variety of ducks and aquatic birds visit the parish. He once got
a pair of shovellers (Anas clypeata); and shewed a wigeon
(areca Penelope) that he had shot lately. He has seen the king-
fisher on the Eden, and pretty frequent on the Leader. He has
got other birds, which he does not know properly, among others
arvare owl. In regard to the screech-owl (Strix stridula) I notice,

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 231

that William Brockie makes the remark, that ‘‘a dreadful
creature of this species, whose haunt was on the west side of
Mellerstain Hill, near a place called the Yallow Door, was long
known, and perhaps is still, by the name of Roarie.” The com-
mon viper (Lelias Berus) is very numerous in the southern or
Fans part of the moss. On the day of the Club’s meeting,
Sheriff Russell captured Argynnis Selene, one of the small fritil-
lary butterflies, for which this is a new locality. The pretty
orange-tip butterfly (Anthocaris Cardamines) is also found here.

On the geological features and present condition of Gordon
Moss, Mr Stobbs supplies the following remarks :—‘‘ The moss
is one by nature, but belongs to four proprietors. It is divided
by a stank, which helps to drain it. The moss has been a lake
_ unable to drain itself, by its outlet deepening its bed in the
course of ages. A dyke of basalt that crosses the country at its
eastern extremity proved too tough to be so easily worn down as
the rest of the land. This dyke had to be blasted with gun-
powder when the stank was made, and the moss drained about
60 years ago. There is a succession of very fine springs down
the course of the trap or basalt dyke that breaks through the red
sandstone, from the railway station to the moss. In the moss
there is a well-known ‘verter,’ 2.¢. virtue well, which has a strong
tincture of iron.’”? Hazel and birch are the chief ligneous con-
stituents dug up in the moss. The monks of Kelso Abbey had
two petaries here ; and six cottages of which each of the tenants
was bound to deliver annually thirty wain-loads of dry peats at
the cloister.* Hach husbandman of the 28 husbandlands of
Bolden or Bowden, Roxburghshire, was also obliged to furnish
a wain to carry peats from the moss at Gordon to the Abbey.{
These amounted to 208 wain-loads per annum.

There was only conveyance for a limited number, and these
were associated with the second walking party, part of the way.
Leaving by west end of the village, the ‘‘ Hanging Stone” was
pointed out—a mass of rock dependent from the bank above the
railway. The story is, and it isa myth attached to other “ Hang-
ing Stones,” that a pedlar who had been resting there got his
head into the aperture between two of the blocks, and was

* Morton’s Domestic Annals of Teviotdale, p. 134.
t Ibid, p. 121. They first carried them to a place of storage at “ The
Pools”’ (le pullis), and thence to the Abbey in the summer (p. 165).

232 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

accidentally hanged. See Club’s Proc. vol. vi., p. 870. Green-
knowe Tower, on the opposite side of the railway, was then
visited. The tower is built on a small plateau in the midst of a
moss, and at one time must have been nearly surrounded by
water. The foundations are much older than the superstructure,
the turrets at the corners being comparatively modern. The
outhouses have been cleared away, with the advantage of ren-
dering the building completely obvious. It has a patched ap-
pearance close at hand, but is a picturesque object from different
points among the well-grown trees of the park. It is a square
keep almost entire, measuring 34 feet east and west, by 36 feet ;
constructed of red sandstone and basalt. The windows are of a
modern square-headed type. Asit now stands most of it was
built by the Seytons or Setons. Over the doorway are cut two
shields with coats of arms, with the initials J.S. and I.E., and
the date 1581. The arms on the one shield are quarterly three
crescents of the first and fourth, and three scutcheons of the second
and third. These are the arms of Seton of Touch. The second
shield bears three crescents, which are equally the arms of the
Setons as of the Edmonstones. From the Seytons it passed by
purchase to the Pringles of Stichel, and became the inheritance
of the excellent Walter Pringle of Greenknowe, well-known
from his ‘‘Memoirs.”” In the Appendix to the edition of this
book by the Rev. Walter Wood, Hlie, there is a history of the
possessors of this property. The tower was occupied all the days
of the Pringles, and Mr Fairholme brought his English wife
there, but she could not become reconciled to the rude and in-
convenient old mansion ; this induced them to repair to Leam-
ington, where they lived all their time. The pasture still shews
by the lines of the old ditches and fence backs, the manner in
which it had been subdivided. Flowers had lent their adorn-
ment. In early spring snowdrops are exceedingly plentiful
round the building. ‘There was an inner as distinct from an
outer garden; and Walter Pringle in 1663, pointedly refers to
‘‘the plum-tree on the north side of the garden-door,” as being
witness to the earnestness of his devotions.* ‘There is still the
line of the winding avenue between two ranks of trees that led
up to the tower. The trees in the pasture were Scotch elm, ash,
plane tree, lime and willow. The grass has no great feeding

* Select Biographies: Wodrow Society, i., p. 438.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 233

properties, only occasionally a bullock or two being fattened in
aseason. The steading of Greenknowe occupies a flat, and the
cottages are apt to be water-logged. The walkers picked up
Galeopsis versicolor in the first oat-field entered; and at the pond
nearest the steading, Callitriche hamulata was observed with
leaves abnormally developed, by immersion. Glyceria fluctans
covered the upper pond almost entirely.

Coming out to the open, the appearance of the land is a sort
of central flat, diversified with rolling ridges, and detached
kaims. It now looked its best, in a variety of tints of green, the
small patches of heath that remain untilled being now of small
account. The soil is reddish with a considerable proportion of
clay in it; the well-rounded gravel on the saims consists of grey-
wacke, basalt, red sandstone, and an indurated reddish white
variety of the same rock, such as might be produced by heat.

. The fences are built of basalt and greywacke. The worst soil is

on the flats, being. a tenacious clay, while the free fertile soil is
towards the heights. Where very light the weeds in the corn
are ‘“‘runches’’ (Raphanus Raphanistrum), and not wild mustard
(Sinapis arvensis). The river Eden flows down a boggy-hollow,
and has upwards the sloping base of the Knock Hill, that shows
old cultivated ridges, but is now specked with heath, juniper,
and furze. The ground is cultivated and more flat on the eastern
side. Higher up is Corsbie Bog, in which the white masses of
cotton grass were conspicuous amidst the dark moss hags.. The
Eden where crossed has a lenient flow. It contains trout, but is
overfished. There is a want of dog-roses by the wayside, but
near Skinlaws Toll, Mr Brotherston cut a branch of the rare
fosa micrantha, for which, hitherto, there have been only two
Scottish localities. In going to Bassindean, those who were in
the conveyance, passed the dean, where, above an ancient bridge
now disused, are the remains of sandstone quarries, that may °
have communicated the name of Bakstanedean (the dean where
bake-stones were procured), to the original Saxon settlement
here.

While the walking party were examining the old church of
Bassendean, a mean post-reformation structure on an old founda-
tion, the others called at the farm-house, and were shown before
the front door, a great sandstone slab, closely resembling others
in Gordon churchyard derived from Greenlaw quarry. This

234 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

tombstone was removed by a former tenant from the churchyard ;
and the popular notion is that it commemorated a ‘‘ General
Leslie,” who fell while fighting against Cromwell. Inaccurate
statements about the battle of Dunbar may have originated the
rumour. They also tell that Cromwell fired from the Knock Hill
at Corsbie Castle, which stands upon the opposite side of the
Eden. Most of the other old gravestones were used in various
parts of the farm cottages some years ago; the churchyard now
being united to the adjacent grass field. At the farm house also
was pointed out the aperture of a vault, where the laird of Bassin-
dean who was of the Covenanting party, had been for a time con-
cealed from those who sought his life. The tenants think that
the farm house had once been a peel-tower. The re-united com-
pany next repaired to the garden attached to the residence of
Major John H. Ferguson Home, which stands on a distinct pro-
perty from the farm. It is well sheltered, and is neat and well
cropped. The soil here and all round the mansion house is a
stiff clay, but there is as good a crop here of peaches and grapes
as anywhere else ; and it is favourable for raising early straw-
berries and peas. There were some curious varieties of Mimulus
growing near the entrance. There were some very good Pyre-
thrums in bloom; and a well flowered plant of Pernettya mucron-
ata. Near it was a mass of the dark-foliaged variety of
Ajuga reptans, which was frequented, as the wild one usually is,
by a yellow and black saw-fly, a species of Athalia, whose
nomenclature is at present in suspense. The bright scarlet
flowered Alonsoa elegans was grown in the vinery, and lke-
wise a white bloomed pensile species of Tradescantia, not
a common thing. The apple trees had suffered from the previous
winter. The mansion-house is in a state of transition, and will
be handsome when completed. Part of it is old, with small
windows; the additions are in the Scottish baronial style. The
coat of arms of Ferguson combined with Home is finely sculp-
tured. There is an old dial on one of the aspects, said to be
dated 1600. Having been recently planted, some of the shrubs
have been hardly dealt with by the inclement winter of 1879-80.
Aucuba Japonica, the Laurestinuses, and Mahonia were sore cut
up. Some elms had also suffered severely. A deluge of rain
forced the members to take refuge in the conservatory. This is
built on the top of the old peel tower of the mansion, which was

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 235

taken down to one story. There were here some very showy
Calceolarias, particularly a double mauve-coloured variety ; some
large blossomed Fuchsias ; choice Pelargoniums; a scarlet
full-blooming Azalea; a few heaths; a good well-grown Pteris ;
an Eucalyptus rather drawn up; and a Syarmannia Africana, from
the Cape, of a large size. ‘There were also noted Sollya hetero-
phylla, Lapageria rosea, Clematises of sorts, and Passiflora cerulea.
A portion of the wall of the house was covered by the pedate ivy
(Hedera pedata). On another portion a fasciculated stem was
observed on the Cotoneaster microphylla, which is said to be sub-
ject to these abnormal growths.

I shall now, by Mr Thomson’s aid, follow the more active ex-
plorers in their survey of Corsbie Bog. ‘‘ Despite the drenching
rain, Corsbie Bog proved an interesting place for the botanists,
who were abundantly rewarded for all their labour and discom-

‘fort by the variety of the plants found. The moss has been
drained, and when the water receded the soil was the scene of a
great network of deep cracks, which still remain. In the Eden,
which is here a very insignificant burn, we found a small log of
black oak protruding from the soil. On the hill slope, and also
in the bog, the juniper (Juniperus communis) was growing among
the heath, while the cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccos) was plentiful.
Lancashire Bog Asphodel also grows in the bog. The butter-
wort (Pinguicula vulgaris) and the sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)
were common, and the whole bog bore a heavy crop of the hare’s
tail cotton grass (Hriophorum vaginatum). Owing to the rain we
could not see this beautiful plant at its best, as the moisture
caused the ‘cotton’ to stick close together, instead of appearing
a wavy tuft of down. There was plenty of Devil’s bit scabious
(Scabiosa succisa). ‘The feature of the bog was the frequent
occurrence of magnificent beds of Polytrichum commune in grand
fruit, while Funaria hygrometrica, which invariably appears where
ground has been burned, was exceedingly rich. In the Kden
Potamogeton polygonifolius and pusillus, Myosotis repens, Sphagnum
cusprdatum, squarrosum, and acutifolium ; Galium saxatile, Ranun-
culus homeophyllus, Carex ampullacea, C. curta and pulicaris,
Lastrea spinulosa, &c., were exceedingly abundant. Some very
pretty specimens of Orchis maculata were observed. The birds
noticeable were the whinchat and curlew, while here and during
the day larks innumerable were seen and heard. The subject of

1D

236 =©Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

the decrease in the number of larks was discussed, and the
general opinion seemed to be that the ‘bird of the wilderness’
was most plentiful in the wilderness, and receded before
cultivation. The rain was still falling, rendering the prospect
anything save an ‘ HKden scene,’ and it was determined to return
homewards by Knock Hill. Following the side of the plantation
of Scotch and spruce firs, it was evident that unless they were
quickly thinned the whole plantation would die. The trees were
so close that in parts it was impossible to pass through it. It
was a hard climb to reach the summit of Knock Hill, but the
view from it was an abundant reward. There is a quarry near
the top, and a capital section of basalt was there exposed. In
an oat field near two men were mowing the tops from the wild
radish (Raphanus haphanistrum), which was growing very abund-
antly. Daisies and buttercups were growing very plentifully in
the grass fields. A walk of about two miles under a downpour
of rain brought us to Gordon once more, and in good time.”
Those who were in the conveyance felt less the discomfort of
the rain, and they were well rewarded by the views from the
rising ground, as they passed onward to Legerwood. Above the
undulating surface, the abrupt prominences of East Gordon,
Mellerstain, Hume Castle, and the Knock, were boldly marked
out. Before us, dark strips of fir crowned the ridges, or swept
down in long lines on each side of the pass towards Birkenside.
We got glimpses far away of the Cowdenknows and the Hildons,
and more to the north, of the summit of Black Andrew in Sel-
kirkshire. On the left hand the dusky Lammermoors rose like a
wall, with streaks of green bog radiating from their sides. The
soil on Corsbie, Kirkhill, and Legerwood is of a dark colour, and
is well adapted for turnips. It is liable to be infested with
quickens, which the rapidity with which the turnip crop is now
apt to be put in, does not tend to keep under. The colouring of
the lamb’s fleeces probably responds to the blackness of the soil ;
as they were seen to have been recently dipped in a solution of
kee] ov red ochre; a practice followed also that the price may be
enhanced in the market. Corsbie Moss, which lay considerably
below the public road, was once a haunt of the black-headed
gull (Larus ridibundus), but has been deserted since it was
drained. There are a few scattered birches in the moss, and
some native sallows on its outskirts. This bog or mossy hollow

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 237

sweeps round a far way, till the cultivated ground of Legerwood
crosses and occupies the space. After passing Corsbie steading,
Corsbie Tower came in view, situated in a field on a knoll among
ash trees. It has a certain stateliness about it, and is built of a
pale coloured stone. ‘‘Three sides of the lofty walls are still
complete. It is believed by many who know the locality that
Sir Walter Scott must have had this castle in mind when
describing Avenel. A few centuries ago it would be totally sur-
rounded by water. It is eight miles, crow-line, from Melrose.’’*
Corsbie Castle belonged to the Cranstons. Jasper Cranstoun of
Corsbie was one of the Berwickshire barons proceeded against in
1530, for neglecting to fulfill their bonds “to keep good rule
within their respective bounds.”’+ On Sept. 14, 1571, the Earl
of Mar writes to Sir William Drury at Berwick, and ‘“‘ complains
of spoils committed on the lands of Thomas Oranstoun, the hus-
_band of Lady Oorsby, and requests him to give orders to the
Captain of Home Castle, for redress of these disorders.”} We
then came toa farm place called Kirkhill, which, with its en-
vironment of trees, concealed behind it the kirk and manse of
Legerwood. ‘The Rev. Archibald Brown very kindly shewed the
visitors whatever was worth inspection. The church is a neat
but plain structure ; new space has been obtained by an addition
at the back. Blaikie, the eccentric slater of Harlstoun, covered
the church roof allin one morning, single-handed; and it has
been so well executed, that not a slate has stirred since. In the
interior an old Norman arch of the original church is preserved.
The arch is very plain, but massive, formed of red sandstone,
and is 15 feet in diameter. The capitals of the pillars are
peculiar ; one has a transverse parallel double line of stars; and
another has an upright elliptical pattern of sculpturing. The
pillars had been continuous into the Moristoun aisle, now on the
exterior, and roofless. This aisle contains the tomb of John Ker
of Moristoun and of his wife, the famous heroine, Grizel Coch-
rane, who robbed the postman near Belford of the warrant for
her father’s (Sir John Cochrane of Ochiltree—concerned with
Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth, in the political troubles of the »
reign of James VII.) execution, and by this means obtained
* Mr James Smail, Introduction to ‘‘ The Grey Peel, a Ballad.”’

t Anderson’s Scottish Nation, i., p. 696.
{ Calendar of State Papers, Scotland, i., p. 328.

238 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

delay till successful intercession was made for his life. Over
their graves is a flat sandstone with an inscription, and at the
upper end an elaborately ornamented bulky tombstone of white
sandstone, with the date 1691, and one on each side, the letters
I.K. It carries two shields, the first has quarterly on the first
and fourth a unicorn’s head, and on the second and third three
crosses moline ; the second shield has three crosses moline,—the
arms of Ainsley of Dolphinston. These are intended for the
arms of Ker of Moristoun. They agree with those of Ker of
Littledean. The epitaph on the slab has been correctly copied
for us by the Rev. A. Brown.
‘¢ Her rests the corps of John Ker
of Moristown who departed this
life the 27 of September 1691 in
the thretth year of his age
As also the corps of
Grissell Cochrane his lady
who died the 21 of March
1748 in the 83d year of
her age”’

Mr Brown has also copied the inscription on the tombstone of
the Montgomeries of Mackbiehill, in the parish, which was
pointed out to the members. This family has a history, but it is
too long to narrate.

‘¢ Here lyes William Montgomry of Makbiehill who
deceased the 9 day of December 1689 (? 80) his age 63 years
Repaired by the Right Honble. James Montgomery Lord
Chiefe Baron of the Court of Exchekwer the gra
ndson of the above W. Montgomery 179 (8? 8? 9°)”

Copied from the stone in Legerwood Churchyard, August 7th, 1880. The

inscription is difficult to decipher. The letters are small and shallow, and
the figures especially indistinct.—A. B.

Mr Brown has also sent a correct transcript of the inscription,
which has a historical interest, on the tomb of the Rey. William
Calderwood, minister here, who was a relative of the Rev. David
Calderwood, the church historian.

‘‘ Here lyes that pious and
faithfull servant of Jesus
Christ the Reverend Mr William
Calderwood who was

admitted minister of this
Parioch of Ligertwood June

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 239

12, 1655 where he laboured
in the work of the Gospel till
he was turned out for

not conforming to Prelacy

an. 1662 and then he frequ
ently tho’ privately visited
that Parioch till the
Episcopal minister was turned
out that he returned to his
work Septr. 8, 1689 and con
tinued therein till his death
which was June 19, 1709 being
the 81 year of his age and
the 54 of his ministry

This monument was put up
by his Relict Jean Trotter

Repaired by some of the Parishioners
1838.”

Copied from the stone in Legerwood Churchyard, August 6th, 1880, by
Archd. Brown, minister.

There is an inaccuracy in the epitaph. He had completed the
54th year of his ministry, and had advanced one week into the
55th. Hew Scott, therefore, is minutely correct in this remark.
His list has 55th year.

The following is a list of the ministers of Legerwood from the
Reformation to the present period, partly from Dr Hew Scott’s
‘“‘ Fasti,” &c.; and partly collated with a list which Mr Brown
compiled from the Presbytery Records, which contains particu-
lars not given in the “ Fasti.”” Previous to the Reformation the
church belonged to the Abbey of Paisley :—

Robert Paterson, reader from 1574 to 1591.

David Forsyth, from Polwarth, 1592.

George Byris, A.M., from Barra, 1593—1640.

Thomas Byris, A.M., 1634-1653.

William Calderwood, A.M., 1655-1662 (deprived).

Thomas Byris, noticed above, 1666 (died 1682).

Gideon Brown, A.M., 1666-1676.

William Layng, A.M., 1677-1689 (deprived).

William Calderwood, i M.,-restored 1689. ‘‘He died 19 June, 1709,
in his 81st year, aa 55th min., having earned a high reputa-
tion for sanctity of life and ministerial usefulness.”’

James Campbell, A.M., from Branton, Northd., 1711; deposed 1 Aug.,
1718.

Thomas Old, A.M., 1717, died 1 Sept., 1737,

Walter Douglas, A.M., 1738-1752.

240 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

The following is Mr Brown’s list in continuation :—

William Gullan, ordained May 17th, 1753, died April 11th, 1792.

Robert Scott, ordained Sept. 17th, 1793, translated to Coldstream,
July 3rd, 1795.

James Baird, ordained Sept. 17th, 1795, translated to Eccles, July
20th, 1797.

James Young, ordained Dec. 6th, 1797, settlement rescinded May 25th,
1798. [He had been minister at Kirkley and Glanton, in
Northumberland, but was not qualified according to the laws of
the church. He died of a broken heart at Coldstream, 23rd
Jan., 1799, in his 43rd year and 18th min. |

Henry Garnock, ordained March 14th, 1799, translated to Canongate,
Edinburgh, July 25th, 1811.

George Cupples, ordained March 26th, 1813, translated to Hast
Church, Stirling, Jan., 1834.

John H. Walker ordained Oct. 4, 1836, translated to Greenlaw, Aug.
2, 1844.

James Macnair, ordained Dec. 19th, 1844, translated to Auchter-
muchty, July 1, 1853.

James Langwill, ordained Sept. 8th, 1853, translated to Currie, Jan.
21st, 1859.

Archibald Brown, indacted March 31st, 1859.

The company having taken refuge in the church from a heavy
shower, Mr Brown read copies of some of these documents, and
other statements; one being an extract from ‘‘ Pitcairn’s
Criminal Trials,”’ respecting the slaughter on the lands of Boon,
in this parish, by Alexander French, tutor of Thorniedykes, and
James Wicht at Gordon Mylne, of John Cranstoun, brother to
Patrick Cranstoun of Corsbie, Feb. 10th, 1611-12. Of this I in-
sert a copy made by our President, Mr Watson.

SLAUGHTER.

“©1612, March 13.—Alexander Frenche, Tutour of Thorniedykis, and
James Wicht, at Gordoun Mylne, his sister-sone.

Dilaittit of airt and pairt of the slauchter of umqle Johnne Cranstoun,
brother to Patrik Cranstoun of Corsbie committit be thame upone the grund
and landis of Boun in the Merse, upon the tent day of Februare lastbypast,
be wounding of him in the heid, leg and dyuerse utheris pairtis of his bodie,
to the effusioun of his bluid in grit quantitie: Off the quhilkis straikis and
deidlie woundis the said umqle Johnne nevir thaireftir convalessit: bot,
upone the first day of Merche instant, depairtit this life, of the saidis hurtis
and woundis.

Persewar, Patrik Cranstoun of Corsbie, as brother.

The persewar, be his grit aithe, declairis that he hes most caus to persew :
and sueris the said Dittay to be of verritie, and takis instrumentis thair-
upoun ; and Protestis for Wilfull Errour, gif the Assyse Acquit. As also

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 241

for verificatioun thairof, haifing uset and producet the Depositiones of cer-
tane famous Witnesses, quhilk was oppinlie red in Judgement.

Verdict. The Assyse, all in ane voce, be the mouth of Hew Bell in Blithe,
chanceller, ffand, pronouncet, and declairet the said James Wicht to be ffylet
culpable, and convict of the crewel and unmerciefull Slauchter of the said
umqle Johnne Oranstoun. And siclyk, for the maist pairts, Declairit the
said Alexander Frenche to be ffylet, &c.

Sentence. To be tane to the Castell hill of Edinburgh, and thair, thair
heidis to be strukin frome thair bodeis ; and all thair moveable guidis to be
escheit and inbrocht to his Maiesteis use as convict, &c.’’*

A very thriving Deodar and Araucaria were growing in front
of the manse. From the elevated height behind the church,
there is a view of the Dowie Den Moss Loch or ‘‘ Pickie Moss,”
where the black-headed gulls or Pickmaws breed ; but to get
close to it, a detour had to be made by Legerwood farm-steading.
The old village, as appears by the number of ash-trees in a field
at the roadside, had stood near the present dwelling. There was

‘a sprinkling of mugwort by the roadside on approaching it. We
turned up here sharply to the right, between two fine thorn
hedges; passed the sedge-bordered pond for the supply of the
thrashing mill, which is derived from the loch; then skirted a
small planting, where the road curved to go straight up over a
hill to Lauder, and having ascended it a short way, the loch,
which is full of sedge, and lies in a hidden retired situation, little
liable to disturbance, could be seen. The gulls were skimming,
backwards and forwards, in wild excitement over the surface of
the waters, and then swept away deviously across the country.
The young being now reared, the numbers of the birds were
lessening by desertions. There is said to be another pond, which
they still frequent, at Redpath, below Earlstoun. The gulls have

* Has not this incident given origin to the reported ‘‘ fatal fight between
the lairds of Boon and Corsbie,’’ which ‘‘ is occasionally spoken of yet in the
district ?’ According to Mr Smail’s narration : ‘‘ The grave of Boon is well-
known, and is marked by a large gravestone, of a sort, which is locally called
at the present day ‘ the Corse Stane.’’’ The account of this in the “ Statist.
Account of Berwickshire,’ p. 353, may possibly be more correct. ‘‘ On the
farm of Boon, in the barony of Corsbie, there is a stone which is called the
‘Dodds Corse Stane.’ It is a shaft of sandstone sunk into a square block of
the same material, and is said to have been the place where a market was at
one time held for the vicinity.”? In 1576-7, 26th Feb., there was a dispute
brought before the Privy Council at Holyrood, about the teind sheaves of
Corsbie Mains, for 1676, between George Cranstoun of Corsbie and Cuthbert
Cranstoun of Thirlstane Mains and Johnne Cranstoun of Moreistoune his son,
which was settled by agreement.

242 Report of Meetungs for 1880, by James Hardy.

deserted the Dogden moss, since it was drained. In the month
of July they often remain all night in grass or turnip fields near
Fans.

We again retraced the road to Legerwood. Mr Smail informs
me that about this place, there are still great numbers of bad-
gers, and that he is not aware of any parish with so many mag-
pies. Climbing the road that leads to Huntly-wood and the
Moristouns, beside a plantation, we looked across at the pretty
picture presented by the church and manse, and the field of
graves in front, and the clump of sheltering trees. Taking the
Huntly-wood road we saw that our late companions had gained
the summit of the Knock Hill. There is an old British camp
there, which is still traceable by the different colour of the corn,
when it is under crop. Hast and West Moristouns appeared
amidst plantations, and Fans in an open between woods, with
Cowdenknows and the Hildons in the distance. Huntly-wood is
an extensive farm, with numerous attached cottages. We next
looked down upon Gordon Moss, and the railway, and across to
the Mellerstain woods. A piece of remarkably red soil, as if
derived from the Old Red Sandstone, shewed itself on the left
before we reached the Greenknowe plantations. Growing in
these woods were some fine stately red-barked Scots firs.

One of the results of this meeting was the bringing to light
various interesting British relics found in 1836, under a cairn
near Gordon which contained about a hundred cart loads of
stones. These consisted of a baked clay urn, with zig-zag orna-
ment; two portions of a silver clasp, or hook for fastening
clothing ; two silver oblong ingots; and a gold ring of plaited
wire. These were shewn through the interposition of the Rev.
W. Stobbs, and belong to Mr John Hay, Gordon, an ancient
villager. Through the agency of Mr J. B. Kerr, these have been
sketched for a Plate in this. year’s ‘‘ Proceedings.”’ While the
late arrivals were viewing these precious remains, Dr Douglas
read to these assembled in the inn, from the Club’s Proceedings,
vol. ii., pp. 5-6, the account of the Club’s early visit, June 15,
1842, at which he was present, to Gordon, and the fruitless
search then made after the Linnea. There were only five present
at that meeting.

After dinner Mr Hardy read portions of a paper on Bassen-
dean, and shewed one portion of a transcript of the Baron Court

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 243

Book of Stitchel, commencing 1655, the first Court being held by
Walter Pringle of Greenknowe in name of his nephew, Robert
Pringle of Stitchel; and a notice of the Treasure Trove at Long-
hope, Selkirkshire, by Mr J. J. Vernon, F.8.A. Scot., Hawick.
Mr Vernon’s paper was illustrated by drawings of two of the
brooches found. The following were proposed and seconded as
members of the Club :—Mr Walter Grieve, Cattleshiel, Dunse ;
Dr J. Erskine Stuart, Dunse ; Rev. Alexander Phimister, M.A.,
Gordon; Mr J. Gordon Maitland, Advocate, Procurator-Fiscal
for Berwickshire ; Dr Haining, Earlstoun.

Dr Stuart, Chirnside, had an interesting vasculum of flowers,
mostly grown by himself. The following were included :—
Reseda fruticosa, Aquilegia chrysantha, Aquilegia, ‘‘ Borderer,” a
hybrid between A. coerulea and A. chrysantha, A. cerulea, Silene’
viscosa duplex, Bellium rotundifolium cerulescens, Thalictrum adianti-
‘folium, Deutzia crenata flore pleno; Scutellaria var., Viola lutea
(North Italy), Primula luteola (Caucasus), Primula Scotica (Caith-
ness) Crucianella stylosa, and Violas—Thyra, Lady Susan Grant
Suttie (whites); Tomb Thumb, Rosalind, &. Arabis albida was
shewn from the garden wall at Haining, where it had been
gathered by the Rev. James Farquharson. Mr Loney brought
a fasciculated thorn-stem curved like a crosier. Mrs Dodds, the
school-house, Gordon, sent a proliferous stalk of Plantago mayor,
which was fruiting like a miniature bush instead of as a single
stem; and a number of rib-grass ‘sports’? were also shewn.
Mr Brotherston had a specimen of Barbarea intermedia from near
Belses Station, St. Boswells, and nium affine in fruit from New-
ton Don. He explained that I affine, Bland, according to Dr
Braithwaite was I. cuspidatum, L. not Hedw.; I. cusprdatum,
Hedw., being If. silvaticum of Lindberg. Mr Stevenson exhibited
a large fine black-coloured fossil plant, covered with scales,
thought to be a Halonia, found at Swinton Quarry, and for-
warded by Mr J. Chalmers, Swinton. Mr Stevenson also pro-
duced a pale grey, almost white, small flint arrowhead, from
Chalkielaw; and a small worn-out French copper coin with
three fleur-de-lis on it. Mr Wood shewed a farthing of William
and Mary, 1694; also a small circular-cupped stone from the
British Camp at Torwoodlie. A large hole had been picked in it,
but there was none corresponding on the opposite convex side ; its

diameter was 23 inch ; thickness, 2 inch. It was of Ce ae
E

244 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

and like one of the stones used for chipping flints, already
figured in the ‘“ Proceedings.” A knife dagger, or hunting
knife, found on the Piper Hill, Flodden Field, and the property
of the Berwick Museum, was also exhibited. Mr Robt. Renton
had a key found in Cowdenknowes’ dungeon some eight years
ago, which is the property of Mr Robert Kerr, joiner, Earlstoun ;
it is 11 inches long, and has a long pike at the tip. Also, an
iron spear-head, 10 inches long (the point broken off) found at
Lilliesleaf by Mr John Currie, millwright there, was shewn ; and
a flat slate spindle-whorl, found by Mr Robert Sharp, Overhow-
den, on the 26th June, 1880, exactly upon the circle of the
‘‘ Rings” in the field there, called the Rings field. Mr Renton
also shewed several coins, including silver coins of William III.,
‘found at Dryburgh; and a number of artificially-fractured flints
from Fans, but only one of them had traces of chipping. A
cream-coloured lark, it was mentioned, had been caught at More-
battle. A request of Techuiker Charles Kraus, Pardubitz,
Bohemia, dated May 29, 1880, for a copy of the Club’s “‘ Pro-
ceedings,” for 1879, was cordially granted.

There is a copy of Walter Pringle of Greenknowe’s Memoirs
of date 1723, in the possession of Mrs Lyal, at Greenknowe.
This is the edition that Dr Tweedie reprinted for the Wodrow
Society. There is there also a book by — Symson, which has
the name John Pringle written in it. Three rounded stones from
Greenknowe Tower are preserved there—one of greenstone—
supposed to have been bullets. They are not so large as cannon
balls, and are somewhat oval in shape. A portion of an oak tree
stump (black oak) found in draining on the farm, may also be
seen.

The third meeting was held at the Blue Bell Hotel, Belford,
July 28th. Owing to the exceedingly wet morning, and the wet
day preceding, the attendancé was very limited. There were
present, Mr Charles Watson, President; Mr Hardy, Secretary ;
Mr Middlemas, Treasurer; Rev. W. Atkinson Clark, Belford
Hall; Rev. Edward L. Marrett, Lesbury; Rev. R. Hopper

Williamson, Whickham ; Messrs C. B. P. Bosanquet and Mr
Burn, Rock ; George Culley of Fowberry Tower ; William Lyall,
Librarian of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle ;
Edward Wilson and Hindmarsh, Belford.

There were first inspected at Mr Wilson’s house, Clark Street,

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 245

some flint weapons of the American Indians from Kentucky,
which he had brought with him on his return to England, viz., a
smoothed hatchet, and a chipped spear and arrow-head. These
were characterised as possessing a neck to facilitate their being
fastened to the handle. ‘There was a small fernery in the garden
that contained a specimen of the Kyloe Crag Asplenium septen-
trionale, of which one or two tufts had recently been observed by
Mr Wilson.

The church was next inspected under the conduct of Mr Hind-
marsh. Rebuilt in 1827, it is almost entirely modern. The
interior incorporates a Norman arch, of 13th century workman-
ship ; which was discovered last year (1879), when the ceiling
was taken from the chancel on its being restored by the Rev. W.
A. Clark, and his son, Mr G. D. A. Clark. This arch had been
‘ plastered up, and the pillars that supported it had been hewn
away. In the inner side of it there is a piece of old dog-tooth
carving. During the repairs of the chancel also there were
several carved stones discovered built up into the walls. I am
informed that the ‘‘ chancel windows are condemned, and will be
also restored in greater harmony with the church.”

It was the local idea that this arch had been derived from the
old chapel on the Crag, and reconstructed here; but Mr F. R.
Wilson’s opinion about the age of this fabric is more to be relied
on. ‘‘ From the structural evidence we may see that the ancient
chapel, formerly part of the possessions of the priory of Nostill,
in Yorkshire, was only altered and not effaced. Some of it is
still in situ. The masonry of the present chancel is ancient.
New windows have been inserted in it, and buttresses have been
placed against it; but the old work of the masons of the middle
ages forms the great bulk of it.”’*

Hither this chapel or that on the Crag is referred to as having
been in existence when the Inquisition of 1399 was taken, as
there is reference to ‘‘La Chapelle Rode;’’ and ‘‘ Nicholas the
Chaplain,” then resided in a “‘cottage” in the town. In Mac-
kenzie’s History it is spoken of as having been erected in 1700.}
But according to Archdeacon Sharpe’s Notes in answer to
Horsley’s Queries, it is said, that ‘‘anciently this was a chapel to

* The Churches of the Archdeaconry of Lindisfarne, p. 85.

t+ Hist. of Northumberland, i., p. 398. “It was built in 1700 and seated
in 1759.’’—Wallis, Hist. Northd., ii., p. 415.

246 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Bambrough, like Tughall, Lucker, and Beadnell. It was for
many years in ruins, but rebuilt by contributions. It did
formerly belong, as the tithes of the whole parish of Bambrough
did to the Priory of Nostell.”* At the dissolution it became an
impropriation in lay hands.t| The chapel of 1700 was thus a re-
newal of a much older structure on the same site. Similar is the
testimony of Mark’s Survey, 1723. ‘The church is small, but
handsome, and well built. It was repaired but lately in the
year 1701 by the pious contributions of the following honourable
contributors :—the Hon. Charles Montague, who gave £50, and
the Right Hon. the Lord Tullibarden £40, towards the repairing
or rebuilding the church of Belford. The rest was done at the
charge of the parishioners or inhabitants of the parish.” f

The history of the lords of the manor of Belford as given by
the late Mr Dickson, in the Club’s Proceedings, vol. iv., is in-
complete after the year 1663 (p. 24), and has been supplied by
Mr Hodgson Hinde.§ ‘In 1663 ‘the Lady Forster of Blanch-
land,’ widow of Sir Claudius Forster of Bamburgh, is returned
as the proprietor, but shortly afterwards it was in the possession
of Francis Forster, of Easington Grange and Belford, a member
of the Adderston branch of the Forster family. See Forster
pedigree in Raine’s ‘North Durham.’ He left an only daughter
and heiress, Elizabeth, married at Durham (see Cathedral
Register), September 3rd, 1685, to Charles Montague, fifth son
of Edward, first earl of Sandwich, afterwards the husband of
Sarah, daughter of John Rogers, of East Denton, near New-
castle. The issue of this marriage was an only son James,” who
in 1727, sold Belford to Abraham Dixon, a merchant of New-
castle-on-Tyne. It was his son, Abraham Dixon, Esq., that
raised Belford into consequence.

* Nostell or Nestelhoo Priory near Pomfret, Yorkshire, was founded in
1120, by Ilbert de Lacy and his son, for St. Austin’s Canons. In 11387 a cell
subordinate to Nostell was founded at Bamburgh, and the churches of
St. Aidan and St. Oswald there were conferred on that priory, which was
dedicated to St. Oswald, a Northern Saint. Belford, as dedicated to St. Mary,
appears to have had a Norman founder, but there may have been an earlier
chapel there appropriated to Bamburgh.

+ Inedited Contributions to the History of Northumberland. By J.
Hodgson Hinde, Esq., p. 63.

{ Ibid, p. 72.
§ Inedited Contrib. to Hist. of Northd., p. 72.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 247

The door studded with large-headed nails, which admits to
the grounds of the hall, came from the old or West Hall. The
trees here are very stately and well-grown, especially the elms,
Spanish chestnuts, ashes, and beeches. There is a fine line of
hollies, which present the deceptive appearance of a raised bank,
that shelter the northern aspect of the house. In the verandah,
is an upper mill-stone or quern of trachyte, 14 inches in diameter,
apparently Roman, and said to be from the vicinity ; there were
other mill-stones present; and a white freestone excavated like
a cup, which may have been a holy water vat from one of the
chapels. Stone querns are said to be rather numerous about
Belford, being found here and there in cultivating the fields.
The entrance hall is ornamented in part with curiosities and
cases of stuffed birds. The pair of bronze spurs discovered in
‘ one of the moats of old Belford Castle (now West Hall farm-
house), accompanied with human bones, of which the account by
the late Rev. J. D. Clark is contained in the Club’s Proceedings,
vol. iv., p. 89, are preserved here. It is said that in another
place, some perfect teeth, along with knives and armour were
obtained. A part of the bird collection is local. A woodcock
was pointed out, with white wings, which had been shot by one
of the family at Blaydon, in December, 1879; also there were a
couple of Pallas’ Sand Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus) from the
coast near North Sunderland; and a pale-coloured mule pheasant,
between the common and a Bohemian, that had strayed from
Kslington, and been shot on the Belford estate. Among the
paintings in the drawing and sitting rooms, are a couple of Mor-
land’s, several sea views by Carmichael ; and two excellent views
by Richardson of Holy Island Priory and Bamburgh Castle.

The Rev. W. Atkinson Clark now headed the party to traverse
the grounds. Two very large hornbeams, which had become
ample trees, drew attention; and also a grand American elm.
Some of the beeches have spirally-twisted stems, which is
attributed to the wind. Near the turret pond were two trees of
Quercus Ilex, which are considered to be the finest in the North
of England. Those at Howick Hall, seen last year, appeared
not to be far, if at all behind them. In this pond, a sort of
‘Dismal Swamp,”’ amidst water coloured like ink, some water
lilies grew. The Myrica Gale from the upper moors had been
planted near it.

248 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

The walk led round amid the intervening tall trees, to an out-
break of trap-rock, which has been converted into an excellent
fernery, well adapted to the growth of native species. There
were noted, Lastrea Filix-mas, L. cristata, L. dilatata ; Athyrium
Filix-feemina; Asplenium Trichomanes, viride, and Adiantum-nigrum ;
Cistopteris fragilis ; Allosorus crispus ; Polypodium Dryopteris and
Phegopteris ; Polystichum aculeatum, and the dentated and proli-
ferous forms of P. angulare. Finest of all, the varieties of Scolo-
pendrium vulgare, especially crispum were at home here in the
shade. No where could be found more luxuriant plants of the
holly-fern, Polystichum Lonchites, usually so prone to pine away
when transplanted. On the upper part of the crag, which is
called the Turret, there being a small prospect tower on the
rocky platform, the maiden pink (Dvranthus deltoides) grows
native. Hyrinus Alpinus has been here introduced, and thrives in
the chinks of the Turret, and has a tendency like Cotoneaster
microphylla alongside of it, to cling to the wall.

The Coniferze were thriving; one of these was a good Abies
Cephalonica; the Araucarias were not old. The frost had done
no harm here. There were several good trees of Quercus Cerris
or Turkey Oak.

The garden was a most acceptable treat, but very little time
could be devoted to the extensive greenhouses, and spacious
flower borders. The white flowered creeper, Stephanotis fiori-
bunda, the ornament of bridal parties, was profusely blooming ; a
pretty pink Polygola like a pea, was very attractive; but the
speciality was the rich assortment of ferns, of which Mr Clark
was an assiduous cultivator. Of native kinds, Asplenium marinum
had grown to a large plant ; 4d. Ruta-muraria was thriving in a
pot; and A. germanicum also. A specimen of A. lanceolatum had
been brought from Garibaldi’s Isle, Caprella ; there was a very
fine Woodsia Ilvensis; and Polystichum Lonchitis was thriving
under cover. Only one of the richly furnished herbacous borders
was glanced at. Mr Clark said that the old Cabbage Rese had
now come into vogue in the South, and was all the rage; and he
showed some fair examples ; Lilium awratum was noted, as well
as a small upright Clematis; a large flowered variety of Lythrum
Salicaria, coarse but showy; a very fine Statice; Veratrum
nigrum; St. Barnaby’s thistle; double Geranium pratense ; the
old Golden-rod and pearly Everlasting ; curious forms and
colours of Monkshood ; great white Spireeas, &c.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 249

There are several good old plants preserved by the sides of the
walks. On the west side of the house there was a wide-spread-
ing Portugal Laurel, notable for its height as well as its bulk ;
also a large Medlar bearing fruit. Finally the company con-
fronted a tall upright Spanish chestnut, the pride of the place,
which close at the ground measured 13 feet 4 inches, at one foot
from the ground 12 feet; and at six feet, 10 feet 6 inches.
There is an extensive rookery in the park.

The party now left the park for the Crag, entering by the
private walk. There was an extensive display of the trap here
in a quarry, which the proprietor is obliged to keep open to
supply the roads with metal. The stone had also been applied
to building purposes, but was not very tractable. A very large
birch grows in the adjacent plantation. A white fox-glove —

.appeared on the bank. On the grassy platform of the Crag, the

foundations of the oblong chapel were first examined ; fragments
of lime and limpets from the mortar are extensively strewn
about. It has been fortified or enclosed by some high mounds,
but these may be more ancient. After a lower interval a British
camp occurs, with strong ramparts. Near it are several depres-
sions which a rainy season would readily convert into pools.
There is an old sloping footpath from the north-west side, by
which access to the chapel could be obtained. The chapel may
have been connected with the neighbouring old hall. Previous
to the time when Mackenzie’s History of Northumberland was
written (2nd edition, 1825, vol. i., p. 400), it was better worthy
of a visit. ‘‘ Near this town on a rising ground, are the ruins of
an ancient chapel, which, being surrounded by several tall oak
trees, had a most romantic appearance; but the trees are now
cut down and the stones removed. On the north-west side, by a
fine spring, stood the ancient mansion-house, behind which was
formerly a wood of large oaks, half-a-mile in length, which
stretched under a range of steep rocks of whinstone.”* Accord-
ing to Mark’s Survey, 1723, this chapel was dedicated to St.
Mary,} and called by her name; the present parish church, it
may be remarked, appears to have borrowed the patron saint.
Whether ‘‘La Chapelle Rode” of the Inquisition of 1399,

* This is mentioned in somewhat similar terms in Wallis’s older Hist. of
Northd., ii., pp. 415-6.
+ Contrib. to Hist. Northd., p. 72.

250 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

belonged to this, or the old building forming the chancel of the
parish church, I cannot decide; but an ancient well, called St.
Mary’s well, there indicated must have been near the chapel on
the Crag. At that date, Elizabeth, widow of Philip Darcy, had
as part of her dowry, ‘‘a certain part of the wood towards the
east, to wit from Seynt Mary Well as far as La Close noke, and
leading from La Close noke as far as La Chapelle Rode.” This
well may have supplied water for the font or ceremonial lustra-
tion. Such was once the custom in North Wales.* ‘St. Mary’s
Well,” I am informed by Mr John Aitchison, ‘‘is situated less
than a quarter of a mile from the north end of the town of Bel-
ford, on the site of the turnpike road leading to Berwick. It is
no great. distance from the old site of St. Mary’s Church on the
Crag. Itis a fine, strong spring of water, and appears to have
been at one time well kept. I have heard my mother, who lived
over 82 years in Belford and its immediate neighbourhood, say
that this well, in her recollection, supplied most of the people in
the north end of the town with water ; that it was walled up on
each side, and covered over with a large stone on the top; and
that two ‘ladles,’ fastened by chains to the sides, were always
kept there for the purpose of passers by getting a drink when
they required. Of late years, however, the well has been re-
moved from the side of the road into the other side of the hedge,
in the corner of a field, where it is still to be seen, and where, I
believe, the people living at the Chesters farm still draw from it
what water they need.”

Mr Wilson pointed out a place in the fields in a hollow, on the
west side of the Crag, where an urn had been found in a grave
three feet long. In deep ploughings graves are struck, in
scattered positions, but no record is kept; they are usually
empty. Adders (Pelias Berus) are numerous on the Crag, and
in the woods at the back of it. Mr John Aitchison, Belford, in-
forms me that they are found at Penniheugh, Layheugh, Coal
Wood, Belford Moor, and other places on Belford estate.

The view was extensive, but dimmed by the moisture in the
atmosphere, and included Holy Island, Bamburgh, the sandy
shore at Budle, and the inland range of high moorland ground.
A farm named Chesters lies at no great distance, and there is a
camp on the estate of a square form called the ‘‘ Derry Camp.”
We heard of no other antiquities of this class.

* See Pennant, in Brand’s Pop. Antiq. ii., 227, 228.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 251

Rain threatening, it was found impossible to prolong the
journey, as had been intended, across the country; a retreat
was then made to inn, and four of the party were obliged to
leave.

At length the rain cleared off, and the remaining few took ad-
vantage of Mr Leather’s obliging offer of opening Middleton
Hall on the Club’s behalf, but the time that remained barely
sufficed for a hurried visit by conveyance. The private grounds
are beautifully laid out and embellished. The handsome house
is new, but is constructed on the site of an older residence. The
‘ ribbon and bedding-out style of gardening is adopted, but there
is still a portion of perennial plants spared. No harm had been
done by the winter except to a climbing Ceanothus, on the front
of the house; and the tea-roses had been blasted, but were
springing anew. ‘There was a pretty little fernery. The showy
form of Zythrum appeared here again, and there were quantities
of the common throat-wort (Campanula latifolia). A rivulet is
conducted through the garden, and the walls that confine it are
prettily decked with ferns and saxifrages, springing out of the
interstices. Cistopteris fragilis and Asplenium Ruta-muraria were
flourishing. There was an excellent display of grapes and
peaches. The potatoes and peas were pronounced good. The
black currants had suffered much from Aphis, a general com-
plaint.

A hasty survey was made of the principal apartments in the
house ; there were some rich carved mantlepieces and side-boards,
and valuable cabinets. The ceilings were superbly decorated
with geometrical designs. Some of the wood work was by
Signor Bulleti. Among the paintings was a very good view of
‘ Bamburgh Castle, by our corresponding member, Mr T. H. Gibb,
Alnwick.

The Library was rich in the county historians, including Hodg-
son’s Northumberland, Surtees’ History of Durham; Raine’s
North Durham ; and all Mackenzie’s Histories of Northumber-
land, Durham, and Neweastle, fully illustrated and increased to
double their size; a good copy of Bewick’s Birds; and a third
edition of Shakespeare, 1664.

In the lathe room were three iron-bullets; one large and one
small, had been extracted from the wreck of the old house when

taken down; the other a small one was from Holburn. There
1F

252 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

was also a bronze celt. The cover of a cist—a sandstone flag
with rounded edges, about 4 feet long and more than 2 broad—
found at Holburn, on the estate, was lying outside. It had con-
tained an urn, which is in Canon Greenwell’s collection. I am
informed that the badger has found a place of security in Det-
chant wood ; Mr Leather having given directions for its preser-
vation.

Only eight dined. A letter to the Secretary was read from
Miss-Russell of Ashiesteel, which accompanied two photographs
on a large scale, of portions of the Catrail, that she had been at
the expense of getting taken by an Aberdeen artist, to present
to the Club; and for these and the interest she has taken in the
Club’s welfare, a vote of thanks was directed to be sent to Miss
Russell.

Notices of the hurtful Effects of the past Winter on Vegeta-
tion were read from correspondents. Mr Culley of Fowberry
spoke of the sad disaster that had befallen the shrubs and trees
in his grounds and round his mansion; and he had brought
some extraordinary oak-leaves both for size and shape, which
the death-stricken trees had pushed out to retrieve their con-
dition. One of these measured 10} inches long by 63 broad ;
another 73 long by 7. They snapped off at the junction with
the stem, with a bulb attached, and were cast to the ground like
decayed branches ; a form of vegetable irritation. The oaks and
yews had suffered most at Fowberry.

A paper containing extracts from old Inquisitions about Bel-
ford manor, and its subdivision among heirs and heiresses, was
read.

On the previous evening the late Rev. William Procter’s MS.
History of Doddington was examined, and a portion relating to
Earle, Ewart, Humbleton, and Nisbet, was selected for the Club’s
use, which Miss Procter has since been so kind as to transcribe.

A letter was read of date July 10th, from Mr G. H. Thompson,
Alnwick, containing the information that he had purchased, some
three years ago, from a countryman, an old brass pot, of the
short three legged type. It differed from modern pots in the
junction of the casting being oblique, and not upright. The
width at the top was 74 inches; the height 8 inches, and it was
very heavy. It had two ears for suspending it on the crook. It
had been either ploughed or dug up in the vicinity of Newham.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 253

On its being afterwards exhibited by Mr Thompson, at Morpeth,
it was found to correspond very closely with that figured by
Miss Stirling for the ‘‘ Proceedings.”

Mr Watson exhibited a nest of the long-tailed Tit (Parus
caudatus), which had been found in a furze bush at Chapel, near
Dunse.

The Rev. Mr Maclean, Allanton, was proposed as a member.

Belford is an exceedingly quiet place ; there is no stir in the
streets in the evenings; and the bat flutters undisturbed amid
. the grey dwellings. In the olden times the houses were covered
with heather and sods, and the place being liable to be burned
by the Scots, was very poor. In the reign of Charles I. (1639)
it was in a state of declension. ‘‘ Belfort nothing like the name
either in strength or beauty, is the most miserable beggarly
town or town of sods that ever was made in an afternoon of loam
and sticks. In all the town not a loaf of bread, nor a quart of
beer, nor a lock of hay, nor a peck of oats, and little shelter for
horse or man.’’* Mark, 1723, says ‘‘the village appears but
poorly, and many of its houses ill-built.”” There are no longer
any of the ‘ clay-daubed”’ cottages of 1639. -

- There is a tradition that on one occasion the town was visited
by the plague, and the bodies of the dead were buried in their
wearing apparel on Belford Moor. Fragments of the dresses
have been dug up there by people who attempted to disturb the
tombs, in hope of finding coins in the pockets. Another circum-
stance of the same visitation has been preserved in memory.
When the plague reached the village of Ancroft, in North Dur-
ham, it was then inhabited by a colony of ‘“cloggers.”” When
any were seized with the disease, they were carried out to a hill
face, which was overgrown with broom, out of which little bowers
were constructed, under which the victims were laid till they
died ; and then both the hut and the body were consumed with
fire.

Among Mr Culley’s birds preserved at Fowberry, which I saw
on this occasion, the following are of interest, as belonging to the
neighbourhood :—two smews (MMergus albellus) shot by him on the
Till; two goosanders (Mergus Merganser); and two water-rails
(Rallus aquaticus), which are rare. There are two bitterns
(Botaurus stellaris), both shot on the estate ; and Mr Culley had

* Court and Times of Charles I., vol. ii., p. 286,

254 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

lately heard the boom of the bittern on the Till. There were
three common buzzards (Buteo vulgaris) ; and the honey-buzzard
(Pernis apiworus) had also been seen there. A nest of the king-
fisher along with the bird, has also local interest.

The fourth meeting was on August 25th, at the Queen’s Head
Hotel, Morpeth, for Newminster Abbey and Mitford. There
were present—Mr Charles Watson, President ; Mr Hardy, Sec-
retary ; Revs. Thomas Rogers, precentor of Durham Cathedral ;
J. Hill Scott, Kelso ; R. Anchor Thompson, Newcastle; and R.
Hopper Williamson, Whickham ; Messrs Thomas Arkle, High-
laws; Henry Hunter Blair, Alnwick ; James Bogie, Edinburgh ;
Robert G. Bolam, Berwick; M. G. Crossman, Berwick ; James
Fergusson, Morpeth ; James B. Kerr, Kelso; A. G. Legard, H.M.
Inspector of Schools, Leeds; Adam Robertson, Alnwick ; Stanley
Hill Scott, Kelso; George H. Thompson, Alnwick; John Thom-
son, Kelso; and William Wilson, Berwick.

Morpeth is an agreeable place for holding a meeting. Itisa
town of considerable antiquity, and it is picturesquely placed
amid the shelter of a background of trees; closer to it are culti-
vated fields, market gardens and orchards, and spacious nurseries;
an unpolluted stream encircles it; several of its public buildings
and quaint hostelries remain unimpaired ; it has a well-kept old
church, and the ruins of a castle; with much to commend in its
modern edifices; the sylvan banks of the Wansbeck afford a suc-
cession of pleasing and varied views, and contain many lovely
retired spots where Natural History researches may be prose-
cuted undisturbed ; while in the. juxtaposition of monastic sites,
ruined fortresses, village churches, family mansions, and rural
villages, we have a closer combination, within narrow compass,
of the past with the present, than few other places can offer.

It was within this charmed circle that the Club now took its
journey. During the preliminaries for starting, some of the
more remarkable buildings in the town were scanned. There is
an old chantry at the end of the wooden bridge over the river ;
a clock or bell-tower near the market place—once the town-jail
it is supposed—at least it was the depository of the town-stocks ;*
the old Grey Nag Inn, in Newgate Street, whose Elizabethan
front has fortunately been preserved during internal repairs, to

* In 1668, was presented in the Court-leet, ‘‘the necessity of pillory and.
cucking stoole.’? (Hodgson).

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 255

instruct posterity about the aspect of things long ago; and the
Queen’s Head, our head quarters, contains many capacious an-
cient rooms with low ceilings. It is the Morpeth tradition, as
we learn from a tractate written by Mr Fergusson, ‘‘ that it was
at the Nag’s Head that John Scott (afterwards Lord Eldon) and
Bessy Surtees slept on their way back from their runaway Scotch
marriage ;” although Lord Campbell alleges that it was at the
Queen’s Head. Collingwood House was occupied by the great
admiral of that surname, who, when freed from official duties,
delighted to spend his leisure there, and be recreated by the
sweets of its garden. Bunker’s Hill is a memorial of American
warfare. The modern church of St. James was visited. It is a
large and massive structure, in the modern style of Norman
architecture. lts stained glass windows representing scriptural
scenes, are very ornamental. There is an elaborate frescoe in
the apse of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, and there were
two fine oil paintings of ‘‘ the Scourging,’”” and ‘‘the Walk to
Calvary.” It was approached by a fine avenue of limes.

’ Part of the members drove to Newminster and Mitford; the
rest walked under Mr Fergusson’s skilled guidance. After
crossing the river by the west bridge, the High Stanners by the
river side were passed. The Low Stanners are on the low
ground at the eastern outskirts of the town. There are Stanners
also both at Warkworth and Hexham. Staners are the small
stones and gravel on the margin of a lake or river. The walk
by the river side still bears the name of the Lady’s Walk, being
the way that led to the monastery of Newminster, which was
dedicated to the Virgin Mother. MMyrrhis odorata and Carex
pendula grew by the side of the path. To reach the site of New-
minster, the party traversed the Lover’s Walk, which adjoins
the abbey lands. A few large beeches survive, of what was once
a long one-sided avenue. These have short principal and numer-
ous secondary stems, and hence it was concluded that they are
the remains of an old beech hedge. Trees, mostly ashes of large
dimensions, are scattered over the area of the field containing the
abbey ruins. ‘This is a triangular sheltered haugh on the south
side of the river, whose level is broken up by the mounds
of ruined buildings spread over much of its space. Of these, till
_ the recent excavations, only a solitary arch of the northern door-
way, of 15th century origin, maintained its solitary position.

256 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Hard by it is a venerable ash-tree, of vast bulk of stem, but
stunted by storm and age; which measured 14 feet in circum-
ference at five feet from the ground.

The plan of the buildings, according to the Rev. J. T. Fowler,
in his Introduction to the ‘‘Chartularium de Novo Monasterio,”
published for the Surtees Society, 1878, was almost identical
with that of Fountains, in Yorkshire, of which it was the first
born daughter, ‘‘as originally laid down, and closely correspond-
ing to it in dimensions.” There had been some previous exca-
vations on or near the site. ‘‘In digging for limestone in the
vicinity, coffins both of lead and stone have been discovered.”’*
“Mr Woodman dug into the chapter-house some years ago, and
found some fine Transitional capitals, and portions of vaulting
ribs, now preserved in his garden. They are extremely charac-
teristic examples of early Cistercian work. The floor was found
laid with small black and red tiles, and some fragments of ruby
glass appeared among the debris.” + Mr Fergusson of Morpeth,
who has made the subject his particular study, gave the mem-
bers an account of the explorations instituted two years ago by
the Archeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, and
pointed out the sites of the various parts of the sacred building,
adding no little interesting information respecting the purposes
which they served in the religious and moral economy of the
edifice. To him I owe the following summary :—

‘‘ Excavations at Newminster Abbey were carried out in the
summer of 1878. The cost was met by subscription, and the
work was conducted under the personal direction of the Rev. J.
T. Fowler of Durham; Mr W. Woodman, Stobhill, Morpeth ;
and Mr T. W. Middlemiss, Borough Surveyor, Morpeth. The
work was done most effectually on the site of the Chapter House,
which was thoroughly cleared of debris, several feet in depth. It
was found to measure forty feet by fifty. The lower corners of
the door jambs were found 7m situ; the ribs of the vaulting and
the corbels from which it sprung were discovered ; and the bases
and part of the shafts of three of the four pillars were found in
position. Portions of the floor, formed of paving-tiles fitting
into geometrical patterns, were laid bare round the base of one
of the shafts. Towards its eastern side an empty stone coffin

* Mackenzie’s Hist. of Northd., ii., p. 202.
+ Chart. Nov. Mon. Introd., p. xiv,

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 257

was met with. A considerable part of the Choir of the Church
was cleared out, and-the site of the High Altar—measuring 13
feet 5 inches by 5 feet—was disclosed, and in front of it an
empty stone coffin much mutilated. No evidence of the east
wall of the church was obtained, but at a point, probably just
outside of it, a small stone coffin containing a skeleton was come
upon. In an extensive trench, dug length-ways in the north
transept, four incised slabs were cleared out, along with three
stones of arespond. One of the slabs had only a cross, a second
had a cross and a pair of shears; a third a cross and the words
. ‘JoH’ES DE LA VALE,’ and the fourth a cross with the word
‘Tomas’ and a surname, the only portion of which that could
be deciphered was ‘Sun.’ On the stones of the respond was
the nimbed figure of an ecclesiastic in proper vestments. The
excavations at the west end of the Church revealed several points
of interest, but the work was not carried far enough to allow of
an accurate conclusion being come to regarding their exact
design and character. The work was discontinued through lack
of funds. To make a complete exploration of the entire site
would require about £200. Mrs Blackett Ord of Whitfield, has
granted leave for the work to be done, subscribed towards the
expense, and promised to protect whatever of interest is laid
open.”

A piece of Purbeck stone was pointed out, as being the frag-
ment of a stone lettered ‘‘Laus Dro.” The other slabs are local
sandstones; one is known by its large grit. These tombs were
broken by the fall of the roof, when the monastery was rifled in
the time of Henry VIII. The wall at the high altar was also
crushed, and a pillar base was twisted. ‘There is part of a pillar
still on situ.

Documents do not preserve the names of many of those who
were privileged with burial within the sacred precincts. St.
Robert, the first Abbot, was laid in the north transept; and his
tomb had eight wax candles burning before it.* Ranulph de
Merlay, Lord of Morpeth, who founded the Monastery in 1138,
was buried along with Juliana, his wife, daughter of Cospatrick,
2nd Karl of Dunbar, and Osbert one of their sons, in the
northern part of the chapter-house.t| His son, Roger the first,
was interred with his father; and his son Roger, the second, was

* Chart. Nov. Monast., p. 238. ‘1 bs, pe 20:

258 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

laid in the cloister at the entrance of the chapter-house ;* while
of Roger the third, who died A.D. 1265, it is recorded that he
was entombed near his father ;| and with him departed the male
line of the de Merlays. The barony came to his daughters and
co-heirs, Mary and Johanna. Mary married Thomas, Lord
Greystock; and Johanna, Robert de Somerville. John, Lord
Greystock, succeeded his father Thomas, but having no issue,
Ralph Fitz-William, his near kinsman, was his heir, and assumed
the name and title. His grandson, Ralph, Lord Greystock, who
was poisoned by the contrivance of the accomplices of Sir Gilbert
de Middleton, at Gateshead, 13th July, 1323, was buried at New-
minster.t His grandson, Ralph the III., Lord Greystock, was
taken prisoner in 1380, at ‘‘ Horsridge in Glendale,” along with
William de Aton, and many potent men, by George, Earl of
Dunbar, and carried prisoner to Dunbar. His brother William,
being exchanged as a hostage for him, caught a pestilential dis-
ease there, died and was buried at Dunbar, but after two full
years his body entire in the flesh and skin was translated to
Newminster, and buried before the high altar beside Margery,
lady of Ulgham.§ ‘The historian, Wallis, has preserved the
original of this information, and both Mackenzie, Hist. i., p.
198, and Mr Fowler, Introd. Chart. N. M. p. xix., have mis-
understood it, so far as to. make Ralph the victim of the fever ;
whereas he was ransomed, and died in 1417. The Lord Robert
de Umfravill, Earl of Angus, died on the 12th of April, 1327,
and was buried near the high altar.|| In the year 1436, on the
27th January, died the Lord Robert de Umfravile, knight, Lord
of Kyme and Redesdale ; and in the year 1438, on St. Silvester’s
day (Dec. 81), died the lady Isabella, wife of the aforesaid Lord
‘Robert Umfravile, and they lie together at the altar of St. Mary
Magdalene.{ This is ‘‘ Robin-mend-the-Market.” He married
the widow of Sir Robert Umfraville, brother to Gilbert Earl of
Angus. The monks accorded to their great benefactor, Patrick,
the son of Edgar called Unniying, the son of Cospatrick, who
had gifted them with Werihill or Wreighill, in Coquetdale,
along with his body, a letter of fraternity to him and his wife,
to receive them to be buried when they died, and they agreed to
* Chart. Nov. Monast., p. 271. + Ib., p. 281.

{ Ib. pp. 294, 305 ; not Newcastle as Mackenzie has it, il., p. 198.
§ Chart. Nov. Mon. p. 298. || Ib. p, 304. 7 Ib. p. 303.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 259

conduct the same service for them as if they had been two
monks.* John the son of the aforesaid Patrick de Kestern,
granted them land in Caistron along with his body.t His son
John, still more generous and facile, sold to Newminster both
Caistron and Werihill. All these, as well as their ancestor
Edgar, were written among the benefactors of the house ; as well
they might, after their noble estate had been nibbled away
gradually, and then swallowed up by the rapacity of their
spiritual guides.{| Hugo de Lakenby also gave them 21 acres of
land in the vill of Edington, with his body.§

' The possessions of the abbey were valuable and extensive,
comprising numerous lands on both sides of the Wansbeck, or in
the adjoining district ; vast tracts on the Coquet, including Kid-
land, lands in Kestern, Flotwayton (Flotterton), Bitelisden,
Scharbirton, Stretton, &c.; two pits or drifts for extracting sea-
coal; salt works near ‘he mouths of the Blythe and Coquet;
fisheries on the Tyne; houses in Newcastle; Chopwell on the
Derwent; lands in Filton, Tolland, and Swinburn, in Chollerton
parish ; the advowson of Whelpington; peat moss at Edling-
ham, &c., &c.|| The value of their property has been estimated
at £20,000 per annum of the present money.

The young plants of Verbascum Thapsus or mullein, and the
common Celandine ( Chelidonium majus) seen about the ruins are
perhaps survivals of seeds that may have retained their vitality
since the buildings became covered up with soil.

The old north road from Newcastle, passed by the west side of
the abbey; the bridge by which it crossed the river has now
ceased to exist. The abbey grange stood at the end of the
bridge.

From its propinquity to the public road, there was a friendly
resort to it, by the royal army, and noblemen and others both
from England and Scotland, which was felt to be very burden-
some. In Jan. 5, 1300, Edward I. directs from it by brief of
Privy Seal, a commission to Lord Saint John to receive the men
of Annandale to the king’s peace.§ Edward II, dated public
documents from it, Sept. 8th to 11th, 1310; and on May 29 to
31, and from June 1 to 12, 1314, and al Aug. 7, 1322; and

* Chart. N. M. pp. 118-120. { p. 121. { Ib. pp. 140, 146; 301.
§ Ib. p. 166 || Charters, passim.
4] Historical Documents, Scotland, ii., p. 409.
1a

260 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Edward III. tested a mandate here Nov. 16, 1334.* In 1502,
Margaret, eldest daughter of Henry VII., then affianced to
James IV. of Scotland, on the 26th July, was conveyed with a
fair company to Morpeth, ‘‘and by the towne passed in fayr
order, wher ther was much people; and so sche went to the
abbay, wher sche was well recyved by the abbot and religyous
revested, at the gatt of the church, with the crosse.” She re-
turned to Morpeth to her lodgings for the night.t+

Among the ‘“ Historical Documents, Scotland,” i., p. 391, there
is an extract from the Roll of the Justices Itinerant for North-
umberland, Jan., 1293, concerning ‘‘ Pleas North of the Coquet,”’
which is curious now. A certain Ralph, a lay brother (frater
conversus) of Newminster found William the Pundere, in a cer-
tain osiery (virgulto) of the Abbot of Newminster cutting wands,
and struck him with a certain axe (hachia) on the head, so that
by reason thereof he died on the instant. And thereafter the said
brother Ralph was sent to Meuthros (Melrose) in Scotland, by
the Abbot of Newminster, which abbot is now dead. And the
said brother Ralph withdrew himself for no other cause than the
foresaid death, and is of evil credit. Therefore he is banished
and outlawed. He has no chatells. The Rev. J. F. Fowler,
Introd. to Chart. p. xix. conjectures that the monks cultivated
osiers for basket-making, as did their neighbours, from the men-
tion in a deed, Chart. Nov. Mon. p. 160, “‘ of the vimina of John
de Kestern.”” We have here a case in point. The Virgultum,
however, may have been a hazel shaw.

Mr Fergusson pointed out how the Abbey was supplied with
water, but this was known previous to the excavations, and Mr
Howlers instructions may be depended on. ‘‘Somewhat to the
south-west of the Abbey,” he says, “‘ and within the curtain wall,
tanks of oak and lead lie buried ; these were in connection with
a fine spring of water. The great sewer for sanitary purposes,
which also turned two or three mills, was an artificial water-
course taken off from the Wansbeck about a mile and a half
higher up, where a weir or dam was put across. This water-
course can still be traced through a considerable part of its

* Rot. Scot. i., pp. 94, 108, 127, 128, and 294 (Hodgson) ; and Harts-
horne’s Itinerary of iene Edward the Second, pp. 7, 13, 17. (Privately
printed).

t Leland’s Collectanea,

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 261

length, and for some distance contains a briskly running stream
of surface drainage. Near the abbey it was conveyed in an
arched conduit of stone about five or six feet high ; this has been
destroyed within the last few years, together with the original
oak frame of the sluice by which the admission of water was
regulated.”* This water from the Wansbeck is believed to
have anciently filled a fish pond near the abbey. At one time
there prevailed a firm impression in the minds of the people
around that the abbey was connected with Morpeth Castle, and
the opinion gained strength, when the culvert or arch—long
‘since silted up—was come upon in the recent operations, it being
carried, as it were, straight in the direction of the castle.
Leaving Newminster we followed for some distance this ditch,
till the public road was regained. Rank beds of the butter-bur
(Petasites vulgaris), which William Turner, the old Morpeth
botanist, says, was in his time ‘called in Northumberland, an
Eldin,” grew on its banks. This plant is-still known as an
‘“‘Kll-docken,” at Kirkwhelpington. The fine beeches that we
saw after leaving Morpeth were remarkably well twigged and
leafy. But now, several of the oaks and ashes had put ona
second crop of foliage, which was still flaunting the pale brown,
yellow, red and green tints of immaturity. These were recoveries
from frost bite, consequent on a vigorous flow of summer sap, of
the half-ripened twigs of last season. Sometimes these had
snapped off, and new buds originating beneath the bark pushed
out fresh shoots or tufts of leaves. The Wansbeck here flows
over beds of sandstone, and the water is very limpid. Sand-
martins were flying over the water, and a single young pied wag-
tail was walking along the rocks. The dipper was expected to
put up its appearance, but was invisible. In Turner’s time the
‘‘ Morpetenses,” called it the ‘‘ water-craw.”}| A very miniature
leaved maple was noted as a singularity, as we turned towards
Mitford. Spital Hill stood on the height on the right hand,
occupying the position of St. Leonard’s Hospital, founded by Sir
William Bertram, in the reign of Henry I. This was a distinct
institution from the chapel of St. Leonard, near Mitford, which
in 1491, when in a waste state, was conveyed with a cottage in
Benrige, and other tenements and lands to Newminster.{ It

* Introd. to Chart. Nov. Mon. p. xv.
+ Rambles in Northumberland, p. 49. { Chart. Nov. Mon. p. 249, etc.

262 ° Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

was hereabouts that the canal conveying water to the abbey
crossed the Wansbeck by a wooden tube, of which the olden
people recollect the two ends sticking out of the bank.

I now adopt a part of Mr Thomson’s report:—‘‘It was
specially noticeable that in the valley of the Wansbeck apples
and pears were much more plentiful than they are on Tweedside.
Some of the trees were heavily laden with small though tempt-
ing fruit. The birch and the hawthorn, as well as some branches
in chestnut trees, were observed to be colouring, and assuming
their autumn tints. The Font joins the Wansbeck at this point,
being about as full in volume as the main stream. The Font is
presently spanned by a fine old single arched bridge. [The pool
above the bridge is used for washing sheep.] Mitford village,
consisting of a few pretty cottages, was once a more important
town than Morpeth, but it has dwindled down to its present
dimensions. It however boasts of an inn, and here sundry weary
and thirsty travellers shunned a short and drizzling shower.
The inn was very comfortable and tidy, and ornamented by
many fine asters and other equally beautiful flowers in vases,
which we suppose were the remnants of the horticultural exhibi-
tion held there a day or two previously. Ina garden close to
the inn the effects of the severe winter were very visible. A
variegated holly tree showed only the faintest signs of vitality,
while a plum tree had been completely killed. The gooseberry
bushes were also damaged. Passing onward, and rejoining the
Wansbeck, a building which was once a snuff mill is seen on our
right. The lade which conveyed the water to the mill is nearly
silted up. A modern bridge is now under foot. The river is
apparently undermining the foundation. Though the bridge is
founded on a rock, the strata are friable, and crumble away
when acted on by winter frosts and floods. On a height on our
left are the ponderous ruins of the ancieut castle of Mitford,
which was built in the twelfth century by William Bertram, who
also founded Brinkburn Priory. The ruined walls of the keep
are greatly cracked. The situation is very fine, on a sort of
peninsula like Newminster, and in ancient times it must have
been a somewhat important stronghold.”

The ruined keep is surrounded with wood, which contains
some noble ashes; sheltered behind the walls was a thicket of
hollies. The pink-flowered Herb-Robert (Geranium Robertianum)

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 263

grew as a wall-plant; and the sweet-scented Violet (Viola
odorata) and the marjoram (Origanum vulgare) in different parts
of the ruins. Looking to the southern side of the river, the
withered condition of the furze shewed the fatal incidence of last
December’s frost; and the like had been witnessed opposite
Newminster.

Mitford Castle has been liable to repeated sieges and other
casualties. It was seized by the Flemish troops of King John,
1215. In 1216 it was blockaded by Alexander II. of Scotland.
In 1816-17 it was held by Sir Gilbert de Middleton and a com-
pany of bandits, from whom it was wrenched by Ralph Lord
Greystock. In 1318 it was captured by Alexander III. of Scot-
land, and dismantled. In 1323, it was dilapidated, having been
destroyed by the Scots. The Rev. John Hodgson has given
eloquent expression to the reflections which its past and present
states suggest. ‘‘ When I suffer imagination, only for a little
time, to lift up the curtain of history, and think I see from the
opposite bank to the south the armies of Scotland investing the
moated plain upon which the fortress stands; when I see showers
of arrows or javelins flying round its bulwarks, the neighbouring
hamlets and villages wrapped in flames, and hear the clashing of
arms and the shouting of the besiegers and the besieged—how
grateful is it to gaze again, and see the peaceful scene as it now
is—the ruined keep, and its semi-circular wall that flanks it on
the south overgrown with trees and weeds; the massive rampart
that incased it on the north ‘split with the winter’s frost;’ the
rude walls and towers that environed the hill, rising in shattered
masses among elder trees and thorns, or shadowed with groups
of gigantic ash-trees ; the moated and entrenched plain covered
with cattle; and away beyond the beautiful white walls of the
new manor house, the hoary remains of the old one, and the
venerable church, backed with orchards and gardens, and river
banks—all how lovely and luxuriant !’’*

To resume Mr Thomson’s statement :—

“The church and vicarage are on our right hand. The vicar-
age is very plain, and the only notable feature was a nice young
Picea nobilis. The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, was a
very ancient erection in Norman and early English styles. By
the munificence of Colonel Osbaldiston Mitford, it has been

“ Hodgson’s Hist. of Northumberland, Part ii., vol. ii., p. 56.

264 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

partly restored and rebuilt at a cost of £10,000. The church
contains many tombs of the ancient Mitford family, and the oak
carving was considered especially fine, though the taste which
was observable in the restoration was not to be too highly com-
mended. In the tower is a peal of eight bells, rung by machinery
of a clock work description. The bells are saucer shaped and
struck by wooden hammers, and the manner in which the
mechanism plays a selection of hymns is said to be beautifully
soft and harmonious. The churchyard, which is surrounded by
many large trees, including two aged yews, in addition to a stone
coffin, contains many interesting tombstones. Some bear odd
inscriptions after the usual information regarding the deceased.”

The gardener, Mr Lees, was. waiting to take the company
through the grounds at Mitford Hall. There was a fine spruce
fir at the side of the walk near the church. The old hall had
stood not far from the church. The tower is still extant; in the
interior of it an old font is preserved. Over the entrance is the
date 1637, and the arms of the family. In the kitchen of the
hall, now occupied by one of the servants on the estate, is an old
dog-spit wheel, an appliance now very seldom seen. The dog
was put into the inside of the wheel composed of spokes, and by
its motion turned it round, and this wrought the apparatus which
turned the roast. The fire place was large, as fire places in those
days generally were. In the old orchard adjoining there were
several fine trees; acacias, maples, planes, silver firs, a medlar,
old apple trees, &e. There was a noble ash; anda Cedrus Libant,
whose circumference of stem was 8 feet, at 3 feet from the
ground, where it gave off a clump of secondary stems. In the
border behind the kitchen were several plants of Solomon’s seal
(Polygonatum multiflorum), whose roots are much in vogue among
the pitmen for curing a black eye. A gardener at Winlaton in-
forms me that the nailers there annoy him by their requests for
Solomon’s seal to apply to their bruises received in quarrels. By
the side of the walk descending to the river, the tall wood-
grasses Bromus giganteus and B. asper; throat wort (Campanula
latifolia) and Myrrhis odorata grew; Mercurialis perennis was
abundant; and Saxifraga umbrosa had been planted out. Cross-
ing the river by a suspension bridge, the modern hall of Colonel
Mitford was before us on the crest of the gently sloping height.
It is a large and massive mansion, and occupies a lovely situation

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 265

in a finely-wooded park, which is surrounded by a woody
amphitheatre all round. A large plane tree on the south bank
of the river opposite to the hall, was said to be at least 100 yards
in the circumference of the outspread of the branches. In the
conservatory, citrons and oranges were producing fruit; the
other plants noted were, a large and well-grown Camelia; a
luxuriant creeping Bignonia or trumpet-flower; Latania Bor-
bonica ; Kennedya microphylla; summer blooming Chrysanthe-
mums; etc. Here was preserved a stone found in the church,
which bears a Saxon inscription, not yet deciphered. Leaving
the hall and its trim lawn, we pass along towards the gardens,
viewing some fine Turkey oaks and Spanish chestnuts by the
way. Campanula latifolia grows among the trees A blackbird
with one or two white feathers in its tail was observed. In the
previous season, a black and white rook had been shot in the
woods. At the gardens it was seen that the frost had killed a
large ornamental briar hedge. Other results were, that yews,
hollies, Portugal laurels and peaches were killed; any quantity
of roses; and no end of laurel-bays. The evergreen oak ( Quercus
Ilex) was three parts killed. Hawthorns were blasted in the top
twigs, and the oaks were considerably pruned. The lowest tem-
perature marked here was 7° below zero. The garden was
chiefly devoted to domestic purposes. There were some good
grapes in the vinery; and some of the peaches were 10 inches in
circumference. The flower borders are chiefly made up with
annuals, and a few old plants, Veromca spicata variegata being
one. In the greenhouses there were some well-grown ferns,
principally Adiantums for table decoration. Among other plants
grown were Cyperus cotonifolia, Croton intermedium, Ficus elastica,
Gilia achilleefolia.

I have again recourse to Mr Thomson’s report :—

‘‘ A fountain was playing in the centre of the garden, but the
water was very impure and full of vegetable matter. Close by
the thermometer registered 62°. The obliging and intelligent
head gardener had conducted the company through the grounds,
and at the request of a member he showed us a large collection
of landscape paintings of remarkable merit, all done by his own
brush in his spare hours. They were really beautiful and
natural. In returning we were shown a tall fir tree which light-
ning had split up about five weeks ago. There were traces

266 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

which shewed that the tree had been at some time anterior to
this favoured with a similar compliment. Leaving the grounds
the homeward march was begun. As we passed Mitford village
Mr Fergusson related a story of a well which once was a feature
of the place. .A monk who felt convinced that eyesight could be
restored to a blind person by washing the eyeballs with a piece
of the robe of St. Cuthbert steeped in the water of the well, drew
a cupful and inserted the cloth. To the astonishment of all
present the fabric, when drawn out, shewed that water had not
produced any effect upon it, as it was perfectly dry. On bathing
the eyes of the blind person with the water the sight was re-
stored, and the priest who drank the water, to be careful that it
should not enter the well once more, was instantly cured of
dysentery. So runs the strange story. The walk back to Mor-
peth was delightful, the only pause made being at a spring of
mineral water which bubbled up through the sand on a haugh
by the river.”

The rebe of St. Cuthbert was of amianthus, and would neither
wet nor burn. Reginald who lived in the reign of king Stephen,
is the authority for the miracle at the well, in his book, * De
Admirandis,” &c., chap. 53, pp. 109-10 (Surtees Society). Hodg-
son, in his translation says, it was the dish of iron chained of a
neighbouring well filled’ with crystal water, into which the
miraculous cloth was introduced. The original word is concha.
It was king Edwin, who, according to Beda, provided for the
wayfarer a dish attached to the public wells, before A.D. 633.
“The king took such good care for the good of his nation, that
in several places where he had seen clear springs near the high-
ways, he caused stakes to be fixed, with brass dishes hanging at
them for the refreshment of travellers.”* Col. Mitford has
erected a stone-fountain on the supposed scene of the miracle.

After dinner a cordial vote of thanks was tendered to Mr Jas.
Fergusson, Morpeth, for the information he had imparted, and
the trouble he had taken during the day. Mr Fergusson, and the
Rey. James Spence, Ladhope, Galashiels, were proposed as mem-
bers of the Club. There were laid on the table reports on the
effects of the past winter on vegetation from numerous corres-
pondents.

During a morning walk by the river-side below the town,

* Stevenson’s Beda, p. 382.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 267

Mentha arvensis, and corn-poppies were noted as field-weeds ;
Potentilla reptans, brambles, common burnet (Sanguisorba officin-
alis) and Geranium pratense, grew by the hedge and way-sides ;
Geranium sylvaticum and Melica uniflora in the woods. In a
garden I saw the common fig-wort (Serophularia nodosa) culti-
vated. This is of great repute in this part of Northumberland,
for making a healing ointment of, and so much is it valued, that
‘‘herbalists”? have made it very scarce in the wild state. In the
north of Ireland so much is it esteemed, that it is called ‘‘ Rose
Noble” from its supposed efficacy.

The fifth meeting was held on September 29th and 30th, at
Gilsland. The company which met on this occasion numbered
about fifty, most of whom arrived on the evening of the 28th,
and took up their residence in the Shaws Hotel, an immense
establishment with every accommodation. Among those present
were the President, Mr Charles Watson, Dunse; the two Secre-
taries, Dr Francis Douglas and Mr Hardy; Revs. J. F. Bigge,
Stamfordham ; J. Collingwood Bruce, LL.D., Newcastle ; David
Paul, Roxburgh; R. F. Proudfoot, Fogo; G. W. Sprott, D.D.,
North Berwick; William Snodgrass, D.D., Canonbie ; William
Stobbs, Gordon ; G. P. Wilkinson of Harperley Park, Darling-
ton; R. Hopper Williamson, Whickham; and Adam Wright,
Gilsland; Drs Charles Douglas, Kelso; Bowie, Carlisle ; Grier-
son, Melrose; Main, Alnwick ; and McDowall, Morpeth; Lieut.-
Col. Crossman, C.M.G. and Capt. Forbes, R.N., Berwick; Messrs
J. F. Baird of Beaumont Hill; James Bogie, Edinburgh; Alex.
Hay Borthwick, Ladiesyde, Melrose ; John B. Boyd of Cherry-
trees; T. Craig Brown, Woodburn; M. H. Dand, Hauxley
Cottage; F. W. Darnell, South Durham ; John Freer, Melrose ;
James Heatley, Alnwick; G. P. Hughes of Middleton Hall,
Wooler; W. A. Hunter of Wellfield, Dunse; James B. Kerr,
Kelso; C. F. McCabe, Thirston House, Felton ; — Maling, New-
castle; — Philipson, Newcastle; Robert Renton, Fans, EKarl-
stoun; Adam Robertson, Alnwick; Duncombe Shafto, Brance-
peth Rectory ; — Snodgrass, Canonbie; J. J. Steytler, London ;
G. H. Thompson, Alnwick ; John Turnbull of Abbey St. Bathans;
Thomas Turnbull, Lilliesleaf; J. J. Vernon, Hawick; Adam
Watson, Morpeth ; and two ladies.

The hotel stands at an elevation of about 600 feet, and the
view from the terrace commands the vale of the Irthing, and the

1

268 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

gently rising hill country of Denton Fell, backed by the darker
heath-clad height of Tindale Fell. Owing to the haze the dis-
tant Skiddaw and Saddleback (or Blencathara) were invisible ;
but they can be seen with a clear atmosphere. The opposite
hill-sides appeared to be boggy, and were at this season of a
rusty green. The brighter portions were those that had been
mowed for hay. Many indications of old cultivation were
apparent, but corn-growing had been abandoned in favour of
pasture. The small white-washed farm-steadings were thinly
scattered in their loneliness far away near the moor edges. Some
of them had been the patrimony of Statesmen, who had mort-
gaged their little properties till they were ruined.

When we rose next morning the country was wrapt in mist,
and although the sun partially dispelled it, the grass was loaded
with moisture. Three companies were formed, one walking and
another driving to Birdoswald, to await Dr Bruce’s arrival, who
had kindly undertaken the direction of the day’s excursion. A
third company commenced their study of the Roman Wall, a
mile more to the east, near the Railway Station, to whom the
Rev. Adam Wright, vicar of Gilsland, acted as cicerone. The
members of the Club were greatly indebted during their stay to
this gentleman’s courtesy ; and he kindly arranged this part of
the walk. To him I owe a sketch of what we saw when tracing
the Wall here :—

‘“‘The first place visited by the Club was Mumps Hall. The
members assembled here at ten o’clock in the morning of the
29th September. This is the ‘Mumps Ha’’ of ‘Guy Mannering.’
As the name means Beggar’s Hall, it was probably given at the
time when the house did not bear a good character. Here the
members inspected the external appearance of the once famous
hostelry. The house has recently been enlarged. The ancient
portion of the walls is yet traceable, and the work of restoration
brought into view the small old windows with their mullions
and iron bars; and a secret passage was discovered leading
from the kitchen to the attic. The: entrance was in a closet at
the right side of the fire-place, and the chimney was so built as
to serve the purpose of a staircase.” [In the loft or attic frag-
ments of what had been the dead bones of a child or children
were discovered.] ‘‘ Below Mumps Hall, and on the west side of
the Poltross, which is sometimes called the Powtross Burn, is

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 269

Merrilies Cottage. This was erected on the site of the small
thatched cottage where Margaret Carrick, the Meg of Mumps
Ha,’ died. Her grave is now an object of interest in the parish
churchyard of Over Denton.

‘Passing eastward over the Poltross Burn, Northumberland
was entered, and proceeding under the North-Eastern Railway and
to the right of the Samson Inn, the fosse of the Roman Wall was
entered at Buff Head. This is about one hundred yards south
of Gilsland Railway Station, and near to the farm-houses called
‘The Gap’ in Thirlwall township. The Gap is supposed to be
the place where the Roman Wall was broken down, and the
name of the township Thirlwall is said to be derived from the:
same circumstance—the hurling down, or gap, made in the wall.
On this point, the members had an interesting discussion on the
meaning of the name of the township. [Some of the green
mounds here appeared not to be artificial but gravel knolls. |

“Turning westward past the cottages called ‘The Crooks’
[which is mentioned by Gordon, Itin. Sept., p. 80], down to Gils-
land Station, and thence along the railway over the Poltross Burn,
the Roman remains which are supposed to be a Mile Castle were
examined. The curious point here is—that recent excavations
tend to prove that something more extensive than a Mile Castle
existed at this place. At the east side of this Roman building
the wall is ten feet in thickness—and next to this is a doorway
two feet wide, and a wall two feet thick. A local traditional
name for this place is ‘The King’s Stables.’ Passing down the
burn-side a curious piece of wall was examined, which is certainly
Roman. It is at right angles with the stream, and probably
formed a portion of the approach to a Roman bridge. And in
support of this theory is the fact, that just below and standing in
the stream, there is a large stone which appears to have been one
of the pillars of an ancient bridge. And it is probable that a
bridge would be built at this place, because it is exactly in the
line of ‘The Stanegate’ to the south of the Roman Wall.
| Camden says the Wall ‘ carryd an arch over the rapid brook of
Poltross.’—Britannia by Gibson, fol. 1068.] From the Mile
Castle the next course was through the grounds of Gilsland
vicarage. Here the Wall—the Fosse—and the Vallum are
clearly seen, and in the grounds of the National School the line
of ‘The Stanegate’ can be traced. [In the vicarage garden, the

270 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

under stones projected beyond the wall, and the second course
also, and on this extended base the wall rested; on the steep
portions the bottom of the wall was protected by a causeway, to
prevent its being undermined by rain-torrents.] Crossing the
road leading from Mumps Halli to Over Denton, the members
entered the Willowford farm and traced the line of the Wall
through the first field, when they entered the deep Fosse. The
bottom of the Fosse is the cart road to the Willowford farm.”

‘Passing in the rear of Willowford, the ditch has been filled
up, but the wall, though in a dilapidated condition, descends
through another field, and may be traced by the great quantity
of large, square, and rounded stones in the fence, overgrown,
and almost entirely covered with trees and underwood. It con-
tinues in this way until within fifty yards of the river, and in a
straight line with it, on the top of the opposite high cliff, may be
seen the beginning of the wall running to Birdoswald.”’* Cam-
den (Britannia, fol. 1038) was of opinion that the Irthing was
here crossed by a bridge: ‘‘ Upon the wall is Burd-Oswald; and
below this, the Picts-Wall pass’d the river Irthing by an arch’d
bridge.” The following is the latest evidence on the subject :—
‘‘ Feeling confident,’’ says Jenkinson, ‘‘ that here would exist the
foundation of a bridge similar in character to the wonderful re-
mains to be seen on the banks of the North Tyne at Chollerford,
we paid many visits to the place, and came to the conclusion that
such would be met with if the accumulation of sand on the banks
of the stream were removed. Fortunately, on our last visit, we
met’at Birdoswald with Mr John Armstrong, a master mason, re-
siding at Gilsland, and he assured us that when the old Peel
house at Willowford was pulled down, thirty-six years since
(written in 1875), and the present’ farm-house built, the founda-
tion of the bridge was visible, and a great number of very large
stones, beautifully shaped, and with the luis holes in them, were
taken from the bank of the river, close to where the wall evidently
crossed, and were broken and used in building the house. From
the quality of the stones it was evident they had come from the
Lodges Quarry, near the Low Row railway station. He was
also of opinion that they only got a part of the stones, and that
many more would be found in their original positions if the sand
was removed.’’}

* Jenkinson’s Guide to Carlisle, Gilsland, &c., p. 80.
+ Ibid. pp. 199, 200.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 271

To bring up the Natural History observations, we shall revert
to the Poltross burn; where the bird-cherry and the hazel grew
at the entrance of the tangled glen. It is a reputed locality for
Lysimachia vulgaris. There were also some good oaks in the
fields. Linaria origanifolia was one of the border-flowers at the
vicarage, which I subsequently saw in a half wild state at Rose
Castle. Garden flowers have their districts, as well as wild. On
the remains of the wall, hazels, mountain ashes, briars and
brambles manifested the tendency of the ground when stony to
run to woodland. Mentha arvensis grew as a field weed ; and it
was difficult to say whether it or the quicken was most prevalent.
Before us the Irthing hid itself in a darksome dell between steep
and wooded banks. The swallows had not yet deserted the
Willowford farm for their winter destination ; they had not been
present about Hexham on the previous day; but were seen on
the day following near Naworth. Climbing a bank above the
farm-stead, some pretty fungi were picked up in the pastures,
which were deteriorating into a half-wild condition. A granite
boulder placed on the ridge, was found by measurement to be 4
feet 8 inches long, 3 feet broad, and 2 deep. Mr Howse had
already prepared me to expect Criffel granites on our route. A
number of fragments of a considerable variety of granites were
preserved in the vicarage garden. Many larks and pipits were
hovering in a singing position in the air. This is a county for
larks. ‘They were afterwards seen most numerously at Welton,
beyond Carlisle. We walked along the margin of a concave
wood, called the Hollow Wood, which contained hazel, mountain-
ash, birch, ash, sallow and alder, and then crossed, by successive
trips in a farm-cart, the Irthing, which was in flood. Here there
were many mountain limestone corals among the channel stones.
Thickets of the Salz purpurea grew at the crossing, and there
were several wild roses; the fruits of Rosa villosa being rich and ~
plump. At Underheugh, a small farmery, a portion of a Roman
altar lying flat by a wall-side, was turned up for our inspection,
and presented this inscription :—

i ROp NE
COH.I.AKLIA.
(The first ASlian Cohort to Jupiter the best and greatest). The
remainder was broken off. Here on the steep grassy bank above
the river, and beneath the walls of Birdoswald, a fox-hunt was

272 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

witnessed. Reynard was killed in full view. Foxes are numer-
ous in the vicinity. The ‘Roman hunters of Banna” have still
their representatives here. There was an immense depth of
boulder clay in the scarp. The perforations of the sand-martins
were visible in the sandy deposits.

On arriving at Birdoswald the companies were combined. Dr
Bruce now took the guidance, and pointed out the peculiarities
of the station, and described most minutely the economy of the
Roman garrisons, who occupied the strongholds on the Wall,
and pointed out the various sculptured remains accumulated
about the farm-house, all of which are described in the Dr’s
various works on the great barrier of the middle isthmus, for
which he is the greatest living authority. Of this portion of the
days proceedings, Mr J. J. Vernon of Hawick, has favoured me
with a report :—

‘‘Calling attention to the extent of the Wall of Hadrian,
which extends a distance of 70 miles from Wallsend on the Tyne,
to Bowness on the Solway, Dr Bruce proceeded to state that this
great fortification consisted of three parts :—I1st, a stone wall or
Murus, with a ditch on its northern side; 2nd, an earthen ram-
part or Vallum, south of the stone wall; and 38rd, stations, watch
towers, and military roads. Originally the wall had a total ele-
vation of eighteen feet, with a width averaging eight feet. On
the north side was a fosse the average size of which was thirty-
six feet wide and fifteen feet deep. There were eighteen stations
along the wall at a distance between them of four miles. These
camps were military cities, providing secure lodgement for a
powerful body of soldiery. Birdoswald was the 12th station on
the line, and during the Roman occupation was known by the
name Amboglanna, derived, Dr Bruce suggested, from the Latin
ambo, and the British glan—meaning the circling glen. The
* position of this station is remarkably strong, and it is the largest
station on the line, having an area of five and a half acres.
With one other station, it possesses the peculiarity of having two
gates, both in its eastern and western ramparts. A very great
number of inscribed stones have been found in the station, most
of which confirm the statement that the first cohort of the Dacians
was quartered here. By means of extensive excavations the
gateways of the station have been displayed, and some of the in-
terior buildings. ‘The walls of the station are in a good state of

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 273

preservation, the southern rampart especially, which shows eight
courses of facing-stones. The walls are five feet thick. From
the fact that the wall adapts itself to the north rampart of the
fort, the station is entirely independent of the wall, and must
have been built before it. The north gateway exists no longer,
but its nature may be judged by the south gateway, which is a
double one, and a beautiful specimen of Roman masonry. Hach
portal is eleven feet wide and has been spanned by an arch.
The pivot holes still remain. As usual, this gateway has two
guard-chambers, the western one only being excavated. Both
of the gateways on the eastern side have been excavated, but one
is much twisted and broken by the yielding of its foundations.
The other is in excellent preservation. The whole interior of the
camp is marked with the lines of streets and the ruins of build-
ings. Near the lower gateway in the east wall three chambers,
of nine or ten feet square each, have been laid bare. Here was
found a figure (now in the neighbouring farm-house) of the kind
usually called Deze Matres, or the good mothers, whose name it
was not lucky to mention. . Dr Bruce next called attention to the
wall at the foot of the farm-house garden, which formerly formed
part of a Roman building of large dimensions. This wall,
although not excavated to the bottom, has been proved to be up-
wards of eight feet in height, and is supported by eight buttresses.
It extends 92 feet from east to west, and is 33 feet thick. In the
middle of each space between each buttress is a long slit or loop-
hole, which Dr Bruce supposes to have been connected with the
flues used in warming the building. Immediately in front of
this wall is another of similar thickness, whilst to the north, and
in the garden, three other walls in addition are to be found.
Arranged at the west gable of Birdoswald farm-house an interest-
ing collection of Roman altars and stones was next inspected.
Attention was directed to an altar dedicated to Jupiter, the Best
and Greatest, by the first cohort of Dacians, which at this time,
besides the epithet of Awlian, derived from Hadrian, seems to
have had that of Tetrician, derived from the Emperor Tetricus.
There is also the head of another altar, dedicated to Jupiter,
having a series of crosses, one of them being of that peculiar
form called gammadion, on the capital, whilst beneath appear the
dedicatory letters I. O. M.—Jovi Optimo Maximo. Another
stone.has the inscription—Lxe. vi. vic. FIDELIs, intimating that

274 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

the Sixth Legion, styled the Victorious and Faithful, took part
in the erection of the building in which it was inserted. The
Club next proceeded westwards from Birdoswald about two miles
to visit the red freestone quarry, which was extensively wrought
by the Romans, now known by the name of Coome Crag. Here
Dr Bruce pointed out the inscriptions left on the face of the rock
by the Roman workmen, such as sECVRVS, IvsTvs, and MATHRIA-
nvs. At the foot of the cliff is an inscription FAVST. ET RVS. COS.
—Faustinus and Rufus, Consuls (a.p. 210). It was remarked
that whilst the rock in the immediate vicinity of this inscription
is covered with a smoke-coloured lichen, the letters themselves
are covered with a white lichen, thus rendering them very dis-
tinct.”

The lichens being grown in the shade are in that leprose con-
dition, in which species cannot be discriminated. The same sort
of appearance was seen in letters on a Roman altar placed in the
shade at Lanercost. When bruised the green gonidie stratum
was manifest.

Coombe Crag is a most remarkable aggregation of rocks and -
wooded scaurs. On the line of the portion of the wall examined,
hazel, bird-cherry, ash, and willow, were growing out of the
wall; as well as Polypodiums and other ferns. Herb-Robert in
flower ornamented the remains of Birdoswald, and is thus
answerable to Sir Walter Scott’s

——‘‘ flowers which purple waving
On the ruined ramparts grew,”’
flowers that have not been identified.

On returning, Gillalees Beacon, called also the Grey Fell, a
hill at a distance, which has on its top a cairn-like object was
visible. This is the ruin of a Roman watch-tower by the side of
the Maiden Way. We crossed into a field at the place where
the earth-works of the Vallum are strengthened by a second
fosse, of which it is difficult to divine the object, and then re-
crossed to the wall on its south side to examine the remains of a
turret. Its walls were 3 feet thick, and it measured 13 feet from
side to side. It was a turret of this kind, that Mr Clayton
cleared out at Tomertay hill near Walwick. We found a near
way by a foot-path across the fields, but it was near 6 o’clock
before the last of the travellers reached the hotel.

After dinner, and the usual toasts, Dr F. Douglas tendered the

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 275

hearty thanks of the Club to Dr Bruce for the treat he had
afforded the Club, and proposed that gentleman’s health, to
which Dr Bruce replied at some length.

The following were proposed as members :—Mr John Broad-
way, Alnwick; Alexander Dickson, M.D., Regius Professor of
Botany in Edinburgh University; Rev. C. J. Cowan, More-
battle ; Rev. William Snodgrass, D.D., Canonbie; and Mr S. F.
Widdrington of Newton Hall.

Mr J. B. Kerr, Kelso, exhibited a small bronze celt, furnished
with a suspensory loop, now broken, found recently in a trench
dug for building a stone-dike near Morebattle; also a locust,
which had been caught near Merton, in a stook of corn; Mr
McCabe mentioned that a hoopoe ( Upupa epops) had been recently

' shot near Felton, and Dr Charles Douglas that he had observed
Lysimachia vulgaris in a new locality at the roadside between
Lowlynn and Lowick. Mr Vernon shewed a silver ring in-
scribed IESV NAZAR + that had belonged to the recent great
find in Selkirkshire. The Rev. Geo. H. Wilkinson exhibited
and described some beautiful silver medals. They were derived
from the Northumbrian family of Forster, and handed down as
heir-looms. One was in commemoration of the martyrdom of
John Hus, and bore the following inscriptions :—

“Joa. Hus.

Crepo. Unam . Esse . EccnE-
stam: Sanoram: Cato-
LICAM.”’

“Jo. Hus: ConDEMNATUR
Curisto: naTo: 1415.

A: ANNO: cENTUM: ReEyo-
Lutis: Annis: Dro: RE-
SPONDERITIS: Er: Mint.”

During dinner the band of the establishment played a selec-
tion of airs. Several members addressed the meeting on the

object for which they were assembled, and all expressed them-
selves gratified with the day’s excursion, and the beauty of the
scenery on the route.

September 30th was everything that could be wished, mild and
enjoyable, sunshiny and clear. A visit to Lanercost and Naworth
was the order of the day. A large number preferred to hire con-
veyances, several walked, and the remainder went by rail.

II

276 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Reaching Naworth Station, this last party walked to Naworth
Castle. Its grey towers soon came in sight environed by woods
of ancient growth. In leaving it for the present, and passing on
through the park, ‘‘ Belted Will’s Oak,” which adjoins the road,
was measured and ascertained to be 14 feet 10 inches in girth at
four feet above the ground. It isa fine healthy tree, with far
spreading branches. The tradition went that thieves were
hanged summarily on the bough that stretches across the road ;
but there is reason for discrediting the story as applicable to
Lord William Howard. There were numerous other large oaks
in the park of greater dimensions than this, especially some
patriarchs beside the drive near the castle, but a number of them
were hollow or decayed in the interior of the trunk. The park
has been long celebrated for its oaks. In an Inquisition of 31
Elizabeth, 1588, the park at Naworth is said to contain ‘“ by
estimation 200 acres, it is very barren lande, there is in it a great
store of olde oke wood, which is worth, if the same were presently
sold about £200.”* In the open part of the park there were
some picturesque stag-horned trees, among others of stately
growth and amply ramified. The remains of an avenue of good
beeches, mixed with a few clean ashes, line either side of the
way ; their bases being protected by piles of stones. New belts
of plantation appeared in several directions. Some of the distant
beeches in the clumps, in their style of ramification, very much
resembled cedars ; a peculiarity of aspect which I have observed
elsewhere. Another good view of the summit of the castle was
here obtained. On some oaks near a ravine on our left hand, the
ivy had been killed by the frost. There was some excellent
timber here. The white variety of Lychnis diurna grew by the
roadside. This forms a beautiful garden flower in its double
state. The Irthing was crossed by a narrow high-backed bridge,
which bore the date MDCCXXIII. <Asplenium Ruta-muraria
fringed in great tufts the walls of the bridge, and it grew also
on the mortar of the adjoining stone-dikes. It was likewise
present at Gilsland on the walls of the public road near St.
Mary’s Church.

On coming to the vicarage at Lanercost, the feet and tail of a
polecat were observed to be affixed to the stable-door; the relics
not unlikely of one of the last of its race in that vicinity ; for in
the Brampton district it only occurs now very occasionally.

* Introd. to Household Books of Lord William Howard, p. lxvii. Note.

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 277

The priory is built of red-sandstone, which gives it a sombre
look. It stands on a flat by the side of the Irthing, with some
broad venerable sycamores dispersed around. The buildings are
partly Norman, but mostly early English, of an early and mas-
sive design. There is a fine Norman arch at the entry, and an
outer arched gateway of spacious dimensions in a similar style.
The tower, transepts, and chancel are roofless, but are in good
keeping; the nave has been restored and is occupied as the
parish church. The clerestory is in its original fine condition.
The church contains monuments to the De Vauses, the Dacres,
the seventh earl of Carlisle who wrote the book entitled ‘‘ Diary
in Turkish and Greek Waters,” and also to three subsequent
earls. A stone inserted into one of the walls commemorates a
distinguished native physician, Thomas Addison, M.D., Presi-
dent of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of England, and of Guy’s
Hospital—date 1860. He was the son of Jonah and Mary Addi-
son of St. Mary’s Holm. From a brass on the wall the following
was copied :—

‘Sir Roland de Vaux that sometyme was ye Lord of
Tryermayne.
Is dead, his body clad in lead, and ligs law under
this stayne. man.
Even as we, even so was he, on earth a levand
Even as he, even so moun we, for all ye craft we can.”

The date of this Sir Roland is 1445.

‘The priory, church, and monastic buildings,”’ says Dr Bruce,
‘‘are almost entirely composed of Roman stones. They may
have been procured from the Wall; but the mind can scarcely
divest itself of the idea that there has been a station here.”’* It
was remarked by the present visitors that the numbers of mason
marks on the building were unprecedented. In the cellar or
vault were preserved a number of Roman altars ; one which came
from Birdoswald reads thus: ‘‘'To the holy god Silvanus, the
hunters of Banna (venatores Bann) have consecrated this.’
Another stone from the same place represents Jupiter and Her-
cules ; and another altar is dedicated to the god Cocidius, by the
soldiers of the 20th legion in discharge of a vow. The emblem
of the 20th legion—a boar—appears at the foot of it. Among
the Roman stones lies a broken obelisk with dog-tooth ornamen-
tation, and an unintelligable assortment of letters, with the

* Wallet-Book of the Roman Wall, pp. 189-190.

278 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

words ‘‘haec crux Scot facta,” at its base. The cross in the
lawn in front of the vicarage is of similar workmanship, and is
said to mark the place where the buying and selling took place,
and where public preachings would be delivered.

The various intricate passages to apartments in the monastery
were threaded, but there was nothing particularly gratifying to
be seen. It was inhabited by its latest owners—a branch of the
Dacres—who converted the dormitory into a hall ; and the strong
beam of wood which formed its mantel-piece bears the initials of
Christopher Dacre, 1586.

An attempt was made to botanize the ruinous parts of the
structure. Jungermannia Hepatica, Cardamine hirsuta, and Gera-
nium Robertianum occupied the floor; Linaria Cymbalaria was
pendent from the outer walls; and Verbascum Thapsus grew in
the vicarage garden; which displayed also some shewy phloxes,
although of common sorts—white and crimson. There was much
yellow wall-flower on the ruins; and a sprinkling of the feverfew,
Pyrethrum Parthenium. Briars, carrying hips, grew triumphant
on the top of the choir walls; and a few plants of Hypericum
perforatum ; and young ash and elder trees had rooted themselves
in the chinks. In the headway of the clerestory in the south-
east angle of the choir is an altar to Jupiter erected by the first
cohort of the Dacians -styled the Atlian. Within the letters,
which are in the shade, the same white lichen was noticeable, to
which attention was drawn the day before at Coombe Crag. A
wide look out on the haugh in which the priory stands was ob-
tained from top of the turret stair. A pair of pied wagtails
were flitting about the roof in pursuit of flies, the latest seen for
the season.

Lanercost priory, it is said, was. built by Robert de Vallibus or
Vaux, the second Norman lord of Gilsland, in expiation for the
crime of having slain the dispossessed proprietor, Gilles Bueth,
who, after making many attempts to regain his inheritance, had
been invited to a friendly meeting for settlement of differences,
and then was treacherously murdered. It is somewhat remark-
able that when doubts of the verity of this story had begun to be
promulgated, it should have been corroborated by a discovery in
1864, of a Runic inscription on a crag at Baronspike, lying
about two miles to the N.E. of Bewcastle Church. Dr Edward
Charlton reads the inscription thus; ‘‘ Baranr writes (these) to

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 279

Gillesbueth who was slain in truce (by) Rob de Vaulx at Feter-
lana now Lanercosta.’”’* It is from this Gilles, it may be re-
marked, that Gilsland obtains its name; and Bewcastle still
commemorates Bueth his sire.

The priory is not older than 1164, It was liable to be
grievously disturbed and pillaged by the Scots. In 1280,
Edward I. and his queen dwelt here to enjoy the recreation of
hunting in Inglewood Forest. In 1296, the Scottish army burnt
the conventual buildings; and in 1297, William Wallace and
his men plundered it once more. In winter 1306-7, Edward L.,
breathing out vengeance against the Scots, on his last campaign,
resided here during a long illness; having, it is thought, occu-
pied on that occasion the Edwardian tower. In August, 1311,
Robert Bruce and his army rested here three days; and in 1346,
David II., during an invasion, spoiled it so completely that it
henceforth relapsed into obscurity.; On the suppression of the
monasteries the priory and adjacent lands were granted to an
illegitimate branch of the Dacre family.

What is called the Chronicle of Lanercost, was the work of a
friar minor at Carlisle, and has no other- connection with the
place, than that the MS. was preserved in the library of the
priory. The Chartulary or Register of Lanercost is to be found
in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Literature, vol. viii.,
new series.

We re-crossed the Irthing on our return to Naworth, took the
footpath up a secluded dean in the woods, which ultimately be-
comes a steep ravine as it winds round behind the castle, and is
enlivened at the bottom by a little burn, which forks into a
second ‘beck’. These streams enclose between them the
elevated tongue of land on which the castle flanked by precipices
is situated. The following plants were noticed near the path-
way :—Lqusetum Telmeteca (maximum); LE. sylvaticum ; Stellaria
nemorum ; S. Holostea; Hieracium boreale; Mercurialis perennis ;
Circea Lutetiana; Asperula odorata; Lonicera Perichymenum ;
Viburnum Opulus; Ajuga reptans; Rubus suberectus; Geranium
Robertianum ; Melica uniflora; Polystichum aculeatum ; Vaccinium

* Archxologia Ailiana, N.S. vol. vii., p. 83. For the opposite opinion see
Jenkinson’s Guide, &c., p. 88; Sidney Gibson’s Northumbrian Castles, iii.,

p. 6.
t See Jenkinson’s Guide, pp. 91-92. —_ t Ibid, pp. 89-90.

280 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Myrtillus ; Fragaria vesca; Lysimachia nemorum ; Nepeta Glechoma;
and Galium MMollugo. The rhododendrons were luxuriant.
Prunus laurocerasus was much injured by late winters. The only
bird visible was a wren. Caterpillars, striped green and black,
were suspended by a thread from the elms; and afterwards the
perfect moth was captured by one of the party and proved to be
Abraxas Ulmata. This species is not uncommon on the Derwent
near Gibside.

On arriving at the castle the whole company were mustered,
and obtaining admission, saw the ancient parts of the building,
which includes the Warders’ gallery, which was Lord William
Howard’s work, and extends along the central block of. the
building, looking out to the south. It contains tapestry and
family portraits, which mostly came from Castle Howard. The
articles previously in this gallery were consumed by the fire,
which partially destroyed the castle in:1844. To abbreviate the
Rev. Canon Ornsby’s account, this gallery, ‘at its eastern end
communicates by a newel stair, with the library, oratory, and
bedroom, which occupy the upper stage of ‘ Belted Will’s’ Tower.
These remain very much in their original state, having been un-
injured by the fire. An oaken door, of great strength, with
massive bars and bolts, protects the entrance to these rooms.
The library still contains a portion of the books and MSS. which
Lord William collected. The windows are unaltered. They are
very small and narrow. The roof is very beautiful. It is of low
pitch. It came from Kirkoswald. In the oratory is a painting,
dated 1514. It has the Crucifixion in the centre, with the
Scourging on one side and the Resurrection on the other.”
There are many other subjects of antiquarian interest in these
apartments. ‘The bedroom adjoining has a large stone mantel-
piece, the armorial bearings carved on which identify this upper
stage of the tower as the work of Thomas Lord Dacre.” The
outlook from the leads is very extensive. ‘‘The Waste of Bew-
castle, dreary and desolate, lies to the north. On one side are
the dusky hills of Scotland, on the other side those of Tynedale
and Redesdale, in Northumberland. The rich and pleasant
valley of the Irthing stretches from east to west at the foot of the
Castle walls, whilst immediately around lie the home grounds,
the grey walls of the garden, with its rectangular grass walks,
little altered, probably, since Lord William enclosed and laid it

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 281

out ; a straight umbrageous walk beyond it, which he is said to
have planted, and which bears his name, the wooded ravines
which skirt the Castle walls, and the park beyond, diversified by
masses of woodland and scattered groups of venerable trees.”’*

Before the great fire, the Castle was roofed with grey flags,
and they were fastened down with sheep-shanks or ‘‘trotter-
bones”—the metacarpal bones of sheep. ‘‘The bones were
driven into the flag till flush with the upper surface, and sus-
pended on the rafter by the part projecting below.”’}

“The lower stages of this Tower are occupied by dungeons.
Access to them was provided from the Lord’s apartments above.
It is very possible that in Lord William’s time the room or rooms
immediately under the library and oratory may have been fitted
up as a place of concealment for a priest.” }

We were then taken to the noble hall, which belongs to the
renovated part of the building. The five pieces of tapestry in
the hall came from Castle Howard. ‘Along the whole length
of the hall,’ says Mr Sidney Gibson, “on each side, heraldic
shields are displayed on the corbels supporting the ribs ot the
roof. Beginning at the upper (the south) end, there are on the
eastern side the shields of Howard, Mowbray, Braose, Segrave,
De Brotherton, Fitzalan, Warren, Tilney, Audley, Uvedale,
Cavendish ; on the western side, Dacre, De Multon, De Morville,
Vaux, Engaine, Estravers, Greystoke, Grimthorp, Bolebec, De
Merlay, Boteler—a

‘Long array of mighty shadows.’
The hall contains many family portraits, and several pieces of
armour.”’§ What is called Belted Will’s armour is too short and
small for persons of the bulk of the present day.

A very old jasmine spreads over the doorway of the great hall,
which has awakened the poetical susceptibilities of three succes-
sive earls of Carlisle. The Castle-court is said to be the scene of
Frith’s painting, ‘‘Coming of Age in the Olden Time.” On the
walls of the court, Polypodium vulgare, Parietaria diffusa, and
Linaria Cymbalaria were growing.

* Introduction to Lord William Howard’s Household Books, pp. lxx, lxxi,
and Ixvii.
¢ On Trotter Roofing. By Professor Duns, D.D. Proceedings of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1880, pp. 180, 181.
t Introduction to Lord William Howard’s Household Books, p. Ixxi.
§ Gibson’s Northumbrian Castles, &c., iii., pp. 40, 41.

282 Report of Meetungs for 1880, by James Hardy.

The antique garden appears to grow little more than vegetables
for the household. The apple-trees were old and decayed at the
top. By way of ornament there were a few old yews clipped
into pyramidal shapes; there were few flowers, and these be-
longed to a past age of gardening. There were some bright
looking phloxes; Solomon’s seal; and the single Chelidonium
majus ; and there was a little rockery with wild ferns at the en-
trance. ‘‘On the walk outside the eastern wall of the Castle,
and near ‘ Lord William’s Tower,’ a noble old yew-tree stands
on the edge of the declivity—a venerable contemporary of the
founders of Naworth Castle.” So says Mr Gibson, but from in-
adequate information, none of us saw it.

To give the history of Naworth would be altogether superflu-
ous. Rather let me quote from Canon Ornsby’s Introduction to
Lord William Howard’s Household Books, published by the
Surtees Society, a few paragraphs that will be new to most mem-
bers of the Club, in vindication of Lord William from misrepre-
sentations of his history, that are constantly being repeated, and
which Sir Walter Scott by giving them the sanction of his
authority, has rendered still more widely credited.

‘The year in which Lord William actually made Naworth
Castle his residence cannot be fixed with absolute precision.
Here, at all events, he was certainly living in 1607. From that
time until his death it was his chief residence, and the place
around which there has been such'an outgrowth of traditions
respecting him.’’—“ By the name of Belted Will, he is now popu-
larly known, and by the title of Lord Warden he is still tradition-
ally designated. ‘Tradition tells us also, and the statement finds
a place even in the sober pages of the historian, that he main-
tained a garrison of 140 men at Naworth; whilst stories based
upon the rough and ready chastisement which he is supposed to
have meted out to the banditti who infested that wild country,
still meet with unhesitating acceptance and undoubting belief.”

‘“‘Tt is a somewhat ungrateful task.to throw the light of his-
torical evidence upon wild and picturesque legends which, in
successive generations, have charmed the ear of eager childhood,
when told by some hoary grand-sire or some ancient grand-dame,
to a listening group around the winter hearth. But legends
these really are, so far, at least, as Lord William is concerned.
The popular idea which prevails concerning him, even amongst

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 283

educated people, is as purely imaginary as Sir Walter Scott’s
portraiture of his outward man. He never was Lord Warden.
Such an appointment, with Elizabeth’s feelings towards the
Howards, could not have taken place whilst she occupied the
throne, and after the accession of James I., George, the third
earl of Cumberland, was selected to succeed Thomas Lord Scrope,
and was the last who filled that high office. He died in 1605,
and the government of the Borders appears to have been subse-
quently vested in Commissioners, who were partly Scotch and
partly English, appointed by the Crown. The first Commission
in which Lord William Howard’s name appears is in the year
1618. Previous to the issuing of this Commission Lord William
_ Howard possessed, apparently, no office which gave him any
peculiar authority.” ‘‘ There is no evidence whatever of a garri-
son being maintained at Naworth.”

‘“‘Hqually improbable is the tradition which pourtrays Lord
William as promoting or maintaining order in the country by
means of the sharp and summary procedure of martial law.
There is not a trace of his having acted at any time in sucha
manner. That he was active and energetic in bringing marauders
to justice there can be no question, but it was justice administered
by the law of the land. The very list, drawn up by his own
hand, of those offenders who expiated their offences by death,
during many years of his residence at Naworth, goes to prove
this. In many cases the place of their execution is noted ; some
suffered at Durham, some at Newcastle, not a few at Carlisle,
and others in Scotland, showing that they were brought to trial
at the assizes in the ordinary way.”

‘These traditions belong really to an earlier time. They be-
long to a time when the banner of the Dacre, with its silver scal-
lops (upon a martiall red), still proudly waved over the towers
of Naworth. They were stories half-fact and half-legend, asso-
ciated in the first instance with the powerful chieftains who, for
two generations, had been entrusted with the powers of Lord
Warden of the Western Marches, and who unquestionably main-
tained a garrison of resolute and faithful retainers within the
walls of Naworth, always ready to raise the wild shout of ‘A
Daker, a Daker! a read bull, a read bull!’ and to rush with as
much eagerness to a raid upon the Scottish Border as though it
were a scene of joyous pastime.”*

* Introduction, &c., pp. xxi.-xxx. lg

284 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

Canon Ornsby has also satisfactorily shewn that Lord William
died at Greystock Castle either on or about October 7th, 1640;
not of the plague, but from natural decay, and that he was buried
in Greystock church.*

During the Club’s short stay at Gilsland, but a slight acquain-
tance could be formed with the Natural History of the neigh-
bourhood. Sazxifraga aizoides was seen on the dripping shale
strata approaching to the Spa—Vicra sylvatica and Rubus saxatilis
grow among the rocky scaurs of the Irthing. Bird-cherry ap-
peared on the haugh opposite the Spa. A broad-leaved helle-
borine, without flowers (Zpipactis, sp.), was gathered in the
woods; and Weottia Nidus-avis grows there. Galuwm boreale and
Equisetum variegatum are both recorded for Wardrew. Mr
Parkin, photographer, now of Wakefield, brought a plant of
Asplenium viride from Cramel Linn on the Irthing to shew to the
Club. It was once plentiful there, but has been nearly all carried
off, except from inaccessible positions. Hypericum humifusum
was got in the fields near Gilsland, and again near Naworth.
The Primula farinosa was said to bloom profusely in marshes near
Brampton. With regard to birds, Mr Parkin said that wheat-
ears built frequently in the stone-walls near the Railway Station ;
that stone-chats were not rare; but whin-chats were scarce. The
gray wagtail is common.on the Irthing. The titlark was known.
Of the titmice, besides the common species, the cole, and the long-
tailed tits occur at Gilsland ; the marsh titmouse is scarce. When
the galls produced on the spruce firs by Adelges Abietis open to
allow the insects which develope within them to escape, the trees
present a busy scene, for the young tits watch their exit, and do
all they can to clean the trees. The merlin builds regularly on
the top of the cliffs in the dean at Gilsland. The rough-legged
buzzard was a visitant, a few years since. In addition to gnats
and midges, the Simulium midge bites severely.

When Gilsland Spa came into vogue does not appear. It was
much frequented before 1753, when the third edition of Gibson’s
Camden was in the press (fol. 1038). Its early name then was
Wardrew Spa. Wardrew house was built in 1752, on the site of
one much older, and is situated in Thirlwall township, in North-
umberland, on a wooded eminence on the opposite banks of the
river to the hotel. The poet Burns visited it in June, 1787—

* Introduction, &c., p. lxiv,

Report of Meetungs for 1880, by James Hardy. 285

‘‘Left Newcastle early and rode over a fine country to Hexham
to breakfast, from Hexham to Wardrew the celebrated Spa
where we slept.”” It was at Wardrew that Sir Walter Scott first
met with his future spouse. A pane of glass in one of the win-
dows, with Sir Walter’s name upon it, said to have been written
by himself, was taken out by Mr Hodgson Hinde, when he rented
the house, owing to the annoyance caused by the hundreds of
strangers who visited the place to see the writing.*

The ‘‘ Popping-Stone,” the scene of his courtship, was duly
visited. He has sketched it in the Introduction to ‘‘ The Bridal
of Triermain.”

“‘Come, rest thee on thy wonted seat ;
Moss’d is the stone, the turf is green,’’ &c.

A modern piece of superstition is developed here. The stone
is now only one half its original size, portions of it having been
chipped off by foolish visitors, under the belief that when placed
under the pillows of the unmarried of the fair sex, dreams of
their future partners will be vouchsafed to them.t}

Not very long since a remnant of well-worship survived here.
‘‘ Within my own recollection,” writes the Rev. G. Rome Hall,
‘“‘the yearly pilgrimage to Gilsland Wells (there are both a
chalybeate and a sulphur medicinal water here) on the Sunday
after old Midsummer Day, called the Head Sunday, and the Sun-
day after it, was a very remarkable survival of the ancient cultus
of primitive times. Hundreds, if not thousands, used to assemble
there from all directions by rail when that was available, and by
vehicles and on foot otherwise. They were wont to walk or drive
annually at the summer solstice, even from North Tynedale, the
neighbourhood of Wark and Birtley, to Fourstones, and thence
by railway to Rose Hill Station, that they might take, uncon-
sciously, it may be hoped, their part in a heathen solem-
nity.”

‘The Shawes,”’ the name of the hotel, was a farm in the manor
of Triermaine, in 1621 and 1633. Wardrew was a farm in 1633.§
Edmund Carrock was tenant of Shawes, 4th Oct., 1609, being one
of those who resigned to his lord the claim of tenant right,

* Jenkinson’s Guide, p. 61. t Ibid, p. 68.
{On Modern Survivals of Ancient Well-worship in North Tynedale,
Archeolog. Ailiana, N. S. viii., p. 72.
§ Household Book of Lord William Howard, pp. 155, 182, 279, 288-9.

286 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

preferred by the border-farmers at that period, alleging that
they held their allotments by a fixed tenure for border services.*

The anniversary meeting was held in the King’s Arms Hotel,
Berwick, October 13th. There were present—the Rev. J. F.
Bigge, M.A., Stamfordham, who officiated as chairman; Mr
Hardy, Secretary; Mr Middlemas, Treasurer; Revs. William
Dobie, M.A., Ladykirk; Ambrose Jones, M.A., Stannington ;
Duncan McLean, B.D., Allanton; and R. Hopper Williamson,
M.A., Whickham; Drs Robert Carr Fluker, Berwick; John
Paxton, Norham ; and Henry Richardson, Berwick ; Lieut.-Col.
Crossman, C.M.G., R.E.; Captain Forbes, R.N., and Capt. Nor-
man, R.N., Berwick; Messrs Thomas Arkle, Highlaws; R. G.
Bolam and George Bolam, Berwick ; Andrew Brotherston, Kelso;
M. T. Culley of Coupland Castle; Thomas Darling, Berwick ;
Robert Douglas, Berwick; James Greenfield, Reston; James
Heatley, Alnwick; William H. Johnson, Edinburgh; Peter
Loney, Marchmont; W. G. Macdonald, M.A., Berwick; James
Nicholson, Murton ; Thomas Patrick, Berwick ; James Purves,
Berwick ; Adam Robertson, Alnwick ; William Shaw, Eyemouth ;
John Thomson, Kelso; William Wilson, Berwick; Matthew
Young, Berwick.

A number of members from a distance, who had arrived on the
previous evening, had enjoyed the advantage of examining Mr
Bolam’s valuable collection of books and documents relative to
Northumbrian history, antiquities and topography. In the
morning, by appointment, they went to Spittal to see the artificial
manure works of Messrs Crossman and Paulin, and not only ac-
quainted themselves with the processes in the manufacture which
the various substances employed undergo, but enjoyed the trip
by water across ‘‘Tweed’s fair river broad and deep,” when
augmented by the full tide. They afterwards assembled in the
Museum, where Col. Crossman in explaining the Map of the old
fortifications of Berwick, drew attention to the fact, that Berwick
had once a ‘‘ Rottenrow,’”’ which passed Ravensdown from the
‘‘Palace”’ towards another notable place in ancient Berwick.

* Household Book of Lord William Howard, p. 413. At the same period
Richard Carrock was occupant of ‘‘ Lawe Burdoswald,’’ and John Carrock of
Wrigarth. Margaret Carrick, whose soubriquet was ‘‘ Meg of Mumps Hall,’”
who died 4th Dec., 1717, aged one hundred years, ‘‘ the last of the iron race

of the olden time,’’ was probably of this stock. See more about her in ‘‘ Guy
Mannering.”’

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 287

In the course of the day, anumber of members visited Mrs
Carter’s residence in Berwick, to view the numerous drawings
and other relics which she has so carefully preserved. While
searching among some old family papers recently Mrs Carter
came upon two important documents, and these she laid before
the members. One paper was a copy of the order of battle given
on board the Victory by Nelson, on September 29, 1805, and the
other Lord Collingwood’s thanks to the officers and seamen the
day after the battle, October 22, 1805. These copies were sup-
plied to the commanders of the various ships in the British Fleet,
and came into the possession of Mrs Carter’s father, Dr Johnston,
through her uncle, who was on board the Royal Sovereign, under
Lord Collingwood, on the day of the great battle. There was
also on exhibition a picture of ancient Berwick (sent for the in-
spection of the members by Mr E. Willoby), shewing the ruins
of the castle, the English gate, the bell tower, &e. Miss Dickin-
son, Norham, had, as usual, brought a selection of her clever
and numerous drawings of plants, as well as specimens of the
winter moth in all its stages, from the caterpillar to the full-
grown moth. The caterpillar of this moth (Cheimatobia brumata)
was last year, it will be remembered, very destructive to goose-
berries, eating its way into the heart of the berry and ruining
the fruit.

At one o’clock the members met in the billiard-room of the
King’s Arms Hotel; the Rev. J. F. Bigge presiding in the ab-
sence of the retiring president, Mr Charles Watson, whom
necessary business had called elsewhere. The Secretary then
proceeded to xead the Anniversary Address, which concluded by
Mr Watson nominating the Rev. Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E.,
Edinburgh, as his successor. The nomination was agreed to,
and Mr Brown’s letter accepting the office was read. He then
read abridged notices of the meetings held throughout the season.

Meetings for 1881 were appointed to be held at the following
places:—Dunbar for Belton, Biel, and Presmennan, on the last
Wednesday in May ; Grant’s House and Abbey St. Bathans for
the Jubilee Meeting in June; Elsdon and Otterburn, July ;
Kelso, to meet the Durham and Northumberland Archeological
Society, in August ; Innerleithen for Traquair and the Glen, in
September ; Berwick, in October.

The following were duly proposed and seconded, and, along

288 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

with those nominated at other meetings during the year, were
admitted members of the Club :—Rev. Thomas Ilderton of Ider-
ton ; Dr Edwin Thew, Alnwick; Mr Thomas Walby, Alnwick ;
Mr William Newton Morrison, New Bewick ; Mr William Alder,
Berwick; Rev. Charles Baldwin, Berwick ; Mr Robert Weddell,
Berwick ; Mr George Weatherhead, Berwick. Miss Russell of
Ashiesteel was elected an honorary member of the Club.

Mr Middlemas, Treasurer, stated that the total income for the
past year had been £99 6s, while the expenditure amounted to
£116 odds, leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £5 2s 2d.
The Club had £53 on deposit receipt, which, with the accrued
interest, was available. The arrears were stated to amount to
£45, and, on the suggestion of the treasurer, a resolution was
passed unanimously enjoining members to pay their subscriptions
regularly when applied for.

Mr Bigge suggested Fungi as a special study for some of the
members, who might bring to the meetings selections of edible
and poisonous fungi. The suggestion met with general approval.

Mr Brotherston stated that he had found the petty whin, Ulex
Gali near Kast Fodderlie, between Rule and Jed waters. Mr
Tait of Eglingham, a few years since, noticed Ulex Gali on
Beanley moor, Northumberland. Mr Brotherston brought speci-
mens of Polytrichum striectum, Doecleuch, Sept. 9, 1880; Hypnum
fluitans, Skelfhill, Sept., 1880; Sphagnum rubellum, Primside Bog,
March 30, 1879; Jungermannia Floerki, Nees., Skelfhill-pen,
Sept., 1880; Gymnomitrium coneinnatum, Skelfhill-pen, Sept.,
1880.

Mr Watson had sent for exhibition a plain gold ring, which
had been turned up by the plough on the farm of Cairncress in
1875. The ring had been caught up by the point of the sock,
and was much thinned and rubbed before it was detected. On
the inside in a writing hand of the 16th or 17th century, is cut
this inscription: ‘I bleise god my best abod.”” Mr Watson has
also a spindle-whorl, which has been painted black, which is
labelled: ‘‘Stone for keeping Witches off Cattle, brought from
Billie in 1748 to Bankend, by John Landels (1834).”

Five members of the Club have died during the year—1. Capt.
Charles Gandy, Alnwick. 2. The Rev. Robert Orange Bromfield,
minister of Sprouston, who died at Strathpeffer, August 28th,
1880, in the 37th year of his ministry there, having been

Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 289

transferred from Lanarkshire, in 1843. He was a native of Bel-
ford. Mr Bromfield was widely known as a pomologist, and took
a great interest in horticultural matters generally. In these de-
partments he had few equals, and his contributions to the
journals devoted to these subjects were highly valued. The
manse garden was a model, and shewed in an unmistakeable
manner his unusual skill. Apples of his raising were in great
request. He had visited Australia and India and made the tour
of the Holy Land. He was a faithful and kind-hearted minister,
an elegant and effective preacher, a deeply-read scholar, and a
firm friend. References to Mr Bromfield may be found in Mr
William Henderson’s ‘' Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties,”
and ‘‘My Life as an Angler.” 38. John Ord of Over-Whitton,
' who died 30th September, 1880, in his 70th year; a prominent
and useful country gentleman and magistrate. In private life
Mr Ord was esteemed as few men are, and his counsel was much
sought and ever readily accorded. 4. Alexander Crosbie, M.D.,
an eminent medical officer in the Royal Navy, and surgeon to the
Challenger expedition, who died at Haslar Hospital, Gosport, on
the 16th November, 1880, in his 46th year. Dr Crosbie was a
son of Mr Thomas Crosbie, long of Kelso Mills, and was educated
at the Kelso Grammar School. When on board the Challenger
he never neglected any opportunity offered for study and re-
search, and his observations were often fortunate, and always
made with discrimination and skill. While on the expedition his
native town was not forgotten, and the numerous articles he pre-
sented to the Kelso Museum will long be regarded with peculiar
pride. 5. The Rev. Samuel Arnot Fyler, Rector of Cornhill,
who died November 2nd, 1880, aged 77. Mr Fyler was the
eldest son of Samuel Fyler, Esq., of Twickenham, Middlesex, by
his second wife, Miss Arnot, a Scottish lady of the family of the
Arnots of Balcormo, Fifeshire. The late Hugo and Dr David
Boswall Reid were his cousins. In 1834, Mr Fyler was nomin-
ated by the Dean and Chapter of Durham to Cornhill, which he
held continuously for 46 years. His care for his parish is at-
tested by the restoration of the fabric of his church, and by the
improvements of his schools. His only publication was a
brochure in 1850, entitled, ‘‘ A Brief History of Church Rates.”
He became a member of the Club, June 25th, 1849 ; and wrote
for its ‘‘ Proceedings,” vol. vi., pp. 344-348, ‘A brief History of

290 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy.

the Village of Cornhill.” 6. Mr William Chartres, died at his
residence, Summerhill, Ayton, 5th December, 1880, aged 71. He
was the second son of Thomas Chartres, who was for a long time
a merchant in Berwick, and who was elected mayor of the
borough in 1832. His son William was enrolled as a freeman,
Jan. 1st, 1830, and served his time as a solicitor. At the time of
his death he was one of the oldest solicitors of Newcastle, his ad-
mission dating from 1832. Mr Chartres was head of the firm of
Chartres, Youll, and Wilkinson, but it is some time since he re-
tired from the active practice of his profession. Mr Chartres had
a highly cultivated mind, and was well-known for his amiable
and kind-hearted disposition. He was fond of flowers and
‘gardening. ‘Till latterly when he came to reside at Ayton, he
had not much opportunity to attend the Club’s meetings; but he
felt a great interest in the Olub’s prosperity. He joined the
Club, June 25, 1863.

291

Notes on Relics of Alexander Wilson, Poet and Ornitholo-
gist, echibited at a Meeting of the Berwickshire Natural-
ists’ Club, held at Dunbar, 26th May, 1880. By RoBERT
Gray, F.R.S.E., Secretary of the Royal Physical Society.

(1. Portrait with Autograph ; 2. Letter addressed to Miss Sarah
Miller ; 3. Original drawing of Hermit Thrush ; 4. 33 Proof-
Plates of Wilson’s Work on Birds; 5. Rough Medallion .
Portrait ; 6. Photograph of Wilson’s Grave.)

Mors than 90 years ago Alexander Wilson, the well-known
poet and ornithologist, in passing through this town (Dunbar),
made the following entry in his journal :—

‘Septem. 24, 1789.—This morning rose early to take a view of °
the town of Dunbar, which is pretty large; the main street,
broad and running from north to south, contains the only build-
ings of any note. The Provost’s house closes the view at the
north end fronted with a row of trees making a very neat ap-
pearance. Several narrow lanes lead down to the shore, chiefly
possessed by fishers. At the west end of the harbour they have
lately built a battery of stone in the form of a half moon, mount-
ing seventeen twelve-pounders. ‘This is the effect of Paul Jones’
appearance in the Firth last war, who came so near this place
with some of his ships as to demolish some of the chimney tops
and put the inhabitants in a terrible consternation. They are
also building a new pier from the battery, which will certainly
be attended with a vast expense, and even without affording
general content. A little to the west of this are still to be seen
the ruins of the Castle of Dunbar, built on a rock that juts into
the sea, hollowed with gloomy caves, through which, in a storm,
the waves roar horribly ; which, joined to the ruins above, forms
a most dismal appearance.”

Again on the following day :—

‘Septem. 25.—Having done some little business in this place,
and there being no other town to the east or south, for a con- .
siderable way, have bargained with the master of a sloop with
whom I intend to embark for Burntisland, in Fifeshire, a town
about thirty miles from this and almost opposite Kdinburgh.”’

Then a day later :—

“Septem. 26.—Went on board early this morning for Burnt-
island with a good gale astern; passed the Bass and several

1k

292 Notes on Relics of Alex. Wilson, by Robert Gray.

other small islands, and landed at Burntisland after a pleasant

passage of six hours.”

Wilson was then a Pedlar from Paisley, in very humble circumstances, and
gave but little indication of possessing such talents as distinguished him in
after life. We all, I daresay, know his subsequent history as given by
various biographers ; how he was compelled to leave his native town and pro-
ceed to America, in which country he landed without a shilling and without
a friend; how he resumed his business as a pedlar, and how, after many
vicissitudes, he ultimately betook himself to the study of American Birds, and
produced a work which has rendered his name famous throughout the world.
The descriptive power shewn in this book has never been surpassed ; and
when it is remembered that but few works on the Birds of America had pre-
viously been written, Wilson’s extraordinary courage in carrying out the task
he had chosen for himself seems, even at this distance of time to be one of the
most wonderful instances of enthusiasm on record. The years of solitude he
spent in the woods and wastes of his adopted country, the many thousands of
miles he travelled by river and by land in quest of birds, and the triumphant
results of his wanderings in the publication of his great work, of which
America is so justly proud, are incidents in the life of Wilson, which throw
an air of romance over his scientific career, and invest with a peculiar interest
all that belonged to him. Impressed with the truth of this, I have the
pleasure of submitting for the inspection of the members of the Club on the
occasion of our meeting at Dunbar, one or two memorials of this remarkable
man. These are mainly a few proof plates of his ‘‘ American Ornithology, or
the Natural History of the Birds of the United States,’’ and an original
drawing of the Solitary Thrush (Twrdus solitarius) which he had cut so as to
replace one of the figures in another of his plates. The relics formed part of
the contents of a trunk left by his will to Miss Sarah Miller—a lady to whom
Wilson would in due time have been married. This trunk contained among
other things his deed of settlement, pistols, saddle bags, paint box, brushes,
and colours, books, impressions of the plates for his work on American Birds,
original drawings, &c. Many of these articles which were left by Wilson
himself I have seen along with other relics that had subsequently been placed
in the trunk by Miss Miller, who afterwards became Mrs Rittenhouse, and
. who preserved the whole with jealous care until her death. Of these, I have
brought to the meeting his portrait with autograph and a letter written by
him to the lady in question, during one of his long excursions in search of
material for his great work. They were given to me by the late Dr W. P.
Turnbull of Philadelphia, who purchased the trunk and the whole of its con-
tents from the widow of a son of Mrs Rittenhouse, in 1869. I remember ex-
amining with much interest a presentation copy of his Poems, which was
found among Mrs Rittenhouse’s effects, and which was full of annotations in
Wilson’s handwriting. I observed that the author, with a sensitive regard
to his former occupation, had erased with his knife every reference to his
tramps as a pedlar. His evident desire was that he should be looked upon as
a lover of birds, and not long afterwards when the hand of death was upon
him, this desire was even more apparent in his oft expressed wish that he
might be laid where the birds might sing over his grave,

29

List of Plants from the neighbourhood of Gordon.

Tue first portion of this List has been drawn up by Dr Cuas.
Sruart, Chirnside, with the co-operation of Mr Sapter, of the
Plants collected on the day of the Club’s meeting at Gordon, in
June, from the Mellerstain Woods and Gordon Moss :—

Linneza borealis, Mellerstain

woods.
Goodyera repens, do.
Listera cordata, do.
Vicia angustifolia, on edge of
right hand bog from Gor-
don.

Drosera rotundifolia,
Mollinia coerulea.
Hydrocotyle vulgaris.
Pedicularis palustris.

Briza media.

Ajuga reptans.

Viola palustris.

Orchis latifolia, colours from
pure white and lilac to
deep purple.

O. latifolia, var. incarnata
(bogs).

Comarum palustre.

Menyanthes trifoliata.

Myosotis ceespitosa.

M. repens.

M. versicolor.

Ranunculus flammula.

Triglochin palustre.

Valeriana officinale.

Montia fontana.

Lythrum salicaria.

Genista anglica.

Mentha aquatilis.

Eriophorum vaginatum.

K. polystachion.

Sparganium natans.

Habenaria bifolia.

Hippuris vulgaris.
Callitriche platycarpa.
Carex ovalis.

C. paniculata.

C. pulicaris.

C. panicea.

C. aquatilis.

C. glauca.

C. ampullacea.

C. stellulata.

C. teretiuscula, rare.

C. curta.

C. pallescens.

Catabrosa aquatica, in a ditch
running north from left
hand bog (new).

Utricularia minor, in water
holes, west end of right
hand bog from Gordon
(new).

Stellaria glauca, every where
in the bog, in great
beauty.

Botrychium Lunaria, length
fourteen inches, length of
flowering stem eight in-
ches, breadth one-and-
half inches; right hand
bog.

Lemna trisulca (new).

LL. minor.

Potamogeton natans.

P. praelongus.

P. polygonifolius.

P. pusillus.

294 ILvst of Plants from the neighbourhood of Gordon.

Galium uliginosum. var. fusca.

Juncus acutifolius. Hypnum crista-castrensis.

Salix repens. Sphagnum cymbifolium.
var. argentea. Bryum ? ;

Mr Broruerston, who had been early astir, brought to the
meeting specimens of Linnea borealis, Lemna trisulca, Sparganium
minimum, Chara fragilis, Lastrea spinulosa, and Hypnum crista-
castrensis, Stellaria glauca, Goodyera repens, which he had that
morning picked up in the course of a walk through part of
Mellerstain Woods and Gordon Moss, and reported that he had
seen orpine (Sedum telephium) growing on the roadside. In the
Moss, Mr Brotherston saw many forms of Salix cinerea, S. aurita
and. repens with their hybrid ambigua. 8S. pentandra, especially
the narrow-leaved form, was plentiful ; nigricans and phylicifolia
rarer. A single tree of S. decipiens was observed on the old
margin of the bog.

On the 38rd of August, the Rev. Wiii1Am Sropss in examining
Huntly wood, to his great surprise and delight, came upon a
considerable patch of Linnea borealis in the wood, which furnishes
a new locality for that botanically classical plant in the South of
Scotland. Just beside the Linnea he came upon the Goodyera
repens also. In the same situation he got the Pyrola minor. On
the 18th of August, Mr Stobbs went to the woods in the north-
east of the parish behind Fawside, and gathered Listera ovata,
and a very luxuriant form of a Primula, which is either a cow-
slip or an oxlip, but not being in flower it could not be deter-
mined. Lycopodium clavatum grows in one of the plantations
near the manse.

List of Lepidoptera taken in the neighbourhood of Gordon
Moss. By Mr Ropert RENTON, Fans.

Tuts list comprises the species captured in or near Gordon
Moss; and the ground of operations includes two miles west of
Greenknowe Tower, and a quarter of a mile on each side of the
Berwickshire Railway :—

List of Lepidoptera, by Mr Robert Renton, Fans.

Drvrnt.
Papilio Brassicee.
Rape.

Anthocharis Cardamines; also

at Humebyres.*
Argynnis Paphia.
Vanessa Urtice.
Atalanta.
Cardui.
Erebia Blandina.
Satyrus Semele.
Janira.
Hyperanthus.

_ Chortobius Pamphilus.

Polyommatus Phleas.
Lyceena Alexis.

Nocrvrni.
Hepialus Hectus.

Lupulinus.
——— Velleda.

Humuli. ©
Nudaria Mundana.
Chelonia Plantaginis.
-————. Caja.
Arctia Menthastri.
’ Orgyia Fascelina.
Bombyx Rubi.
Quercus.
Saturnia Carpini.

GEOMETR&E.
Rumia Crategata.

Metrocampa Margaritata.

Ellopia Fasciaria.
Selenia Illunaria.
Odontopera Bidentata.
Boarmia Repandata.
Gnophos Obscurata.
Cabera Pusaria.

* A specimen of this was captured at Broomdykes by Dr Stuart, July 3,

1880.—J. H.

GEOMETRA, continued.
Macaria Liturata.
Halia Wavaria.
Fidonia Atomaria.
Piniaria.
Lomaspilis Marginata.
Hybernia Rupicapraria.
Larentia Didymata.
Ceesiata.
Pectinitaria.
Emmelesia Affinitata.
——— _ Albulata.
Melanippe Tristata.
——._ Unangulata.
Montanata.
Camptogramma Bilineata.
Cidaria Miata.
Russata.
Immanata.
Suffumata.
Prunata.
Fulvata.
Kubolia Cervinaria.
Mensuraria.
Palumbaria.
Anaitis Plagiata.

DREPANULIDA.
Platypteryx Falcula.

PsEvupo-BoMBYCES.
Notodonta Ziczac.

Noctum.
Acronycta Tridens.
Gortyna Flavago,
Hydreecia Nictitans.
Xylophasia Rurea.
—— Polyodon.
Chareeas Graminis.

296 A Inst of Chaleidide, &c., by James Hardy.

Noctua, continued. Noctua, continued.
Luperina Testacea. Teeniocampa Instabilis.
Apamea Basilinea. — Stabilis.
Miana Strigilis. Oporina Croceago.

Fasciuncula. Polia Chi.
Celeena Haworthii. Hadena Adusta.
Caradrina Cubicularis. Dentina.
Agrotis Corticea. Oleracea.
Tryphena Janthina. Anarta Myrtilli.
—— Orbona. Heliodes Arbuti.

Pronuba. Plusia Chrysites.
Noctua Plecta. Bractea.

C-nigrum. Tota.

Rubi. V-aureum.
Xanthographa. Gamma.
Trachea Piniperda. Interrogationis.

Teeniocampa Gothica. Euclidia Mi.

A Inst of Chalcidide, Proctotrupide, and Mymaride col-
lected in Berwickshire, and near Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
By James Harpy.

Many years ago I made a collection of the smaller parasitic
Hymenoptera, chiefly Chalcididee and Proctotrupide, near Pen-
manshiel, Berwickshire, and near Newcastle-on-Tyne. These
were submitted to the late Francts WALKER, Hsq., who possessed
the key to the nomenclature of these minute insects. The speci-
mens are in my collection. As it is not probable that any one at
present will take up the study, I give these lists as a small con-
tribution to a knowledge of the distribution of the species. Ex-
cept a few Northumbrian Chalcidide collected by the late Dr
Greville of Edinburgh, at Twizell House, and described by Mr
Walker in the early volumes of the ‘‘ Annals of Natural History,”
there are no Border species on record. The Newcastle insects
were chiefly taken by the sides of the Derwent above Winlaton
Mill, in the Ravensworth woods or grounds, and on the coast
near Marsden. I have only added the authorities, so far as I
know them, for the names that belong to other authors than Mr
Walker.

A List of Chalcidide, &c., by James Hardy.

297

BERWICKSHIRE.
CLASS INSECTA.
OrpER HYMENOPTERA.
Fam. SO

Eurytoma curta.
Argele.
Isosoma angustatum.
Laothoe.
Decatoma cynipsea, Boh.
=Aspilus, Walk.
Callimome flavipes.
———_ varians.
confinis.
mutabilis.
apicalis.
————_ versicolor.
Asaphis eenea, WVees.
Cyrtogaster vulgaris.
aes flavicornis, Hal.

Beets fuscicornis.
cinctipes.
Toxeuma Hricze.
Merismus rufipes.
Lamprotatus rufipes.
————— obscurus.
———— maculatus.
———— fuscipes.
Babilus.
——_——— splendens, Westw.
—————— viridis.
Seladerma convexum.
Semiotus diversus.
Platymesopus tibialis.
Pteromalus prasinus.
modestus.
————— dubius.
———_—— deplanatus, Nees.
=<domesticus, Walk.
epistenus.
perpetuus.

patellanus, Dalm.

Pteromalus viridulus.
microcerus.
subniger.
—————. muscarum, LZ.
hemipterus.

— albipennis.
———— bellus.

— constans.

— discolor.

[Found in a house. |

conifer.
Ariomedes.

— Naubolus.
————. Leodocus.
Vibullius.
———— Leogoras.
Cheiropachus pulchellus.

Encyrtus melanopus, Hal.

Entodon Zanara.
EKubius.
Alcosus.
Kulophus Iapetus.
————. Myodes.
Tanthea.
———— Alaparus.
—— Leodomas.
Mandron.
———— Amempsinus.
——-—— Westwoodii, Step.
sericeicornis, Vees.
—FEneugamus, Walk.
Cirrospilus elegantissimus,
Westw.
Tetrastichus Sotades.
——— Muitilia.
————. Anteius.

298

A List of Chalcidide, &c., by James Hardy.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.

Faminy CHALcIpIDZ™.

Kurytoma Abrotani.

—— apicalis.
brevicollis, Hal.

Tsosoma verticillata, Z//.

angustipenne.

minor.

angustatum.

— dissimile.

depressum.

— Laothoe.

Callimome terminalis.
nigricornis.
mutabilis.
posticus.

[Bred from Spireea Ulmaria. ]
Asaphis zenea, JVees.
Gastrancistus vagans, Westw.
—— Panares.
Pachylarthrus flavicornis, Hal.
Lamprotatus rufipes.
obscurus.
maculatus.
hortensis, Curtis.
fuscipes.

Babilus.
splendens, Westu.
chrysochlorus, Hal.
annularis, Curt.
fuscipennis.
obscuripennis.
tarsalis.

diffinis.

Scoticus.
Seladerma Lalage.

Isocyrtus leetus.

Pachyneuron Pythocles.
Micromelus pyrrhogaster, Hal.
Meraporus graminicola.
Pteromalus fasciiventris, Westw.
tibialis, Westw.

Pteromalus modestus.
dubius.

- intermedius.
— gracilis.

— sequester.
famulus.
micans.

— constans.
pulchripes.
———— Mutia.

— Ceropasades.
———— Carcinus. .
——-— Amphimedon.

— Nestocles.
Cercobelus Jugoeus.
Encyrtus Pappus.

— Batillus.
— Phithra.
Aphelinus basalis,
Entedon gemmeus, Westuw.
Mera.
Sparetus.
Eubius.
Epigonus.
— Coenus.
Acamas.
Lyceus.
Alcoous
Phruron.
Ergius.
Abdera.
Afranius.
Lycambes.
EKuderus Amphis.
Elechestus Aphaca.
Eulophus ramicornis, Fab.
— Callidius.
———— Hedila.
-—_——— Acalle.
———— Dropion.

——

A List of Chaleidide, &c., by James Hardy.
Kulophus Pisidice. Tetrastichus Evonymelle,
— Meriones. Bouche.
——-— Metalarus. _ — Xixuthrus.
—-— Amempsinus. — — Brunus.
——— Rhecus. arr — Rapo.
———— sericeicornis, Nees. [Bred from Spireea Ulmaria. |
=Eneugamus, Walk.* os Rees: i
— Euedoreschus. aS APT ae on
Cirrospilus vittatus. cr Shae E pee
at; ————— Emesa.
— elegantissimus, M HOk Se ee
eel 2 rai:
——— Diallus. PROPRIA es

Fam. ProcroTruPip2.

Aphelopus Daos. Platygaster Sonchis.

Drymus Alorus. —— Roboris.
Antzon Penidus. -—— Acrisius.
Bethylus cenopterus, Latr. ————-— elongatus.
—-— fuscicornis, Jur. ————— Tisius.
Labeo excisus. ——-———. Orcus.
Microps Rubi. ————— Dermades.
TeleasLycaon, 8 | -————— niger.
Platygaster ruficornis, Zatr. ——.——-— Olorus.
————— Nereus. ——_——— Otreus.
——— Tarus. —— —— Manto.
—_—_——. Orus. ————— Cliodeus.
—_——— Cotta. — ——_—— lolas.

———_—- Catillus.

Fam. MymMaripz.
Lymeenon litoralis.

Polynema fumipennis.
——— atratus.

299

Besides these I find among the minute Ichneumons, Platymis-
chus dilatatus, Hemiteles areator, Pezomachus agilis, P. vagans, and

P. bicolor, from the Newcastle district.

*T give the synonym on the authority of the late A. H. Haliday, Esq., a
most accomplished entomologist, with whose correspondence I was long

favoured,
LL

300

A Notice of some rare Books by Morpeth Authors, contained
in the Inbrary of the Morpeth Mechanics’ Institution.
By Mr James Fercusson, Morpeth.

In the library of Morpeth Mechanics’ Institution there is a
small collection-of rare and interesting works by Morpeth
authors. They were given by William Woodman, Esq., Stob-
hill, as part of a memorial gift by the Barony of Morpeth, in re-
membrance of George W. F., seventh earl of Carlisle. They are
as follows :—

‘‘ A New Herat, wherin are conteyned the names of Herbes
in Greke, Latin, English, Duch, Frenche, and in the Potecaries
and Herbaries Latin, with the Properties, Degrees, and Naturall
places of the same, gathered and made by Wylliam Turner
Phisicion unto the Duke of Somersettes Grace. Imprinted at
London by Steven Mierdman, Anno 1551. Cum priuilegio ad
impremendum solum. And they are to be solde in Paulles
Churchyarde.

‘THE SEconDE Parts or UUriuiAm Turners herball, wherin
are conteyned the names of herbes in Greke, Latin, Duche,
Frenche, and in the Apothecaries Latin, and somtyme in Italiane,
wyth the vertues of the same herbes, wyth diuerse confutationes
of no small errours, that men of no small learning have committed
in the intreatinge of herbes of late yeares.

‘‘ Hereunto is ioyned also a booke of the bath of Baeth in Eng-
lande, and of the vertues of the same with diuerse other bathes
most holsum and effectual, both in Almany and Englande, set
furth by William Turner Doctor of Physic. Imprinted at Collen
by Arnold Birckman. In the yeare of our Lorde MDLXII.

‘‘A Booxe or THE NatTurRESs AND properties, as well of the
bathes in England as of other bathes in Germany and Italy, very
necessary for all seik persones that cannot be healed without the
helpe of natural bathes, gathered by William Turner Doctor of
Physik. Imprinted at Collen in the year of our Lorde MDLXII.”

“Tre Names of herbes in Greke, Latin, Englishe, Duche and
Frenche wyth the commune names that Herbaries and A potecaries
use. Gathered by William Turner.”

The former of these two volumes is a handsome well-preserved
folio, and includes the first and second parts of the Herbal and
the Book of the Baths. The late Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Bart.,

Rare Books by Morpeth Authors, by Jas. Fergusson. 301

of Wallington, had a copy of the second part dated 1568, but on
comparing it with the copy here described, he found it was the
same edition, even to the ‘‘ Fautes and errours,”’ with a new title
page. Along with Sir Walter’s copy of the second part, there
was bound up a third part of the Herbal. Sir Walter got his
copy at the sale of the library of the Rev. John Hodgson, the
Historian of Northumberland. The second of the two volumes
is a small (duodecimo) book of 166 pages. It is dedicated ‘To
the mooste noble and mighty Prince Edward by the Grace of
God Duke of Summerset,” &c., &c., and is dated from ‘‘ Your
Grace’s House at Syon, Anno Dom. MCCOCCOXVIIL., Martii
XV.” The imprint is at the end as follows :—‘‘ Imprinted at
London by John Day and Wyllyam Seres, dwellynge in
. Sepulchres Parish at the sign of the Resurrection, a little above
Holbourne Conduite.”

“A Brief and General Account of the most necessary and
fundamental Principles of Statics, Mechanics, Hydrostatics, and
Pneumatics ; adapted more especially to a course of experiments
perform’d at Morpeth, in the County of Northumberland. By
John Horsley, A.-M. Newcastle upon Tine: printed by John
White for the Author.”

This is a small 12mo of 72 pages with MS. additions respecting
the Author.

‘“¢ Vows In TROUBLE, or a Plain and Practical Discourse concern-
ing the Nature of Vows made in Trouble and the Reasonableness
and necessity of a faithful Performance of them. By John
Horsley, A.M. London: Printed for Richard Ford, at the Angel
in the Poultry, near Stocks Market, and sold by R. Akenhead,
Bookseller at Newcastle, 1729.”

This volume is of the same size as the former, and consists of
108 pages.

‘‘An Historical Essay on the State of Physick in the Old and
New Testament, and the Apocryphal Interval: with a particular
account of the cases mentioned in Scripture and observations
upon them. To which is added, a Discourse concerning the duty
of consulting a physician in sickness. By Jonathan Harle, M.D.
London: Printed for Richard Ford at the Angel in the Poultry,
_ near Stocks-Market 1729.”

With it are bound up—
‘‘T'wo Discourses: 1. On the Frailty of Man. 2. On Conformity

302 Keyheugh and its “ Wishing Well,’ by Thos. Arkle.

to Christ. By the late Reverend and Learned Jonathan Harle,
M.D. To which are added Hymns and Psalms, by the same
Author. Published at the request of many of his hearers, with
an account of his Life, and a Sermon preached on occasion of his
death. By John Horsley, M.A. London, Printed for Richard
Ford at the Angel in the Poultry, near Stocks-Market 1730.”

This volume is an octavo, the first part containing 180 pages,
and the second 132. Richard Ford appears to have been the
Nonconformist publisher at that time, for on a fly leaf are adver-
tised five works, among which there is ‘“‘ Logick” by I. Watts,
D.D., just published.

Along with the books described there is a volume of Reprints
from Hodgson’s Northumberland, containing ‘‘ Memoirs of the
Lives of Thomas Gibson, M.D., Jonathan Harle, M.D., John
Horsley, M.A., F.R.S., and William Turner, M.D.”

The Keyheugh and its “ Wishing Well.” By Mr THoMAS
ARKLE.

In the Parish of Elsdon, about a mile south of Midgey Ha’,
on a steep hill called Darden, is a perpendicular precipice of
freestone rock, which is a striking object from the Elsdon and
Rothbury road, at a point a little to the east of Graslees Mill.
The rocky face extends to a considerable length, the greatest
height being about sixty feet. On the southern or higher side
the ground is level with the top of the cliff, whilst below a large
area is covered with detached fragments of rock, of all sizes,
scattered about in the wildest confusion, the whole place present-
ing clear indications of the tremendous power of glacial action.

Such is the wild and romantic place called Keyheugh, which,
though now lonely and deserted, was in olden times the attractive
Sunday resort of the young people resident in the adjacent
neighbourhood. At a little distance from the main precipice is
a Well, on the bottom of which, a century ago, might always
have been observed a number of pins, or as my informant, who
had visited the place in his youthful days, expressed himself ‘‘a
heap of pins,” each visitor dropping in one to further the fulfil- .
ment of wishes silently breathed over the magic fountain, or as
an offering to propitiate the genius loci for the unauthorised in-
trusion into his secluded and romantic territory.

Notice of Treaswre Trove, by J. J. Vernon, F.8.A., Scot. 303

The name Keyheugh is probably derived from the Saxon
words caeg, a keyed or blocked-up place, and hou, or heugh, a
steep and rugged hill; whilst Darden comes from the British
dwr, or dur, water, and dun a hill, in corroboration of which
latter etymology a lake called Darden Lough yet remains in the
hollow formed by the two highest ridges of the moor,

Access to Keyheugh in a straight line from the point on the
Elsdon and Rothbury road, from which it is seen, is toilsome and
tedious; but from Midgey Ha’ the approach is comparatively
easy.

Highlaws, Morpeth, 30th Oct., 1880.

Notice of Treaswre Trove, February, 1880. By J. J.
VERNON, F.S.A., Scot., Hawick.

In February last, whilst a shepherd at Langhope, parish of
Kirkhope, Selkirkshire, was going his rounds, he discovered in
a drain a bronze pot partially uncovered by the action of the
water. Upon unearthing his find it was seen to be of bronze,
urn-shaped, having three legs, and lugs for handles, but without
lid when discovered. It is ten inches deep, seven inches wide at
the mouth, and twenty-nine in circumference at the bulge, the
feet being four inches long. The contents proved to be of con-
siderable value, as it contained nearly a stone-weight of coins,
fibule, &c. The coins were principally silver pennies of Alex-
ander III., John Balliol, and Robert Bruce of Scotland, and of
the contemporary kings of England, besides a number of pence
struck on the Continent. What jewellery there was may never
be known, but there were disposed of in Hawick two silver
buckles of excellent workmanship and design—see Plate—
the larger of which weighed 615 grains, and the other 244
grs. There was also a finger ring of silver having the inscrip-
tion JESU NAZAR +; a massive silver pin, and a portion of
plate, use unknown. The finder handed over the pot and its
contents to his master, who proceeded to realise its value (!) by
disposing of the coins by the pound weight. Such a “find”
could not long be kept secret, and it is satisfactory to know that
the proper authorities succeeded in recovering the bronze vessel
and some of the coins and jewellery, which, in course of time,
will find their way into the National Collection of Antiquities in
Edinburgh.

304

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80, on Animal and
Vegetable Life on the Borders.

BERWICKSHIRE.
INTRODUCTORY.

Jupeine from my own experience, I did not expect that the
winter of 1879-80, would be so calamitous to out-of-door vegeta-
tion, as I soon came to know from my friends and correspondents
it turned out to be. This state of matters has obliged me for
consistency’s sake to do much of last year’s work over again. I
have now to thank those non-members of the Club, who paid
such ready attention to my questionings, or who have aided those
members who kindly lent me their assistance. Situations near
the sea-coast have formed no part of the inquiry, as most of them
escaped harm; but a few examples have been admitted. If any
grievous cases have been omitted, we shall hear of them subse-
quently. I feel particularly grateful to those gentlemen in the
Tyneside district, nearly all of them strangers, who have given
such a minute and valuable account of what happened in that
neighbourhood ; of which we would have remained wholly un-
informed, but for their endeavours to furnish a complete state-
ment. The reports on the valleys of the Coquet, the Aln, the
Glen, and the Till, are almost exhaustive. That there is so little
from the Wansbeck is from want of acquaintance with that part
of the country. North of the Borders the examples are as typical
as could be obtained.

My own observations for this year have been on a small scale. At Renton
House, which is sufficiently elevated to stand above the fog that gathers in
the valley of the Eye, on Jan. 7, 1880, some evidences of December’s severity
had become manifest. Cotoneaster microphylla and Jasminum nudiflorum, on
the front of the house, where they are much exposed to the bitter frost winds,
were much scorched. The Ivy was untouched, but a Holly hedge was exter-
nally withered. Aucuba Japonica in the shade was nearly killed to the
groand ; but bushes fully exposed were unimpaired. The Furze by the post-
road sides near Grant’s House had been quite browned by the frost and the
piercing winds. With the advance of the season, it became evident that
Furze on both sides of the valley of the Eye had been completely blighted,
and shewed no symptoms of verdure. Broom is a hardier shrub than the
Furze, and some of it escaped. The top twigs of Ashes, Oaks, and Sallows,
suffered between Grant’s House and Coveyheugh; as appeared by the scanty
foliage. At Grant’s House there was very little fruit. Hawthorns and
Laburnums were most meagre in blossom, even in the most sheltered grounds.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 305

At Dunglass, the wood of the previous year in fruit trees did not ripen, and
in consequence of this and the destruction of fruit-spurs, fruit-crop was
very deficient. An Araucaria wus killed there, and others were very much
scorched, and there was, as might be expected, a considerable shrivelling of
the leaves of evergreens. Myrtles in the open air still survive at Dunglass.
Several of the fine old Hollies in the Pease Dean woods were injured, although
the most of them have escaped. In June when passing by the Ra‘lway, I
observed some Oaks between Houndwood and Reston, leafing only half way
up the stem ; at Chirnside Station an Elder hedge had been killed, and some
wayside trees, either Oak or Ash, were destitute of foliage; at Edrom
Station, Laurestines, Oaks, Broom, Poplars, and Yews had either been cut
down, or were shattered. At Marchmont, the shape of the fine Hawthorns
was impaired, either from dead blanks, or a deficiency of foliage. Furze was
killed in the woods near Legerwood. The shew of wild Rose blossoms in the
end of June was most profuse and beautiful, and ‘‘ dog-hips "’ were plentiful
_in the autumn, and were untouched by any bird. Many luxuriant Rose
canine on the sea-coast here were killed to the root, but developed strong
new shoots. In Bowshiel dean, Furze was blighted both on the north and
south sides; Oaks were shattered at the summits of shoots on the low ground
near the burn, and were but sparsely foliaged. Many Juniper bushes were
killed, and most of the underwood of old tall Junipers dropped off; but on
exposed hill-sides the Juniper grew as vigorous as ever. At Dunbar several
Lombardy Poplars lost their tops; at Prestonkirk, Laurels were rendered
very unsightly; and the Furze hedges at Tyninghame were cut to the
ground. The fine Holly hedges there are pining away with gangrene, but
none of them were blighted. I saw the old Walnut and Laburnum near the
garden gate, putting forth their last efforts, in a few tufts of leaves, before
the final collapse. A second growth of twigs and foliage has been pretty
general in almost every wood.

Missels, Song-thrushes, Wrens, Tits and Blackbirds continued scarce all
the year. The Cuckoo and the Gray and Pied Wagtails were also scarce.
Fieldfares, that have returned in autumn, are few in number; not more than
a dozen were seen here. There is no decrease of the number of Larks any-
where. Starlings are fewer. Hedge-sparrows (Accentor modularis) have
multiplied ; and Domestic Sparrows and Green Linnets are on the increase.
I met with no instances of birds perished during the winter.

JAMES HARDY.
Oldcambus by Cockburnspath, 1880.

The Effects of the Severe Cold of the Winter 1879-80, in Berwick-
shire. By Cuarzes Stuart, M.D., Chirnside.

August 24th, 1880.—The unprecedented cold experienced in the district
around Chirnside in Dec. 1879, has left behind it effects, which will not be
obliterated for many years to come. The Oak and the Holly were never, in
the memory of man, so nearly killed, in situations near the rivers. At
present, in low lying places, the appearance of the Oaks is very remarkable,

306 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

The great branches are nearly killed, while here and there great tufts of ab-
normally-sized leaves have made their appearance within the last six weeks.
The trunks are densely clothed with a forest of shoots, where previously a
leaf was never seen. In some instances the trees seem dead entirely. I
walked through the park at Swinton House in the beginning of July, and
near the Leet especially, remarked the destruction the cold had caused to
the fine old Oaks, many of them centuries old. At that time there were no
appearances of fresh growth, but I daresay now, there will be a tufty spring-
ing of young shoots, which another severe frost would undoubtedly finish
entirely. In similar situations Standard Hollies are killed to the root. A
fine row of them which grew on the bank above Hutton Bridge, which, in
ordinary years, were shining at Christmas with scarlet berries, were, in De-
cember last, killed to the ground, No shoots having shown themselves from
the roots this summer, I thought they were killed outright, but within the
last few weeks the tender green shoots are showing themselves. Whether
the wood will ripen to enable them to stand the winter remains to be seen.
At Blackadder gardens, where, on the 4th December, the exposed thermome-
ter registered 23° below zero, the destruction to shrubs, trees, and fruit trees
has been very great; Peach trees being killed into the ground—Standard
Apples the same—both planted for long periods. Common Laurels, Rhodo-
dendrons, Pinuses, &c., are utterly ruined. On the opposite side of the
Blackadder, at Allanbank, situated higher up on the bank, the thermometer
registered 13° below zero; while at Kelloe House it shewed 17° below zero.
The situation at Allanbank is very similar to Blackadder garden ; and had
the instrument been in the garden instead of at the house, the temperature
observed would have been as low as that at Blackadder. At Ninewells, on
the Whitadder, the mercury was in the bulb of the instrument at 8° below
zero. The temperature at Chirnside Bridge was 6° below zero—while on the
hill, out of the rind, the instrument was never much below zero. It was near
the river where the frost rind lay, that the low temperatures were observed.
On the Tweed and Teviot, this was well seen, where at Springwood Park and
Ormiston, very low temperatures were registered. The Common Ivy is
everywhere killed in low situations, and many a tree is denuded of its ancient
friend. The Oak, the Holly, and the Ivy, three plants we are accustomed to
associate in our minds with everything that is hardy and sturdy, seem to be
the most remarkable instances of the damage caused by the frost. All three
have suffered equally. No such state of matters has ever been observed by
the oldest men now living.

A small bird was observed frozen to death while drinking from a water-
pipe. The water froze in an icicle and attached the bird, so that it could not
again move. This was observed at the paper works near my house. It will
take many years before the Thrush will be as plentiful as of yore, and other
small birds have also decreased in numbers. During the snow-storm in
December, three persons in this district perished in one week from exposure,
and many very severe cases of frost-bite were treated at the time. I think I
have given you sufficient proof of the stinging cold we experienced, which I
hope may never in our time again be felt by any of us,

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 307

Oct. 21, 1880.—To-day, when out driving I picked an Oak leaf, dislodged
by the frost and wind, measuring 11 inches in length, and 7} in breadth at
its widest part. I have been watching them in their green state, as I never
saw them so large before.

Dec. 9.—In all shrubberies I observe the Mahonias to have suffered less
than other shrubs from the frosts of the last three winters. And, if we con-
sider how attractive this evergreen is, whether in flower or in fruit, it is
worthy of extensive planting, from its great hardiness, The Cotoneaster
microphylla, which covered the entire front of Sunwick farm-house, and was
when in berry, a most beautiful object in winter, is completely killed by last
winter’s frost.

At Blackadder House, where the temperature marked 23° below zero, the
consequences were most disastrous. The Peach trees were killed to their
roots—trees that were planted by Lady Boswall’s father 50 years ago and
more ; and Apricot and other fruit trees, which had retained their healthy

- condition upon the walls for a long series of years, were killed outright. The
Bay Laurels, Portugal Laurels, Rhododendrons, Hollies in many instances,
Wellingtonias, Araucarias, and Deodar Pines were all killed. An English
Yew which had been planted on the nativity of Lady Boswall, and had
attained to considerable dimensions, was also killed. Many Oaks are dead ;
others sustained the loss of the previous summer’s shoots, and two last year’s
wood.

Frost in November, 1880. By THE Same.

No one ever recollects the low temperatures we have experienced lately in
the month of November. On the hill at Chirnside 350 feet above sea level,
my thermometers were never lower than 21°. At Chirnside Bridge, on the
20th, the instrument registered 10° ; on 22nd (Sunday), I saw the thermome-
ter there at 6 p.m. at 15°, and on the morning of the same day here 21° were
registered. 4° were registered at Kelloe on the same morning, and 3° at
Blackadder, or 29° of frost. Symptoms of thaw shortly supervened, which
became more pronounced on the 23rd,—since we have had rain and very high
S.W. gales till the end of the month. Temperature high for the season on
the 29th November.

Notes on the Effects of the Frost of the last three seasons at
Blackadder. By tHE Same.

On the 15th Feb., 1881, I visited Blackadder for the purpose of inspecting
the damage done by frost there to shrubs and trees, to compare with that
done at other places. I could not have credited had J not seen the destruc-
tion caused by the extreme temperatures, which seems to have been worse in
the Vale of the Blackadder than elsewhere in the county. All the ever-
greens —Laurels, Portugal Laurels, and Hollies, with the Rhododendrons are
killed to the ground. The Yews, Irish Yews, Cupressus Zawsoniana, Pinus
Pinsapo, and Abies Douglassi, are fatally damaged, many killed outright.
Picea Nordmanniana fine and untouched. Picea nobilis, Wellingtonia and

1M

308 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Araucaria, Deodars, Cedrus Libani, Boxwoods, Privets, Ivies all killed.
Weymouth Pine blasted by frost. Arbor Vites alive but much browned.
Cupressus Lawsoniana, var. erecta, Pinus Cembra, Abies Canadensis alive, but
much blasted. Oaks in low situations killed. Yew planted when Lady Bos-
wall was born, killed into the ground. Fine Tulip tree injured. Walnut
tree killed entirely. 190 fruit trees in garden, consisting of Plums, Apples,
Pears, Peaches, &c., had to be dug up and removed. Both wall trees and
standards suffered. Over 70 trees in garden at Allanbank, situated on the
opposite side of river, had to be dug up completely dead. The fine old Ivy
so ornamental at the gate and on some of the old trees, was completely killed.
Fifteen years judicious planting by the late Mr Rae is completely wrecked,
and the beauty of the place greatly destroyed for many years to come. At
Kelloe, about a mile higher up the stream, the gardener informs me that
there is not an evergreen left—that on the night of the 26th January, when
the thermometer was 20° below zero, the Limes and Oaks were heard to rend
with a loud report from the expansion of the sap. This was heard also at
Blackadder and Kimmerghame, where there is also great destruction to trees.

The Great Frost of January, 1881.
Observations taken at Blackadder Gardens by Mr Rem :—

DATE. MAX. MIN. DATE. - MAX. MIN.
1 342 30° 7 18° 22° below zero*
2 42 Sil 18 25 12
3 44 33 19 35 13
4 41 30 20 32 13
5 40 21 21 31 3
6 42 24. 22 25 1
7 39 19 23 33 24
8 35 20 24 382 10
9 25 13 25 28 3 below zero.
10 30 15 26 35 16 below zerot
11 30 21 27 24 12
12 26 13 28 27 17
13 30 24 29 36 24
14 34 6 below zero. | 30 34 29
15 29 1 below zero. ol 45 30
16 25 12 below zero.

[At the half-yearly meeting of the Scottish Meteorological Society, March
3, 1881, Mr Buchan, the Secretary, said that the thermometer at Blackadder
was an exposed one, and could not be taken into account in making compari-
sons with other places. ]

* Wood-pigeons observed to fall off the trees frozen and starved. Many cases
of frost bite.

+ Wood-pigeons allowed themselves to be caught by the hand at the sheep-
boxes in the fields. Partridges also caught by the hand, and Water-hens the
same, :

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Inst of Plants killed and injured at Blackadder.

Abies Douglasi; much damaged.
», Menziesi; killed.
Araucaria imbricata ; killed.
Biota aurea ; damaged.
Cedrus Atlantica; killed.
», Deodora; killed.
», Libani; killed.
Cryptomeria Japonica ; killed.

HA elegans; damaged.
Cupressus Lawsoniana; much damaged
an erecta, viridis ; 3

Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) ;
killed.
Picea lasiocarpa ; browned.
», nobilis; browned.
», Nordmanniana; browned.
», Pinsapo; killed.
Pinus excelsa; killed.
Retinospora in vars. ; damaged.
Wellingtonia gigantea ; killed.
Taxus baccata (English Yew) ; killed
to ground.
Taxus fastigiata (Irish Yew) ; killed.
Thujopsis dolabrata; damaged.
Thuja Lobi; damaged.
Ampelopsis in var. ; killed to ground.
Aristolochia Sipho ; much damaged.
Aucuba Japonica ; killed to ground.
Berberis Darwini ; A
Buxus, Box tree; killed.
Clematis, in vars. ; killed.
Crategus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) ;
much damaged.
Cratzgus Pyracantha (evergreen) ;
killed.
Laburnum in var,; killed.

309
By Mr Rep.

Deutzia crenata, flore-pleno; much
damaged.

Garrya elliptica ; killed.

Ivy in vars ; killed.

Tlex. Holly in var ; all killed.

Jasmines in vars; all killed.

Laurus nobilis; killed to ground.

Ligustrum (Privet); all killed to
ground.

Lonicerain vars. ; very muchdamaged

Mahonia Japonica ; killed.

Siberian Crab (Pyrus baccata) ; much
damaged.

English Oak (Quercus Robur); very
much damaged.

Turkey Oak (Quereus Cerris); very
much damaged.

Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex) ; killed.

Ribes vars. ; killed to ground.

Skimmia Japonica; killed.

Spirzea in vars. ; much damaged.

Periwinkle (Vinca); much damaged.

Weigelia rosea; much damaged.

Azalea Pontica ; much damaged.

Rhododendrons ; killed to ground.

Roses ; killed to ground.

Laurel, Portugal (Cerasus Lusitanica) ;
killed to ground.

Laurel, Common (Cerasus Lauro-
cerasus) ; killed to ground.

Apples; many killed; all damaged.

Pears; many killed; all damaged.

Peaches; all killed.

Plums; many killed; all damaged.

Cherries ; a few killed; all damaged.

Nectarines; all killed.

Ayton Castle Gardens. By Mr Witi1am Ropertson.

We have suffered most dreadfully here from the effects of last winter. All
the Bay and Portugal Laurels have been killed to the ground, and a good
many killed outright. Laurestinuses were utterly killed. Yews have
suffered very much ; a good many of them killed. Hollies from 20 to 35 and
40 feet high, were cut to the ground, and some fine Holly hedges shared the
same fate. Wellingtonias were very much scorched, and Araucaria imbri-
cata was killed outright. In Peach trees, on a south wall, the wood was
killed back to the two-years-old wood. Apricot buds were completely

310 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

destroyed. Ivy on walls was all cut to the ground. In Walnuts the young
wood killed back to two-years-old wood. A few of the finest Hybrid Rho-
dodendrons were utterly killed. The Standard Roses are all dead.

Subjoined is a list of the temperatures for December, 1879, and January,
1880 :—
1879—Dec. 1— 4° of frost and fall of | 1879—Dec. 13— 2° of frost.

snow. », 16— 2 as
», 2—12° of frost and 12in. » 18— 2 BF

of snow. », 19— 5 AD
», 3—21 freezing all day, » 21— 6 “a

most severe. », 2o— 2 5)
» 4—31 do. do. », 26— 5 =
», 9—24 of frost. » 2I— 3 3
» 6—9 >» more snow. | 1880—Jan. 12— 4 a
» (—12 5 », 18— 5 55
924 »” » 19— 9 ”
nue 88 ” 2? 20—10 ”
99 LO 5 ” 9 26—10 ”»
2 11—16 ” ” 27— 8 ”

12—11 |
9 ”?
[Some of the killed Araucarias were fine trees. In the Pinetum here there

are some grand old examples of Pinus Austriaca ; Wellingtonia gigantea rises
30 feet high; Picea Nordmanniana, 40 feet; and P. nobilis, 60 feet].

Kimmerghame. By ArcurpatD Campsett Swinton, Esq.
Effects of last Winter's Frost.

The Laurels, both Portugals and Bays, were killed to the ground, and it
has been necessary to cut them all over without a single exception. Even
the Rhododendrons (generally very hardy) have partially suffered. Nearly
all the Hollies were killed. Yews did not look so bad at first, but as spring
advanced, they withered more and more, and a considerable portion of them
will require to be cut to the ground. Of Conifere very few have sustained
any injury except Wellingtonias and Deodaras. The latter are in great
measure destroyed. Of the former nearly all the lower branches are killed,
which will greatly affect their shapely appearance. Of forest trees, the Oaks
alone seem to have suffered. Many old Oaks have thrown out very scanty
foliage, and in most of these instances the leaves that have been produced are
of enormous size—sometimes as much as a foot in length. With vigorous
pruning, and cutting off the dead branches, most of these Oaks may, it is
hoped, be allowed a chance of recovering next year, Neither Thorns nor
Laburnums blossomed last spring ; and there was literally no fruit of any
kind—numbers of Apple trees especially being killed. Whins and Wild
Roses (especially the former) are also killed.

Mr Davin Jack, the gardener at Kimmerghame, supplies a few additional
remarks. ‘‘ During the frost of December, 1879, I had two thermometers out-
side; one hung on a wall 4 feet above ground facing the north, but well

eee

—

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 311

sheltered by trees and side walls; the other 2 feet above ground, facing the
north, with no shelter; a spot always very frosty. Both glasses went down
8° below zero. In the garden the fruit buds of the Peach, Apricot, Pears,
Apples, and Sweet Cherries were killed. ‘The trunks of the Apples were rent
in all directions; the rents were from 6 to 18 inches long, and about finch
wide. I have taken out as useless above a dozen of them.”’

_

Milne Graden and Paxton House.

Mr Mitne-HomeE mentions in a note from Milne Graden, dated Dec. 14th,
1880 :—‘‘ All the Laurels were destroyed here, and at Paxton last winter.
Some large Holly trees at Paxton were killed. Here half of the large Yew

_ bushes lost their stems, whilst the lower branches near the ground were un-

scaithed.’’

- Notes on the Weather and its Effects on Vegetation, during the past

Winter at The Hirsel, Coldstream. By Mr Joun Catrns.

The lowest temperature registered here last winter was on the morning of
the 4th December, the thermometer being 6° below zero. We cannot vouch
for the accuracy of our instrument, but judging from effects and the readings
at other places, we may safely assume that we were not far wrong. The
storm was sudden, short, and severe, ‘‘ being in marked contrast to the winter
before, when we had a whole season of cold, which, because of its long dura-
tion, followed as it was by the most sunless summer on record, ill prepared
trees and shrubs for the trying ordeal that they had to pass through.’’ Had
we had a fine summer, and as the result, well-ripened wood, the consequences
would not have been so disastrous as they proved to be.

Shrubs and plants suffered here very severely, more so than they were ever
known to have done. Fortunately for us, along with the frost we had a
covering of almost a foot of snow, which made all dwarf things snug and be-
yond harm, as evidenced by the escape of our Dwarf Roses ; while Standards
were entirely destroyed, and Teas and other tender sorts, though having the
protection of a wall, were cut to the ground. Clematises and other like
climbing plants suffered much; though, of course, not injured permanently,
as they have come away nicely from the root. Portugal Laurels which
passed through the previous winter unscaithed, were quite blackened, and
hence had to be cut down to the ground. They are now breaking away
again. The Bay Laurel which was cut down so much the winter before, did
not suffer correspondingly with other shrubs; but the young shoots which
had come away during the summer were of course killed, being soft and im-
mature. The hardier sorts of Rhododendrons were not in the least injured,
but some of the finer hybrids were destroyed. We have a good many large
Hollies here, which have not been hurt with frost for many years, if at all;
but, unfortunately, some have been killed, and others quite crippled, shewing
no growth till well on in summer, and even then of a weak and flickering
nature; but as in seeming contradiction, side by side of the killed and maimed
you have Hollies in the most robust health. There is another curious fact,

312 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

requiring explanation, viz., that those Hollies that have suffered most, in
fact, some of them killed outright, were those that were heavily laden with
berries, these remaining hanging on the dead branches till well on in summer.
Had the effort in bearing such a crop of fruit, it may be asked, enfeebled the
constitution of the tree for the time being, and hence made it more suscept-
ible to injury from the extreme cold? Aucuba Japonica where not covered
with snow, was much hurt. The Oaks which suffered so much farther up the
Tweed, and more especially on the Teviot, were not hurt here. The foliage
was healthy and early. Enquiries have been made by correspondents in the
public prints as to the absence of Hawthorn blossoms this season. In the
grounds here the ‘‘ May”’ in ordinary seasons is unusually fine, and in great
quantity ; but this season there has been almost none. There can be no doubt
such is owing to the ungenial summer last year. The same bears on the
failure of the large-fruit crop. There were certainly blossoms of a kind, but
_ of that weak, unhealthy sort, that did not properly set ;—in fact, if we have
not sun we cannot expect either flower or fruit.

Minimum Temperature at The Hirsel Gardens, Coldstream.
1879.—Dec. 1—Thermometer at 25°.

” a ” ” 3
” 3— ” ”? 3
» 4— ie >, 0°6 below zero.
” oa ” ” 0°
” o— ” ” 7
” i— ”? ” 8
py oa ” »» 10
” 9— ” ” 10
” 10— ” ” 24
” a ” ” 9
” Wr 2” ” 19
” en ” ” 19
” LS ” ” 34
” 15— ” oe) 38
” Lo ‘ oe) ” 27

August 21, 1880.

Mertoun House Gardens. By Mr Wrt11am Fow ter.

Mertoun House being so near the river Tweed, and consequently more
liable to hoar frost than some places of greater elevation, although only a few
miles distant, but more open and with a freer circulation of air, has under-
gone an immense devastation, while in comparison they have suffered com-
paratively little. In the winter of 1860 and 1861, I think, Bay and Portugal
Laurels suffered severely, but never during my experience of 35 years have I
witnessed such havoc on trees and shrubs in general, as in the past two
winters. The last one, 1879-80, partly from the effects of the previous severe
one of 1878-79, was much more disastrous in its effects. Much of this is, no

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 313

doubt, due to the cold wet summer of 78 and 79, when the temperature of the
earth never rose sufficiently to induce healthy growth, even in our native
fruits. Some of our varieties of Apple trees, although previously healthy,
during the cold rains went on dying piecemeal, and what growth there was
made, was too late in the autumn to get at all ripened ; the wood being quite
green and soft, altogether unfit to withstand the sudden and severe transition
from a growing temperature to that of 12° below zero, as was the case in this
district in December last. It is to this that I attribute such havoc during
the past two winters in our gardens and shrubberies, as in a sunnier clime we
have seen many of the trees and plants that have been killed or injured during
the past two years, withstand more than 20° below zero with impunity ; thus
illustrating the great necessity in this climate of planting on dry bottoms,
with a free circulation of air around the plants to facilitate the early ripening
of their growths.

As hinted above, many of our best varieties of Apple trees died altogether ;
- others were very much injured; and all more or less. Pears, even on the
walls, had many of their fruit spurs killed to the main branches, and conse-
quently bore no fruit. Owing, however, to the fine warm summer, they have
made good growth, and with another good year, their former healthy con-
dition may be established. Peaches are so badly cut up, that scarcely any of
the trees are worth keeping, and most of them have been thrown out. They
used to be healthy and bear abundant crops. Apricots are not so bad,
although much injured.

But the chief disaster was in the shrubberies. All the Bay and Portugal
Laurels had to be cut to the ground. English Yews, which I never knew to
be injured before, and of large size, were killed to the ground ; also Hollies
of great age. Hedges of tree Box were very much injured or killed, Of
Deodars some were killed, others much injured ; and the same remark applies
to Araucarias. Of English Walnuts the branches were killed. Roses of all
kinds were killed to the snow-line ; even climbers on walls, such as Gloire de
Dijon of large size and thickness ; and the same thing happened to Clematises.
The Oak trees were injured, but I believe more from the effects of cold wet
summers than frost. The devastation has been most severe in glens and large
thick clumps ; in fact wherever there was least circulation of air the destruc-
tion was greatest.

Note of the Effects of the Frost of December, 1879, on Vegetation at
Thirlestane Castle, Lauder. By Mr James Wurrton.

The intense frost of last December has been the most destructive to vege-
tation in this district within the memory of any one living here. Although
it was not more severe nor so long continued as that of December, 1860, it has
done far more damage to plants, which is no doubt to be accounted for by the
extremely unfavourable summer of 1879, leaving the wood so very im-
perfectly ripened.

As showing the very unfavourable nature of the summer of 1879, I may
mention that neither Kidney Beans nor Vegetable Marrows produced a single

314 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

fruit here, although growing in our most favourable borders, and the latter
grown under hand-glasses.

Lowest Readings of Registering Thermometers in Box, 4 feet above
ground, Black Bulb on grass :—

1879.—Dec. 3 —4° —7°
ent —se —11°
oe sie —5°

The following plants were all killed to the ground, or very nearly so:—
Common and Portugal Laurels, Roses of sorts in whatever position grown,
Clematises, Hollies (both green and variegated), Cedrus Deodora, Libocedrus
decurrens, Acer Negundo var., Cotoneaster Microphylla, and C. Simmonsi,
Pernettya mucronata, Menziesia polifolia, Osmanthus (silver), and Escallonia
macrantha.

Many of the following have suffered severely ; a good few of some sorts
killed :— Rhododendrons, Common and Irish Yews, Tree Box, Privets in
hedges and otherwise, Wellingtonia, Laburnums, Spireas, Guelder Rose,
Barberries, Common Lilacs, &c., &c.

Fruit trees also suffered very much, not only were the young wood and
fruit buds of a great many of them quite destroyed, but several of the Standard
Apple trees quite killed, so that our fruit crop this year is all but a total
failure, except some of the small fruits, and I am afraid we have not seen the
last of it, as many of the wall trees, especially Pears, have shed their leaves,
and are throwing out fresh growths.

Snow fell on December 2nd, to the depth of 7 inches, which with calm
weather, helped to save our vegetables. Autumn planted Cabbage, German
Greens, and Leeks, were little the worse, about one-half of Brussels Sprouts
and Savoys killed, while of the several varieties of Broccoli grown, ‘‘ Knight’s
Protecting ’’ was the only one that survived.

I ought to have mentioned that though our place is 558 feet above the level
of the sea, it lies in a sheltered hollow within 300 yards of the river Leader,
and about 20 feet above its bed. There are also two tributaries of the Leader,
one on each side of us, and within 300 yards, so that we are very much sub-
jected to hoar frosts.

The Gardens, Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, 21st August, 1880.

—

List of Trees and Shrubs killed and injured in Berwickshire, nm 1878
and 1879-80. By Mr Perer Loney, Marchmont.

The observations that I have to offer on the effects of the severe frost of 4th
December, 1879, on trees and shrubs, apply chiefly to the Valley of the
Tweed; where in several well authenticated instances the minimum Ther-
mometer registered 12 or 44 degrees of frost. This low temperature occurring
so early in the season and after so cold and sunless a summer as 1879, operated
the more fatally from trees and shrubs being then full of sap. In general,
the Oaks were in full leaf, and ill prepared for such an attack; consequently,
many fine old trees were killed, while most lost the growths of the five pre-
vious years, There were instances also of the bark of trunks and branches

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. oi)

being split from top to bottom, which indicated that the growth had not been
completed. The unfavourable summer conditions for healthy development of
perfectly ripened wood, will be better understood by quoting the rainfall and
sunshine in hours, for the two years preceding 1879 :—
Year 1877,—Rainfall, 46.06 ; Sunshine, 1572 hours.
», 1878.— Do. 35.46; Do.” “E60. =",
3 L879.—" Do. 33:92; Dos “tava. os,

The great amount of rain in 1877 affected the growth of 1878; which in
turn retarded the rising of the sap in 1879. Again, in August, 1877, the
rainfall amounted to 7.98 inches; August, 1878, 5.64 inches ; while in June
and July, 1879, the rainfall was 5.32 and 6.40 inches respectively, or, about
11{ inches; and the sunshine in hours only amounted to 244 for these months,
or 2 hours less than we had in July, 1878. The following is a list of trees
and shrubs killed and injured, principally at elevations under 300 feet above

the level of the sea; above that the destruction was not so great :—

Laburnum. Box Tree, of sorts.
Oaks (Common and Turkey). Cotoneaster.
Yew (Common and Irish). Holly (Common).
Mountain Ash. Laurel (Common).
~ Chestnut (Spanish). sees, Lortagal

Abies Menziesi. Privet, of sorts.
Araucaria imbricata. Rhododendron Ponticum.
Cedrus Atlantica. Arborvite.

», Deodora. Aucuba Japonica.

», Libani. Garrya elliptica.
Cupressus Lawsoniana. Laurustinus.

As viridis. Pyracanthus.

Picea Pinsapo. Pyrus Japonica.
Thuja Lobbi. Philadelphus grandiflorus.
Wellingtonia gigantea. Ribes sanguineum var. album.
Thorns, of sorts. Sweet Bay.
Apricots on walls. Aristolochia sipho.
Peaches do. Escallonia macrantha.
Nectarines do. Lonicera, of sorts.
Roses, especially Standards. Hedera, of sorts.
Berberis vulgaris. Jasminum, of sorts.

A great proportion of the above were killed; and others cut down to the
snow line, the snow being fortunately about nine inches deep. Laurels in
most instances have come away from the root.

January, 1881.

EAST LOTHIAN.
North Berwick. By Mr Tuomas Lens.

I beg to give the following answers to your questions :—As regards the
effects of the last two severe winters on trees, shrubs, and garden pro-
ducts, I cannot find that the severe frost or cold has in any way effected
trees. Many of the sprouts succumbed to the severity and sudden frost of
1N

316 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

last December, 1879, such as Aucubas, Euonymuses, Tamarisks, and Roses;
its effects being more striking in the case of half-hardy shrubs than the
ordinary kinds. I think here, and around this district, that garden products
generally suffered less this last winter, than during the former one. That
may partly be accounted for from the fact of our situation being close upon,
and open to the sea, and therefore exposed to the east winds; which, this last
spring, were not so continued as they were in the former spring of 1879.
Regarding our height, North Berwick rises from 6 to 50 feet above the sea-
level; such situations as Archerfield and’Leuchie rising respectively from 75
to 180 feet. ‘The lowest temperature here was one night in the winter of
1878, when the thermomeier fell to 15° ; and last winter it fell to 13°; so
that we had 17 degrees of frost in 1878, and 19 degrees of frost in 1879.
North Berwick, Sept. 10th, 1880.

_ Leuchie Gardens, North Berwick. By Mr W. M. AuexanpeEr.

In giving a few notes on the effects of the last two winters, on the vegeta-
tion at this place, I will state first that Leuchie is situated about two-and-a-
half miles from the sea, and has the German Ocean to the north and east, and
the Firth of Forth to the west, and is placed ona slight eminence, which
would fully expose it to the bitter east winds which prevail here in spring,
except for the closely wooded plantations which entirely surround the house
and grounds. The lawn is well closed in with tall trees of Beech, Elm, Ash,
Spruce, Fir, &c , with a thick undergrowth of Laurels, so that the more
tender shrubs and trees—in the margin and on the grass—are not exposed to
the full infiuence of the cold.

Some of the more tender shrubs have been crippled and killed. lLaures-
tinuses, as single specimens on the grass, are mostly killed to the ground.
Sweet Bays growing up amongst the other shrubs on the edge of the
grass are killed; generally cne or two having just escaped, but very much
crippled. Arbutuses are looking well and healthy, where they have been ex-
posed to the sun and plenty of air; but where they were shaded by taller
trees they were killed entirely last winter—they escaped the winter before. A
large bed of Roses, well exposed to the west winds but sheltered in every
other quarter, has escaped with few or none of the plants going off. These
Roses are making better growths this summer than they have done for a year
or two, Pampas grass killed in different parts of the country, has escaped
~ here. ‘Aucubas escaped the winter of 1878-79, but were very much browned
and crippled in that of 1879-80.

In the flower garden, which is here surrounded by high walls, many
Laurestinuses were killed last winter. They were very little the worse the
winter before. The same remark applies to Euonymuses on the wall, looking
east, but in both cases they are growing away from the ground again. A
very old plant of Aloysia citriodora growing on the wall looking west was
quite killed in the winter of 1878 and 79. On the same wall growing beside
it are four old plants of Myrtle; one having been there about fifteen years, I
believe. They had no covering whatever in the winter before last, and were

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 317

very little the worse, growing luxuriantly and flowering beautifully last
summer. Last winter we covered them with Laurel branches, tying them
closely over them. This summer they are growing a little and flowering
very well, but look a little rusty. Tea Roses on the same wall are very much
crippled; all old wood being killed last winter, only young shoots were left.
Several Standards were also killed, but there were no deaths among the
dwarfs.

In the herbaceous borders, Stocks, Wallflowers, and Pentstemons, were
among the killed of the winter of 1878-79. Last winter all of these escaped.
No doubt the snow lying so long on them was the cause of their death during
the first of the winters.

Vegetables in kitchen garden also suffered more the first winter than the
last one.

The soil here, except in some parts of the garden, is a very stiff, wet, ad-
hesive clay ; the shrubs in all cases, and also several kinds of Conifer, grown
in that kind cf soil, thrive very well in it.

The lowest temperatures for 1878-79, after February, and for that month,
19 degrees of frost, Fahrenheit, on the 18th and 20th. On the 14th of
March, 12 degrees. In April we had three nights in succession, 17th, 18th,
19th, at 2 degrees ; and on the 3rd of May, we had 2 degrees.

For the winter of 1879-80 we had in December 30 and 28 degrees two
nights in succession, on the 8rd and 4th. In January the thermometer only
got down to freezing on the 28th February ; on the 9th, we had 7 degrees;
only getting down to freezing two other nights, 13th and 27th. March 9th,
we had 3 degrees; 18th, we had 5 degrees: and on 19th, we had 7 degrees.
April, on the 23rd, we had 4 degrees.

We had no deaths among fruit trees. Peaches and Apricots are growing
very luxuriantly this summer. There is no Peach crop out of doors—but a
fair crop of Apricots. Apples and Pears are a very poor crop both last year
and this. Small fruits were very plentiful both years.

Yester Gardens. By Mr ALExanDER SHEARER.

With our high and cold climate here, we have never planted many of the
more tender trees. We stand 425 feet above the level of the sea. The
winter of 1878 did not do us any harm in regard to any of the trees; and
even the last winter was not so bad, as at some other places. Certainly the
Laurestinus was killed to the ground, as well as Aucuba Japonica. ‘The
Garrya elliptica stood well enough, and none of the Pinuses were touched.
Roses did not grow much all the summer, and though killed to the ground,
they have all grown stronger this year. I cannot say that we lost one by the
frost. A Gloire de Dijon on an east wall without any protection, was not the
least injured. Fuchsia Riccartoni stood out uninjured, with a slight covering
of straw-litter on the bushes. On the other hand, Globe Artichokes were
nearly all killed. Those left are only giving fruit at this date, instead of in
the end of August, and in September. I did not cut over a dozen of Broccoli
and Cauliflower during the winter of 1879 and spring of 1880, out of 800

318 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

planted at the usual time. Peas again were a month later than usual. I
attribute nearly all these effects to the cold, wet and sunless summer of 1879,
and very little to the cold of the winter.

At Sir Robert Stevenson’s, Stevenson House, below Haddington, and close
to the banks of the river Tyne, all the Laurels were killed, and large Hollies
from 20 to 30 feet high were killed to the ground; while our Laurels were
not touched. Our lowest temperature was 2 degrees above zero. It was
lower at Haddington. :

Stevenson Gardens. By Mr Arian McLean.

The damage here from frost has been very great. We are within 200
yards of the river Tyne, and the air is always very damp. All the Laurels
have been cut down ; most of the Hollies also, and the remainder of them are
very sickly. ‘Twenty-four of our Apple trees were quite killed, and a great
many of the Gooseberry bushes. The Pears on the walls suffered terribly,
and also our Peaches.

As regards forest trees, young Oaks and Larches suffered very much, and
will never make handsome specimens. One Oak, bordering the carriage-
drive, 50 feet high, has only a few leaves on it, and will require to be cut
down. Others of the Oaks are split up in the centre, but seem to be healthy.
Pinus excelsa, Araucaria imbricata, and some young Wellingtonias are killed.
We have a number of very old Walnut trees, which have perished.

All the Privet on the estate is quite destroyed, and there is not one green
blade of Whins or Broom left.

6th November, 1880.

Report of the effects of the Winter of 1879-80 at Tynninghame House.
By Mr R. P. BrotueErsron.

BEForE giving notes on the damage received by vegetation from the winter
of 1879-80, it will be well to draw attention to this fact, that many of the
shrubs, &c., which finally succumbed to the late severe frost, really received
the first blow from the extremely cold wind in the late spring of 1877. Hedge-
rows in fresh leaf and exposed to the full force of that wind were left as if a
flame of fire had swept over them. A large specimen of Garrya elliptica
standing in one of the shrubberies is only now recovering from the damage it
received, whilst other things, as Arbutus Unedo, have not only not recovered,
but were damaged, in some instances, so much that they were either killed
outright during the past winter or are now dying. The destructive force of
cold winds is not sufficiently estimated.- Only lately I had my attention
called to some shrubs exposed to the gale which destroyed the Tay Bridge
last December. The sides of these to the west were completely destroyed,
nothing remaining but bare branches and twigs. The wall devoted to apricots
in the garden is exposed to strong winds from the east ; and it is only when
the wind changes from that quarter that the trees commence to make their
summer growth ; one consequence of the trees being kept in a state of semi-
stagnation up to the end of June showing itself, in all trees young and old,

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 319

developing to an extraordinary degree the puzzling disease which results in
the death of large branches, and sometimes the whole tree, throughout the
summer. This however, by the way. Only it is well when estimating the
damage occasioned by last winter’s frost that this fact should not be lost
sight of.

Perhaps the greatest individual damage effected by the severity of the past
two or three years has been borne by a fine old Walnut tree, standing in the
green in front of the gardener’s cottage here. This particular tree had a
large limb removed some years back, and to this Lord Haddington attributes
the primary cause of its decay. The Psoci which are so destructive to the
foliage of some fruit trees, have also had a share in the mischief. Last sum-
mer these insects destroyed to a leaf the whole foliage of this tree, and the
fine autumn induced the growth of young shoots, which were caught by the
frost of December. This year the tree stands with all the smaller branches
and twigs dead, and young growths pushing from the main trunk and large
branches. The large Strawberry trees which stood in various positions in

‘the shrubbery and on the lawns near the house have, with the exception of
one specimen, been irretrievably damaged. Several have been cut down to
the ground, and the remainder look as if it were a mere question of time for
them to follow. The south-east wind which has been already alluded to as
being so destructive to the Garrya elliptica, was not seconded by the frost in
the case of this shrub, so that this fine decorative shrub may be considered
frost-proof in this locality. Two large specimens of Sweet Bay were killed
to the ground, others killed at the points of the shoots, and some not at all
damaged. In all cases these are making strong young growths again.
Laurestinuses were served in the same manner; in some positions some were
killed to the ground, some considerably cut up, and others had only the
foliage destroyed. Some that were not cut over in spring have since given
way under the force of the sun. A fine Laurestinus hedge, 10 feet high by 8
feet in breadth, was cut in to 8 feet in height by 5 feet through; up to the
present date it is making a very satisfactory young growth. It is, however,
not to be depended on, as the bark of many of the main stems is split at the
base. All Leycesteria formosa was killed to ground. Benthamia fragifera and
Escallonia macrantha in open shrubberies, were killed slightly back ;. Aucuba
Japonica was more or less damaged. Ceanothus was the only shrub on walls
killed back. Myrtles, however, were somewhat damaged. At Smeaton,
where the lowest winter temperature was only 5°, Myrtles and Escallonias
are killed on walls. Commoner shrubs, as Laurels, were only damaged, in
so far as the watery growths of 1879 were killed. All Roses, with the ex-
ception of Moss Roses in the open border, and Gloire de Dijon on walls, were
cut back; Fuchsia Riccartoni the same. Tritomas, Salvia patens, Gynerium
argenteum, Agapanthus wnbellatus, were all killed down, but are making
strong growths again. A New Zealand Flax (Phormiwm tenax) is probably
killed outright, Two or three old Apple trees (not in good health previously)
were killed; many others damaged. Fig tree was killed at point of shoots,
but again bearing this autumn. All kinds of vegetables, with the exception
of young Cabbages, young Cauliflowers, a Spinach, young Lettuces,
Brussels Sprouts, and Celery, were killed.

320 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

The lowest temperatures here, in winter 1879-80, were on December 4th,
when the glass 3 feet from the ground gave 0°35, the next night was 0°1.
The evening of December 3rd gave no appearance of an extra hard frost,
and the following morning, between six and seven o clock, when I had occa-
sion to grasp a piece of iron I was surprised to find it stick to my hand and
still more so when the thermometer was consulted, and a degree below zero
indicated. By daylight 33° below zero was reached when the cold became
less intense.

With regard to the warmest day of the present season; on Thursday,
August 11th the thermometer in the shade registered 80°, and is up to pre-
sent date the warmest day of the present year, or of several years back. In
gardens, the present year is remarkable for the small crops, and in some cases
no crops of fruit ; even the commoner fruits, as strawberries, gooseberries,
&c., being below the average very mnch. There is, however, every prospect
of next year's crop being an abundant one, trees of all kinds making an
abundant and firm growth. only requiring a warm autumn to all but ensure
that the season of 188! will be as remarkable for the abundance of its fruit
crops as that of 1880 is for its scarcity. Such quick growing and short lived
subjects as flowers and vegetables are generally very fine this season.

Tynninghame, August 17th, 1880.

NORTHUMBERLAND.
Bankhill, Berwick-upon-Tweed. By Mr Joun Scorr.

Owing to the wet and cold summer of 1879, the trees on the Bankill never
fairly leaved, and there was no new growth in them. They had all the sum-
mer the appearance of being in a weak state of health ; and when the hard
cold winter of 1879-80 set-in the frost nipped them, and death was the result.
I should say this result was not so much owing to the hardness of the frost,
as to the want of vitality in the plant from previous inclement and unsuitable
weather. ‘Ihe trees came under my observation nearly every day of the year.
The authorities have now removed the dead trees and planted Planes in their
place. The dead trees were Lombardy Poplars.

Dec. 31, 1881.

Tweed Villa, Norham. By Miss Dicxinson.

Privet hedges killed to the ground. Aucubas and Portugal Laurels all
killed to the ground. 1 Fir killed, the others all more or less injured.
Ijollies very much blighted. Lavenders killed. 1 Plum and 1 Apple tree
killed ; all the others much injured ; and only 1 or 2 of them have blossomed
this year. Poplars killed. The Laburnums never flowered, and very few of
the Lilacs. Almost every Rose killed to the ground ; also Jasmines, both
yellow and white. Gooseberry bushes much blighted. All Gladioli which
escaped the preceding winter were killed. The Laurels and Laurestines
were all killed down to the ground the winter before, and all the young
shoots of last summer were destroyed.

The garden of the next house, Kosebank Villa, has suffered much the same,
except that there is a Yew nearly, if not quite, killed.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 321

Foard Castle Gardens. By Mr Henry Trotter.

The glass fell to 11° below zero on the night of the 3rd and 4th of Decem-
ber, 1879 ; the glass was about three feet above the snow. ‘The frost killed
some of our Peach trees, and injured others very much; also all our Laurels,
both Portugal and Common, were killed down again. All plants of Aucuba
Japonica were cut down. Many large bushes of Common Yew were cut
down, and others very much injured. Irish Yews were also injured.
Wellingtonias suffered considerably. Of large plants of Thuja gigantea, about
one half are killed and disfigured ; while others standing by their side were
not touched. Not one of our Cypresses was touched. Cedrus Deodora was
eut down, also small plants of Araucaria imbricata. Cotoneasters were all
killed. Garrya elliptica was killed down. Evergreen Oaks and Sweet Bays
were cut down; and a great deal of different kinds of Ivy on the walls was
killed, while other kinds are springing from the wall again. Quantities of
Common Privet were killed. Of herbaceous plants we lost few. Of Tritoma
-Uvaria we lost many large plants. Roses suffered most; of Standards we
have none left ; Dwarfs also suffered very much.

At Etal all Peach trees were killed.

August 23rd, 1880.

Coupland Castle. By Matruew T. Cuntey, Esq.

August. 20, 1880.—As I told you before, the severe winter of 1878-9
destroyed very many of my Laurels and Hollies ; all tender shrubs of course
perishing, and Oaks suffered severely in their young shoots. The winter of
1879-80 was comparatively mild, but had one night—that of December 31d
—of intense frost. Not having a registering thermometer, I cannot tell the
exact degree of intensity here, but it was sufficient to kill all the Hollies and
Laurels (except two or three Hollies) that had been spared from the winter
before, and to cut sown to the ground the young shoots springing from the
cut shrubs, and very luxuriantly they had sprung during the wet summer of
1879. The Oaks again suffered frightfully ; many young, and I fear more
than one old one are killed; the young wood which was taking the place of
that destroyed the winter before was cut off, as well as the growth of at least
one year previous. Very few leaves appear on the Oaks here this year,
though what there are appear to be of large size. Several small Yews, too,
are seriously injured, and the Box-trees, of which there are many, nearly all
turned brown that same night. These, however, [ did not cut down, and I
am happy to say that many of them show signs of recovering. Our Roses
were all cut to the ground, though they have shot wonderfully this year.
The Calceolarias (under covert, of course,) were destroyed.

Jan. 8th, 1881.—Here, as at Fowberry, the leaves on the blighted Oaks
are of huge size, though how to account for this I do not know. We have
them here quite equal in extent to the largest at Fowberry, which is 14
inches by 7. Ours is certainly the largest I ever saw, 16 inches by 7; it isa
most curious looking thing. ‘The next in size is 11 inches by 6.

A vast quantity of my Oaks have had to bo cut down ; they were chiefly

322 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

small ones; the larger will, I trust, recover, and Iam in great hopes that
many of the Boxwood trees will revive ; at first they looked hopeless, but I
did not cut them and they improved wonderfully during the summer.

—

Some Notes on Effects of Winter of 1879, at Fowberry Tower, on the
rier Till. By Gzorer Ouniey, Esq.

At 5 a.m. on the 4th of December, a thermometer, 18 inches from the
ground, in the garden shewed 16% below zero (Fahrenheit). At 9 A.M.a
thermometer, 20 feet from the ground, marked 7° below zero, and never
rose during the day above 4° above zero; the same thermometer marked 28°
above zero at 9 A.M. on the 5th, 7.¢., showed a rise of 35° in 24 hours.

The extreme cold lasted little over 24 hours, but its effect on trees and
shrubs was very great. It killed, amongst deciduous trees, several Standard
Apples, several Apricots against south wall, the only two Standard Damsons,
all the Laburnums, three or four Peaches against south wall, two or three
Plums, and grievously damaged all the Oaks. Some Oaks had no leaves
above stems during the summer of 1880, while others put out tufts of im-
mense leaves on the branches where 4 or 5 years’ growth had dropped off.
The longest Oak leaf gathered measures 14 inches by 8; the most grotesque
is 8 inches in what ought to be its length, by 10 wide ; many leaves vary
from 11 and 12 inches long to 7 and 9 wide. Many Oak trees are split.

Amongst Conifers scarcely any tree altogether escaped, except Abies Cana-
densis, Albertiana, Douglasi, Menziesi, Cupressus Nootkaensis, Lobbi.

All Piceas suffered slightly, including the common Silver Fir.

Most of the true Pines are unhurt.

All English Yews (some a hundred years old) are killed, or nearly so.

Nearly all old Box-bushes killed.

All Wellingtonias are killed.

Many fine specimens of Cupressus Lawsoniana are killed ; all damaged.

All sorts of Ivy killed to ground. Many Privet hedges killed out.

The only large Holly which survived 1860 and 1878, was killed to snow
mark.

Many Rhododendrons were killed to ground.

Feb. 2nd, 1881, :

Chillingham Castle Gardens. By Mr Rozert Bowtn.

Report of some of the Effects of last Winter’s Frost on Trees
and Shrubs here :—

Oak, I have not noticed any that are quite dead, but many are nearly so.

Walnuts, age not known, but must be from appearance not less than 200
years, all but dead.

Yews, Common, many are killed, others are still dying ; they invariably
begin doing so at the top. Some are of large size, having been transplanted
to where they now are, more than 50 years ago. At that time they were
trees of great; age.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 323

Cedar of Lebanon, many quite dead, others still sickly.

Of the Deodar Cedar, as yet none are dead, but going fast.

Wellingtonia gigantea, some that were planted 18 years ago, are nearly
dead, others have lost branches from the ground to nearly half their height ;
in low situations, on strong clayey-loam, they are worst ; on soil of a lighter
nature, and only a few feet higher, they are in the best of health.

Hollies, in jow situations, are nearly all killed to the ground, those in the
higher and more exposed parts of the park are but little hurt. Laurel, Por-
tugal, killed to the ground.

Laurel, Bay, dead to the ground, many are now sprouting.

Wistaria Sinensis, one plant which must be amongst the oldest in this
country, was nearly killed to the ground. It covered some 1350 feet of wall.
Box tree, many are quite dead. Araucaria, several are quite dead.

Roses, Standards, all but 2 or 3 are dead, although protected with fern and
straw.

’ Apple, Standards, of large size, planted nearly 50 years, are now all but
dead ; some sorts have sustained more damage than others, but none are now
producing fruit.

Apricots, on south walls, some are dead, others sickly ; several young trees
are healthy, having been protected with mats previous to the frost being so
severe.

Peaches, not many grown outside ; what are were protected in a way
similar to Apricots, and are now very healthy.

Chillingham Gardens, July 22nd, 1880.

Mr Bowie in his accompanying letter says: ‘‘ The sad havoc amongst our
trees and shrubs is to me a matter of great regret, having planted the greater
part of them, and having been in the habit of looking on them as very near
relations, for a number of years. Despite of the loss we have sustained,
Chillingham is still very beautiful—nothing that I know of as a park sur-
passing ‘The Home of the Wild Cattle.’ Iam uncertain as to the lowest
temperature we had last winter ; that which I noticed was 9° below zero, but
our thermometer having been exposed for some years, I fancy that it might
not be quite correct ; the more so, as some of our neighbours, at only a mile
and a half from us, had as much as 7° more, but even the lowest we had
would not have done the damage it has, had we been blessed with a more
propitious summer, Iam very glad to tell you that almost none of our
healthy young specimens of Conifer are at all injured, which is one thing to
be very thankful for.”’

Reporting to the Gardeners’ Chronicle, in August, Mr Bowie says of the
fruit crop :—‘‘ Since the formation of the garden, in which fruit is growing
(upwards of fifty years ago), there has not been such a scanty crop (small
fruits excepted) grown outside against walls, and as Standards; I might
almost with truth say of many sorts we have none, all are most unhealthy,
and of some sorts many trees are dead.”’

1o

324 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Lilburn Tower. By Mr Joun Danas.

Since I saw you we have passed through two most memorable and severe
winters, and certainly they have left their mark, or rather traces of where
things once stood. We have suffered severe enough here, but not even so
bad as some of our neighbours immediately around us, such as Chatton, Fow-
berry, &c., &c., where it is said there is nothing left. However, I consider we
are bad enough, every one of our Common and Portugal Laurels is killed ;
fine large Yew bushes which had stood ‘‘the battle and breeze” for long
years had to succumb to the severity of two successive winters ; whilst rather
strange, others immediately around are uninjured. This is rather unaccount-
able when you consider that soil and situation are the same. I have several
hundred yards of Yew hedging of about 25 years’ standing, where every here
and there of from 2 to 6 yards are killed. Of Hollies, large and small, some
are killed, some left, including all the varieties ordinarily grown. Holly
hedges all killed, also Privet, Common Ivy climbing walls and trees, &c.
Some of the Ivy I find is pushing again. Tree Box and even a good deal of
Box edging is killed. Cotoneaster covering walls is also killed. I find that
this is caused by the sun melting the snow off during the day and exposing
it to the frost at nights. Wherever those things have been hid from sun
they are unhurt. Every Standard and Climbing Rose is killed, and Dwarfs
down to snow line. Some of the more tender are killed altogether. Amongst
ornamental trees we have lost none but Cedrus Deodara; Wellingtonias, and
other Pines have stood, many of them uninjured. Many Oaks and Ashes
have had quite a struggle to push again, and are not yet in full leaf, and if
the next winter proves severe, for a certainty they are doomed. Fruit trees
have also suffered severely. Peach trees are all killed; Apricots partly so.
Many Pears and Apples are severely crippled, so much so that they are only
now (July 17) beginning to push. These are exceptional cases, the most of
them having ere this made long growths, especially Wall Pears; but we
have little or no fruit—a thing we have never failed in for these last thirty
years. Cherries are also a failure, and hurt by frost; although they
blossomed profusely, the cause I do not attribute to the severe winter, but to
the cold gloomy summer of last year. All wood being imperfectly ripened
was unable to resist the frost; and the fruit blossom, weak and deformed,
after a partial expansion fell to the ground. I was not disappointed for I
frequently said, twelvemonths ago, what the result would be.

Rock. By Cuaruzs B. P. BosanqueEt, Esq.

At Rock we are more than 250 feet above the sea. We lost all our Laures-
tinuses last winter, which were killed to the root, excepting where the snow
protected the lowest branches ; also Arbutus and Roses, but we did not suffer
much otherwise. We have not a Peach on our hot wall this year. Last
year we had a good crop.

Alnwick Castle Park. By Mr Coxon.

For the winter of 1879-80, I have to report a much more serious one on

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 325

tree and shrub life than the winter of 1878-9. I think it has been the worst
in my experience. Almost all Portugal and Common Laurels and Hollies
have been cut down to the snow line. About half of the Evergreen Oaks
and a great many Yews have also suffered in low situations. After getting
about 70 or 80 feet above the level of the river, we have lost very few of the
above shrubs. Trees with us have not been so severely dealt with, although
a good many Oaks up to 50 years of age, have been considerably cut. But
the fine growing weather we had in summer, has enabled them almost to re-
cover. In coniferous trees we have not lost a great many. A few Cedrus
Deodara, Araucaria imbricata, Picea Pinsapo, and P. lasiocarpa have been
considerably cut and discoloured. But Abies Douglasi, Picea Nordmanniana,
P. nobilis, and Wellingtonia gigantea have all stood very well.
November, 1880.

Major Hoxzanp in transmitting these remarks, observes :—

‘*In my own small garden, almost the whole of the Roses (more than 500
in number) were cut down by the frost of December 3rd and 4th to the snow
line. The thermometer registered here 1 degree F. minimum ; or 31 degrees
of frost. I felt indebted to the snow for a protection that enabled me to have
a very fine blow of Roses when the summer came. The vigour of their
growth was something remarkable. I never saw shoots so long and so strong
thrown from the lower stems of the plants.”’

Report of Injury to Trees, Evergreens, Sc., at Shawdon, Northum-
berland, by the Frost in the years 1879-80. By Mr Jamzs
THOMSON.

Shawdon Hall, the residence of W. J. Pawson, Esq., stands on the north
side of the Vale of Whittingham, 245 feet above the sea level. It is half-a-
mile distant from the river Aln, and owing to its situation and surroundings,
shrubs and evergreens planted here suffer much from frost, In December,
1879, the thermometer fell to 11° below zero. The frost continued for
weeks, accompanied by a dense atmosphere, very destructive to vegetable
life. All the Laurels, young Hollies, and many Yews, were killed here by
this severe and continued frost. The winter of 1880 completed the destruc-
tion of many old Yews and Hollies that must have stood here, uninjured, at
least for a generation. ‘‘The Shawdon Hollies” are so much injured by the
frost of January, 1880, that it is doubtful whether they ever recover its
efiects. The lowest temperature recorded here in this month was 13° below
zero. The Hollies referred to have been a feature of this place for several
generations. They consist of two rows, sixteen feet apart ; the row facing
south is composed of the Golden Edged, or Queen Holly. Originally there
were seventeen trees in this row, planted about seven feet asunder. The
height of the tallest tree in this row is 45 feet; the other row consists of the
common Green Holly, and several of them have been blown down. Fifteen
trees are still standing, the bole of the largest measures seven feet in circum -
ference three feet from the ground. Two trees in this row are joined to-
gether, at a height of thirteen feet from the ground, the inarch is so complete

326 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

that the two trees form one head. ‘These interesting old Hollies were
severely injured by the frost of 1879 ; and the winter of 1880 has killed most
of their branches, and although new shoots are breaking from the main stems,
it is doubtful whether they will ever recover the effects of two such severe
winters. There is no means of judging the age of these Hollies; George
Henderson, now in his 95th year, played under them when a boy, and they
appeared old trees at that time. The Cedrus Deodaras here are killed to the
ground, the same fate has befallen the Sequoias, which grow rapidly here ;
but the rarer Coniferee have never been really grown here in sufficient num-
bers to test their hardiness.

The effects of the frost of January last in the Flower and Kitchen Garden
here, were the destruction of every Standard Rose, with many of the Dwarf
varieties. Peach trees are killed; they escaped the frost of 1879, which, in
its results, cannot be compared to the destruction caused by the frost of 1880
in this district. Many Oaks standing in certain situations are killed, or so
severely injured that they have to be cut down. The Furze that covered
many heights around this place are killed to the ground; in many places the
Heather has suffered severely. Judging from the effects, the frost of the
years 1879-80 has been more destructive to vegetable life in this neighbour-
hood than any frost on record.

Eslington Park. By Mr Joseru OLtver.

Kslington Park, one of the seats of the Earl of Ravensworth, is situated
close to the Aln, and is ten miles west from Alnwick, and one-and-a-half
from the foot of Ryle Hills.

During the long and severe winter of 1878-9, although the thermometer
marked (at four different times) 6° below zero, yet the damage done to ever-
green shrubs and trees was nothing in comparison to that done during the
two nights’ severe frost which occurred in the beginning of December, 1879,
when the thermometer fell to 9° below zero.

At the former period only the lower branches of Common and Portugal
Laurels were killed. Evergreen Oaks and Garrya elliptica were both killed
back to the main stems. During the two nights’ frost in December last,
every plant of both Portugal and Common Laurels was killed down to the
ground, Even the Hollies have suffered in a way we never could have ex-
pected. Many fine plants that have been planted over fifty years have been
killed to within three feet of the ground. It is rather strange that the varie-
gated varieties have suffered much less than the common sorts. Garrya
elliptica, Aucuba Japonica, Evergreen Oaks, and a large plant of Wistaria
Sinensis growing upon the front of the house, have all been killed to the
ground. Many of the Apple trees have suffered severely, but none are killed.
Strange to say the Coniferee have almost escaped without any injury, with
the exception of one plant of Cedar of Lebanon, about twelve feet high,
which is entirely killed—no other harm is done. This plant was growing
about seventy yards from the river Aln, and about seven feet higher than the
bed of the river. Other plants of the same variety, growing upon higher
ground, and a little further from the river, are quite unhurt. Rhododendron

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 327

Ponticwm has stood well, the blossom buds being all killed, but little harm
done to the wood. Yews, both English and Irish, Arborvites, Junipers,
Tree Box, and Barberries, have all passed through the severe ordeal without
betraying the slightest appearance of having received any injury whatever.
Forest trees have not suffered at all.

At Glanton Pyke, about 14 miles from here, but much higher, everything
is quite unhurt.

About 25 years ago the Laurels were all killed, the same as last December ;
but only the lower branches of the Hollies were then destroyed. The ther-
mometer then marked 6° below zero.

Biddleston. By Mr Jamzs Dickinson.

Our shrubs, particularly Laurels, have suffered a good deal, but not nearly
so bad as our neighbours nearer to the Coquet. We had some beds of Com-
mon Laurel cut down, which had not been cut in the same manner for twenty

- years, namely, 1860. All other trees and Conifers, of which we have only a
small collection, are little the worse. Two years ago we suffered very little,
as we had an immense covering of snow when we had the most severe frost ;
but we never had more than 28° that year. Last winter we had 34°, two
below zero; while some of our neighbours had 7° below; and some even
more. Last season, having such a cold, wet summer, the wood was never
ripened, which made things more liable to the effects of the frost. Vegetables
suffered a good deal. Broccoli was nearly all killed in both winters. Small
plants did not suffer so much, as they were well covered with snow. Small
birds were very much thinned last year. We never had to put nets on our
fruit, but they have made up for it this year. It is very wonderful how they
have gathered up. We have Blackbirds and Thrushes by hundreds, We
had great difficulty in saving small fruits, not only from the birds, but from
Wasps, which have been unusually numerous this year. Wild animals do
not seem to have suffered much,

N.B.—-There is a very nice lot of old trees on the place, mostly Ash,
Beech, and Sycamore.

- October 9th, 1880.

Harbottile. By Mr AntHony OLIvER.
Account of the Effects of the Winters of 1878-79 :—

We passed through the winters of 1878-79 without the least damage to
fruit, or ornamental trees, or to shrubberies ; there being a good covering of
snow during the severe frosts. The lowest temperature registered was 27°
of frost.

Birds suffered to a great extent. 'The Thrush was nearly killed out; and
very few Blackbirds were left ; so much so that it was not necessary to pro-
tect the fruit with nets, there being no birds to destroy it. The spring and
summer of 1879 were cold and wet up till September, when we had a few
weeks’ dry weather, but not sufficient to ripen the wood and buds of the

328 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

previous summer. Hence when the winter of 1879-80 set in so severely,
everything suffered more or less. Portugal and Common Laurels, Aweuba
Japonica, Clematises, Roses, Holly (both green and variegated), were killed
right and left. Very many of the buds of Apple, Pear, and other fruit trees
were killed. The glass went down to zero. Those buds that escaped the
frost broke into life so weak that they soon became a prey of insect life.
Never did I see such a swarm of pests; not only fruit trees and bushes, but
many forest trees lost nearly all their leaves.
October 5th, 1880.

Brenckburn Priory. By OC. H. Capogan, Esq.

With reference to the effect of the extreme cold that passed over the
Border counties in December, 1879, we appear to have nearly escaped its
ravages at Brenckburn, where nothing is killed, except one or two large
Hollies, and these most capriciously selected from out of a crowd of others,
very likely individuals of a tenderer type ; for I have in former cold winters
noticed the same thing, two Hollies side by side, the one killed, the other left
untouched, soil, situation, and every external appearance being equal. My
Araucarias are unhurt. Picea Cephalonica has the top killed about three feet,
tree thirty-five feet high, otherwise it is entirely uninjured. Cupressus
macrocarpa was killed to the ground, tree about 20 feet high. Picea Smithiana
severely injured, is alive and pushing again. Italian Artichokes are killed.
Whins, Blackberries, and Broom are generally killed. The top growth of
one of three Wellingtonias was killed about 6 inches ; otherwise they are not
hurt. These trees are all in near connection and close to the riverside. Of
course, the Common Laurels are killed in most places, but not in all situa-
tions. Virginian Creeper, on the wall of both house and church, is quite un-
injured; but one on an unattached garden wall is almost entirely killed ; it
is alive and that isall. I attribute this capricious effect mainly to the very
narrow valley in which all the plants mentioned are placed. I think it too
narrow for the frost to gain full power; or it may be the morning sun does
not affect the place, owing to the high precipitous bank to the south and
south-east.

20th October, 1880.

Felton Park. By Mr Joun Crosstina.

I am glad to inform you that the frost has not done so much harm here, as
at many other places. The shrubs have hardly been hurt, except the Laures-
tines and the Bays; and I have lost a few Roses. The Peach trees also are
hurt, and there is no fruit this season. Apples area bad crop. The hardest
frost was on the 4th of December, when we registered 32°. We have a very
dry subsoil at Felton, which saves our shrubs. The Wasps have been most
dreadful this season. My men have already taken 112 nests round the
garden. We had almost none last season. Whence have they sprung after
so hard a season? On account of their numbers, we will have very little
fruit left ; the more we kill the stronger they come. The slugs are almost as
bad. In milder winters we have them much less in quantity.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 329

Morwick. By the Rev. Jamzs I. Dann, Cheyington Rectory.

Morwick is situate on the south bank of the Coquet, two miles west from
Warkworth, 100 feet above the sea, and 50 feet above the Coquet, from which
it is distant about 400 yards. The grounds are exceptionally well sheltered
by trees, and a hill towards the east, effectually breaks the ‘‘sea breezes.”’
The lowest temperature on the ‘‘ cold Wednesday night and Thursday morn-
ing’’ in December, 1879, was 6° Fahr., i.e., 26° of frost. The thermometer
which registered this degree of cold was placed against a wall facing W., 3ft.
from the ground.

Trees and Shrubs which bore this cold with impunity :—

All forest trees, such as Oak, Ash, Lime, Scotch and Spruce Firs (Alders
and Willows, near the river also), escaped.

Araucaria, Douglas Pine, Columbian Pine, Wellingtonia, Acacia (this tree,
a very fine one, of 60 or 80 years’ growth, suffered slightly), Tulip Tree,
Cedars, Yew, Rhododendrons of all kinds, Portugal Laurel, hardy Roses
(such as ‘“‘ John Hopper,’ ‘‘Gloire de Dijon,’’ and others of that nature),
Standards.

The more delicate Roses, trained to a wall with a south aspect, and a very
fine Wistaria (I am not sure that I have given you the correct name of this
climber, it is evidently allied to the Acacia, and hasa long flower of a pink
colour, shaped like a Laburnums), which was also trained against the same
wall, were killed to the ground, but are now growing again. The Common
Laurel, or Bay, was also killed to the ground. The Whins were quite killed
and have not yet sprung again. There are some very fine J/exes on the lawn,
probably the largest in the North of England. Their leaves were all
shrivelled and browned, and dropped prematurely, but they are now in very
fine foliage. A Fig tree, also against a south wall, was killed to the ground,
but is now shooting from the root (this tree is probably 70 years old).

The smaller birds, Tits, Wrens, &c., have disappeared. Thrushes have
almost vanished. Fieldfares, I think, died to a bird. Blackbirds and Robins
did not suffer so greatly. Rooks did not suffer at all. There were, three or
four years ago, a great number of Owls—the common Brown Owl—now I
hear none. (They have never been interfered with, and I think the frost
could scarcely be the cause of their absence). I might mention that Wasps
are numerous this summer, beyond all precedent, and have constituted them-
selves a plague; attacking people engaged in harvest work, and most un-
pleasantly invading any room whose windows are left open during the day.

Rabbits have become nearly extinct ; their absence is no doubt owing, in a
great measure, to the long-continued snow of the previous winter. The snow
covered the ground, it never “ drifted,’’ to the depth of two feet, and re-
mained for ten or twelve weeks. Partridges suffered severely ; so apparently
did Woodpigeons. Pheasants did not suffer at all—they are very numerous
this year; they have not been reared artificially.

Sept. 6th, 1880.

Barnhill, Ackiington. By Joun Tate Esq.

The winter of 1878-9 was a severe one here. Bay trees, Laurestines, and

330 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Whins were cut down to the ground, and our Roses suffered a good deal.
Last winter, however, was either still more severe or the Shrubs had not re-
covered the shaking their constitutions had received in the former year, for,
with the exception of three, every Standard Rose we had died, and other
delicate shrubs suffered in an equal ratio. One very fine double Whin, after
looking tender for one year, is now altogether gone; and the Laurestines are
putting out very feeble shoots. The large Whin Coverts adjoining the river
banks here, which used to have an overpowering perfume in spring and
summer have not flowered for two years, and many show no signs of life.
Sept. 25, 1880.

Morpeth. By Mr Georcr Hepett.
Effects of the Frost on Shrubs, etc., in different stations :—

At High Church, Morpeth, with an elevation of 175 feet, the thermometer
fell to 5.0 on the 5th, and to 3.0 on the 6th December, with 1 foot of snow
on the ground.

The only shrub that suffered from the frost was the Awcuba Japonica.
Hollies, Laurels, Wellingtonias, &c., were not injured in the slightest, while
in the town of Morpeth, 90 feet above sea level, with the same degrees of
frost, the snow lying on the ground quite a foot deep, a great number of
shrubs were cut down to the snow line; while others suffered severely by
losing all their foliage, which had a brown, miserable appearance all the
spring, until thrown off by the new growth.

Portugal Laurels and Hollies suffered especially.

It may be noticed that there was no wind during this severe weather. I
have often observed that when a frost is accompanied by a wind, shrubs
suffer more, even when the frost is not quite so severe.

The summer of 1879 was very wet, and in some low-lying sheltered situa-
tions the various evergreen shrubs kept growing until late in the autumn,
and as we had a heavy fall on the 8th November, with severe frost, the
young growth was not matured sufficiently to bear the extreme cold which
followed.

High Church, Morpeth.

Dunston Hill, Co. Durham. By Rate Carr-Exuison, Esq.

On the Effects of Low Temperature on Vegetable Life, and
on Birds :—

The second severe season of November and December, 1879, has left some
instructive effects. These indeed are quite sufficient to show how rapidly a
repetition of cold summers, early and protracted winters, followed by tardy
and chilly springs, would reduce our Northumbrian vegetation to a condition
not very superior to that of Iceland.

The Cypress-like, or more briefly Cypress-Poplars, improperly called the
Lombardy Poplars (as it is not a native of Italy, but of Persia), has been
quite killed in many localities by the cold of last winter, which, in low

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 331

situations fell to zero of Fahrenheit. To endure such a temperature this
Poplar must have been previously invigorated by warmer summers than it
enjoys with us. In other words it can bear intense cold only in a climate
which possesses compensating summer heat, and where perhaps the mean
temperature is somewhat higher than ours, and equal to that of Central Eng-
land. It has escaped, however, unhurt with us in many moderately-elevated
sites. I remember the Cypress-Poplar (for so it is well named in French
and in Latin) being killed at Whittingham by frost, when 40 feet high, and
now again the only few trees of the species there have been destroyed,
though growing in the fine deep soil of the inn garden. Ten or a dozen of
my own at Dunston Hill, of similar height, have escaped unhurt. But at
Riding Mill, near Bywell, many vigorous young specimens, 20 feet high,
have perished, though standing well above the river upon a fine sandy soil
among flourishing birches, and enjoying adequate shelter.

The Black Italian Poplar (Populus nigra, monilifera) has nowhere been
harmed. It isa true European native, springing up abundantly from seed
on the extensive gravel-beds of the Italian rivers, and, so far as I could per-
ceive, with remarkable uniformity of foliage. I looked narrowly on these
gravels for young plants of the Cypress-Poplars (so improperly called Lom-
bardy in England) but could see none, though the hedge-rows were well
furnished with this species. If it propagates itself by seed in Italy, it does
not do so apparently on the river gravels, but perhaps requires the soil of a
field or garden.

By the way, the name of Populus nigra, monilifera, the Black or Necklace-
Poplar, was given to the other species from the very dark colour of its long
crowded and conspicuous catkins in spring, which, when they fall, are strung
by children into necklaces. But this inflorescence is seidom seen in the
North of England.

T lost last winter, at Dunston Hill, nearly half the plants of a fine covert of
Yews, about 10 feet in height. They were growing with great vigour
among Hazels and Elders at the bottom of a small dene, which has a northerly
descent. The terrible frost of November and December caught them as if by
surprise, and utterly destroyed the large proportion just mentioned.
Happily, enough remain to extend themselves over most of the vacancies.
The thickness of the stems was, near the ground, generally that of a man’s
arm. In other places my Yews are unscathed, whether old or young.

Aged Hollies have been killed, or sorely scathed, in many localities all over
the country, whilst young healthy plants have resisted the intensity of the
cold successfully. Portugal Laurels have been destroyed where old and de-
clining in vigour, but not young or when thriving and healthy. The same
is true of the Common Box, in every shrubbery. It is for the most part un-
scathed. Araucarias, Deodars, and Wellingtonias have all stood unharmed
at Hedgeley ; also the thriving plants of Zawrus Azorica growing there. But
at Dunston Hill this fine species will barely exist. It requires a deep and
fertile soil with a somewhat humid air, unless the climate be warmer than
ours.

I rejoice to say that some venerable Ilexes, growing in shrubberies at
Whickham, have survived both these last most severe winters, and are

ip

332 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

struggling to re-establish their verdure, though I believed them to be ab-
solutely dead in the spring of 1879.

Cupressus Lawsonii propagates itself freely by seed at Hedgeley, being
quite hardy there.

On our dry, light soil at Dunston Hill, the Cryptomeria Japonica succeeds
best, surpassing Thwa borealis, which prefers a moister soil and atmos-
phere like that of the neighbourhood of the Cheviots.

As regards birds, the Song-thrush was very rare here last spring, but num-
bers came in August and September, from other districts, frequenting our
turnip-fields and shrubberies. They all departed in November from Dun-
ston Hill, whilst, for the first time, we are likewise without any Blackbirds
this winter, there being no berries of any kind to tempt them to stay.

Yew-berries are the favourite food of the Song-thrush in early winter. Of
these there was but half a crop this season.

Not a single Redwing or Fieldfare is visible or audible in our neighbour-
hood. Itis probable that the small numbers of both species that can have
reached Britain in the autumn of 1880, after the great mortality of them
from cold and hunger in 1878-9, have gone far southward to the region
where mistletoe is plentiful, that is to say, ihe South of England, together
with Northern and Central France, with Switzerland.

As respects the tenderness of the Redwings under the English winter,
though natives of Norway and Sweden, we must bear in mind that by far
the greater number of them, which visit us in ordinary autumns, are
assuredly little more than nestlings, which perhaps could barely fly at the
end of the preceding June, owing to the lateness of spring in the high
latitudes they inhabit during the fine season. Consequently they are not so
vigorous as even our young Song-thrushes, which were capable of flying six
weeks or two months earlier. The same is true, in a lesser degree of Field-
fares, of which the younger ones suffer severely. It is pretty certain that
the young of our English Missel-thrushes migrate largely into France, as
there is a great accession of the species there in October and November.
Their annual arrival is hailed by the bird-catchers, and by the epicures, with
especial interest. A French cook will send up a dish of Missel-thrushes and
Redwings in an irresistible form to the best tables, each bird enveloped in
some delicate jelly of pearly hue; not in the rude and naked fashion which
an English cook would be content to follow.

Middleton Hall, Wooler. By Grorce P. Hucuss, Esq.

At Middleton Hall, our chief loss has been in Laurels, killed by the frost
of November, 1879. I had promised to plant the north side of the Iderton
Church with Portugal Laurels, but when we went to lift them last spring,

we found the best plants, 6 or 7 feet high, growing in a mossy cut with the
shelter of a young plantation behind, completely killed to the root. In our
garden, large Laurel hedges have been killed to the main stem, but are send-
ing out fresh branches in the majority of cases. We had many flowers,
especially Roses and Geraniums, killed in the greenhouse during last and the

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 333

preceding winter; even with a large paraffin lamp burning beside them, a
few inches off.

My young Californian Couifers have in, I may say, every case come
through ; but a valuable Australian Eucalyptus, 9 or 10 feet high, was killed,
much to our grief.

Our Forest Trees have suffered very little, though at Chillingham a num-
ber of old trees had died.

Qlst July, 1880.

List of Trees and Shrubs injured by Frost last Winter, 1879-80.
By Messrs Witi1am Fett & Co., Wentworth Nurseries, Hex-
ham.

Araucarias, very severely cut down.
_ Aucuba Japonica, do., even worse.
Cedrus Atlantica, cut in the young wood.
», Deodara; a good deal affected, but not so bad as last season.
Cryptomeria Japonica suffered severely.
Taxus baccata (Com. Yew) severely cut with the frost.
Thuja Chinensis suffered in those branches not well ripened,
Thujopsis Borealis suffered, but not so bad as last year.
Wellingtonia gigantea—very severely, especially large specimen plants.
Berberis Darwinii, severely injured.
», Stenophylla do.
5 Jamiesonii, touched, but not so bad as above.
», Empetrifolia, do. do.
Broom (White and Spanish), badly cut up.
Box, partly injured, especially in low situations.
Daphne Cneorum, rather severely touched.
Hollies, common and variegated, both very severely cut.
Jasmine (White) badly cut.
Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay) badly cut.

Laurel (Common) - do.
Laurel (Portugal) very badly cut.
Laurestinus do.

Privet (oval leaved), very badly injured.
», (common or evergreen), touched in wood and stripped of foliage.
Poplars (Lombardy), rather severely affected.
Oaks (evergreen) cut a little.
Whins, the double, affected ; single, not.
Apple trees slightly affected.
Pears not so bad as Apples.
Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots, rather badly injured.
Walnuts slightly cut.
Rhododendrons slightly affected.

N.B.—The above nurseries cover many acres of ground.

334 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Vicinity of Hexham. By Mr James Hewirt, Hexham.

Trees destroyed or damaged at Spital, half-a-mile W. by N.
from Hexham :—

Ivy, almost totally ; Peach trees (on walls) very much; Laurels (both
Common and Portugal) and Privets cut down to the ground. Yews very
much damaged. Ivy covering the gardener’s house—many years old—cut
down to the ground. Ivy, which had adorned a very large Oak tree 60 or
70 years, totally destroyed. .

At Hexham Cemetery, a mile-and-a-half west of Hexham, one mile from
Spital—Hollies, Laurels (both kinds), Privets, and Yews, all sore damaged.
A very fine specimen of the Araucaria imbricata nearly killed, and as brown
as a nut even now.

At Hermitage, half-a-mile direct north from Hexham, destruction general.
Out of somewhat over twenty Holly trees adorning the hedgerows, I counted
eighteen cut down to the hedgetops, At Beaufront and Sandhoe mansions,
2 to 3 miles N.E. from Hexham, the destruction of evergreens nearly com-
plete; and the same at Newton Hall, about six miles eastward, and the same
at every place within the same radius. In the town of Hexham some Ivy,
covering the walls of a gentleman’s residence, which has escaped unscathed
during many years, was almost totally destroyed, although under the shelter
and protection of large trees.

Hexham, Nov. 1, 1880.

Hexham. By Messrs JosrpH Roxson & Son, the Nurseries,
Bank Foot, Hexham.
Aucuba Japonica almost destroyed.
Bay Laurels bad.
Do. Rotundifolia, hurt, but not so bad as the above.

Do. Colchica, do. do. do.

Do. Caucasica, do. do. do.

Do. Portugal, badly hurt.

Do. Common, worse, if anything, but more likely to come again.
Hollies of all kinds, except Aguifoliwm, very bad.
Ivies bad.

Rhododendrons very slight.

Yews scarcely touched.

Common Privet bad.

Ovalifolium Privet do.

Roses bad.

Fruit trees, Peaches, Nectarines, very bad. Apricots scarcely touched.
1 Pears and Apples, wood much damaged.

Plants not damaged :—
Retinosporas—the whole of these have stood without a tinge of frost,
notably, plumosa, P. aurea, leptoclada, squamosa, Ericoides, &c.
Cupressus Lawsoniana and varieties stood well.
Yews all stood well.
Arborvitzs—American, Chinese, and other sorts, good.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 335

Temperatures, &c., in the Hexham District, for December, 1879.
By Mr Wi1114m Trorrer, South Acomb, Stocksfield.

Snow fell on six days, and the amount when melted amounted to 0°82 of
aninch. The rainfall in the corresponding month of last year was 3°62 in.
The total rainfall for the year ending December 31st, amounts to 29:00 in.,
against 35 inches for the previous year ; the decrease on the year being 6-00
inches. The temperature for the month was about an average. The first
week was exceedingly cold, being the coldest on record in the locality. The
second week was also below an average; but the third and fourth weeks
were much above an average, there being only two cold days, viz., 26th and
27th. On the 4th the minimum thermometer stood at 1 degree, or 31 de-
grees of frost; and on the grass at 5 degrees below zero, or 37 degrees of
frost. The maximum thermometer in shade during the day did not reach
more than 16 degrees, or 16 degrees of frost. The mean temperature of the
week was only 20 degrees. ‘The nearest approach to the cold on the 4th was
on Christmas Day, 1860, when the readings were 2 degrees higher. Barometer
‘variable: highest reading (corrected) 30°542 inches on the 10th; lowest
(corrected) 29°502, on the 27th. Snow fell on Ist, 2nd, and 5th. Gales
occurred on 27th and 28th. Beautiful lunar halo on 28that6».m. Prevail-
ing winds SW. to NW. on 24 days; on remainings 7 days from NE. to SE.

Mr Trotter makes the following observations :—‘‘ Newton Hall, Col. Joicey’s,
stands at a considerable elevation above the river Tyne, and between two and
three miles north of it, opposite to Stocksfield Station. The frost there was
not nearly so intense ; the instrument showed 3 degrees below zero. There
was scarcely any damage. A few Common Laurels suffered, and some double
flowered Furze was damaged. At Minsteracres, the seat of Henry Silvertop,
Esq., which stands considerably higher than even Newton Hall, but on the
south side of the Tyne, nearly on the crest of the high hills which divide the
valleys of the Tyne and the Derwent, there was comparatively no injury
done. I was over the crest on the evening of the 8rd December—the coldest
night in 1879—after dark. The road is very much exposed, and it was cer-
tainly very cold, but it was infinitely worse, when I got into the vale. On
the hills the atmosphere was quite clear, but in the bottom there was a damp
haze, and do as one would, one could not keep the cold out. The frost at
Stocksfield was 5 degrees below zero. At Riding Mill, two miles west, it was
15 degrees below zero. How there happened to be a difference of 10 degrees
in so short a distance, and at about the same altitude, is a matter of conjec-
ture. There is no doubt of the accuracy of the observer.”’

On my way to Gilsland, Sept. 28th, I halted at Hexham. Near Stocks-
field, I noticed the havoc among the Lombardy Poplars. One of the com-
pany remarked that in Derbyshire, where he had been recently, most of the
Poplars were destroyed. The Oaks there, I saw, had suffered, and were full
of new shoots, and in the plantations about Hexham, the young trees carried
crops of summer-formed leaves, as if in a state of rejuvenescence. At the
Beacon, Admiral Waddilove’s, high Hollies were much shattered, and some
Laurestines were cut down. I was told that over that part of the country,
there was very little fruit on trees, either old or young, one reason assigned

336 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

being that 1879 having an almost sunless summer, the young wood never got
ripened.

On this subject, Mr A. Kerr makes the following remarks as more particu-
larly applicable to the Border districts :—‘‘In regard to fruit produce, it is
well known that in England and Scotland the present year (1880) has been
one of the most barren on record. This remark applies to Apples, Pears,
Plums, Apricots, and Peaches. This failure can only be attributed to the in-
fluence of excessive wet and the absence of solar heat throughout the entire
year of 1879, succeeded by an unprecedentedly early frost, as intense as that
of a Russian winter. This proved too much for vegetation in its immature
state, stopping and congealing the life-giving sap in the vessels of the plants,
rupturing the tissue in the tender unfinished growths, and thereby killing
them back to the old wood. Asa natural consequence the trees produced
little blossom of a perfect kind; and although I must admit having seen
numerous trees well furnished with flowers, the majority of these flowers,
when inspected by a practical eye, were found ‘ decrepid abortions,’ showing
the fertilizing organs, less or more, incomplete, and therefore impotent to
produce fruit. Much depends also upon the weather, when the fertilizing
process is in operation. Should it happen to be cold and very wet, little fruit
may be expected. The combined influence of wet and cold robs the pollen of
its fertilizing quality, and this, together with other influences, affects the
fruit crop.”’ J. H.

Memorandum of Trees which suffered from the severe Winter of 1879,
in Tyneside District. By Mr Joun Batpen, Jun.

Asu.—The Ash has suffered most of all the deciduous trees, both young and
matured trees in many cases being killed.

Eum.—Both the English and the Wych have suffered, the latter especially,
from Frost-rent.

Horuiy.—In low lying parts near the river (and consequently under the
influence of the Frost-rimes), many fine old trees have been killed, and others
severely damaged. In the higher parts they have not received quite so much.

Larcu.—Among the whole of the Forest Trees none have fared worse than
this valuable tree ; in many places they have been killed by hundreds. In
plantations up to 30 years of age, the most damage has been done, the older
and mature trees have not suffered severely.

Oax.—Damage to the Oak does not exceed the twigs and branches, although
some have suffered from Frost-rent. .

Poruar.—Twigs and small branches killed and growth checked.

PRIvET, THORN, AND WHIN suffered more or less, and growth thrown back
many years.

Among the ornamental trees those which have suffered most are the Arau-
caria imbricata, Arborvitae, Cedrus deodara, Wellingtonia gigantea all of which
have either been killed or severely damaged. Also the Laurel has been
killed to the ground,

Dilston Office, Corbridge-on- Tyne, Dec. 22, 1880.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 337

Chesters, Walwick, and Parkend, North Tyne. By Joun M.
Riwtey, Esq., of Walwick Hall.

Mr Bosanquet received the following report from Mr Ridley,
when writing to ask him to send particulars about the cracking
from frost of a Maple, at his brother’s, Mr Thomas Ridley’s,
Parkend, North Tyne :—

What happened to the Maple at Parkend, befell all the Beech trees at
Chesters, where you may see the marks down the stems of the trees for many
feet, where the sap of the spring has run down, escaping from the wounds
caused by the cracks in the stems and branches, by the severe night when the
thermometer was 13 degrees (14°) below zero, Fahrenheit. All the Hollies
are cut down there to the ground, many quite killed. Most of the Yew trees
were killed, especially those under trees, where you would have expected them
to have suffered least. I observe the following to be killed :—

Elm, Oak, Yew, Hollies of 100 year’s growth and under, Broom and
Gorse, Ampelopsis, Roses of all kinds, Piptanthus Nepaulensis, Cotoneaster
against wall, Jasmine against wail, Honeysuckles various, and Peach trees ;
while all the Cypresses have escaped.

Forsythia, Cupressus Lawsoniana, and the delicate species have all escaped
scot free. ;

We are 240 feet above Chesters, and our thermometers (accwrate here and at
Chesters, being well-made and tested instruments) were not below 9 degrees
below zero, Fahrenheit. The special Maple alluded to is a tree of 50 year’s
growth.

Just at sunrise it cracked with the report of a pistol, the stem, gaping wide
enough to admit a man’s hand to its centre, is 2 feet 8 inches in girth, and
the bark is now so closed up you cannot see the fracture, but there it will be
so long as the tree exists. I doubt if a vertical fracture of this kind ever
heals ; it is a shake, formerly called a wind shake, but evidently one from
temperature. I cannot explain the phenomena of the Dutch Elm breaking
off short across in great heat in full foliage. Of course, the foliage adds to
the weight, but it keeps off the sun. Why should the wood break straight
across the grain under these conditions, whereas in a wind if broken it would
be much more of longitudinal fracture ? this Elm is a short-grained wood
anywhere.

August 19th, 1880.

Tyneside. By Rev. J. C. Brucz, LL.D.

I see you are to read some remarks upon the frost of last winter.

‘Nowhere (I should suppose) have its ravages been more remarkable than
at Hexham and Chollerford. A long line of very fine tall Hollies at the Her-
mitage (on the south side of the river, in the hedges beside the road), have
been killed. In Mr Clayton’s garden at Chesters the Laurels and Portugal
Laurels have been almost exterminated, and Holly trees that had stood the
frosts of a hundred winters have been destroyed. Iam persuaded it was the -
moisture accompanying the cold that did the mischief ; for at Walwick which
is considerably above Chesters no harm was done. The Yew trees suffered
severely at Chesters and elsewhere.

338 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

Effects of Winter 1879-80, at Humshaugh, Northumberland. By
the Rev. Hucu Taytor, Humshaugh-on-Tyne.

Humshaugh House is about 280 feet above sea-level, and about 100 above
the North Tyne. A thermometer certified at Kew to be at 32°.., + 0°7,
placed in Scottish Met. Soc. box, registered on Dec. 1 to 2, 1879, 2°; Dec. 3
to 4, 1879, 11° below zero, and at 9:45 on the 4th, still 7° below zero.

All the Shrubs mentioned (except those stated to be older), were obtained
from nurseries in 1875, good specimens only being taken, and were very
healthy up to the autumn of 1878. Many were injured in the winter of 1878-9
and received the finishing stroke in 1879-80. At Humshaugh House the
following were killed :—Aucuba of varieties 10, Araucaria 2, Spanish Broom,
Chinese Box, Cedrus Libani, Deodara 3, common Yews in a hedge about 40
years old 6, Japanese Yew (? Podocarpus Japonica), very large Irish Ivy on
north wall of house 3, and Roegneriana on south wall (where Pedata was un-
injured), large white Jasmine on south wall 2, and a Cherry, Evergreen
Privet, roundleaved, in a hedge and open, about 30, Japanese Evergreen
Privet 3, Laurestinus 2, Daphne Mezereum 3, Double Whin, Sycamore 8ft.,
3, all Wallflowers single and double, all Lothian Stocks, Penstemons, Antir-
rhinums, 2 Pyramid Pears, Duchesse d’ Angouléme, and a few others.

Cut to the ground or much injured, have made fresh shoots, but some pro-
bably not worth keeping : — Berberis Darwinii ; common Holly up to about 40
years old 20, all the Golden and Silver variegated (including 2 Silver about
80 years old) 12, Skew-leaved, Hodgensii 3, Myrtifolia 3, Yellow-berried,
Hedgehog; Cryptomeria elegans, 2; all the Portugal Laurels, including a
dozen large bushes, 3ft. high, the Bay and its upright variety, 30 ; Orleans
Plum 3, Abies Douglasii 2, Picea Nordmanniana 3; large Pyrus Japonica in a
neighbour’s garden; Wellingtonia 4; Cherry 2 and Plum 2 on east wall,
much young wood killed; all the Whins in the neighbourhood, except a few
in woods. Roses: Gloire de Dijon, Souvenir de Malmaison, Celine Forestier
on south wall of house (where Coupe d@’ Hébé and Madame Victor Verdier
little worse) ; Gloire de Dijon 2, Depuy Jamain, Duchess of Edinburgh (tea’,
on east wall; all in the open ground, about 200 (except a few of the old white,
blush, and cabbage, which were little injured) ; but all made vigorous shoots
and bloomed well last summer. .

Slightly injured:—Berberis Aquifolia, Deutzia Crenata fl. pl., Pyrus
Japonica 2 small; Ivies—Minima, Algeriensis, Regneriana; Common Privet,
Weigelia Rosea, Wistaria on south wall of house ; 5 Apricots had a very large
crop in 1879, though Moorparks did not ripen their fruit, last year only a
few fruit — the first failure in 8 years. Orchard Apples same as Apricots.

Uninjured:—Common, American, Siberian, and Chinese Arbor Vite;
Box—Common and Hundsworthieasis ; common yews 12 up to 60 years old,
Irish yews 6, Taxus Adpressa, Taxus stricta 6; cupressus Lawsoniana 8, Thu-
. jopsis Borealis 6 up to 9 feet, Pinus cembra 2; Ghent azaleas, hardy azaleas.
Ivies :— sagitiwfolia, digitata, pedata, argentea of 4 varieties large and small
leaved, 4 others, all on an east wall; yellow jasmine on south front of house ;

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 339

Picea nobilis, Retinospora squarrosa, plumosa, plumosa aurea ; Thuja Lobbii 12,
Viburnum Opulus. Rhododendrons—2 or 3 hybrids dead, but about 20 unin-
jured. Clematis—Jackmanni, Star of India, Alexandra, Mrs Bateman, and
6 others, on walls or trellis, though all cut to the ground, flowered well.

In the winter of 1878-9, Brussels Sprouts, curly greens, celery, much
injured ; brocoli killed ; cabbage, lettuce, and prickly spinage uninjured here.
Last winter, vegetables were not much injured, only a few brocoli which had
not been ‘‘ laid down,’’ were destroyed.

At the Chesters (Mr Clayton’s), about a mile from Humshaugh, 240 feet
above the river, 14° below zero was registered. All the Hollies except two
small ones, many very large and other Yews, all the Box-trees and Privet are
dead. Many Elm, Beech, and Oak trees are split. Several large and small
Yews, however, are uninjured.

At Lincoln Hill. about one mile west of Humshaugh, 400 feet above the
sea, Hollies and Yews much injured and many ofthem dead. Laurels all cut
down.

At Walwick Hall, about half a mile west of Lincoln Hill, 495 above sea
level, 315 above the river, there are many fine Hollies but none injured in the
least, merely the tips of a very few leaves on some of them being “ scorched.”

As distance above a river seems to have generally so much to do with the
effect of frost, I may mention that Humshaugh House is about half a mile
from the North Tyne, ‘‘as the crow flies,’’ Chesters a quarter, Lincoln Hill
three-quarters, and about 220 feet above it, Walwick Hall three-quarters.

In the North Tyne valley, so far as I can learn, only one Thrush was heard
in 1879. Blackbirds, usually very numerous, have been so few in number
that it has not been worth while to net the fruit. Last spring there seems to
have been an immigration of Thrushes, for there were six or seven pairs within
two miles of Humshaugh. Starlings seem to have been much thinned. In

some parts of the south of England Chaffinches were said to be nearly extinct,
but here I saw last spring at least one flock of about 300. Dabchicks reared
young for some years at Haughton Castle pond near this. A single bird
appeared in 1879, but I did not see one in 1880.

Jan. 1, 1881.

Bingfield, Corbridge-on-Tyne. By Joun Coppin, Esa.

At this place, about 450 feet above the sea, with a northern aspect, the
weather last December was extremely severe, the thermometer in a Stevenson
box, four feet from the ground, marking 10° on December 4th. Large Por-
tugal Laurels, Common Laurels, Cotoneaster microphylla, against a wall;
another standard Cotoneaster, Berberis Darwinii, Common Privet, Menziesia
polifolia, Ruscus aculeatus, Hypericum calycinum, Helianthemum rosrum, and
woodbine were killed to the ground. The common Yew, Box-tree, and several
sorts of Holly were severely damaged ; some varieties of the latter were cut
to the ground, whilst others, principally silver-leaved, lost nearly all their
foliage. Forest trees also suffered very much, especially the Oak, Ash, and
Lime; indeed, some of the first two appeared to be killed outright, as they
produced no leaves throughout the following season. The Hawthorns (almost

1Q

340 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

trees in this neighbourhood) had no bloom on them, while the Whin in the
adjoining fox coverts was nearly destroyed. We had a large show of blossom
on the Apple and Pear trees, but very little fruit, except on two or three trees
against a wall sheltered from the N.E. winds.

Several of the smaller birds, especially Thrushes and Robins, fell victims to
the intensity of the frost.

The temperature was—

Dec. 2 Max. 25 min. 5.
99 3 +} ] 20 ” 3.
99 4 bi) 8 9 10.
99 5 9 15 99 Te
bb) 6 99 30 ” 8.
pared: x 48) as 20:

Dec. 31st, 1880.

ROXBURGHSHIRE.

Springwood Park, Kelso. By Mr Gzroraze Wemyss.

The frost which prevailed here in December, 1879, and did so much damage
to trees and shrubs, was not only intense but unusually prolonged. The
temperature had begun to decline on the 22nd November, when the minimum
reached 25°, and from that date the frost continued more or less severe till
the 15th December, when the minimum rose to 3° above the freezing point.
The extreme low temperature, however, and doubtless the destructive period,
extended from the Ist to the 10th of December, when the minimum, with
only one exception rose to 9° above zero, as may be seen by the following
readings of the thermometers during these ten days: —

Date. max. min. 9a.m.

1879.—Dec. 1. 31° 2° 26°

338 6 16
11 —16 4
27. —5 16
32 4 24
30 6 16
31 5 23
34.—“‘(<‘é‘“S@d 9
38 17 34
r 30 8 17

Had the previous summer been 9 warm with much sunshine the damage to
vegetation would have been less, but being otherwise the year’s growth was
not sufficiently ripened—not only the young twigs, but the growth generally,
as was readily seen by the breaking up of the cellular tissue of many trees
and shrubs hitherto considered hardy.

There was also much cloud during the previous summer, and June, July,
and August furnished a greater rainfall than any of the other months of the

a
SOMA MB PS

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 341

year. Of the ninety-two days of these three months there were only ten on
which rain did not fall.

The severe frost of December, J860, when the temperature here went down
to 9° below zero, destroyed many fine trees and shrubs; Oaks, Yews, Hollies,
Box, &c., however, were not hurt. But it has been otherwise with the frost
of 1879. Oaks have suffered much, and although none have been killed, yet
the condition of a few is such that it remains a question if they will ever make
fine trees. All the young shoots, many of the small branches and several
large ones have been destroyed. Under some of the trees the ground was
covered with dead twigs during the summer, that had dropped off as the trees
came into leaf, which was unusually late, as nearly all the buds that would
have produced young shoots had perished ; and other buds—what may perhaps
be called latent buds—were destined to take their place in furnishing the
means of the growth of the tree. Where any of the proper buds had escaped,
the growth of the shoot was exceedingty rapid, producing in some cases long
willow-like growths with large unshapely leaves of great substance. The
longest of these that I found measured six feet ten inches. This shoot was
taken from an oak eight feet in circumference at four feet from the ground.
The leaves on this shoot were not remarkable, measuring only about six inches
long, but large oak leaves were very common on this tree and many others—
the largest I have is 12} inches by 7 inches broad. The trunks of oak trees,
although not frost-split, were hurt, as was seen in the operation of peeling
them for bark. From an unequal distribution of the sap, large patches of the
bark adhered persistently to the wood.

As regards Hollies, many of them are dead, a few slightly hurt, others very
much ; but wherever there were signs of life in any of them, they have been
left, if peradventure they may recover from the injury they have sustained.
It may be worthy of remark that here there were two very old Hollies and
one has been killed and the other has escaped ; they were of the same variety,
their age is not known. ‘The dimensions of the one that was killed was 34
feet high, and with very spreading branches; the trunk short and 9 feet
7 inches in circumference. The one that is left is much taller, but not near
80 spreading.

It was not seen that Yews had suffered so much till mid-summer, when one
branch after another continued to dietilllatein the autumn. In early spring
it was evident that some would die, but many kept their verdure till summer
and even autumn before the leaves changed their hue. The large yew hedge
on either side of the green walk escaped unhurt; its broad dense top kept a
heavy coating of snow throughout the intense frost, which, doubtless, formed
a good protection.

One Wellingtonia gigantea has been killed, the others are hurt. Walnuts
were very much destroyed, in one the large branches are dead to the trunk.
Juniperus Virginiana (Red Cedar) and Cedrus Atlantica, like the Yews, have
gone off bit by bit ; out of seven trees of the latter, only two remain. As for
Cedrus Deodara, allare dead. Elders, Briars (Dog Rose), and Privets in the
woods are much hurt and made little growth.

From what has been said of these hardy trees and shrubs, the fate of those
less hardy will be readily conceived. When speaking of only what is hardy

342 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

it may be mentioned that, in the garden, Cherries and Plums stood the frost
well, but Apples and Pears suffered greatly; not only were the fruit buds
killed, but in many cases the spurs perished. The fact may also be referred
to, that in trees of the same sort growing side by side, one has been killed
and another unhurt. The most striking examples are amongst the Yewsand
Hollies. °

Intense as the frost was in December, 1879, it has not been less so in Janu-
ary, 1881, but as the former was so destructive, the latter had less to do.
Fortunately, the summer of 1880 was more favourable to vegetation than
1879, and consequently the ripening process was more complete.

It may be of some interest to append the readings of the thermometers
during tLe period of the late low temperature, that they may be compared
with the above :—

Date. 1881. Max. Min. 9 a.m.

January 13 29° 10° 26°
ey 1a! 23 4 17
any 23 —8 2
saaceueO 17 —16 —6
Sealy 4 12 =alé
mi wt) 25 10 2
Leiba) 28 6 23
He EAA) 25 —2 16
oon 25 2 6
a ee 34 22 24
yh, gas 35 —6 25
ae ee 29 10 9
am SOG 29 =36 12
a POG 1Oon ss SL a

Shea 30 18 18

On comparing these readings of the thermometers it will be found that the
temperature of 1879 went three times below zero, as marked thus —, whereas
in 1881 it has gone below zero eight times.

Woodside, Kelso. By Francis Dovatas, M.D.

We have pretty well gauged the effects of last year’s intense frost here:
Laurels all killed to the ground ; -Acubas killed altogether ; old Holly trees,
over 80 years of age, either killed to the ground or having some vitality in
the stems alone— whether they will survive another winter remains to be seen.
Our Yews have suffered severely—some killed altogether, and others losing
great branches and causing most unsightly prunings. Walnuts frosted for
ten or twelve feet, and foliage now chiefly from old stems—recovery doubtful.
Sweet Jasmine altogether killed. Yellow Jasmine uninjured, as are Mahonias,
Cypresses, and Retinosporas. Rhododendrons and Azaleas also uninjured:
Most of my herbaceous and alpine plants escaped injury, being protected by
8 or 9 inches of snow when the thermometer was 13° below zero. The Balsam
Poplar usually has short foliage, but one here, in the latter part of the season,
produced leaves nearly a foot long, by 5 or 6 inches broad,

October, 1880.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 343

Notes on Effects of Frost of Winter, 1879-80, at Floors Gardens.
By Mr Henry Knicxr.

The past winter of 1879-80 was most disastrous to vegetation generally in
this neighbourhood. In giving a short summary of the damage done, I may
instance the almost entire destruction of the Portugal Laurels, These, in
many cases, are entirely killed where the snow had been suspended by trees
overhead, but where the snow had not been so suspended they are saved; the
roots, at least, which during the past summer have made a fair amount of
growth. Taking the Portugal Laurel as the evergreen plant that suffered
most of any, the Holly may be named next in order. Out of a large number
of old trees which had grown tall and lanky, it was found that few were
worth leaving, they had got so much damage; they were therefore cut over
at two feet or so from the ground, and now they are all making good growths,
and will ultimately make good bushy plants. A singular fact in connection
with the holly is, that it was found the variegated variety was not so much
damaged as the green kind—that, in reality, the variegated was hardier than
the green. The Yew suffered next in order; but some varieties were much
hardier, such as the Irish Yew, than others, and little or no damage was done
to them. Some trees that have a portion of their branches left will have still
to be cut over in order that they may ultimately make some sort of unifurm
plant. A Yew hedge here, some 24 years old, was cruelly punished —some
parts of it at least again showing the weakness of varieties as compared with
others. This is a serious damage, asit forms an evergreen wall to a vegetable
garden. The common Bay Laurel, by the acre, had to be cut over to the
ground, and these are all making more or less strong growths again. Few
of these evergreens were killed outright, being very much hardier than the
Portugal varicty, which is not to be wondered at seeing that in France the
Portugal has been injured some seasons when the Magnolia grandiflora has
been uninjured. Rhvdodendrons have proved the hardiest of all our ever-
greens on the whole, especially the hybrids of the North American and
Caucasus species. Some varieties of Ponticwm, and varieties in which the
arboreum blood has been introduced have been killed. In future planting,
therefore, preference should be given to the hybrids of the two first named
species as they are quite as beautiful flowers. Boxwood was seriously dam-
aged on low ground; indeed everything showed a weaker tendency on low
hollows, and more especially on low water courses; the effects of the frost
were distinctly traced on such places, and no doubt the glass would here have
indicated some degrees more frost than where it was. As it was, we regis-
tered 10° below zero, or 42° of frost. Many other plants suffered very
considerably, such as Roses, Conifers, and brushwood of various kinds.
Roses on conservative walls were killed to the ground, Standards were
killed outright, and Dwarf Roses in beds were killed to the snow line, which
is enough to point to a warning only to plant Dwarfsin future. Shrubs, sach
as Aucuba, Laurestinus, and Kalmia were bitten to the snow line also.
Amongst the Conifers, the tenderest seem to be the Cedrus Deodara and the
Araucaria, both of which are seriously damaged, but not killed as in some
places ; but this may be accounted for by the protection afforded by glass-
houses close by. Oaks were seriously injured; one, two, and three year-old

344 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

woods were killed on many varieties, but as far as seen, none outright, though
in many cases the bark of both Oak and other trees was split up somewhat
similar to what was found on the Portugal Laurel and Holly. This willina
year or two be seen more fully, no doubt. Fruit trees suffered in a large de-
‘gree, for the frost came on us when the trees were in full leaf and full of sap.
Many Apricot and Apple trees were killed outright, minus the stock, or other-
wise so damaged that renewal is found necessary in many cases; as in some
varieties four year old wood was killed, and the older branches so split that
they had to be cut out entirely. Some varieties of the common Ivy were also
killed, and in all cases the leaves were killed as well as the current year’s
growth.
November 29th, 1880.

Floors and Bowmont Forest. By Mr Samvrt RED.

The Oak trees at Floors some two, and others of three years growth were
cut off; Spanish Chestnuts in the nursery were cut to the ground; Cedrus
Deodara was very much cut up; also in young Wellingtonia the leaders were
all cut off. Of Yew trees, where much exposed the tops died off. Hollies
were all cut back. In shrubs, Bay Laurels, Portugal Laurels, and Laures-
tinus, were ail cut to the ground. Aucuba was treated ‘similarly.

Mahonia and Rhododendrons are the two shrubs not injured by the frost.
At Floors, treesthat have escaped are Ash, Beech, Birch, Horse Chestnut, Elm,
Wych, and English, Laburnum, Lime, Sycamore, Poplars, Larch, Scotch
Fir, and Spruce. Abies Douglasi, Silver Fir, Picea nobilis, P. Nordmanniana,
Pinus Austriaca, P. Cembra, P. Laricio, Thujopsis Borealis, and Cupresus
Lawsoniana, have all escaped without injury. The lowest temperature at
Floors was 13° below zero. At Bowmont Forest the damage is very light.
The trees are mostly Larch, Scotch Fir, and Spruce, which stood the frost
without injury. There are a few Oaks which were not in the least affected.
Shrubs that were cut to the ground at Floors, were not damaged here. Green
Hollies, Aucuba Japonica, and Bay Laurels were not injured; but it is quite
a change when you get down to the Kale-banks, just below Caverton Mill.
In that quarter there are a good many Oaks that are quite dead, a great deal
worse than they were at Floors; where nearest to the water, most damage
has been done. I have no account of the temperature at Bowmont Forest.

24th Nov., 1880.

Ormiston House. By Witutam B. Boyp, Esa.

The winter of 1879 and 1880 was one of the most severe within my recol-
lection. Thestorm commenced on the Ist Dec., witha fall of snow 83 inches
deep, with the thermometer shewing 12° of frost, which increased in inten-
sity till the morning of the 4th Dec., when the thermometer at daybreak
shewed 50° of frost, or 18° below zero. My thermometer was quite unpro-
tected, and only 23 feet from the ground. The damage done to trees and
shrubs was great, and would have been more so had we not had a good cover-
ing of snow, All the Oak trees growing below an elevation of 60 feet above

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 345

the river Teviot, had all the leading shoots killed, and seemed otherwise quite
dead ; most of them, however, in about two months after the usual time of
sprouting, made young leaves from the main trunk and some from the
branches, and others again have made no leaves at all. Those trees which
sprouted again have made unusually large leaves (nearly double the ordinary
size), and the danger will be that with another severe winter on the unripened
wood the trees will be killed entirely. Many other trees suffered as well as
the Oaks, viz.—Spanish Chestnut, Planes, Elms, and Ashes ; in these many of
the branches and last year’s woods are dead, and the trees will be long before
they assume their original shape, if ever they do so.

Shrubs also suffered severely, the following were all killed to the ground
Yews, Hollies, Box, Cupressus Lawsoni, Picea Pinsapo, Araucaria imbricata,
Portugal and common Laurels, Jasminum nudiflorum, Wistaria Sinensis, many
old apple trees. Peach trees on the wall and Apricots, Schumac, Privet,
Laburnum, both Scotch and common, and all the Roses, Pernettya mucronata
and all the Escallonias, besides many others. My house here is covered with
a great variety of Climbing plants, and the only three that were not killed
down or damaged were Atragene Austriaca, Prunus Sinensis, fl. pl., and Acer
negundo variegata. From Kelso all the way to Mounteviot up to an elevation
of 60 feet above the river Teviot, the Oaks and Spanish Chestnuts are affected
in the way I have mentioned. Herbaceous and Alpine plants were nothing
the worse, having such a good covering of snow, in fact some plants such as
the Libertias, Francoas, and Montbretias which unusually require protection
were quite unhurt in the open border.

Oct. 27th, 1880.

Jedburgh. By Mr Joun Hitson.

The destruction of trees and shrubs by the dreadful severity of the frost of
Dec. 4th, 1879, is unexampled in this district. Gentlemen’s grounds are full
of gaps from the havoc committed. Yews, Elms, Young Oaks, Rhododendra,
Laurels, Ivies, and Hollies, all have suffered a fatal blight. The work of
death was gradual, for it was far into spring, and some extent into summer,
before vitality shewed itself as hopeless in the trees. Nothing like it here-
abouts is remembered. All agree that it was the above date which witnessed
the blow. People unite in saying that it exceeded in severity anything ever
felt in the valleys of the south of Scotland. Iwas at Torquay -at the time,
and there the cold was intense, a dry skin-flaying rigour of climate which the
Channel air did nothing to mollify. A friend in Kelso tells me that in that
town the frost was so arctic in keenness that if you grasped an iron handle of
a pump, the skin of the hand would be left attached. The rest of the winter
here was not so severe, and when New Year was past it became milder than
we had it in Devonshire.

Sept. 2nd, 1880.

Mounteviot. By Mr Joun Pace.

I have looked up the weather account, as kept at the gardens here, for the
the year 1879, showing the height above the sea level, number of wet days,

346 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

amount of rain, the greatest heat and severest frost, height of the thermometer
above ground, with list of plants and trees killed to the ground or severely
damaged.
The height of Jedburgh Market Place is 269 feet above sea level, and the
gardens here are about the same.
100 parts to an inch.

Wet days. Days. Total for each month.
January .. 3 re *27 10ths of an inch.
February .. 12 ee «86114
March si) wae Soy Ue a
April ore ial we 76 a
May se 10 suet LO %

June Aries | cone 98 :
July oo 13 BT hee IS) _
August .. 18 ve ee a4 rd
September.. 8 . “92 1p
October’ "3. 7 ri 83 eg
November .. 5 we 97 oo

December .. — 5 inches snow.

Rain 114 days. 14 inches.
August had most wet days: July had the greatest fallofrain. The greatest
fall of rain in one day during the year was on July 15th, when ‘84 fell.
The greatest heat, August 11th, was 75°

9? be) 12th, 3” 73
319) 39 14th, 9? 70
5 Sept. 6th, ,, 70

These are the only four days when the thermometer reached 70° and
upwards.

The severest frost occurred on Wednesday, 3rd, and Thursday, 4th, Dec.,
1879. Thermometer, as noted in my pocket book, commencing on the 3rd at
8 a.m :—

8 a.m. 33° frost, 1 below zero. 2 p.m. 12° frost.
12 noon 23, 4p.m.24 ,,
Dip amie 2) a ‘9p.m.26 ,, 6° above zero.
4p.m.32 ,, at zero. 5th.
9p.m. 38 ,, 6° below zero. 8am. 33 ,, 17 below zero.
4th 4pm.29 ,,
8a.m.45 ,, 138° below zero. 6th.
10a.m. 30 ,, 2° above zero. Sa. 2 yy
12am. 22 ,, 4pm.24 ,,

This frost commenced on November 23rd, and continued every night up
to December 13th ; it then broke for two nights, 14th and 15th, when the
thermometer stood at minimum, 35° and 39° respectively, being 3° and 7°
above freezing point. The thermometers stood above ground 2 feet 6 inches,
and were exposed, except fora small ledge of vood above them. Thermometers
(registering ones) made by Adie & Son, Edinburgh.

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 347

List of Trees and Shrubs killed and disabled :—

Oaks, 1 and 2. Rhododendrons ponticums and
Yews, 1 and 2. hybrids, some fine old bunches,
Tree Box, 1. 1 and 2.
Hollies, all kinds, 1. Aucubas, 1.
Ivies of sorts, 1 and 2. Cotoneaster macrophylla, 1 and 2.
Laurels—Portugal, Bays, and Cratzegus Pyracantha, 1.

. Sweet Bays, 1. Cydonia Japonica, 1 and 2,
Chestnuts, sweet, 1 and 2. - Gum Cistus, 1.

- Magnolias, 2. Garrya elliptica, 1.

EES, 1. . Forsythia Fortunéi, 1.

. Roses, old varieties on walls, 1. Privet, common, 1 and 2.
Clematis, on walls, 1 and 2. Paulownia imperialis, 1.

. Escallonia macrantha, 1. . Olea ilicifolia, 1,

- Berberis Darwinii, 1. . Rhaphiolepis ovata, 1.

. Buddlea globosa, 1. Ribes sanguineum, 1 and 2,
Yellow Broom, 1. Santolina, 1.
Whin or Furze, 1. . Spanish Broom, 1,
Deodaras, 1 and 2. Viburnum tinus, 1.
Wellingtonias, 1 and 2. Akebia quinata, 1.
Araucaria (three stood unscathed . Yucca recurvifolia, 1 and 2,

on Penilheugh), 1 and 2. . Yucca gloriosa, 1 and 2.

. Pampas Grass, 1. Rose Acacia, 1.

. Arundo conspicua, 1. Walnuts, 2.

. Tritomas much weakened, Retinospora Ericoides, 1 and 2.

although covered. Picea Pinsapo, 2.

Apples, 1 and 2.
Pears, 1 and 2.

Note.—1 means killed, and 2 severely injured. A dotin front of the names
means they were covered with hay, straw, or mats.

Owing to a coating of snow at the time all Herbaceous plants were safe.
The Temperature was low all that summer only rising to 75°, and that for
one day only, and only reaching 70° four times during the summer. I have
only given the number of days on which rain fell. There were also a great
many dull days, that is days wanting sun but no rain fell.

Altogether it was a wet, dull, and sunless summer, with a very low tem-
perature. All Tender Annuals perished in the flower garden after being
raised in heat, and hardened off, such as Zinnias, Salpiglossises, Mesembry-
anthemums and a host of such things. In the kitchen garden, French Beans
would not grow, nor Vegetable Marrows unless under glass; Tomatoes on
walls would not grow. Peas were one month later in filling in early summer.
Fruits would not ripen. Strawberries were quite insipid. Owing to the death
of shrubs, &c., the appearance of the flower garden is quite altered—the frame,
as it were, having been taken from the picture.

Among the plants that stood the severity of the winter untouched were
Mahonias; and without any protection, Thujopsis dolobrata, Ampelopsis
Veitchii on walls, Aristolochia Sipho, Wistaria Sinensis, Weigelia rosea.

The summer of 1880 was fine ; but owing to the Oaks having to break out
of old wood, which caused them to be much later, and ae to be in

R

348 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

an unripe state, I am very much afraid that that unprecedented frost in
October, 1880, when the thermometer went 3° below zero will finish what the
year 1879 began. If so, Oaks in the flower garden here, which I have no
doubt are 200 years old, will all perish.

January 13th, 1881.

Minto House Gardens. By Mr Jonn Gattoway.

1878-9.—I am sorry I can give you no reliable information, as regards the
damage done on the banks of the river Teviot upwards, but it evidently must
have been great owing to the amount of debris that came down the morning
following the memorable night of the 28th December last. The storm com-
menced on the 1st December, 1878, and broke up on the 5th February, 1879,
except three fresh days we had on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, of January, 1878.

The thermometer fell as low as 30° of frost during that time.

The damage done to plants and shrubs was very trifling, except that I lost
some Pampas grass, and a few Tritomas.

1879-80.—Frost set in again on the 28th of November following, with 10°
of black frost for three nights running, and 3 inches of snow on the day fol-
lowing.

December Ist, 11° of frost, 2nd 27°, 3rd, 4° below zero, and on the morn-
ing of the 4th was the lowest that was registered here, 8° below zero; on
the 5th at zero, 6th, 17°, 7th, 15°, 8th, 24°, 9th, 23°, 10th, 12°, 11th, 17°.
12th, 17°, The thermometer was standing exposed 4 feet above ground.

We had fresh weather from the 5th to the 9th January, and the storm
broke up on 28th January, 1880.

The damage sustained by trees and shrubs, owing to the last severe winter
I have mentioned, was almost exclusively confined to Laurestinuses, Euony-
muses, Acacias, Jasmines, Garrya elliptica and Cotoneaster ; all those I have
mentioned are on Minto House, and under the shelter of a balcony, and are
all more or less injured by frost. Laurestines were frozen to the ground, but
are all coming away from the root.

Hoturss, Portucat LAavrets, AND LAUREL-Bays.—Those that were well
exposed to the light, were only partially destroyed, but those that were under
the shelter of trees in lower ground were all frosted, but are coming away
from the root. Of two of Thuja gigantea, not over 20 yards apart, one is al-
most frosted to the ground, the other is scorched the same as if it had been
done by fire.

Peacues, Pear, Apple and Apricot Trers.—The frost struck the trees
while their leaves were quite green. It froze them through and fixed them
on The withered leaves shrivelled as if fire had at once scorched and fixed
them.. This gave the treesa ghastly death-like appearance. Some of the
green wood shared a fate similar to that of the leaves and was severely
bruised and discoloured. The branches haye all the appearance of the cold
having hit them a violent blow, or as if they had been held vice-like in the
cold crushing gripe of the frost.

But now October 1st, Iam pleased to say that all the trees are in a duly
healthy condition, and I have gathered q nice crop of fruit off them all except

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 349

Apple and Pear trees. Out of a collection of 400 dwarf Roses, I did not loss
one. Of Standards, I nearly lost all.
The only Forest tree that was spoiled by frost, was the Elm, which was split.
The Estates of Wells and Cavers suffered rather more by the severe frost
of 1879-80, than has been experienced at Minto.
Oct., 1880.

SELKIRKSHIRE.

On the Effects of the Winter, 1879-80, on Gardens, Shrubberies, §c.,
in Selkirkshire. By the Rev. James Farqunarson, M.A.,
Selkirk.

The winter of 1879-80 differed in several respects from that of 1878-79.
The cold, while it lasted, was much more intense ; but it passed away quickly.
While the six months’ winter of 1878-79 was characterised by a uniformly
low temperature, scarce relieved by any milder interval, that of 1879-80 was
notable for a sudden dip into intense cold at the beginning of theseason. The
thermometer in many places fell below zero in the beginning of December;
but after that ‘‘ cold snap ”’ the winter months were comparatively mild. The
difference between the two seasons will be seen by a glance at the average
thermometrical readings for the various months, which have been obligingly
furnished to me by Mr Mathison, from the Meteorological Society’s Station
at Bowhill. ;

1878-79. Max. Min. 1879-80 Max. Min.

October 53°19 43°26 October. 53°22 35°70
November 41-10 32°60 November 45°50 33°27
December 34°09 25°32 December 39°40 26°25
January 34°25 23°58 | January 37°27 28°16
February 36°96 28°57 February 45°22 35°00
March 42°30 31°23 March 49-90 30°29
April 47°10 33°80 April 52°00 36°14

In 1879-80 the lowest readings were—in November, 2nd, 23°, 14th, 21°
15th, 22°; in Dec., 2nd, 19°, 3rd, 8°, 4th, 3°; inJan., 14th and 19th, 192,
20th, 15°; in Feb., 9th, 27°; in March, 19th, 22°; and in April, 30th, 25°.

It will be observed that the thermometer reached its minimum at Bowhill
on Dec. 4th, 1879, when it stood at 3°. Bowhill, however, stands at some
height above the river, and is much sheltered by wood ; and at several more
exposed places down the valley of the Ettrick, and on a level with the river,
the readings on the same day were considerably below zero. But keen as the
frost was, it was not so intense in this upland district as that reported from
the lower reaches of the Tweed ; and its influence on vegetation, although
sufficiently destructive, was not so disastrous asin many low-lying districts
along the Borders. It is evident also from the reports about to be referred to
that the injurious effects of the cold diminished as the elevation increased, and
were less marked at Ettrick Manse near the head of the valley than in this
Parish at its lower end.

In estimating the influence of the winter in question on vegetation, it must
also be borne in mind that the preceding summer (1879) had been exception-

350 On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80.

ally cold and wet. The young wood of shrubs and trees had, in consequence,
to encounter the blighting frost in an unripened state, and suffered much
more than would have been the case after a summer of average character.

I have endeavoured to make the inquiry as to Selkirkshire more complete
than in the note furnished for the Proceedings last year, and have been fa-
voured with short reports, bearing on the state of matters in their respective
neighbourhoods, from Lord Napier and Ettrick, Thirlestane Castle ; the Rev.
Dr Russell, Yarrow Manse; J. W. Dennistoun, Esq., the Hangingshaw ; the
Rev. Mr Falconer, Ettrick Manse ; and Mr James Mathison, Bowhill.

Selkirk (500 to 600 feet above the sea), Bowhill (592), and Hangingshaw
(600), all in the lower part of our two valleys, elevated considerably above
the rivers, and surrounded with wood, may be regarded as subject nearly to
the same weather conditions. Yarrow Manse (660) is nine miles above Sel-
kirk, and on the banks of the river, without sheltering wood ; while Thirles-
tane Castle (woods ranging from 750 to 950), and Ettrick Manse (780) are
respectively 174 and 19 miles above Selkirk, the former surrounded by thick
plantations, the latter more exposed. There is thus considerable variety,
both of elevation and exposure, in the places embraced in this report. My
queries were the same to each correspondent, and the results may be sum-
marised as follows.

1. Forrest Trees.—Uninjured throughout the county.

2. SHRUBS AND SHRuBBY TreEEs.—At Selkirk Manse, none killed, al-
though the whole young wood, the growth of 1879, was destroyed. Some
of the larger and older hollies at Bowhill and Hangingshaw killed. Mr
Dennistoun remarks that those ‘‘ which suffered most had an immense crop
of berries last year’’ (1879). - Common Bay and Portugal Laurels; at Selkirk
and Hangingshaw, much injured, some killed. At Bowhill, suffered little.
Yew: tips of more exposed branches browned: none killed. Lawrestinus,
Aucuba, Escallonia, Berberis Darwinii: killed: With these exceptions shrubs
generally withstood the frost. The Deodars on Howebottom, much exposed,
escaped unscathed.

At Yarrow, Thirlestane, and Ettrick, no injury was done to Holly, or Yew ;
and Laurels were not much more injured than by an ordinary winter. Dr
Russell writes ‘‘The holly shrubs, and hedges at Yarrow Manse, though
near and almost on a level with the river, were not in the least injured by the
frost.”? Contrast this with the vigorous holly hedge at Roxburgh Manse
(200 feet above the sea) cut down to the ground.

In all parts of the country Rhododendrons, both Ponticum and Hybrid,
stood the winter well ; but the flower-buds were killed, so that Rhododen-
dron blossom was a rarity in 1880.

3. Wain AnD Broom.—In the lower districts greatly injured ; a large pro-
portion of the bushes killed. Less hurt in the upper part of the country.
Dr. Russell and Mr Falconer report the Broom unusually rich in blossom in
the summer of 1880.

4, GARDEN VEGETABLES.—Brocoli, Brussels Sprouts, Winter Cabbage, &c.,
suffered a good deal, but were not wholly destroyed as in the previous winter.
In the Manse Garden here there was an excellent crop of these vegetables in
spring; and in almost all varieties of Garden Vegetables grown by me the

On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 351

season of 1880 was, I think, the most productive I have known for twenty
years. In the district generally, there was a good supply of vegetables.
Fortunately, in December, 1879, snow lay deep on the ground during the pre-
valence of the severe frost, and protected the humbler growths of the garden.

5. Fruit Trees.— Apples, Pears, and Plums, a failure. Small fruit, a fair
or abundant crop in all the gardens reported on, except in Ettrick, where
Lord Napier and Mr Falconer speak of a deficiency in Black Currants, a fruit
which ordinarily grows there in great perfection.

6. Frowrrinc TreEs.—Owing probably more to the unripened state of
their young wood than to the severity of the frost, these seem to have suffered
severely. All the reports except one speak of scanty blossom on Horse Chest-
nut, Laburnum, &c., in the summer of 1880, The Hawthorn, indeed, may be
said not to have blossomed at all. Such hardy natives as the Hazel and the

Sloe produced no fruit. The only exception to the somewhat dismal tale
' comes from Ettrick, Mr Falconer reporting, ‘“‘Manse Chestnuts were most
luxuriant in flower.’’

This last remark recalls the observation already made as to the decrease of
injury in proportion to the increase of elevation. The reports from Yarrow,
Thirlestane, and Ettrick testify to less injury from the December frost than
was experienced in this lower region of the county; and I have no doubt the
whole county will compare favourably with what is recorded of less hilly
districts nearer the sea level. Unfortunately I have been unable to obtain an
accurate record of the temperature in Ettrick. My informants say they do
believe the thermometer was lower than 5° below zero on the ‘coldest night.

Frost of 1879 at Ashiesteel. By Miss Russet.

The severe frost of November or December, 1879, at Ashiesteel, as in other
places, did most mischief among large old shrubs, &c. The way in which
young shoots escaped is surprising. Although the greater part of the more
modern Roses had to be cut down nearly to the ground, a Gloire de Dijon,
which had been so cut down a year before on account of the wood being old
and not growing, had three or more strong green shoots of which even the
leaves were not frosted.

(It may be remarked that if the frost did not cut down Tea Roses so often
as it does, they would have to be cut down otherwise ; for their strong growths,
like those of the Briar, begin to go back after a few seasons. In fact, being
felled occasionally is nearly the only pruning a strong-growing Tea Rose
should have).

A young Apricot, which was not thriving, was killed dead on a south wall.
Another, and two Peach Trees, on the same wall little hurt. The Chimonan-
thus fragans had the shoots blackened at the ends. Of several shrubby
Althzeas—shrubby Mallows or hardy Hibiscuses—which had been lately
planted, three survived the winter without being cut over, but two were late
of coming into leaf, and it is doubtful how they and some other things may
stand the ensuing winter, for the shoots could not be ripened. This shrub

352 Motto of a Silver Coin, by James Hardy.

does very well on walls about Edinburgh. A shrubby Hypericum is now
growing strongly from the root.

Two young plants of Spirea Lindleyana, planted among grass, coming up
from the roots. The Spirea ariaefolia is perfectly hardy, also an old-fash-
ioned pink Spirea still remaining as a hedge where there was an old vegetable
garden in the east end of the haugh. This last is a valuable shrub for damp
ground. The White Broom much injured, if not killed. Portugal Laurels,
some of which were going back from other frosts, or merely from age, are
very much injured. <A very large old one, of which the original stem must
be something like four feet round, and which has long had dead wood about
it, is not so leafless as the others, from being sheltered. Some young Rhodo-
dendrons near the lower lodge are quite or nearly killed, though of the early
crimson class; some of different kinds near the upper lodge are not touched.

The only things to be much regretted are the injury to two very large
Hollies near the house, which have been all but killed, and are much dis-
figured. They have been in the habit of bearing enormous crops of red and
yellow berries respectively ; whether this was the cause or the indication of
a weakened state. None of the Hollies without berries seem to have been
frosted at all. And that done to the old fruit-trees on the lawn, of which the
Pear-tree and one of the Apples look half dead; they were much covered with
lichen, and were certainly very old; but it is difficult to believe they have
been really killed by frost. The sweet-scented garden Clematis flammula is
dead in several places; the C. Vitalba, or Traveller’s Joy, not injured ; this
latter is supposed to be a native of England. A young plant of a hardy
American Magnolia, on a wall, is perfectly uninjured. The Fuchsia Ric-
cartoni is in all respects a hardy perennial at Ashiesteel, dying down each
season. The height of Ashiesteel, from 450 to 500 feet above the sea.

October, 1880.

Motto dic a Silver Coin of the Emperor Charles V., found
at Kelso. By James Harpy.

In Vol. VIII. of the Club’s ‘‘ Proceedings,” p. 548, is a notice
of a Spanish silver coin of the age of Charles V., and his mother
Joanna, found at Kelso in 1879. The central device on the
reverse consisted of two crowned pillars placed amidst the waves
of the sea, but two of the letters of the legend being rubbed
could not be accurately deciphered. The true reading is PLYS
VLTR. The two pillars represent the Pillars of Hercules, the
utmost gateway of the world, according to the ancient acceptance.
The original phrase was NE PLVS VLTRA, “No more beyond,”
but when Columbus had revealed a new continent, the two graven
pillars looking out upon the deep were still retained, but a word
was struck out of the motto, which then became PLVS VLTRA,
‘“ More beyond.”

353

Scraps relating to Natural History in North Northumber-
land. By CHARLES MurRAY ADAMSON, Esq., Newcastle.

Cotras Epusa.—Being more interested in Birds than Insects, I
will merely make some remarks about Butterflies, and be done
with the subject. In 1877, we were as usual at Holy Island in
_ August and September. The Butterflies we met with were, first
in importance, Colias Edusa, the others the Meadow Brown, Com-
mon Blue, Tortoise-shell, Painted Lady, the Small White, and the
Grayling. With respect to the last, being not so well up in the
subject as I ought to have been, I thought it was the Wall; but
having brought one home, Mr. Hancock on seeing it pronounced
. it the Grayling. This shows how cautious one should be in posi-
tively stating a circumstance, and consequently how often mis-
takes arise and occur in writing about species met with. About
Colias Edusa, which was not uncommon in some places that year,
I and one of my children saw one in our own garden at North
Jesmond on the 17th June, 1877, the first we ever saw on the
wing. On the 29th August, at Holy Island, we saw one. Atthe
time we saw it, Ethel and I were looking for a Green Sandpiper.
I tried to catch the butterfly, she taking hold of my gun, and
lending me her hat, mine being a very soft one, but I failed to
do so, it flew so quickly when chased. It was within a yard of
me twice, when it settled on a Hawkweed flower, nearly the colour
of itself, on the side of a sand hill. On September 3rd we also
saw another, and on the 11th, two were caught and two others
seen by my elder son, who has since sent me a large collection of
butterflies from the Karen Hills and other partsof Burmah. On
the 16th, a sunny day, but with a cold N.W. wind, twelve were
caught, and on that day they were actually common. Of those
caught, nine were males and three females. I copy from my
notes :—‘‘ They were very difficult to run down. The first was
caught after a very long chase ; but afterwards, by allowing them
to settle, which they often did on the Hawkweed and Lady’s
Finger, they were more easily captured. Mary caught by far the
greatest number. We had neither nets nor boxes, but we found
amongst us two pins on which we stuck the butterflies sideways,
and in this manner they received very little damage.” On the
17th, on another part of the Island, one was seen, but there might
have been plenty of them, as we did not look for them. On the
18th, one was caught by Mary; and, on the 26th, one was caught

354 Scraps relating to Natural History, By C. M. Adamson,

on the Heugh, and others were seen flying along the road as we
were leaving the Island tocome home. Now, from the numbers
there were that year, any one would naturally expect the insect
would firmly establish itself, and that in future years it would
be met with; but such has evidently not been the case, as I have
not seen or heard of one since. What is the cause? Perhaps
some persons might say we caught them all. Such a notion is
absurd, as it was no easy matter to catch them, for they fly very
fast when going with the wind, as they seem always to do, and
running amongst the sand hills is pretty hard work. Sometimes
one had to be chased a great distance before being run down, and
many that were run after escaped easily. One singular circum-
stance with respect to the genus ‘‘ Colias”’ is that a species closely
allied to Hdusa, inhabits Lapland and another Greenland, showing
that temperature does not affect them; and, if this is so, why is
Edusa so erratic in its habits? How can these irregularities of
occurrence be accounted for? Probably one insect-eating bird,
or a mouse, would destroy at a meal more than an entomologist
would in a season.

Before noticing anything about individual species of Birds, I
will say something of Holy Island, and the Slakes about it, which
are undoubtedly great resting places at the different seasons for
many species passing on migration, as well as feeding places for
some species during winter. Sometimes for days you may wander
over the Slakes without getting a shot at any bird worth shooting
at either for food or from which to get instruction, the greater
portion of the ground on which the birds congregate being so
flat and without a vestige of shelter, they cannot be approached.
Following them under these circumstances tries any one but a
naturalist, and often tries even his patience. It is no place gene-
rally for ordinary sportsmen whose only wish is to get many shots
and fill a large bag; but, at the same time, I may add it takes
about as much skill and patience to stalk a Curlew as it probably
often does to kill a stag. The persons who can take delight in
such a place are those, and they only who know what birds to
look for, and who can understand the tactics requisite to get near
what they are looking for when they come across them.

The naturalist looking for rare birds generally likes to be alone,
or with one friend on whom he can rely, so as to be able to drive
birds if necessary, and who understands as well as himself about

Scraps relating to Natural History, by C.M. Adamson. 355

approaching the birds, taking into consideration the state of the
wind and tide and other circumstances. One who shoots at what-
ever comes in his way, useful and useless, is no company for him.

I have a kind of affection for the place, as on it I have spent
so much time pleasantly, and have also derived so much, to me,
most interesting information from those of its productions I have
been so fortunate as to meet with in my frequent rambles. I
may state that I cannot be too thankful for all my life having
taken great interest in Nature’s works: the study of these, at
any rate, seems to harmlessly occupy one’s spare time, which
unfortunately, unless one has similar tastes, is too frequently
very ill spent; and I here add my sincere thanks to Mr Crossman,
’ the lord of the manor, for his kindness in having given me per-
mission to follow my pursuits during the last few years over his
lands—an indulgence, I believe, not usually given, as he has a
great dislike to all kinds of birds being persecuted and destroyed.

Ricuarpson’s Arctic Guiu.—Birds of the year, as well as
mature birds, in about equal numbers, arrive on the coast and
are about Holy Island from the third week in August, and the
species seems to keep passing for about a month. The numbers
coming seem regulated by the quantity of Terns they meet
with, on whose industry they rely. I have observed them for
many years at this time. I once shot one feeding on the refuse
from the fishing boats on the shore in the harbour. I think these
birds acquire their mature plumage in the autumn of the next
year after they are hatched, as I shot one as it flew over the sand
hills in August, 1878, a very interesting and pretty bird. Although
it has many of the barred feathers (those first acquired) remain-
ing, it is a very light coloured bird, being white from the chin
to the tail, excepting the few barred feathers which remain. It
is the only bird ina similar state of plumage I haveseen. During
a heavy squall with rain in the end of August, I could not help
admiring the flight of this Gull as it chased some Terns. It was
blowing so hard, and the rain was so heavy, I was glad to take
shelter within the look-out on the Heugh, and just peep over to
watch some friends coming over from the Law in a boat. One
would have thought it a time for even this bird to take shelter.
Not so, however ; he was as importunate for food as if it was a
fine day ; the wind and rain apparently had not the least effect on
his buoyant flight, and he seemed to be playing with the gale,
turning sideways to it with the greatest ease, and ee with

LS

356 Scraps relating to Natural History, by C. M. Adamson.

apparently the least exertion to himself, till he had obliged the
Terns to give up their food, when he as usual left them to go in
search for more or go without, he not caring so long as he got
what he required from them. Some years they are much less
common than others. In 1876, I only saw one fly near us when
we were in a boat going to draw fishing lines, which flew towards
the boat; and it was pretty to see it as it examined a bladder
floating to show where a line was. It seemed not to understand
it, looking attentively at it, and turning its head sideways, so as
to see it more distinctly as it passed fearlessly on. During the
last days of August, 1880, we walked from Holy Island to Bam-
borough, when we saw many of these birds flying along the coast
backwards and forwards, and occasionally chasing the Terns as -
usual. None seemed to settle on the water, but it was amusing
to see them in pursuit of the Terns; in fact it reminded me of
hawking with trained hawks, as they seemed to act in concert, or
of coursing a hare with a couple of greyhounds. Many times
they hunted in couples, two singling out a Tern from a flock, pro-
bably the one which had the prize sought for; but I could not
give an opinion whether the two Gulls acted in concert—one to
help the other—or that they bullied the Tern each on his own
account, but between the two the poor Tern had apparently no
chance till he had given up the coveted morsel, when it was left
alone. Can any one tell us why this bird does not accompany
the Terns on its northern migration in spring? I never knew
one having been procured at that season.

Storm Prrret.—On the 10th Sept., 1876, the Storm Petrel in
my collection was found dead by my daughter Mary on Goswick
Sands. It had been washed up by the tide, and was as wet as it
could be and mixed with sand. It looked like a House Martin,
from the white mark on its back; but so soon as I saw what it
was I took it to the land, and in the first fresh water I found I
washed it thoroughly, and let it dry in the wind as we went home.
By the time we got there it was perfectly dry and as clean as ever
it was. It was moulting some of its body feathers, was lean, but
the cause of its death I know not. Who knows any thing about
these birds’ migrations, I wonder ?

Common Gopwir.—During the latter part of, the month of
August, in 1880, in my rambles on the slakes, I saw, as.is usual
at this time of the year, some large flocks of these birds which
were unapproachable. I picked up several red feathers, and also

Scraps relating to Natural History, by C. M. Adamson. 357

some dark tail feathers of the mature birds, cast during the regu-
lar autumnal moult from summer to winter plumage ; this proved
some old birds were about this year atanyrate. Imay add there
was at the time a continuance of south-easterly winds, which may
have detained these old birds on their migration this year. A
friend of mine went out with a small gun in his punt, and he shot
several young birds; the next day I accompanied him as a spec-
tator to.see if I could observe any red birds, but the shore is so
wonderfully flat there are few places you can take even a punt
near where such birds ordinarily frequent, and although we saw
some Godwits in the distance, only two young birds came within
shot, flying over the punt. Being very anxious to meet with a
’ bird in,its red plumage, and being satisfied some were about by
the feathers I had found, on the 30th August I called at the
watcher’s house and told him I was going to try to shoot a red
Godwit. I then walked to the Sandriggs, which are very far out,
about high tide, and the tides being poor there was little danger
of my being overtaken. I saw many large flocks which flew out
ofsight. One flock of about twenty birds I saw coming towards me,
and I lay flat down on the sand. I shot at the flock, which came
high, from the north to the west of me, with a now old-fashioned
Hley’s wire green cartridge No. 3 shot. One bird came flop down
dead, another came sloping down, and on its reaching the ground
it immediately tried to rise again, when I saw it was winged. I
considered it my bird. It ran like a greyhound, I after it, but
it had the advantage of one hundred yards start. Itran towards
a deep gut running north; I stopped and shot at it, as I saw if it
took to the water the wind and tide would take it away, and I
should lose it, but being out of breath, and the bird being at a
great distance, I could not stop it, and it took to the water like a
little duck. When I got to the water’s edge I could easily have
killed it, but I at once saw if I killed it any further attempt to
get it was hopeless, as a strong S.E. wind was blowing, which
made the water rough, and I could not see its depth, the tide
Tunning out fast, and it was a place where there are dangerous
quicksands, and I was obliged to give it up asalost bird. On
seeing how matters were, I left it to look after the other one, and
to my delight, on picking it up, I saw its breast was red. He
came down with such a flop his beak was broken by the fall.
Well, I wrapped him up carefully and put him safely in my bag.
Having done this, I retraced my steps to see if I could now

358 Scraps relating to Natural History, by C. M. Adamson.

see anything of my other friend, or, as he would probably con-
sider me, his enemy; as the water was rough, I thought if he
could, on my departure, he would come ashore; but I could see
nothing of it, though I searched attentively, and I concluded it
must have been carried out to sea. However, asI could not cross
the gut where I was, I went to the ford at some distance further
south, and came back on the opposite side of the gut, all the way
looking for it in case it had got across. By the time I got to the
other side the tide had run out considerably, and the shore was
stony, and if it had got there and had crouched on my getting
near it, I could not have seen it, the extent of shore being now
so great, and therefore I was obliged to wend my way back with-
out it. However I was content with the one I had, and en pass-
ing the watcher’s house I had the satisfaction of showing him
the bird I in the morning told him I was going to try to get.
Though I was almost certain the other bird had been carried out
to sea by the wind and tide, I followed the same route next day,
but saw no Godwits. The following day also I went the same
journey, still thinking I might find the bird if it had come ashore.
I followed the high water mark, thinking it would, if alive, be
driven up by the rising tide. After a long search, on returning
to the island, but at a distance from where the bird was shot, I
saw a bird running at the edge of the water quite out of shot,
which attempted to rise from the shallow water, but fell again
into it. I now saw the bird was mine, as the water was quite
shallow and the wind was blowing strong on shore. It again
took the water, but I was quickly within shot of it and got it
easily, as so soon as it was killed the wind brought it ashore.
Now as to the birds and their states of plumage. The first is in
a curious state. Both have moulted considerably towards their
winter plumage. I think both are males, but the paler bird I
could not make out the sex of, as it was much injured by the
shot, and was hit in the back; but it is strange there should be
so much difference in their style of moulting. The dark bird
would seem to have commenced to moult previous to its having
lost its summer condition, as all the renewed back feathers and
scapulars much resemble the bird’s spotted summer plumage,
and the feathers renewed on the breast amongst the red feathers
have all come bright buff (they looked when the bird was first
killed almost orange colour), but I have little hesitation in saying
that before this bird had completed its moult all these renewed

Scraps relating to Natural History, by C.M. Adamson. 359

feathers would have assimilated with its pale winter plumage, the
bird’s summer condition having entirely left it before that time.
All the summer tertials are cast, and those renewed are plain, as
are all the wing coverts, which are all new feathers, and which
have no spots on them. It is quite clear that this bird had been
moulting its back feathers for a length of time, as most of the
renewed feathers had come like those of summer, but were not in
the least worn, and evidently had been replaced since the bird
acquired its breeding plumage in spring. On the breast it had
a few white feathers much worn, which showed conspicuously
amongst the red plumage acquired in spring, and also amongst

the buff feathers now coming; these I think undoubtedly were
feathers the bird had acquired early the preceding autumn, and
having lost their vitality before the bird acquired its summer
condition, they remained white all through the summer. They
would undoubtedly have been shortly cast, and if the bird had
entirely lost its summer condition, which it most probably would
have done, before those feathers which would replace them had
come, the new feathers would again come white. If they were
cast previous to the bird’s having entirely lost its summer condition
they would begin to come buff, but probably would be white
before they acquired the full size. This bird has not yet cast its
top tail feathers, they being dark feathers of the mature bird
which it got last autumn, but two light reddish-coloured spots or
bars appear on these feathers evidently having changed colour
during the summer by fading to a certain extent, and the faded
part forming the bar or spot having acquired the red tint of
summer, I think, showing conclusively that the feathers some
months after having come to the full size do change colour, as ©
these mature birds only cast their tail feathers in autumn and
when those renewed show no trace of red. Some new tail feathers
are coming with the usual plain dark outside edge of the tail of the
mature bird, which it always gets on moulting. The other bird
had nearly lost its summer plumage, but the winter plumage
acquired by it is quite pale as in ordinary cases. Evidently this
bird had lost its summer condition previous to commencing to
moult, but why the two birds differ so much in appearance I
cannot explain further. In this bird the tail is changed and is
plain, and all the renewed feathers on the back, breast, and wing
coverts are those of the ordinary winter plumage, ?.¢., plain, and
without spots. In both birds the wings are in similar condition,

360 Scraps relating to Natwrat History, by C. M. Adamson.

the primaries in each up to about the third from the end being
cast and renewed, those next the three outside in both being short,
and the three outside still remaining to be changed. The two
Godwits were the only birds I shotin three days, but I was amply
satisfied with them. It is possible the paler bird may be a female,
but the red feathers on the breast remaining uncast are entirely
red, and not like the plumage we see the females in before de-
parting to breed in April and May. I may add, these birds I
think help to prove my theory, which is that the colour of the
feathers acquired when the individual bird moults, or its feathers
other ways change colour, entirely depends on the condition of
the individual at the time it acquires the new feathers, or the
change in colour of its feathers takes place; this condition alter-
ing ordinarily, first when the bird begins to acquire its winter
plumage from the young or first plumage it ever had, and also
when it acquires its summer plumage from the winter plumage,
and which would be the final change, except annual seasonal
changes in those kinds which acquire their breeding plumage the
pene after being hatched. In those kinds of birds which do

ot acquire their breeding or summer plumage the spring after
they are hatched for want of their required age, the condition to
make the feathers come in summer plumage is not acquired, and
the consequence is some of these kinds of birds merely acquire a
winter plumage the following year, or it may be a similar plum-
age for a year or two more, till the bird, according to its genus,
or species, arrives at sufficient maturity when the condition would
render its assuming its breeding plumage a certainty. Why one
genus or species of birds requires a longer time to arrive at
maturity than another is a problem I leave to others more learned
in such matters than I am to solvé. I stuffed these, tome, most
interesting birds.

Srorren RepsHank.—The only time I have ever shot one of
these birds was as follows: indeed there are not more than about
half a dozen recorded occurrences of their appearance in the North
of England, and all these are, like my bird, birds of the year,
killed in August, and most probably migrating southwards from
Lapland to Africa or the south of Europe to spend the winter.
The reason of the rarity of this bird’s appearance (and some other
allied species) in England no doubt is, that we are too far west,
and consequently out of their regular line of migration. These
species are common, being found probably throughout Europe

Scraps relating to Natwral History, by C.M. Adamson. 361

and Asia, breeding in the latitude of Lapland in these two con-
tinents, and migrating a long way south in the winter. Copied
from my notes :—Aug. 20th, 1878. Two birds flying high over
Holy Island came suddenly down and settled about 150 yards
from where I was sitting. I heard from their note that they
were unknown to me, the note more resembling a Green Sand-
piper’s; two notes, not very loud, and not resembling those of
the Common Redshank. I allowed them to settle quietly, and
then surveyed the ground to see what could be done. I saw, by
creeping, I could get a very long shot. I started to the point,
and on getting there, I saw they were in line, one in the shallow
water the other on the edge. I fired a wire cartridge from my
- old gun, and contrary to my expectations, one only rose and went
straight away; the other jumped up, but fell struggling in the
water. Iran as hard as I could, as I knew I had a prize, and
having so often lost birds when wounded rising again, I was
anxious to secure it. A single shot had, however, hit it in the
head. On coming up, I confess I was puzzled. It looked likea
small Whimbrel ; the dark crown of the head, and the spotted
back, and the under mandible was not red but livid; the legs
were hid in the water. On lifting it from the surface, its long
red legs revealed the secret, and no description I can give can
convey the sensation I felt in having shot and secured a wild rare
bird like this the first time in my life. I am not prepared to say
what the other bird was, but I think they were alike. Singularly
enough, knowing it was the very time for the autumnal migration
of this bird, on the evening before I told one of my children
that it was the very place for one; but to have met with one and
secured it the following day, was surprising. It fell within a
few yards of where I got the Wood Sandpiper on the 16th of
August the previous year.

GrEENSHANK.—I have met with this fine species on three oc-
casions only, in winter plumage, near Holy Island, viz., Nov.
10th, 1853, the 14th Feb., 1845, and 14th Nov., 1845. I have
seen it frequently and shot itin August and September, and these,
invariably were young birds hatched the same year on their
migration southwards to spend the winter. They are atall times
wary birds, generally keeping in very open spaces where they
can easily see their enemies, and in consequence fly away before
you can approach them. I never heard of one on this coast in
spring. On Aug. 25th, 1879, whilst prowling about looking for

362 Scraps relating to Natural History, by C. M. Adamson.

strange birds at Holy Island, I looked carefully over a wall at the
Lough side—as usual water-hens flapped away—and I thought
there was nothing worth shooting, however I waited, and to my
surprise, I saw a stately looking bird come from behind a hillock.
I gazed at it with astonishment—it evidently did not see me;
and before I had time to consider, another followed, and I
waited till they got near each other and fired. The one I shot,
the other seemed to take no notice of what had happened but
seemed to walk leisurely on, and even when I got within a few
yards of them, I almost wondered it did not fly away, and was
prepared to shoot itif it did. I thought it was astonished that its
companion did not fly away, and was unwilling to leave it.
However on getting very near the reason was apparent; on one
side the primaries drooped a very little; but it never attempted
to open its wings, merely walking on asI approached. On taking
hold of it, however, I found it was severely wounded, but it was
not knocked over as I should have thought it would have been.
As a penalty for having shot the birds I set them up—they are
as usual birds hatched the same year and only a few weeks old.

Woop Sanprirer.—I met with this rare bird in the North of
England at Holy Island on the 16th August, 1877. It is, as
usual, a young bird a.few weeks old, most probably migrating
from the north of Europe southwards, to spend the winter perhaps
in Africa. "When I was carrying this bird till the blood ceased
to flow to keep it clean, I met with a seaside gunner and shewed
it to him, asking him if he had everseen one like it. His imme-
diate answer was, ‘‘ There are plenty of them about in winter.”
Can anything point out more completely the little reliance that
can be placed upon what you are told than this, which is only a
sample of what one constantly meets with: this being a bird whose
visits are most exceptional here, and which are almost entirely
confined to young birds in early autumn !

Green Sanprrrer.—In August, 1877, during very high floods
in the Tweed district, several Green Sandpipers remained on the
flooded grass land only about Holy Island for some days, I think
they would have dispersed inland in ordinary seasons, but were
detained in consequence of bends in the rivers on which they
usually like to remain being covered with water. So soon as the
floods abated they left entirely. I did not succeed in getting one
of them, as they always rose from such places, as they could see
me at a distance, and before I knew where they were, I shot

Scraps relating to Natural History, by C.M. Adamson. 365

one in winter plumage which I now have, on the 10th Feb., 1854.
I saw it on two occasions previously, when looking for wild ducks
from Ewart Park, at the Glen side, when it rose out of shot; but
having observed the particular places it rose from, on that morn-
ing I went quietly alone, and only looked over the place where I
expected to find it and thus secured it. It fell on the opposite
side of the river and when I waded across and pushed it up, it
piped its peculiar note when in my hand.

SanpERLine.—August, 1878.—Sanderlings were very abundant
this year at Holy Island. On the 16th August, I saw a flock of
at least fifty, all apparently young birds, of which I shot two.
A few days after, the young birds were very numerous, but the
- old birds had passed on. I shot several young birds, and could
have killed any number, but it was quite plain to see that these
flocks were entirely composed of birds of the year, by their purer
colour, either when rising or flying. August, 1879.—Sander-
lings appeared as usual, but fewer old birds, by the time they
passedon. The young came in greater quantities than the year
before, usually in flocks by themselves. Though you can hardly
call them wild, they are what I should call very shifty, and often
when they rise fly great distances, too far to follow, so that you
may see them and think they are easily got, and be disappointed.
On the 28th of the month my young friend, George Noble, now
Lieut. 13th Hussars, came over for a day or two. We went on
to the sands and shortly after saw a flock of birds, perhaps 20,
at some distance flying about, amongst which was a white one.
They settled and we agreed to walk up to them for both to shoot
at the white bird when they rose, approaching the flock in differ-
ent directions in case they might fly round on rising too far off.
We both shot at the white bird as they rose, one fell dead, an old
Sanderling, the white bird separated from the others being
wounded and flew to Noble’s side and soon settled again, we went
to it and he shot it as it rose, which it did with difficulty. Itisa
very singular bird, it was very fat and I had great difficulty in
keeping it clean particularly in skinning it and setting it up, how-
ever with care I got it done. The crown of the head is cream
colored shading to white, the back pale buff with rather a darker
V-shaped mark on the shoulders, the rest all white, except the
outer sides of the primaries which are rich cream colour—the
beak and legs were olive. It is a large bird and is in perfect
plumage—probably a young bird of the year as all ie feathers

; yt

364 Scraps relating to Natural History, by C.M. Adamson.

seem quite fresh and not worn as they would have been if an old
bird at this season,but it shows no distinguishing marks as to be
certain of its age. Iam not aware of any other instance of this
arctic bird having been anywhere met with in such a singular
state of plumage. Though occasionally Sanderlings may be
found on the Northumberland coast during winter, there can be
no doubt but that the great body of them spend the winter
much further southward. I have seen a chance mature bird
on this coast killed in the end of September with nearly all the
feathers on the back and the tertials changed to those of winter,
that is grey. The young birds which either remain on our coasts,
or those that perhaps arrive later, gradually begin to acquire the
winter feathers on their backs in September, and as in the other
allied kinds, acquire the grey backs by the end of the year, but
then generally retain most of the tertials of the young bird.
Should there be a patch of small stones or gravel or any great
extent of sands, you will often find birds like the present kind
upon it; whether they get food there or they are there to escape
detection I do not know, but I rather suspect for the latter reason,
as when on such places they are often motionless, and perhaps you
do not observe them until theyrise. Their food consists of Sand-
hoppers and I have also found very small mussels and other
shells in their gizzards; these they get from the wet sand parti-
cularly when moved by the wind and tide. When flying in flocks
they are constantly uttering their peculiar note resembling the
word ‘‘chip’’, and as they fly in very compact flocks sometimes
several may be killed should they wheel when near you. I think
the time has come for naturalists and those who will take the
trouble to think, to be able to see matters in their true light, and
to give up the stupid idea so many persons will adhere to, which
is because a bird like the present which is on our shore till June
on its way to breed in the arctic regions, and is occasionally back
again by the end of July—that it must in consequence breed on
our shores. So long ago as August, 1862, I wrote in the ‘‘Field”
of having met with a young bird in August with some of its nest
down not being worn off the tips of its back feathers, and sing-
ularly enough Capt: Fielden during Nares’ expedition mentions on
the 8th August in Robeson’s Channel having met with the young
birds just able to fly retaining some of the down on their feathers.
It is wonderful how soon such like birds leave the district where
they are bred and also how quickly their full powers of flight

Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray, F.R.S.E. 365

are given them, which is as soon as ever the flight feathers have
come to their full length.

Ornithological Notes. By Ropert Gray, F.R.S.E.

Tue following notes upon various birds occuring in Hadding-
tonshire, Mid-Lothian, and a portion of the surrounding counties,
have been made since the date of my last report in January, 1879:

PEREGRINE Fatcon (Falco peregrinus).—There are still several
' eyries of this Falcon in Berwickshire, East Lothian, and Fifeshire.
In one of these young birds are taken yearly for training purposes,
and I have had repeated opportunities of examining adult birds,
male and female, killed at other stations. A fine specimen—a
female—was shot at North Berwick on the 18th October, 1879,
and an equally handsome bird was killed in Fifeshire a few weeks
ago.

Rep-FooTteD Faxcon (Falco rufipes)—A female specimen of
this rare bird was shot at Kinghorn in Fifeshire on 21st Septem-
ber, 1880. I examined it before it was skinned, and have the
sternum now in my possession.

Barn Own (Strix flammea).—This species, which breeds regu-
larly in the outskirts of this city, and frequents several of the
church towers, has been much commoner in the Lothians during
the last twelve months than in bypast years, while the

Tawny Owxt (Syrnium stridula) has not been so numerous,
except in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh,

Great Grey Surixe (Lanius excubitor).—Has been met with
repeatedly since November in Mid-Lothian and adjoining counties.
One was shot within four miles of Edinburgh in the last week of
January, 1881.

TurtLE Dove (Columba Turtur).—A male Turtle Dove was shot
near Ratho on the 2nd June, 1879, and sent to Mr. Hope, Edin-
burgh, for preservation.

Grey Piover (Squatarola cinerea).—This species visits Porto-
bello sands in October. I examined three which were shot there
on the 28rd and 30th, and a fourth which was shot at Leith on
the 30th October, 1879.

Oyster OatcHER (Hematopus ostralegus).—This bird appears

366 Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray, F.R.S.E.

to retain the nuptial plumage until late in the season. Two
specimens in full summer dress, which I had an opportunity of
seeing, were shot at North Berwick on the 18th October, 1879.
I have repeatedly observed the same fact in specimens of the
Oyster Catcher shot in other parts of Scotland as late as November.

PInK-FOoTED GooszE (Anser brachyrynchus).—I can about calcu-
late with certainty on seeing this species every winter in the Firth
of Forth. I examined three specimens that were obtained from
this district in December last.

BERNICLE GoosE (Anser leucopsis).—Of late years the Bernicle
Goose has been observed, with some regularity, to visit the Firth
in winter. Several specimens, in very fine plumage, were pro-
cured during the same month in which the preceding species
occurred.

SHELLDRAKE (Zadorna vulpanser) appeared to be very common
in various parts of the Firth of Forth at the same time. About
twenty very fine and heavy birds, richly coloured, came under
my observation in the winter of 1879-80: they were all taken in
the estuary. The same remarks apply to the winter of 1880-81.

SHOVELLER (Anas clypeata).—A nest of this duck, with eight
eggs, was taken by Mr A. C. Stark on 15th May, 1880, on the
banks of a loch in Fifeshire. There were eight or ten pairs of
Shovellers seen on the occasion and during subsequent visits.

PocnarD (Fuligula ferina).—The same gentleman also took a
nest of the Common Pochard or Dun Bird, about the close of the
month of May, on the banks of the same loch. He had seen the
birds paired some weeks previously. Mr Stark adds to this in-
formation his opinion that several pairs of Pochard breed annually
on the banks of the loch referred to.

GoosAnDER (Mergus merganser) has been very common during
the past winter in various localities: I saw several specimens
that had been shot on the Yarrow and sent to Edinburgh for
preservation. A very handsome young male bird from Dunbar,
now in my own collection, was shot on the 21st January, 1880.

RED-THROATED DtveER (Colymbus septentrionalis)—I examined
a fine specimen of this diver which was shot at North Berwick
on 18th October: it shewed marked traces of the gular patch
yet remaining. Another specimen shot at the same ‘place on 16th
March was in full summer plumage ; while a third, killed on the
same day at North Berwick, had not changed a feather from its
winter colouring.

Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray, F.R.S.E. 367

BLAcK-TEROATED Drver (Colymbus arcticus).—Has occurred re-
peatedly during the past winter in the Forth from Leith to Dun-
bar. A very small specimen came under my observation: it was
shot in the last week of February and shewed considerable traces
of the summer plumage appearing on the back.

Soran Gooss (Sola Bassana.)—I observed on the Bass Rock
in 1879 several young birds in the down as late as the 13th
September. These were probably the offspring of birds that had
been robbed of their eggs earlier in the season.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo).

Arctic TERN rts arctica). On Sist August, 1879; I
observed at the entrance to Dunbar harbour a very large and
. noisy flock of Terns including both these species. There were
several hundred of birds in the flock, and they clustered together
like a swarm of bees on one of the outlying rocks near the battery,
making all the while so great an ontcry as to attract the attention
of a number of fishermen on the pier.

Littte Guru (Larus minutus).—A male Little Gull was shot
near North Berwick on 15th August, 1879, and sent for preser-
vation to Mr. Hope, George Street, in whose hands I saw it.

REDNECKED GREBE (Podiceps rubricollis).—This species has been
rather common in the Firth of Forth durmg the past winter
(1880-1881). Ihave seen and examined a number of specimens.
One of them was killed on the Lammermoors during a snow storm
by a shepherd who knocked it down with a stick. Several were
obtained near Leith pier.

Common Sxva (Lestris cataractes)—I examined a specimen of
this Skua which was shot at Cramond on 29th December, 1880.
It had gone up the Firth in pursuit of a flock of Gulls and located
itself in the neighbourhood of Cramond island where Gulls rest
in great flocks at low tide on the sands.

Pomarine Sxva (Lestris pomarinus).—I examined between 30
and 40 specimens of this Skua that were shot in Kast Lothian,
chiefly in the neighbourhood of North Berwick. The'birds made
their appearance about the middle of October, 1879. Very large
flocks appeared off Dunbar and were so tame as to perch in
crowds’ on the masonry of the pier. They would not leave on
being shot at, which shewed they had either come shorewards
through fatigue and stress of weathex, or been quite unaccustomed
to the presence of man. Numbers were killed along the coast

368 Lepidoptera captured by Simpson Buglass.

between Queensferry and Berwick-on-Tweed. One of those I
examined had devoured part of a Kittiwake—pieces of the skin
and neck feathers being found in its stomach.

Burron’s Sxua (Lestris Buffoni).—A male bird of this species
was shot at Drem in East Lothian on 17th October, 1879; another,
also a male, was shot at Queensferry on the 14th of the same
month.

Greater SHEARWATER (Pufinus major)—A very fine dark
coloured specimen of this Shearwater, probably a young bird,
was shot at North Berwick on 25th October, 1879.

List of Lepidoptera captured in 1879 and 1880. By Stmp-
son Buaiass, Ayton.

Nota Cristunatis. Ayton Castle Garden.
Extorra Fascraria. Fir Woods, Ayton.
Emmetresia AtcHEMILLATA. Ayton woods.
EvrirHecta PrupinettaTa. Ayton woods.
o Lariorata. Fir woods, Ayton Castle.
BS Inpigata. Ayton woods.
a Vureata. Ayton.
3 AxssynTHIATA. Sea banks, Burnmouth.
4s Minvtata. Coldingham Moors.
5 Assmminata. Ayton Castle Garden.
LosorHora Losutata. LEye-banks.
Notoponta Dromeparivus. Bred from Caterpillar I got feeding
on Alder, Ale-water dean.
CymatTopHora Duriaris. Ayton woods.
ApamMEA Frsrosa. Sea banks. ;
Agcrotis VALLIGERA. Ayton woods.
a Pyropuita. Sea banks.
AncHocEttis Lunosa. Ayton woods.
Cerastis Spapicea. It is plentiful. It has always been confoun-
ded with C. Vaccrnntz.
Evrreria Furtvaco. Sea banks, Burnmouth.
Hapena Dentina. Ayton Castle Garden.
Puvsta InTERROGATIONIES. Captured in my own garden.

369

On the Occurrence of Certain Insects in 1880. By JAMES
HARDY.

THE year 1880 offered some remarkable instances of the
prevalence of certain insects in excessive numbers, of which I
have collected a few examples within the district, to place among
the periodical events of the seasons, which from time to time
have been commemorated in the ‘‘ Proceedings” of the Club.

ApuipEs. In the early part of the summer, towards the end
of June, Aphides swarmed on the terminal shoots of leaves of
gooseberries and black currants. These were Aphis Grossularie,
a green coloured species, which was acquiring wings about July
_ 13th. There was an additional species (Aphis Ribis) on the
leaves of the black currant, which caused the bushes to become
defoliated. To keep down the gooseberry species, the tufts of
terminal leaves on which it clustered, required to be pinched off-
On July 13 the white-throats, as well as a pair of house-sparrows,
were very actively engaged feeding on these Aphids. The crop
of black currant berries was a failure. These Aphids were gen-
erally prevalent. About the same period the young shoots of
hawthorn were much kept back by crowds of the slate coloured
Aphis Crataegi, as well as by mildew, that considerably im-
paired the fine verdure of the hedgerows, which the previous
winter’s frost had also helped to blight. Roses also became very
unsightly by the attacks of Aphis Rose, and there might be other
species present. The double-red Lychnis diurna, a showy and
long flowering borderer, completely lost its beauty, till July rains
washed a portion of its enemies off, being overloaded with Aphis
Lychnidis. Hieracium aurantiacum, a plant not easily made to
succumb, was greatly oppressed with Aphis Hieracit. At Chirn-
side I observed Phyllaphis Fagi on beech fences; but not else-
where; neither it, nor the blanks occasioned by its presence,
could be detected at Morpeth. In autumn the leaves of limes at
Tyninghame were much besmeared with honey-dew. The insects
however—which being spotted winged are rather pretty, were
then in a quiescent state.

There is a puzzling species of Aphis which rolls the margins
of the leaves of the smooth-foliaged variety of Meracium vulgatum,
where it grows in crevices among the cliffs of Silurian rocks
between Redheugh and Dowlaw. The winged state has not yet
been observed. Mr, Buckton says it is a Siphonophora, but pro-

370 On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy.

bably not S. Mieracti, which is not known to roll the edges of the
leaves. It is very small, and green-coloured, and lives within
the involute portion of the sides of the leaves on which it operates.
When both edges are affected the leaf, when the two rolls meet,
is like a pod.

Chermes or Adelges Abietis infested the terminal buds of the
spruce-fir in an extreme degree last season, even in high exposed
woods at 600 feet of elevation. I have seen seragegy ill-thriven
trees almost killed with the pseudo-cones of this species; and
some remarkable deformations of leading shoots when the gall
had been apical. The trees affected by it appeared to be spotted
with frost-bite, or to be sprinkled with some acid poison. On
February 21st and 22nd, 1881, some of the females of the autumn
brood were alive, and considerably grown—of a plum-coloured
brown—on the bark of the shoots at the base of next year’s
buds. At that period Dr. Stuart found at Whitehall a little
colony on the leaves of a twig of spruce, which were enclosed in
a glazed sealed-up envelope, much darker hued than the exposed
females. ‘These were probably males that had not attained their
developement when winter surprised them. This species does
not increase solely by eggs, for the researches of Ratzeburg,
. (Forst-Insecten, Vol. III.) shew that the female can produce
living young as well as eggs, before the winged state is attained.
At the period referred to, the Chermes Laricis was in a very dwart
condition, and was concealed in the fissures of the bark of the
larch twigs, and specked them like grains of gunpowder. In
spring they crawl up, and attack the tufts of foliage issuing from
the buds, shortly after it acquires prominence; and when the
buds are restrained by the frosts from pushing out their needles,
they occasion great damage by absorbing the sap. When the
trees are closely planted they aid greatly in destroying the vitality
of the lateral branches. Larch trees in this condition have
seldom more than a few live boughs, near the summit of the
long lean poles that form their stem.

Pium Scare. Dr. Stuart, 12th Feb., 1880, sent me from his
garden at Chirnside, an assemblage of shining brown Scale
insects, clustered round some knots on a branch of a Victoria
plum tree. They agree to the characters assigned to Lecanium
Persice (v Amygdali.) Some of the Scales have a small perfor-
ation, whence a parasite had issued. Another Brown Scale
found at Alnwick on a branch of black currant is mentioned
in Club’s Proc. viii. p. 403.

On the Occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy. 871

CATERPILLAR OF THE Apricot Stem AnD Brancuzs.—Being at:
Tyninghame Gardens on Sept. 6th, 1880, Mr. Brotherston
directed my attention to the state of the Apricots. He stated that
they were dying out on walls in a great number of gardens, and
that thisis the case at Tyninghame. A Caterpillar mines between
the bark and the wood, and throws out a brown dust or ‘‘ frass,”’
along the channel which it excavates; the bark cracks and peels
off above the injured portion ; and blobs of gum issue from the
wounds, depriving the tree of its due nutriment and strength.
The caterpillar was said finally to perforate the wood. The
attack (so far as I witnessed it) is made on the base of the stem,
where the branches divaricate. Many old trees are cut off by

‘it, dying away at the bottom, and then the rest of the tree decays,
and the fruit falls off in the spring. A caterpillar was dislodged
with a knife. It was smooth, naked, of a white colour, with a
light brown scaly head, and about the size of the caterpillar ofa
Tortrix. Unfortunately the specimen got crushed before I could
make a description of it. Mr. Brotherston makes the following
statement of date March 9th, 1881. ‘‘About the caterpillar
which affects apricot trees, I cannot state the amount of damage
which it does. Mr. Richard Crossling at St. Fagans, South
Wales, was the first to notice it, and published an article in
‘the Journal of Horticulture’ for 1879, naming it the caterpillar
of the ‘Apple Clear Wing,’ and stating at the same time his
belief, that the caterpillar was the cause of apricots dying off.
He was here in the beginning of last winter, and when I ex-
pressed my doubts as to its being responsible for the amount of
damage that he wants to prove it guilty of; he said he never
found a branch die off, which had not previously been subjected
to the ravages of this caterpillar. It was, of course too late in
the season to find out whether the apricot trees here bore proof
of his theory being correct or not. There is no doubt as toa
caterpillar boring round the inside bark (Cambium), but that is
no proof of its being the sole cause of a disease that has puzzled
everybody who has given the matter a thought for generations
back.”

According to Mr. Stainton’s Manual, i., p. 106, the ‘Clear-
wing of the Apple” is Trochiliwm Myopeforme. Its length is 8 to
103 lines. ‘‘ Fore-wings, margins blackish; hind margin tinged
with purplish; central spot blackish; fringes purplish; head
and throat black, abdomen black, with one broad red ring—June

3 1U

‘872 On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy.

and July. Larvaundescribed. Feeds on the stems and branches
of Apple trees. Bristol, Epping, Kingsbury, Lewes.”

It is to be hoped that the mystery will be removed from this
calamity, now that an active participant in it, has been discovered.
Analogous to it isa similar insidious disease occasioned by the
white larva of another Clearwing, T. Tipuliforme, which perforates
the pith of the currant bushes, (Stainton’s Manual, i. pp. 105-6.)
Mr. Curtis described it as a Sphinx in one of his articles in the
‘‘Gardeners’ Chronicle,” 1841, p.779. Mr. Wailes says that 7’. Tr-
puliforme occurs at Newcastle, and is common in one garden at Dar-
lington. It ‘‘ appears generally to affect old gardens, where the
red. currant bushes (on the medulla of which the larva feeds, pas-
sing, according to Dr. Staudinger, one winter in that state) are
gnarled, and have been long in cultivation.” (Catalogue of the
Lepidoptera of Northumberland and Durham, p. 46.) On the
authority of Mr. Alfred Wallace, this pest has been introduced
into New Zealand along with the currants; and doubtless this
has been the way in which this species which affects the Apricot,
has been disseminated in Scotland. It adds to the probability
that Mr. Crossling is right, that considerable mischief of a sim-
ilar character is done by insects of this genus in the United States
of America. In April, 1873, the State Entomologist reports that
in Braxton County, West Virginia, the borer, Zgeria (Trochilium)
exitiosd, killed some peach trees. (Monthly Report of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, 1873, p. 239.) In 1872, a correspondent,
when examining his peach-trees for the peach-borer, discovered
a great quantity of small whitish worms, about the 0.40 of an
inch in length, and of a very slender form, swarming in the exu-
ded gum, saw-dust, and feces with which the mouths of the
burrows made by the peach-borer were filled. These, however,
when hatched, were recognized as belonging to Mycetobia (Mycet-
ophila) Persice, a kind of gnat, which had nothing to do with the
larvee of the peach-tree borers, except to feed upon the exuded
gum, &c. These even, when young, “can be readily distinguish-
ed by their heads, their more robust forms, and by their six small
feet on the first three segments of the body.” (Report of the U.
S. Commissioner of Agriculture, for 1872, pp. 114-115.) In the
Report for 1871, a Mr Batcham as a remedy for the “‘ peach-borer”’
recommends the following recipe :

‘*T take a five-pound can of carbolic soap, called ‘ carbolic plant-protector,’
costing two dollars, dissolve it in 10 or 12 gallons of hot water by stixring or

On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy. 378

letting stand over night, then add 20 gallons of cold water, and apply this
liquid, with a paint-brush, to the base of each tree, for 8 or 10 inches in
height, first clearing away any weeds or loose dirt with a hoe, and taking
pains to have the liquor enter the crevices of the bark where the insect
deposits her eggs. An active man or lad will go over, in this way, 500 trees
in a day.”

The middle of June is suggested as the best time for applying
the remedy in that latitude—northern Ohio.

Another species in N. America is a deadly enemy to the vine.
“Mr Fred. J. Kron, of Albemarle, North Carolina, complains
bitterly of the injury done to all varieties of grape-vines, by the
grape-vine borer, Ayeria polistiformis. Mr Kron states the insect
has destroyed for him 107 varieties of grapes, derived from the
‘Luxemburg in Paris, including 5000 vines ; and adds that there
is but one variety that has, so far, defied its ravages, and that is
the scuppernong, which flourishes in the midst of devastation
caused by the borer, all around, it.” (Report of U.S. Commis-
sioners of Agriculture, 1873, p. 159).

These facts have an obvious bearing on the disease of the
Apricot,—I have only seen one species of Trochilium in Berwick-
shire, which occurred as far back as 1839, but none of the Ento-
mologists in the Club could at that period determine it, and I
have only seen it once since. It frequented the freshly expanded
foliage of young birch trees near Penmanshiel; and may possibly
be refound. Dr. Johnston, and ultimately, I believe, Mr. Selby,
got my specimens.

RosE-LEAF Saw-Fiy.—For two years by-past, the leaves of
garden roses here of various kinds, have had their upper pellicle
eaten by larve, to their great disfigurement, and to the dimin-
ution of the vigour of the bushes. On the 13th of July, 1880, I
picked up a considerable number of black saw-flies feeding on the
honey-dew of Aphides that infested these roses, or that were
resting on the rose leaves, which being new to me, I secured,
and sent to Mr. Peter Cameron, jun., Glasgow, who is engaged
in a work on British Saw-flies, and has more than any native
naturalist, paid attention to their specific differences and economy.
Mr. Cameron writes :—-the insect is Eriocampa Canine, Cam,—
described by Westwood many years ago, under the name of
Selandria wethiops, Fab, as injurious to roses in gardens; and by
continental authors under the name of Athalia Rose. I found it
last year near Dumfries; and I dare say it is common in gar-
dens.” —At present my copy of Mr. Westwood’s paper is mislaid,

374 . On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy.

but I have found the reference, which is ‘‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle,”
1848, p. 524. Mr. Westwood recommends to powder the trees
with lime, or syringe them with gas-tar water. I prefer to look
at them as they are, although they have a withered look

GoosEBERRY CATERPILLARS.—These are also the product of a
saw fly. They were scarce here last year, after two years preva-
lence. Others have not been so fortunate. About them and
other insects, I have the following notice from Mr. Simpson Bu-
glass, Ayton Gardens: ‘‘I do not remember of a year like last
for wasps and aphides. I need not mention instances, for most
trees and shrubs were swarming with them. We beat the goose-
berries into a sheet, and destroyed great quantities of them, and
the caterpillars at the same time. The year 1879 was a bad
season for caterpillars. We have tried different ways to get quit
of them, but the beating stick and sheet is the most effectual.
Strike the bare wood of the branches, and a very light stroke
will suffice to shake them into the sheet, then dig a hole and
bury them in it. We cleaned the bushes in a short time.”
Every entomologist knows how successful a collection can be
made with an umbrella into which the bushes are shaken; aud
this is a practical application of it.

LEPIDOPTERA AND OTHER Insects.—Plusia Gamma so prevalent
in 1879, was absent here in 1880. I did not see one; another
observer remarks that in 1879, ‘‘ during sunshine you could not
look at a flower that they were not on, while this year I only saw
two.” Cynthia Cardui was almost as scarce. I only saw two on
a gravel walk near the house on June 2nd; perhaps chosen for
warmth. For two years Earwigs have been unfrequent; and I
did not observe any Clegs; but ‘‘ Horse-flies ” (Stomoays calei-
trans) were plentiful, and came early into houses. ‘‘Cuckoo-spit,”
has been very prevalent in summer 1879-80; ferns in particular
were withered by it, as if a shower of acid matter had fallen on
them.

Wasps.— Wasps were very scarce in 1879, but were complete
pests in 1880. Females, I observed, were abroad late in the
woods in November, 1879; and two or three nests had been ob-
served in summer in the Pease dean woods; the first that year
was seen May 12. When fishing in July, I saw extraordinary
numbers about hedge-rows, and by planting sides, of the common
wasp, and they frequented the burn sides, and oozy swamps to
quench their thirst. The excessive quantity of Aphides in the

On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy. 375

early part of the year, by supplying a liberal amount of food,
would encourage their multiplication. I heard a good deal more
about them than I was witness to, and some of my correspond-
ents have supplied me with facts worthy of preservation, as
characteristic of the season.

A field of corn on Middlestots farm could not be cut for some
time for wasp nests, whose inmates stung the horses when the
reaping-machine crossed them. Grapes at Kimmerghame had
to be preserved in bags to prevent their being pilfered by them.
In another locality they discovered a passage through the key-hole
into a closet where jelly was stored, and a constant stream of
robbers kept going and coming till the inlet was closed. Mr
_ Robert Renton, at Fans, thus writes of the hurtful insects of the
year: ‘‘Aphides were numerous till the cold rains in July, but
after that I did not think they were worse than ordinary. But
it was different with the wasps. One Saturday, August 21st, I
told the boys when they were at home from school, that I would
give them a penny for every wasp nest or ‘ bike’ they would
bring me. The number brought by sixteen boys was 37. The
heap looked like a cart-load. They were brought from rabbit-
holes, stone-dykes, and banks, and from hedges and trees where
they were suspended—in fact from every conceivable place.
When at Fairnalee in 1875, it was such another year for wasps.
In harvest when cutting the corn during the sunshine in the
park, we had to miss portions, that had to be cut in the morning
when the corn was damp. When attempted to be cut when the
insects were active, the horses got stung and became unmanage-
able. In the year 1868 or 9 there was another outburst of wasps.
Are wasps rife every six years ?”

Talking about them at'Tyninghame, on Sept. 6, Mr Goodfellow,
gardener, Newbyth, said they were very numerous with him,
there having been no rain in winter to kill them. In spring
they frequented the laurel for some sweet exudation from two
glands situated at the base of the leaves. On one occasion he
found them usefully employed in cleaning a plant in the green-
house infested with scale. Leaves where Aphids abounded were
much attended by them. They killed large numbers of humble
bees. Some of the walks were quite strewed with the dead bees,
but they did not appear to eat them. Hundreds of wasps had
been slain to get rid of them. The nests were in all directions.
They were mostly of the common species. One gardener chanced

376 On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy.

to leave his grape house open, and it was cleared in twenty-four
hours. They are most eager on apricots, but owing to the down
do not attack peaches. If there is a dead bird within their
range, it will be nearly devoured by them. They do not sting
one, if they were driven away, unless when near their ‘bike.’
At Tyninghame I saw a large apple, not yet ripe, half-eaten by
them. The gardens there had been particularly liable to them,
as they had not been visited with rain of any continuance,
throughout the summer, and were parched with drought. Mr
Brotherston writes me : ‘‘ The number of ‘ bikes’ was particularly
noticeable, for they were literally in every hole it was possible
for them to gain an entrance to. Gardeners in the neighbour-
hood destroyed the nests not by ones and twos but by the dozen.
They did not do much damage here, as indoor fruits were pro-
tected with hexagon netting, and outside fruit was gathered
mostly before it was mature. The apricots, however, were com-
pletely eaten up before they were anything like ripe. A very
noticeable ‘ trait in their character,’ is their want of courage, or,
mildness of temper, perhaps would be a better definition. I be-
lieve I am correct in taking it to be a common opinion, that the
common wasp, is to be regarded as a ferocious creature, unsus-
ceptible of the fear of-man. But they are really quite the op-
posite. While working amongst the wall-trees, doing necessary
summer pruning and gathering fruit, I invariably found the
wasps to take to their wings, as if anxious to get out of the way.
Over and over again I have pulled fruits with wasps in them,
and turned them out with the tips of my fingers, without their
ever attempting to sting me. They will settle on the faces of
children when besmeared with jam, and will not hurt them.
- Their voracity and wonderful appetite for all kinds of food that
came in their way was very noticeable. Dead rabbits and birds
were cleaned on the shortest notice. ‘Bumbees’ were not carried
to the nests, but eaten up where killed. Like bees, wasps are
children of the sun ; cold utterly puts a stop to their activity.”
Another sketch of wasp-life has been furnished by Mr John
Cairns of The Hirsel Gardens. ‘‘The most unobservant could
not fail to notice the unusual number of wasps last season. I
never remember seeing them so abundant. In spring we en-
courage the boys about the Gardens to kill as many ‘ queens’ as
they can, allowing them a small remuneration ; and without much
effort, 300 queens, were this spring killed by two or three boys.

On the occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy. 377

The queens are mostly found near a large hot-bed that we have,
also along the walls; and later on they work on the bloom of a
kind of Mespilus, which is asure find. The queens take up their
winter quarters in dry places, notably in crevices of wood about
old bridges, sheds or posts, and even under the sarking of open
roofed houses. Their nests are invariably found in dry warm
grassy banks, or the margins of walks, or in out-houses. Two
hundred nests were taken here last summer, and still the wasps
did not seem greatly diminished. Fruits of all sorts, especially
when getting ripe, if not protected soon vanished, particularly
those that possessed saccharine matter; but when other fruit
failed even apples were not safe. The rapidity with which news
- get communicated among them is something wonderful. A single
wasp will be seen in the early morning in a house of grapes;
shortly after it will be visited by two or three, which will be
augmented to myriads before the day’s close, to the complete
destruction of the crop. Nothing seems to come amiss to them
in the way of food. Their tastes seems to comprehend everything
between the most offensive garbage and palatable fruits.”

At Ayton the wasps appeared to be more irritable than at
Tyninghame, for the workmen could scarcely get the fruit pulled
for getting themselves stung.

In North Northumberland wasps ‘‘ took possession of straw-
berry beds, defying eviction. A gentleman in the Cornhill dis-
trict took the trouble to count the number killed by an ordinary
glass trap. This was placed within a few yards of his front
door. The smallest ‘bag’ for one day was 195; the highest
1,262, and the total 5,273.” A large number of nests were also
destroyed, but their numbers appeared to be undiminished.
(Ber. Adv., Aug. 27, 1880.)

Mr. Alexander Shearer, late of Yester gardens, writes Oct. 7,
1880.‘‘ The Pear trees on walls this year were attacked by a kind
of green, or rather brownish-yellow fly. The leaves were covered
by them, and were honey-dewed in consequence, which supplied
the bees and wasps with abundance of food at the time, which
was early in July. The wasps acted as scavengers and carried
away the flies. This season the wasps were a complete plague ;
there never were so many seen here.”

The “fly” on the pear trees at Yester is probably Psylla Pyri,
L. In Germany, however, M. Foerster describes other three
species that attack pear trees, viz. Ps. pyricola, Ps. apiophila) of

378 On the ocewrrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy.

which he had an English example) and Ps. pyrisuga, (Verhand.
Nat. Vereine der preussischen Rheinlande, 1848, pp. 77-79.)

In the Club’s “‘ Proceedings,” vol. ili. pp. 180-184, there is an
article by Mr Selby ‘‘On the Wasps within the limits of the Club.”
He describes four species as being found near Twizell, viz. Vespa
vulgaris, V. rufa, V. arborea, and V. Britannica. V. Britannica
now gives place as a synonym to V. Worvegica, Fab. To these I
have added J. sylvestris, Scop (V. Holsatica, Fab); (‘‘ Proc.’ vii.,
p. 154, having found a queen on the flowers of Comarum palustre
in Cold Martin Moss, and one from Penmanshiel, Berwickshire.
Mr Bold had only rarely met with it. In my collection are two
specimens from near Gibside. V. vulgaris and rufa are ground
wasps for the most part, and are both equally numerous; the
other three suspend their nests from trees or shrubs. JV. arborea
I have not seen. V. Norvegica is frequent among fir woods.
There is a sixth species, V. Germanica, Fab., which will probably
occur in the district, having been captured near Newcastle by
Mr Bold (‘‘ Catalogue of Aculeate Hymenoptera,” p. 19); and
near Aberdeen and Banchory (‘‘Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Aberdeen,”
1878, p. 46). It breeds in the earth.

Dr Paxton of Norham mentioned to me that a most effectual
vesicatory can be extracted from wasps’ nests. They are dried
and ground down, and the product is of a brown colour when
duly prepared. It was employed for blistering purposes by a
horse doctor in Norhamshire, and answered admirably.

Mieratory Locust.—By an oversight in former years, occur-
ences of the Migratory Locust (Aerydium migratorium) have only
been recorded in scattered instances, but during the present
autumn, the local newspapers have kept us fully apprised of the
presence of a detachment of these wanderers from a warmer
clime, of which a sprinking reached the Border counties, and even
the northern extremity of Scotland. As visitors to Britain they
have been known for hundreds of years. On Aug. 27, a fine
specimen was taken at Spittal by Mr Thomas Fotheringham,
and presented to the Berwick Museum, (Ber. Adv. Sept. 3. 1880).
Mr James Mein, Lamberton, on Aug. 31st, while his people were
engaged in harvest operations, observed a large insect flying
across the standing corn, which was captured; and he caught
another a few days afterwards in the adjoining field, also among
standing corn. Both proved to be migratory locusts. They ate
cabbage leaves and turnip shaws greedily. (Ber. News, Sept. 14),

On the Occurrence of certain Insects, by James Hardy. 379

Subsequently other three were captured—two at Tweedmouth,
and one atSpittal. (Ber. Adv., Sept. 17). On Sept. 7th, a locust
was found on Caledonia Farm, Juniper Green, in a field of oats.
(Scotsman, Sept. 9.) A locust was found about the end of August
by a schoolboy in a field of grass near the Old Man of Wick,
Caithness-shire (Jb:d, Sept. 13), and another, the third in as
many weeks, was caught alive in the island of South Ronald-
shay, Orkney, by Mr Magnus Cromarty (Ji:d). Before the end
of September, Mr Andrew Reid, gardener, found a specimen at
Wellfield, near Hawick, and two were found at the Hawick
County Police Station. (Kelso Chron., Oct. 8). Sept. 23rd
another had been captured in a half torpid condition by harvesters
at Whitehouse on the Mertoun estate, having been brought
‘among some sheaves of corn to the stackyard. When sent to Mr
Brotherston, it nibbled for almost a whole day at a cabbage leaf,
varying its diet by an occasional bite of wheaten bread. A still
larger specimen was found at Cessford, Sept. 28, and brought to
Kelso by Mr Wood, keeper, Floors, (Zé. Oct. 1). Mr Brother-
ston heard of several that were not recorded, among others one
taken at Otterburn. A locust was found at Haithwaite Farm,
Nicholforest, Cumberland, and several were found on the cliffs
near Scarborough in the last week but one of September, (Kelso
Chron., Oct. 1). I examined one of the specimens of this flight,
and ascertained that it was correctly determined.

DeatuH’s Hzap Motu.—A fine death’s head Moth (Acherontia
Atropos) was found by Mr D. Elder among the stems of some
champion potatoes, near Hawick, in the end of September; it died
shortly after being picked up.—(Kelso Chron., Oct. 1.) Mr A.
Elliot, Samieston, Jedburgh, obtained a single specimen of this
moth at rest in June. See some interesting notes by him on
some of the rarer Lepidoptera, taken in Roxburghshire in 1880,
in ‘‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,” April, 1881, pp. 257-8.

lv

380

Some Records of Remarkable Trees.

Measurements, Sc., of the Dunse Castle Araucarias. By Mr PETER
LonEy, Marchmont.

No. 1.—Height, 39 feet 6 inches, and has 26 whorls of branches.
Girths at 1 foot above the ground, 7 feet.
», at 3 feet >. » 9 feet 4 inches.
» at 5 feet 1 » 9 feet.
This tree is not growing so fast to height as it had done when younger. The
severe winter of 1859 and 1860 may have given it a check, as it has not added
6 feet to its height during the past 20 years; the branches are close and pen-
dulous, and apparently more vigorous than the stem near the top.
No. 2.—Height, 36 feet, and has 23 whorls of branches.
Girths at 1 foot above the ground, 5 feet 9 inches.
» at 3 feet 3 a 5 feet.
», at 5d feet = i 4 feet 10 inches.
This tree is growing vigorously ; it is not so densely furnished with branches
as the first, but it is a very fine specimen. At present there is a cone on it.
No. 3.—Height, 33 feet, and has 21 whorls of branches.
Girths at 1 foot above the ground, 3 feet 6 inches.
», at 3 feet BS Ry 3 feet 2 inches.
», at 5 feet 5 FA 3 feet 1 inch.
This tree is growing rapidly ; in a few years it will be the highest; the
branches are not so close, and come out more horizontal than the others. They
shew no signs of the frost of 1879, and the shrubs near them are uninjured.
5th October, 1880.

The Gainslaw Hollies. By M. G. Crossman, Esq.

I walked to Gainslaw to-day, and so far as I can judge, the Hollies I men-
tioned to you are about 45 feet high; one specimen in girth 5 feet 64 inches,
and the largest 10 feet.

Although these trees have been killed this winter, they have for the last 10
years shown symptoms of decay. This is owing to so much bark having been
taken from them for bird-lime. I certainly do not know of such trees in this
district, but Gainslaw was always known by its trees.

The Hollies are not yet cut down, but stand as very sad monuments of the
past, and, with the exception of the old vault where the ‘‘ Ogles’”’ lie, are
almost ali that remains of the old Gainslaw Garden.

Berwick, 27th August, 1880.

Yester House. By Mr ALEXANDER SHEARER.

Beeches thrive well here. They are a peculiar variety the same as at
Tyninghame and at Newbattle Abbey. I have heard that they were brought
from Holland, by one of the Marquises of Tweeddale. I give you the
measurement of several of the largest trees of different kinds growing here at
different dates.

Some Records of Remarkable Trees. 381

Measurement of the circumference of the following trees growing at Yester
at 3 feet above the ground :—

1854. 1863. 1880.
tee 201. ft. in. ft. in.
Oak 13 10 14 0 14 10
Oak 13 6 14 2 15 6
Beech rT 2 ll 9 12 6
Larch 9 9 18 12 4
Larch 9 6 10 8 il 8}
Spanish Chestnut 16 0 16 8 18 2
9 oe 1D 6 130 1S 14 9
Scotch Fir 9 6 9 9 100 7
Plane Tree 14 5 14 7 15 115

_Minto, Cavers, and Wells, Roxburghshire. By Mr Joun Gattoway.

There are some very fine specimens of different sorts of trees on Minto
estate, the most prominent being the Larch, which was introduced to Minto
by the then Sir Gilbert Elliot in the year 1745. The following is the
measurement of the largest 1 foot from the ground:—75 feet height of the bole,
by 9 feet 4 inches in circumference ; 72 feet bole by 11 feet; 70 feet by 9
feet 6 inches ; 105 feet by 7 feet 10 inches: Silver Spruce, 120 feet bole by
10 feet 4jinches ; 110 feet by 11 feet; 80 feet by 12 feet. Ash, 75 feet bole
by 10 feet. The largest and oldest Ash tree on Minto was blown down in
December, 1878; but the stump, which is standing, measures 17 feet in cir-
cumference, 1 foot from the ground.

There is an old Ash tree at Cavers, supposed to be 450 years old ; it is called
the Pope, owing to some of the Douglas family long ago having prophesied
this tree would stand as long as Popery reigned. At one foot from the
ground, it is 19 feet 9 inches in circumference; at 5 feet, 16 feet 4 inches.
[This is possibly the Ash tree which Mr Hutchison—Trans. Highland Society,
vol, xii. 1880, 4th Ser., pp. 146-7—gives as a very handsome tree, 40 ft. high,
12 feet the length of the bole ; circumference of trunk at one foot, 19 feet 4
inches ; at five feet, 15 feet 8 inches.] Sycamore tree 1 foot from the
ground, 144 feet in circumference, at 5 feet, 12 feet. [Mr Hutchison (p 169).
gives this tree as 56 feet high, 25 feet length of bole, 14 feet 2 inches at 1 foot,
and 11 feet 6 inches at 5 feet.] Beech, at one foot, 16 feet 8 inches, at 5 feet,
413 feet in circumference ; length of bole 42 feet. [Mr Hutchison (l.c. xiii.
1881, pp. 194-5), gives a Beech at Cavers as 53 feet high, length of bole 20
feet, circumference at 1 foot 17 feet 2 inches, at 5 feet 12 feet 3 inches. ]

There are some very fine trees at Wells, the seat of Sir William Elliot,
Bart. Oak, 13 feet 4 inches in circumference, 16 feet bole, 113 feet by 24
feet bole. Beech, 9 feet 3 inches by 36 feet bole. Sycamore 10 feet by 24
feet bole. Spanish Chestnut, 13 feet in circumference, by 9 feet bole.

The Great Oak at ‘‘ The Oaks,” near Dalston, Cumberland, and other
Notes about Oaks.

Arter the Club Meeting at Gilsland in September, I went on to Parkend,
near Rose Castle, Cumberland, to spend a couple of days with my old friend,

382 Some Records of Remarkable Trees.

Mr John G. Grieve. After passing through the agreeable village of Dalston,
and. not forgetting to mark, what the poet Southey had done previously, that
the river Caldewhere, has left unmistakeable evidences of being a ‘‘ most
ungovernable stream,’’ I came to the outskirts, and there I was arrested by
the sight of a wonderful old Oak, of great bulk of bole, and wide spread of the
branches, growing in front of a mansion, which I since find is called ‘‘ The
Oaks,”’ and forms the residence of the owner, Mr Richardson. In this patri-
arch of trees, there is no great height of the bole, but it is the stoutest tree
of the kind that everI saw. It looked uniformly thick, till the great branches,
each of them the size of a tree, extended their umbrageous arms. The trunk
appeared to owe much of its bulk to the wood deposited by these great feeders
in their endeavours to re-root themselves in the soil, to which the short stem
permitted the readier access. Another great branch nearer the root had been
lopped off. After my return, the dimensions of this tree were obtained, and
I append them here, as being well worthy of being placed on record.

The first measurement round the bottom of the tree is 22 feet; the second
one, about 5 feet from that, is 22 feet ; then the third one, near to the branches,
is 18 feet 2 inches; then come four branches :—

No. 1, Branch, 9 feet 6 inches.
No. 2, Branch, 7 feet 8 inches.
No. 3, Branch, 8 feet 6 inches.
No. 4, Branch, 7 feet.

There were other good oaks in the grounds, but I only saw them at a dis-
tance.

In the Bishop of Carlisle’s Park at Rose Castle, Oaks are the predominant
timber, and what 1 saw were very cleanly grown, and tall trees. The acorns
were plentiful this season, and I am told that great flocks of wood-pigeons in
autumn assemble to feed upon the store here provided. It isa secure retreat
for the Jay, whose frequent screaming betrays it into no danger of being
persecuted here. There isalso a most populous rookery in the woods to the
north of the episcopal mansion. These are doubtless, some of them, descend-
ants of the rooks, about whom the Rev. Thomas Robinson, rector of Ousby in
Cumberland, in his ‘‘ Essay towards a Natural History of Westmoreland and
Cumberland,”’ 1709, speaks, as acting in the capacity of tree-planters, when
they had more acorns than they could immediately dispose of, by hiding them
for a future occasion ;—

“About twenty.five years ago, coming from Rose Castle, early in the
morning, I observed a great number of crows very busy at their work, upon
a declining ground of a mossy surface. I-went out of my way on purpose to
view their labours. and I found they were planting a grove of oaks. The
manner of their planting was thus: they first made little holes in the earth
with their bills, going about and about, till the hole was deep enough, and
then they dropt in the acorn, and covered it with earth and moss. This
young plantation is now growing up to a thick grove of oaks, fit for use, and
of height fit for crows to build their nests in. I told it to the owner of the
ground, who observed them spring up, and took care to secure their growth
and rising.’’ J, H,

383
On some of the rarer Lepidoptera. By ANDREW KELLY.

Cortas Epvusa.—In September, 1877, I noticed this rare But-
terfly near Longniddry ; and other stragglers are recorded in the
“Proceedings” for that year. Since then, the wanderers of 1877,
or perhaps of years long previous to that date, have extended
their range along the coast nearly as far as Aberlady. It was
found this year at Boglehill. I see no reason why it should not
become Scottish, and co-extensive with its food plant.

Areynnis Aciata.—Cockburnlaw. I saw it in great profusion
about the roadside from Dunse to Abbey St. Bathans, just as one
leaves the plantations and the great grey willow bushes to strike
into the moor; also on the whinny banks of the Whitadder from
the Abbey to Barnside. In 1879, while I was making my way
through the Abbey plantations in search of ferns, I saw lots of
the Wood Argus (Satyrus Eygeria). The Ringlet (Hipparchia
Hyperanthus) is still plentiful in our woods ; but the Wall Brown
(Lasiommata Megaera) appears to have become scarce.

Vanessa Carput (The Painted Lady).—Very plentiful in 1879 ;
Mr Turnbull captured on one forenoon in August upwards of a
score in as many yards of a woodland road, where Jo was taken
in 1873. Berwickshire comes up to the level in this genus ; her
Vanesse are complete. The large Tortoise-shell rests as yet on
one specimen on the authority of John Anderson. It is very
unpleasant to think that V. C-album, the butterfly of our youth,
has left us for good and all, It is more than twenty years since
I saw it.

Potyommatus ARTAXERXES.—Hartside is perhaps the most
wealthy locality in Berwickshire for this insect. The braes are
rocky, jagged, and gravelly, with often the rock-rose for their
only covering, a plant relished by few other insects besides itself.

AcueEront1a AtTropos.—I have seen the larvee frequently feed-
ing on the woody nightshade near Longniddry, where the plant
is very plentiful. Stray caterpillars have been found on: potatoes
all over Berwickshire, but never in any quantity to do them harm.
Mr Turnbull captured a female; it hybernated, but did not lay
eggs. The perfect insects have a great partiality for light. One
or two are taken about Lauder every year, at shop windows; one
was found among stable manure ; and another fell from a sheaf
of corn, while it was being forked to the cart; others have
secreted themselves in holes of walls, A great many of the pups

384 On some of the rarer Lepidoptera, by Andrew Kelly.

of the late larvee hybernate, and these commonly do not show
face till June. The hybernating moths of the previous year, if
the weather is genial, may appear sooner than that.

DeritErHitA Gati.—The only specimen that has been as yet
met with in Lauderdale was captured by some boys from Blains-
lie School, during the summer, on the bank of the Leader, who
consigned it to Mr Tait, the schoolmaster. The ‘Scottish Na-
turalist”’ records another for the Tweed district.

ZyeHNA FinipenpuL#.—I found this moth in profusion at
Longniddry, either resting on ragworts, or flying in the sunshine.

ARcTIA FuLIcINosA.—In Threepwood moss, a weird-looking
spot, full of treacherous moss-holes, and with here and there low
willow bushes, birches, and high tufts of heather. I have never
seen the imago here, but plenty of the caterpillars. Clostera
yeclusa can be here obtained in the chrysalis state in willow bushes ;
the chrysalis is wrapped up in a wisp of leaves spun closely to-
gether. Thisisa good find. Orgyia fascelina has large settle-
ments, farther back, in the neighbouring hill; the caterpillars
far exceed in quantity the perfect progeny. Orgyia pudibunda
also frequents that neighbourhood. The whole of the preceding
insects have been got in Langmuir moss, with the addition of
Chelonia Plantaginis, and I believe Mr Renton got Huthemonia
fussula there.

Bomsyx Rvusi.—This is another of our mountain gems. The
larves sometimes swarm; but the moth, as formerly stated, is
never in great strength of numbers. . It begins to fly on the hill-
sides at sunset, and you may congratulate yourself if you can
capture five or six specimens.

Scopron1a BeterarrA.—This flies over our moors in July, a
little later in the season than Fidonia atomaria. Mr Paterson,
Dunse, made the first capture of this insect for Berwickshire.

Carsta imBuTATA (The Manchester Treble-Bar).—Mr Guthrie
and Mr Turnbull, years since, saw this singularly rare insect in
some profusion hanging at rest amongst the cranberry bogs of
Canonbie, during a sunless day in July. A number more were
got by disturbing the tufts of long grass. Their attention had
been drawn to this locality by some competent observers who
knew of their existence there.

NoroponTA CAMELINA,— Occasionally found among the woods
of Chapel House. Mr Darling captured one at rest on a beech
tree at the side of the approach,

On some of the rarer Lepidoptera, by Andrew Kelly. 385

NoroponTA DROMEDARIUS.—This beautiful species is of rare
occurrence. However, one or two have been captured here, flying
about hedgerows, although there is no connection between them
and this insect, which manifests a liking to willows.

XyiopHasta Hepatica.—Mr Shaw was the first to notice this
in Berwickshire, on the banks of the Ale. Mr Turnbull, Lauder
Gas Works, has made two captures of the species in Lauderdale.

Aarotis Tritict.—At Longniddry, near the same locality where
Colias Edusa is found, this moth occurs in great profusion during
the day, on ragworts. On these specimens the subcostal line is
of a very white colour; the other markings are also very sharp
and distinct, so that it cannot be mistaken for 7. aqguilina. It is

‘rare in Berwickshire.

Noctua Dantu—tThis is an inhabitant of the Aiky wood, and
is also very common among the natural oaks about Abbey St.
Bathans in the beginning of September. It begins to fly in the
gloaming.

OrTHOsIA susPECTA.—Very rare, but occasionally met with.

XanTuHIA Cerago.— When at Newhouses, Hawick, during holi-
days, I used to capture this insect not unfrequently, at the side
of the Lough next the plantation.

Dasyrouia Tempit.—Mr Turnbull captured at light from the
end of October to the beginning of November, 1879, seven gor-
geous specimens of this very rare moth. Hitherto only three had
been found in the Tweed district.

ErunDA LUTULENTA.—Mr Renton caught one with his net in
Cleikhimin garden ; but the best plan to find it is to sugar juni-
per bushes on Longcroft braes, and there it will be sure to resort
to the bait.

Aeriopis Apritina.—This is a very plentiful moth in Aiky
wood. If sugaring is practised, from ten to twenty specimens
may be got in a night, and along with them, the Flounced Chest-
nut and Brindled Green may be had also, on the same baits.
The woods about the Abbey when sugared produce the same
insects. The Berwickshire specimens of the Hadena protea are
smaller, as a whole, than any of Newman’s figures, and a little
more dingy, but very neat. The food plant of the caterpillar is
not given by Newman, but I anticipate that it is the low oaks
that attract it.

Puivs1a InterRocationis.—First taken in Dogden Moss as re-
corded in the ‘‘ Proceedings ;” then about Drakemire, and lastly

386 On some ofthe rarer Lepidoptera, by Andrew,Kelly.

on the Tippet Knowes, Lauder Common. The caterpillar is said to
feed on stinging nettles, Urtica dioica (Stainton’s Manual, i. p. 308)
but Dr. Buchanan White, in correction of this, states that it always
feeds on heather, and never on nettles. The figure in Newman’s
British Moths is much larger than our Berwickshire specimens.
CatocaLa NupTa.—The specimen which I possess was taken in
the Earlstoun old shooting range by some Blainslie boys, who
handed it to Mr Tait. It had not previously been found in
Lauderdale; but other two had been recorded for Berwickshire.

Notes on Paper on Ashiesteel of 1878. By Miss RussELL
(See Club’s Proceedings, Vol. VIIL., pp. 486-441.)

Tue stone axe turned up with spindle-whorls at Ashiesteel,
and now preserved there, on close inspection is not flint, but a
very close smooth stone, I do not know exactly of what kind; it
has rather a look of limestone; whether it may be regarded as
an ancient case of imposition or not, this seems to account for its
having broken without any wear.

The fragments of stone with cup-markings, or at least rude
holes, which come under that head, of which six or seven are
lying at the end of the box-garden at Ashiesteel, are chiefly from
the sides of the road passing through the farm of Kilnknowe,
near Galashiels; some of them are comparatively small stones,
and do not seem to be fragments of any thing larger, though
one looks like part of a monolith. One stone, with a projecting
piece left in the middle of a cup, is from the hillside on the other
side of the Tweed from Ashiesteel.

On Ashiesteel hill there are several (large) stones with holes
that appear to be arranged in-rows, but are so rude as not to
look artificial otherwise.

There is a large stone with two or three shallow cups, built
into the yard wall near one door of the dairy. There is a similar
one near Clovenfords, beside a gate on the road to Caddonfoot.

In the passage room in the house is a large heavy object,
chipped out of white granite, which was found in ploughing the
bank above the haughs of Clava, near Inverness. It might be a
pestle, but is much too large to use by hand. It may be a port-
able tether for a cow; if the heavy part was buried in the
ground, a small post would be left projecting, with a head —
would keep a rope in its place.

October, 1880.

387

Record of Migration and Occurrence of Birds on the
Borders in the order of their Dates for 1880. By
JAMES HARDY.

In drawing up the following Report, my own remarks have
been supplemented, as indicated by their initials, principally from
the communications of Mr John Aitchison, Belford ; Mr George
Bolam, Berwick; Mr T. H. Gibb, Alnwick; Rev. J. F. Bigge,
Stamfordham ; Dr. Charles Stuart, Chirnside ; Mr Robert Renton,
Fans by Earlstoun, and others whose names are appended ; as
well as from the scattered intimations in the local newspapers,
so far as I have access to them, which have for the most part been
‘here arranged for future reference. This paper is only a branch
of the larger inquiry prosecuted by Messrs Harvie-Brown and
Cordeaux for the British Association of Science.

PEREGRINE Fatcon (Falco peregrinus).—Jan. 14th, 1880, a
Peregrine Falcon was trapped by the keeper at Edington. Ob-
serving a wood-pigeon newly killed near the place where the
young pheasants were reared, he set a trap near the dead bird,
and secured the very fine specimen, which was caught by a talon.
It was a young bird.—Dr. Stuart. May 10th, 1879, an adult
female engaged in preying on wood-pigeons was shot near Leit-
holm; and on Jan. 15th, 1880, a young male was shot in
Hendersyde Park, near Kelso.—A. Brotherston. In the first
week of December, a young female about six months old was
shot by George Brown, farm-steward at Berrington Law, about
three miles north of Lowick. It was a remarkably fine speci-
men, and weighed very heavy, turning the scales to 23lbs. Its
length from the beak to the tip of the tail was 192 inches, and
the expanse of its wings 453 inches. It was purchased for the
Berwick Museum (Berwick Advertiser, Dec. 10th). In the at-
tempt to record it, it was converted into two species. On the
Berwickshire coast the Peregrine built this year at Lumsdean,
having nested at Fastcastle in the previous year. It was seen
there June 17th. On Sept. 17th, 18th, 21st, and 24th, a female
- was watching the pigeons that frequent the rocks and caverns
between Siccar and Greenheugh, Oldcambus; and on Dec. 17th
it was there again. On the first occasion the martins and rock-
pipits were attempting to mob it.

Starting (Sturnus vulgaris),—Began to arrive in flocks at
Fans, in the inland part of Berwickshire, Jan. coe R.

W

388 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Most of the young had migrated from the upper part of Berwick-
shire before Oct. 31st... On Nov. 9th, nine or ten were present at
Oldcambus; have been scarce throughout the winter; fewer
nested here this summer, some of the old nesting resorts being
deserted.—J. H. Alnwick, Noy. 4th. Large flocks of. Starlings,
mostly birds of the year, in immature plumage, feeding along
the coast; also several Thrushes, Turnstones, Dotterels, and
Purple Sandpipers.—7. H. G.

CurLew (Numenwus arquata).—Curlews were heard at Fans,
Jan. 22nd. Three were seen on March 8rd. They breed in that
neighbourhood.—R, R. At Oldcambus on Feb. 19th, there were
20 Curlews at the coast; on March 3rd, they began to utter their
spring call, On March 9th, there were 30 at the sea-side, and
were still present on March 25th, but had diminished to 6 or 7
on March 27th and 30th; and to one bird on April 17th. One
appeared again on June 7th; but on the 9th about 12 arrived on
the coast, and there was a great flock, Sept. 20th. By Dec. 16th,
they had shifted their ground; one was heard on the 20th, but
only two or three were left dy the end of the year. In 1879,
they left the coast on March 19th and 26th, and they began to
arrive in numbers on the shores on July 17th, but the first had
appeared on June 1st. Under Nov. 15th, Mr Gibb remarks :—
‘A large flight of birds appeared over the town of Alnwick about
10 o’clock at night; many of their number flew up-and down
Bondgate Street, attracted by the light of the gas-lamps. It was
impossible, however, in the uncertain light, to make out to, what
species they belonged; but from their notes, there is no doubt
that many, if not all, were members of the Plover family. On
the following, night, the 16th, a migratory flock of Curlews also
passed over the town, but judging from their cries, they were
high in the air.”

YELLowW-HamMeEr (Hmberiza citrinella).—‘‘ At Horsley, North
Tyne, there is a newly-built nest of Yellow-hammers, containing
two eggs.” —(Kelso Chronicle, Jan. 28rd, 1880). The Editor ques-
tions the veracity of the statement, but the bird is not very ob-
servant of seasons. In the same paper for Sept. 17th, as an
instance of late nesting, a Yellow-hammer’s nest is said to have
been found, enclosing two healthy birds, at the bridge over the
railway at Lindean; and in that of Sept. 24th, another pair in
the Hawick district is recorded as having reared four young
birds at that late period. On August 9th, I observed a Yellow-

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 389

hammer carrying food for its young, which consisted of a mouth-
ful of Tipula oleracea, the parent of the largest kind of ‘‘ grub.”
About the same date, Yellow-hammers were persistent oat-eaters
during the early ripening process ; and they join the Greenfinch
in shelling out the grain uncovered at seed-time.

Raven (Corvus Coraw).—January 24th, one seen at Oldcambus
during the snow. The sea-rocks near Siccar were an old breed-
ing haunt of the birds; and they may hark back upon localities
fancied by their forbears. In 1879 one was seen on Jan. 31st.

Misseu Torus (Turdus viscivorus).—Song first heard from 4th
to 7th Feb. Scarce all the season.

Prep Waeratt (Motacilla Yarrell’).—Oldcambus, Feb. 7th, one
first seen (very early); one next arrived March 27th; and one
was seen March 30th. April 29th, there was one at Dunglass ;
and on April 30th four or five were seen at Cove-shore hunting
for food among the sea-weed. On August 6th the old ones were
conducting little bands of young birds to the best feeding places.
In 1879, arrivals were noted on March J 8th, 19th, and 29th; and
April 1st and 2nd. Sept. 22nd, young Wagtails appeared on the
house-roofs, but had left on 24th. Last seen in 1879 on Oct. 2nd.
Sept. 30th, seen on the roof of Lanercost Priory; and on Oct.
14th, at Berwick.—/. H. March 10th, arrived at Stamfordham.
—J. F. B. On March 22nd at Fans.—f. kk. When at Gilsland
in September, I was told that an annual stream of migration
passes over Brampton. This came first to be known on the
occasion of a great cattle show and fair being held at the place,
which caused a great amount of offal to accumulate, that attracted
flies. Shortly after, a great number of Pied Wagtails alighted
on the ground from a company on their journey southwards, and
continued for some days pursuing the flies. Their passage has
been noted since. This season the numbers were diminished. :

Razor-Bi~u (Alcea Torda).—Feb. 8th, 20th, 27th, several dead
birds cast ashore at these dates.

Lapwine or Pewir (Vanellus cristatus).—Feb. 19th, appeared at
Stamfordham.—J/. F. B. March 3rd at Fans—R. R. March 7th,
in a field near Cockburnspath.—July 15th, in turnip fields at
Oldcambus. Aug. 21st, at coast; Aug. 31st, in straggling parties
at sea-coast and turnips alternately. Continued most of the
winter ; but disappeared in Jan. and Feb., 1881, during the
snowstorm. In 1879, Lapwings appeared Feb. 25, 26, Mar. 8rd,
Mar. 8th, Mar. 17th; and had settled on the uplands, Mar. 19th.
On March 28th, they were seen in a body returning to the hills.

390 Record of Migration, ée., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Grey Waaerart (Motacilla boarula).—Oldcambus, Mar. 8th, a
pair returned to an inland pond. May 25th, several new arrivals,
along with a rush of migrants, consisting of Spotted Fly-catchers,
Sedge Warblers, and Common Martins. In 1879, arrived on
April 4th and 5th. Three arrived fresh as late as June Sth, two
females and a male, and settled near a waterfall at Redheugh.

Warer-HEN (Gallinula chloropus).—March 9th, it returned to
its breeding-pools. In 1879, it returned on March 11th; but
left, and returned on April 2nd. At Lowick, Iam told, that during
the last winter (1880-1), a pair frequented a cottage garden, and
became so familiar as occasionally to take refuge in the porch.
Dr Stuart of date 11th Feb., 1881, notes that during the severest
part of the winter, ‘‘ Water-hens were easily caught in the hand.
Coming home one day, when at Broadhaugh, I observed one fly
and light on the top of a wall, right in front of the window of a
cottage, where it allowed me to put my hands on it.”

Cormorant (Phalacrocoraz Carbo).—Had begun to disperse
about Mar. 9th, when there were 6 on their favourite perch, the
Scart Rock near Siccar. There was only one there on Mar. 18th;
and 2 on Mar. 25th (these had the white patch on their thighs) ;
3 were seen on Mar. 26th; and only one on Mar. 27th and 30th.
Owing to the coast salmon fishery interfering with their privacy,
they were not again visible till Aug. 9th and 31st, when only a
pair had returned. Their number has been limited in winter
and spring 1881. In 1879, the latest date of their stay, was
April 11.

Heron (Ardea cinerea).—At Alnwick, March 15, Mr Gibb ob-
served several Herons passing westwards as if towards heronries,
They were high in the air, and seemingly bent on along journey.
—At Oldcambus there were still three on the coast, on April 17th ;
on July 15th, there were 7 or 8; on Aug. 6th, there were 16, and
on Aug. 31, there were 12.—At Murton of date 18th Oct., Mr
Nicholson informs me, there were a number of Herons flying
about, and he frequently could count from 6 to 14 in a day.

Currr-Cuarr (Sylvia rufa).—March 20th, at Belford, very
early; its usual time of arrival is from the 27th to 31st March ;
rarely found after the end of September, or first week of October.
—J.A. April 4th, at Berwick; generally the first of the War-
blers to arrive.—G.B.

RepsHank, (Totanus Calidris).—Had dispersed before Mar. 18,
when only one was heard; a pair remained on March 20th,—

Record of Migration, éc., of Birds, by James Hardy. 391

June 24th, a pair had returned; and on July 17th, 6 or7 fre-
quented the coast; on Aug. 31st, a small close-packed flock was
noticed. In 1879, had left before April 1st, and had returned
on July 17th. Mr Kelly writes that two Redshanks, during the
summer haunted the upper reaches of the Leader Water. They
hankered about the river, and ran races on the sands, as if they
were going to breed, but although they stayed three months,
_ they still continued single ; at length one was shot, and the other
deserted the locality.

Win Dock (Anas Boschas).—Continued on the coast till Mar.
22nd; but on Mar. 27th, the number was greatly diminished.
In 1879, they left on Mar. 26th; the first pair returned, Sept.
18th. One re-appeared at sea, Sept. 25th, 1880. On Oct. 16th,
there were 80; and on Nov. 4th, there were several distinct bands.
Nov. 15th, hard frost following a heavy rain, when fully 100
ducks appeared at sea; Nov. 23rd, ducks were absent; in Dec.
they had nearly deserted this part of the coast. On Jan. 5th,
1881, they had nearly all disappeared. The newspapers stated
that while wild fowl were numerous at Fenham Flats during the
winter, there were few wild ducks.

GREBE, GREAT CRESTED (Podiceps cristatus).—A party of 12 near
Siccar point were seen for the last time, March 22nd, They re-
appeared to the number of 15, on Dec. 20th. Of late years they
have been noted as annual winter visitants. They were very
numerous in 1879, when they arrived on Dec. 5th; and some had
lingered in spring till May 3rd, when three birds were seen. In
the Index of last vol. of ‘‘ Proceedings,” I find that references
to the Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes have been omitted.
They are mentioned at pp. 54, 188, 502, 530. One of Podiceps
auritus was captured at Cramlington, Feb. 11, 1881. I have not
yet detected any of the Common Coots (/ulica atra) in the sea, to
which, in this district during the autumn, they regularly descend
from the inland ponds, following the burn courses, and returning
in the beginning of March ; unless it was on Dec. 27, when what
looked to be an entirely black duck, appeared among the Grebes,
which chased them when they approached it, and it did not dive
so much.

Yettow Waarart (Motacilla flwa).—March 25th, observed
three Yellow Wagtails on a newly-sown field, at a short distance
from Alnwick. As the year advances, the vicinage of the Aln is
a favourite resort of these birds.—7Z. H. G.

392 Record of Migration, éc., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Turuse (Turdus musicus).—March 25th, a few birds are scat-
tered here and there: there has been no increase during the
season. About Sept. 4th, four or five thrushes frequented the
turnip fields; but they were very scarce in the latter months of
the year; and disappeared entirely in Jan. and Feb., 1881.
Blackbirds have not'so entirely deserted as the Thrushes. At
Murton, about 18th Oct., Mr Nicholson writes: Blackbirds and
Thrushes were numerous, generally to be found among the tur-
nips. Writing from Dunse, March 25th, 1881, Mr Robt. Waite
says, ‘“‘in Jan. I saw Thrushes in our market-place, and after-
wards in the garden, but they have now disappeared.”

Warter-Ovzex (Cinclus aquaticus).—Pairing, March 27th; very
scarce in Jan. and Feb., 1881; re-appeared in limited numbers
only in March, when the streams were freed of ice and snow.

Rock-Prerr (Anthus petrosus).—An assemblage near Siccar,
March 30th, previous to dispersal. Again Aug. 16th, a large
number were congregated at an inland well-strand, but no such
convocation was again witnessed. Thinly scattered during win-
ter ; numerous in March, 1881, among rocks surrounding Dunbar
harbour. There are always swarms of minute black flies of the
genus Limosina, bred in decaying sea-weed, &c., which in warm
days in spring, thickly powder the rocks by resting on them.
These constitute part of their food, and are picked up with much
alacrity. In spring and winter these Pipits resort to the sheep-
folds, and recently ploughed fields at some distance inland, in
quest of insect food. In 1879, April 25th, a body of from 28 to
30 were assembled on the sea-banks previous to dispersion, going
northwards; on Dec. 9th the Sea-pipits had mostly left the coast.

Wueat-Ear (Saxicola Ginanthe).—Appeared on sea-coast near
Oldcambus, March 25th ; but absent, Mar. 27. On Mar. 29th, a
small band of 7 or 8 arrived ; but some were visible for some time
afterwards. April 17th, a few were seen more inland. They
were at Cockburnspath Cove on April 30th. They breed on the
coasts here, but these were migrants. They were again noted at
the coast on July 15th, 17th, 20th, and 22nd, as if strangers. On
August 31st, young birds were still here; and on Sept. 2nd, 3 or
4 finely feathered birds were at the coast; and on Sept. 17th,
there were 3 more inland. Both in coming and going there
appears to be no unanimous concert among them. In 1879, they
arrived on April 5th and 7th, and on subsequent dates; and even
as lateas May 22nd and 26th, along with a great rush of migrants

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 393

comprising Flycatchers, Willow Wrens, Wood Warblers, Red-
starts, White-throats, and Sedge-Warblers, and did not leave till
the 29th. They returned to the coast in 1879 on August 30th.
Oct. 14th, seen at Berwick. From Mr George Bolam’s notes, in
1879, the Wheat-ear appeared at Berwick April 11th, and left in
the end of September; and in 1880, it appeared in the 1st week
in April, and disappeared on the third week of October; being
very late in going in autumn, 1880. At Belford, in 1880, according
to Mr John Aitchison, it appeared on March 29th, about the usual
time ; in 1879 it was late, not before 10th of April; in 1879,
arrived 1st April; and in 1878, March 29th. On March 26th,
Mr Gibb saw a solitary Wheat-Ear on the slopes of the platform
of Dunstanborough Castle. On Sept. 25th, he observed large
numbers of Wheat-Ears on the coast near Alnwick, making ready
for their departure. They had left before Oct. 10th, when he
revisited the locality and saw none. Called ‘‘ Stane-chackers ”’
by the Coldingham fishermen.

War-cuat (Saxicola Rubetra).—April 2nd, arrived at Belford
about the usual time; in 1879, appeared April 20th.—J. A. April
29th, a pair on some furze on Alnwick moor, shewing their usual
predilection for topmost sprays.—T. H. G. August 6th, a brood
of young birds, fully fledged, in a ferny spot on the steep sea-
banks east from Redheugh. . In 1879, May 2nd, arrived at Cock-
burnspath, and May. 12th, at Pease Bridge. These birds were
once much more numerous.on the skirts of the moors in this
district, but cultivation has now driven this and the next species
into the back wastes. In 1857, there were several in the upper
part of Edmonsden, or Edmersdean.

StronE-cHat (Saxicola rubicola).—April 2nd, at Belford, about
the usual time.—J. A. April 12th, at Stamfordham.—/. F. B.
April 30th, Cockburnspath Cove. Last seen in 1879 on Dee. 4th.
Used a few years ago to build in Oldcambus dean, and at the foot
of the Peaseburn. It still frequents Ewieside, Penmanshiel moor,
and the heights above Redheugh.

Rep-start (Phenicura ruticilla).—Apyril 5th, a pair, male and
female, in an old moss-covered wall near Bolton.—TZ. H. G.
May 2nd, Oldcambus. In 1879, arrived May 22nd.—J. Z.
May 9th, Stamfordham.—/. F. B. At Berwick, Mr G. Bolam
saw Red-starts in 1879, on May Sth, and in 1880, on May 7th.
It departs in August. These arrivals he considers very late, but
he had not much chance of seeing the birds as they arrived.

394 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Guittemot ( Uria Troile).—April 7th, observed a large number
of Guillemots on the adjacent coast (Alnwick) heading for the
Farnes—a favourite breeding station.—7. A. G.

SEDGE Waxzs er ( Salicaria Phragmitis ).—Heard at Belford,
April 10th, 1880, (early); seen and heard April 12th, in 1879
arrived April 30th.—J. 4. May 25th, at Oldcambus, arriving
along with the Spotted Flycatcher, its companion, in 1879, and
an accession of Martins. In 1879, arrived May 22nd and 26th.
—J. H. April 30th, among the aquatic plants that luxuriate on
the marshy grounds contiguous to Alnmouth, three Sedge War-
blers were visible, and occasionally a fairly good view could be
* had of them, which is not always attainable, for the bird is an
adept at concealment.—T. H. G.

Wittow Warster (Sylvia trochilus).—April 12th, at Belford
about its usual time ; in 1879, it did not arrive till 22nd April.—
J. A. At Berwick, arrived 1st week in April, departed Ist week
in October; usually comes and goes early in April and October.
G. B. At Alnwick, April 26th, two Willow Wrens were seen
flitting from brauch to branch in their usual active way, uttering
their plaintive notes.—7. H. G. April 18th, at Oldcambus, after
stormy weather, among black currant bushes; April 28rd and
24th, singing sweetly in the woods. April 29th, at Dunglass.
May 6th, generally diffused at Woodhall, near Dunbar. On
Aug. 11th, it was still present in Bowshiel Dean, but on the 13th
it and all the other warblers had left the Pease dean. On Aug.
22nd, seen near the public road at Cockburnspath Tower; and
again on Sept. 5th. Not at Tyninghame on Sept. 6th. On Sept.
2nd, 8rd, and 4th, a family party of four or five, along with two
Blue Tits, five or six Thrushes, as many Blackbirds, a few Chaf-
finches and Hedge-Sparrows, and a Whitethroat, had associated
on the borders of a turnip field ; but they were not observed any
later. In 1879, it arrived April 28th and 29th, and was generally
diffused May 11th, and was last seen August 15th.

Sanp Martin (Ahrundo riparia).—April 6th, a pair at Belford,
April 10th, several; in 1879, appeared April 20.—J.4. April
18th, at Rothbury.—(elso Chron.) April 19th, at Berwick.—
G.B. April 28rd, sea-coast, Oldcambus. In 1879, arrived on
April 25th.—April 26th, at Stamfordham.—J/.F.B. Sept. 15th:
‘“‘ A very large number of Sand Martins were congregated on the
banks of the Aln on the evening of this day. They were skim-
ming and careering about in the liveliest fashion, and kept dipping

Record of Migration, :&c.,of Birds, by James Hardy. 395

in the water so perseveringly, that the effect produced was
like a shower of rain. The vicinage of the Aln is nowhere
thickly peopled by them, and I have no doubt the great muster
was the prelude to their speedy departure for the sunny south,
and in all probability they took their flight that very night, for
it was the last sight I had of them for the year; although on the
following and many a succeeding day, I chanced to be near their
meeting place.” —7.H.G.—May 20th, 1880, at Belford, Beaumont
water; May 24th, in 1879.—Dr. Robson Scott.

Swattow (AMirundo rustica).—April 15th, at Belford, thin;
plentiful on 20th; in 1879, appeared April 20th.—J.4.—At
Berwick in 1879, arrived April 25th, departed Nov. 6th; in 1880,
‘arrived April 28rd, departed Nov. 14th; very late in departing
in 1879, all over the country.—G.B.—At Rothbury, April 18th,
several were counted in the midst of a flock of Sand Martins;
in 1879, they appeared on April 29th. (Kelso Chron).—Berwick,
arrived April 23rd; at Abbey St. Bathans, April 24th; at
Elsdon, April 20th.—(Ber. Adv.). At Stamfordham, April 20th,
arrived. Sept. 21st, bulk of the Swallows left; Oct. 10th, two
seen.—J./.B. At Brampton, Oct. 16th, last seen. They were
circling round the church for several days previously.—Gvo.
Parkin. At Fans, Earlstoun, April 20th, first seen; Oct. 11th,
saw one flying along with two Bats, about 9 o’clock in the morn-
ing, the sun shining bright.—f#.R. At East Linton, first seen,
28rd April, a week behind their average arrival, and disappeared
on the 10th Oct., seven days before their average time of depart-
ture. At Musselburgh, April 18th, a considerable number were
seen by the river; which was reckoned by the observer to be
mearly 10 days ora fortnight before the usual time.—(Scotsman).
At Kelso, April 21st, one seen, among a score of Martins.—( Kelso
Chron.) A correspondent remarks that the 26th April, is the
usual time of arrival near Kelso, but this year it was far into
‘May before they made their appearance.—(Zd. Oct. 22nd). The
following are the dates of the arrival of the Swallows at Dunse
for the last five years, viz:—4th May, 1876; 6th May, 1877;
21st. April, 1878; 26th April, 1879; 30th April, 1880.—/Ber. News,
May 4th).—Mr Watson writes that in 1880, they left Dunse
again about May 6th, owing to the inclemency of the weather.—
At Chirnside, Dr. Stuart observed that on April 23rd, Swallows
were first seen at Allanton Bridge; on 24th, plenty of swallows,
weather windy and cold; 26th, Swallows absent; snow on

1x

396 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Cheviot in the morning and very cold. Principal body of Swal-
lows left early in Sept., before the great blast of wind and rain
on the 15th Sept; stragglers and young birds remained to Oct.
—At Alnwick, Mr Gibb, noted that the Chimney Swallow was
not observed until the 26th April, when a small company of six
arrived.—At Oldcambus, there was one on the coast, April 17th ;
none had settled, May 2nd; began to take up residence, May
12th, when in the early morning they were seen hawking over the
sheep in the fields, as they came to be fed. May 17th, a pair on
the Sea-banks ; May 22nd, numerous in Kast Lothian. In 1879,
Swallows arrived, April 25th. Sept. 25th, 1880, had left the
steading. Seen Sept. 18th and 21st. Sept. 22nd, numerous at
Siccar mixed with Martins. Sept. 25th, seven or eight returned
to the steading. Sept. 28rd, still Swallows at Renton. Sept.
26th, seen at Cockburnspath Tower, and none later. Sept. 29th
and 380th, there were Swallows at Naworth and Willowford, but
none about Hexham; and on Oct. 3rd, they continued at Parkend
near Carlisle. Oct 4th, was a hard frost accompanied with snow,
and the Swallows assembled to depart on the roof of Marchmont
House, which Mr Loney says they left about the 6th of the month.
—At Kelso, of date Sept. 10th, the Swallows which during the
past fortnight were seen collected in large flocks, had not been
observed. But they had only left for a few days’ holiday, On
the 14th they were again seen in large numbers ; and on the 15th
and 16th they were skimming in hundreds over the seething
waters of the Tweed. On the 24th they had again disappeared
from the Kelso district.—(elso Chron., Sept. 10th and 17th). Of
date Oct. 15th, after being absent for three weeks, again returned,
and in Kelso and the country round, their presence had that
week been conspicuous. They had assembled in flocks, and it
seemed as if they were making preparations for their final de-
parture. On Oct. 10th, four were seen on the telegraph wire at
Edenside Road ; and on the 17th Oct., a good many were flying
about. Nov. 4th, a Swallow was seen at Wooden near Eckford.
—(Zb. Oct. 15th, 22nd, Nov. 12th). In 1880, May 7th, arrived
at Belford, Beaumont water; in 1879, May 15th.—(Dr Robson
Scott). In a brood of Swallows hatched at Middlegill, near
Langholm, in 1880, one proved to be white, and its peculiar
colour attracted a good deal of attention.—(Jb. Sept. 24th). In
vol. vi. p. 428 of the Club’s Proc., I recorded the occurrence of
two white House Martins (Hirundo urbica), which were bred in
1872, in the uppermost story of Wooler Mill,

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 397

Martin (Hirundo urbica).—At Belford, April 15th, a few ap-
peared; they were plentiful on the 20th.—J. A. At Berwick,
Mr Bolam saw the last House Martin, Oct. 14th. He saw the first
in 1879 on May 3rd. Mr Gibb, on April 25th, saw a few Martins
skimming close to the ground in a warm sheltered spot near
Alnwick Castle. The Martin at Alnwick usually makes its ap-
pearance ten or twelve days earlier than the Swallow. —At Kelso,
April 19th, a small detachment of Martins appeared at Kelso
Bridge; and there were more on the 21st.—(elso Chron. April
23rd). At Oldcambus, May 15th, a pair returned to the sea-
caverns and cliffs. On May 17th, there were two pairs; on May
20th, they were numerous. May 22nd, seen at Innerwick. On
May 25th, with milder weather, after N. and N.W. gales, there
was a large assemblage of Martins at the coast along with Sand
Martins and Swallows. September 17th and 18th, Martins were
numerous at their breeding places near Siccar Point. On 19th
and 20th, they were still at Stockbridge. Sept. 23rd, still had
young at Horsley. Sept. 20th, 2ist, and 22nd, Martins and
Swallows mingled were very numerous at Siccar. There were
some young still being fedin the nest. On Sept. 24th, there was
only a pair at Siccar. On Sept. 26th, seven were present; and
on Sept. 27th, only one lingered behind. In 1879, Martins arrived
May 5th, and were last seen October 3rd. In 1880, May 20th,
arrived at Belford, Beaumont water; in 1879, May 24th.—Dr
Robson Scott.

Swirr (Cypselus apus).—At Belford, May 12th, a pair ; scarce
this season, and rather late; in 1879, appeared May 17th; and
left 25th August.—J. A. At Stamfordham, May 16th.—J. F. B.
At Oldcambus, May 16th; on the East Lothian Lammermoors,
May 22nd. In 1879, Swifts arrived May 22nd, and were last
seen Sept. 12th.—J. H. At Berwick, in 1879, arrived April 30th;
departed Sept. 4th ; in 1880, first week in May, departed August
16th—G. B. At Kelso, April 21st, one bird among other Hir-
undinide (Kelso Chron.); in full numbers, May 14th.—(Jb.)
At Alnwick, May 27th, three appeared, flying and screaming
above the town.—7Z. H. G.

Rine Ovzex (Turdus torquatus).—In 1879, arrived April 15th ;
not seen in 1880,

GREATER WHITETHROAT (Curruca cinerea).—At Stamfordham,
April 17th—J. F. B. At Belford, May 2nd, latish_—J/J. 4.
April 29th, near Alnwick, in a quickset hedge.—Z7. H.G. At

398 Record of Migration, éc., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Berwick, left in the end of Oct.; was late in departing in 1880;
seen in various places till the end of October.—G@. B.—At Old-
cambus, May 13th, in a dean among furze; May 16th, general
in hedges; August 6th, haunts the garden; August 7th, in post-
road hedges; August 20th and 31st, still one in garden.. Sept.
2nd, in turnip field ; Sept. 7th, one in garden at currant bushes,
and again on the 19th, which was its latest visit. In 1879, arrived
in succession on May 21st, 22nd, and 26th; last seen Aug. 15th.

GARDEN WARBLER (Curruca hortensis).—Belford, April 28rd,
latish.—John Attchison.

Porrin (fratercula Arctica).—April 28rd, several Puffins in the
sea off Newton-by-the-Sea.—T7. H. G.

GRaSsHOPPER WARBLER (Salicaria Locustella).—Belford, April
29th, rather a rare bird in that vicinity.—J. 4.—A false impres-
sion prevails that it is a bird of the South of England. I have
known it at Penmanshiel since I was a boy. I find that on May
28rd, 1837, I heard it among young trees in the Pease dean.
Near Newcastle I used to hear it on the retired banks of the
Derwent, opposite Winlaton Mill; and it has a retreat at Broad-
struther, among the lower Cheviots. A correspondence in the
Scotsman brings out a number of new localities. A favourite
haunt is the beautifully wooded and romantic spot round Keilder
Castle, on the banks and near the source of the North Tyne. It
usually arrives there in the early part of June, though sometimes
in May, and may be heard any time from morn till dark. The
writer compares its note to the winding up of a watch. T.C.
heard it at 9.30 p.m. in the middle of May, about a mile north
of Haddington. He compares the sound to a small pea-whistle.
H. M. Lornie writing from Kirkcaldy, July 1st, says it can be
seen and heard any time after 8 or 9 o’clock p.m. at the Mill Dam
woods, or in the grounds at Raith. It hasalso been heard about
a mile north of Edinburgh in June; and in the same month at
the canal side near Falkirk. It has also occurred in Perthshire
in 1880.

Kirtrwake, (Larus tridactylus).—April 28th, quite a large
company of Kittiwakes on the coast between Newton and Boul-
mer.—Z.H.G.

Woop Wren (Sylvia sylvicola).— Berwick, April 30th. Always
a fortnight or three weeks behind the Willow Wren.—G.B.
I did not observe it in the Pease dean, till late in summer; in
1879, arrived May 12th and 22nd.

Record of Migration, &c.; of Birds, by James Hardy. 399

LANDRAIL OR CoRNoRAKE (Crex pratensis).—At Alnwick, May
1st, 1 heard the first Landrail, and lured it within a few feet of
me, by the artificial call note—7.H.G. At Dunse, May 1st.—
(Ber. News). May 3rd.—Ur Watson. Stamfordham, May 6th.
—J.F.B. At Berwick, May 6th in 1879, April 28th in 1880.
Corncrakes were very late in the year 1879.—G.B. At Kelso,
heard in the fields, April 23rd.—( Kelso Chron). A Landrail was
shot at Mellerstain, 21st Sept.—(d.) Late in leaving Scotland
in 1880.

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus).—At Stamfordham, April 26th.—
J.F.B. At Belford, May 3rd, scarce.—J.A. At Fans, first
heard, May 8rd.—R#. R. At Berwick, in 1879, arrived April 26th;
in 1880 last seen, Aug. 25th, the young often remain till Sept.—
G.B. At Alnwick, May 3rd, in a brake at Rugley Wood, I saw
two birds on the same day, one on the outlook for caterpillars,
the other on the wing. On July 26th, I observed an old Cuckoo
in Hulne Park, a later date than I had previously noticed. The
old birds, particularly the males, usually leave in the first week
in July, and those birds that are seen after that date, may be set
down either as unusual or unwilling sojourners. The young of
the year remain much longer; indeed I have more than once
seen them as late as October.— 7. H. Gibb. Frequents gardens
at Lowick to feed on the gooseberry caterpillar; does the same
at Pease Mill, Berwickshire. In 1879, first seen May 11th.—In
1880, arrived at Belford, Beaumont water, May 7th; in 1879,
May 8th.—Dr. Robson Scott.

Wooncock (Scolopax rusticola).—In Bowshiel dean, the Wood-
cocks did not leave till the first week in May, which was late.
They arrived at Aikieside in the Pease dean woods, Nov. 2nd,
which is accounted early.—J.H. Oct. 20th, one was flushed at
Blackburn in Chirnside parish.—Dr. Charles Stuart. July 2nd,
discovered in Hulne Park a Woodcock’s nest with three eggs.
Sept. 26th, flushed a Woodcock on Chatton Sandyford moors,
but this no doubt was a bird that had summered with us.—T7.Z. G.

Soran Gooss (Sula Bassana).—May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 1879, Solans
commenced passing and returning down the Firth to the open
sea. The salmon fishermen expect good catches when they com-
mence diving along the coast-line.

Moor Prrrr (Anthus pratensis).—On the Moors above High-
chesters, May 4th.—Sept. 6th, there were a few on the coast
between Dunbar and Tyninghame. Nov. 12th, a pair seen at a

400 Record of Migration, &e., of Birds, by James Hardy.

well-strand in Oldcambus dean. Mostly migratory in this district.
In 1879, they were on the moors, as if just arriving, on April
18th.

LessER WHITETHROAT (Curruca sylviella).—Belford, May 5th,
late.—J.A.

Common SanpprPer (Totanus hypoleucos).—May 5th, observed a
Common Sandpiper on the banks of the river Aln. The Sand-
pipers usually arrive in pairs, but this bird was mateless, and
continued so for several days, when twomore birds arrived. The
trio then fraternised for a considerable time, but how their friend-
ship ended, I cannot say.—TZ. H. Gibb.—At Berwick in 1879,
arrived May 6th, departed middle of Sept.; in 1880, arrived May
5th, departed end of Sept.—G.B. In 1879, May 14th, at Hound-
wood; June 38rd, near Thurston, E. L. both new arrivals.

Brack-caP WarBLER (Curruca atricapilla)—May 6th, I heard
a Black-cap in the North Cawledge Wood, but it was not then in
full song.—T. H. G.—In the Pease dean, the Black-cap was late.
There were none heard on May 16th, but they were present on
the 22nd. In 1849, they were first heard May 12th and 22nd.

Sanpwico Tern (Sterna Boysi).—May 12th, a small company
of Sandwich Terns off Craster, bound no doubt for the Farnes,
where the shingle of the islets offers them an advantageous nest-
ing place.—T. H. G.

TreE-Prrit (Anthus arboreus).—May 14th 1879, near Hound-
wood ; not seen in Pease dean for two years.

Nicut-Jar (Caprimulgus Europeus).—At Belford, first seen May
15th. In 1877, appeared May 10th; in 1878, May 18th; and in
1879, May 17th.—J. 4.—August 27th, flushed two Night-Jars
on the moors of Chatton Sandyford, where every year a few breed.
—T. H. G.

Dortreret (Charadrius morinellus).—In 1879, May 15th, appeared
on Redheugh hill, and continued on 19th; not observed in 1880.

Srorrep Frycatcuer (Muscicapa grisola).—At Oldcambus, May
25th, numerous in the dean, and at a natural wood called the Oak
brae, new arrivals. Last noticed Sept. 5th. In 1879, May 22nd
and 26th, they arrived in great numbers along with numerous
other migrants.—J. H. At Alnwick, May 28th, there were seve-
ral Spotted Flycatchers among the alders that skirt the Aln,
intent on capturing insects. —T. H.G. At Chirnside, the summer
visitors left early. I saw none after August, no White-throats,
Flycatchers, or Willow Wrens.—Dr Stuart.

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 401

BuLacK-HEADED Gui (Larus ridibundus).—Oldcambus, June
11th, two returned to sea, resting on the poles of the salmon nets,
as they are wont to do on piles in inland lakes. More appeared
on July 15th, 16th, and 17th, being then in considerable numbers.
By the end of the season only one or two remained. They are
more numerous on the coast of Kast Lothian thanhere. In 1879,
Black-headed Gulls were observed on the coast on January 22nd ;
and occasional birds were still present on February 8th. In that
year they were first seen on their return to the coast on July 19th.
On August 15th, they were hawking in the air and snapping at
the Crane-flies (Tipula oleracea) which were floating in the air in
numbers. On June 25th and 26th, 1880, Sir Walter Elliot ob-
served inland at Wolfelee, remarkable flights of Sea Gulls (Larus
canus). On June 9th, 1879, I saw the same thing here after dusk,
the birds, I believe, were attracted to feed on slugs.

Green Sanppreer (Totanus ochropus).—A single bird haunted
for a few days some pools in the dean at Oldcambus, on July
17th, 1879, and subsequent days ; not seen in 1880.

SanDERuine (Calidris arenaria).—August 3rd, shot two Sander-
lings on the coast near Alnwick, not yet attired in their full winter
dress, but were probably young birds of the year.—T. H. G.

Great SniPx (Scolopax major).—‘‘ I have the record of one shot
at Barmoor Castle, Northumberland, on 21st Sept.”—Ir J. A.
Harvie Brown, Proc. of Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow, vol. iv. p. 315.

Witp Gerse.—Grey-Lae (Anser ferus) at Berwick, arrived
Sept. 26th, 1879, departed February 14th, 1880; and arrived
Sept. 15th, 1880. Brent GEEsE (Anser torquatus) usually come
later, and remain till about March.—@. B. November 16th, a
large flock of Grey-lag Geese (?) in the form of a V passed over
Alnwick to the south, cackling vociferously. These birds sojourn
with us, now and again, selecting generally the largest stubble
or grain fields to alight in, to the centres of which they are prone
to confine themselves, with their fuglemen always on the alert.—
L. H. G. Species Unknown.—At Oldcambus, a small returning
band seen, Feb. 8th, 1880. On March 27th, a great flight rose
from the moors behind Penmanshiel and Howpark, where they
continued eating much grass up to near April 24th. In the
autumn, the first seen Oct. 11th; on Oct. 30th, wild geese were
passing, but did not rest. April 7th and 15th, 1879, very large
flocks of Wild Geese appeared. On the uplands they continued
three weeks in April. They were first heard in returning on

402 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Oct. 8rd.—Oct. 4th, 1880, a large flock of Wild Geese passed
along the coast from south to north off the mouth of the Wear.
Before Oct. 8th, two large flocks flying southwards, passed over
Hawick, late at night (Kelso Chron., Oct. 8th). A pair of Brent
Qxxsz were shot on the Oxnam water, near Millheugh, about
Feb. 4th, 1881, in a snow storm. Of this I have a notice from
Mr Valentine Knight. ‘I have been told,” he says, ‘‘ that these
geese have been in marvellous numbers this last winter near Holy
Island. No doubt the two birds shot in the Oxnam had simply
lost themselves in the storm; it was during a heavy fall of snow
attended by a strong gale of wind, that they were found there,
from what I could learn.”—In East Lothian, this is called the
‘‘ Wear Goose,” which appears to be the same word as the ‘‘ Horra
Goose” of Shetland, applied to this species.

HoopoE (Upupa Epops).—Sept. 15th, a Hoopoe was killed at
Chester House farm, about a mile from Acklington Station. It
was a very fine specimen of a mature bird. I am unable to find
out the name of the gentleman who shot it, as he was a stranger.
—C. F. McCabe, Thirston House, Felton, Feb. 19th, 1881.—Mr
Parkin informs me that a Hoopoe was shot near Wakefield in
autumn.

TurtLE Dove (Columba Turtur).—Before Sept. 17th, a young
male Turtle Dove was shot at Lamberton by Mr James Mein.
It was shot on the main road on a very stormy and tempestuous
day, and was apparently quite fatigued, and could with great
difficulty fly. In all probability it had been bred in Scotland or
Northumberland. An old bird was shot shortly after near Velvet
Hall Station.

FrevprareE (Turdus pilaris).—Belford, Sept. 25th and 27th re-
spectively, two small flocks, very early arrivals; very few seen
since.—J. A. Oct. 31st, Fieldfares seen at Bowshiel. Nov. 9th,
nine or ten appeared at Oldcambus. They were extremely scarce
throughout the winter. One continued throughout the storms of
Jan. and Feb., 1881, and fed among the sheep on chips of turnips.
In 1879, arrived Nov. 13th.—J. H. In Lauderdale, both they
and the Redwings had come and gone about the end of October.
—A. Kelly. At Berwick, arrived in 1879 on Oct. 27th; and in
1880, on Oct. 28th; and there they usually depart about the
beginning of May or end of April—G. B. Alnwick, Oct. 2nd,
‘‘ observed the arrival of a company of Fieldfares from thenorth,
composed of about one hundred individuals, When first seen

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 403

they were hurrying along with a strong and rapid flight high up
in the air, bent to all appearance on a prolonged journey south-
wards, uttering their well known flight-notes; but on passing a
secluded wood bounding the river Aln, they wheeled sharply
round, and commenced a series of rapid but graceful evolutions,
nearing in each one of them the wood, which evidently attracted
their attention, with a view to a night’s rendezvous. Round and
round the trees they flew, chattering and screaming as only Field-
fares can, and then dashed into the trees amongst their topmost
branches ; not yet, however, to alight, but more, as I took it, to
sean yet closer their contemplated retreat; for they quickly re-
appeared to continue their circular movements, but at a much
lower altitude, till eventually, with much clamour, they settled
as if for the night, The cessation of their merry pipings and
lively gyrations left quite a blank and silence on the scene, but
this was not long to continue, for a Carrion Crow chanced to come
that way, and sounding his hoarse croak, alighted among them.
Its presence proved so distasteful that they left precipitately, and
resuming their southward journey, were soon lost in the grey
distance.” —T. H. Gibb. Mr Robert Waite, at Dunse, has not
seen the Fieldfare, Redwing, nor Missel-thrush, in winter 1880-81.

Repwine (Zurdus Ilacus).—At Belford, Sept. 25th and 27th, a
few Redwings accompanied the Fieldfares. Other small flocks
of Redwings were seen, Oct. 10th and 18th—J. 4A. Sept. 30th,
the Redwings had arrived at Brampton, but not the Fieldfares.
—Geo. Parkin. At Berwick in 1879, Redwings departed April
29th, and arrived Oct. 27th; in 1880, they arrived Oct. 11th.—
G. B. Mr Brotherston, writing from Kelso, Nov. 29th, 1880,
says, ‘‘a rather unusual thing here is, that we have more Red-
wings than Fieldfares.” Mr Gibb, remarking on birds attracted
in their migration by lights at night, states that ‘‘ the Lighthouse
keepers on the Farne Islands often reap a rich reward by the
hapless birds, which in their autumnal movements are lured to
destruction by the dazzling blaze of that light, which is, at one
and the same time, a warning beacon to passing mariners, but a
false mark to the feathered denizens of the air. I have heard of
the keeper of the Longstone having filled a clothes basket with
the bodies of Thrushes, Fieldfares, Redwings, and other birds
that have been dashed to death during the night against the
lantern of the lighthouse, and I have no reason to doubt the

assertion,”
ly

404 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

GREY-BACKED Crow (Corvus Cornix).—At Berwick, in 1879,
departed April 18th; arrived August 18th; in 1880, departed
April 29th, arrived Oct. 15th. August 18th was very early, and
possibly the birds may have bred here. October is the usual
time. The entry in my note book is—‘‘ 1879, Aug. 18th: saw
2 Grey-backed Crows, very patchy in colour, and sorely in the
moult—they did not seem to be properly coloured, but this might
simply have been from their moulting condition—at any rate,
this is remarkably early for ‘ Hoodies,’ and I do not think that
these could have travelled far, but had possibly been bred in the
country.”—G. B. At Bowshiel, Nov. 5th, first seen. In 1879,
seen April 24th, and arrived Oct. 2nd.—J. H. Sea coast, Aln-
wick, Nov. 2nd, 1880, four Hooded Crows busy turning ‘sea-
ware” with their bills—T7. H. G.

SEA-PIE (Hematopus ostralegus).—In 1879, October 7th, a flock
arrived, which continued till the 16th. Not seen in 1880.

SNow-FLAKE (Plectrophanes nivalis).—The newspapers record a
flock of birds, nearly white, as having been seen on the hills north
of Matfen on Jan. 8rd, 1880. In Northumberland and Rox-
burghshire, the Snow-flake is called the ‘‘ Cock of the North ;”
but the Berwickshire aid Hast Lothian ‘‘ Cock of the North” is
the male Brambling (Pringilla Montifringilla). The people there
well know the ‘‘Snow-Flek,” which, alluding to its speckled
plumage, is more correct than ‘‘ Snow-flake.” On Oct. 18th, a
Snow-flake, in a heavy storm of wind and rain, appeared as if
just landed on the post road near Thorntonloch, EH. L. It was
picking at some horse-droppings. The weather continued stormy
till Oct. 30th, wind N. and N.E., when a very large flock of
Snow-flakes arrived at Penmanshiel, on the lea-fields, but left
after resting a few days, if rest they did, for they flit about like
evil spirits which haveno home. They were again very numerous
there on Nov. 30th, flying wildly. At Oldcambus there were
chance birds on Dec. 20th and 29th; and three or four on Jan.
7th, 1881. On Nov. 15th, Mr Gibb saw Snow Buntings in con-
siderable flocks on Alnwick Moor, which were very restless.—
Mr Kelly of date Nov. 30th, says that on the 14th, he went for a
mile or two through very deep snow to see hundreds upon hun-
dreds of Snow-flakes feeding on the corn stacks placed far out on
Lauder common. One or two of the birds were almost white.
Where the hill sheep in that district are fed with hay, they resort
in great flocks to feed on the seed. At Longcroft, when Mr Kelly

Record of Migration, &e., of Birds, by James Hardy. 405

wrote, they were plentiful. A correspondent of the Kelso Chronicle,
writing from Bowmont Water in the first week of February, 1881,
says: ‘In the beginning of the snow, when on the top of How-
nam Law, I met in with a large flock of Snow-flakes, or Snow-
buntings, or, as they are often called by the boys, ‘Cocks of the
North.’ They were feeding on the ground that was cleared of
snow by the wind. I am quite sure there would be over two
hundred of these hardy creatures. In this district as winter
approaches, they are first seen on the highest lying stubble fields.”
At Primside they were frequenting the stackyards. In severe
winters, particularly on drifty days, I have seen this happen at
Penmanshiel; but in other circumstances they were too shy to
approach within familiar distance. At Lamberton, Mr Mein
states, they had all winter (1880-1) very large flocks of Snow-
buntings. In 1879, Oct. 24th, Snow-flakes arrived at Oldcambus.

Great Grey SHRIKE on Butcuer Birp (Lanius Excubitor).—
Before Oct. 20th, a Great Shrike was shot at Whitley Sands by
Mr W. P. Jardine, Whitley; and on the week previous to Nov.
12th, another fine specimen was shot by Mr William Burrell in
the neighbourhood of Glenaln, in the vale of Aln (Kelso Chron.
Oct, 20th and Nov, 12th, Alnwick Mercury, Nov. 18th) The Scots-
man, Nov. 12th, records that a number cf Butcher-birds (Zanius
Excubitor) or Grey Shrikes, were seen on the lands of Shirva, near
Kilsyth.—Mr Thomas Elliott wrote to me from Lilburn Tower
that he had shot near his house, on the 8th Nov., a fine specimen
of the Great Butcher Bird. Mr George Parkin, Brampton, also
wrote, that he had got a fine specimen, a male, shot near that
place, 18th Nov., 1880. Dr. Stuart, Chirnside, mentions that
while his second son was driving to Greenburn, 13th Feb., 1881,
‘‘ when near Auchencrow Mains, he observed a peculiar bird on
one of the hedge-row trees, which sat till he satisfied himself that
it was the Great Shrike, a native of Lapland. It took wing and
flew towards Stoneshiel. On looking at the figure of the bird in
Morris’s British Birds, he at once made himself sure of its iden-
tity.” It thus appears that a flight of these birds had arrived in
the north of Britain during the autumn. It was recorded long
ago by Mr Selby as an occasional winter visitant (Club’s Proc.,
vol. i., p. 257).

HawFincu ( Coccothraustes vulgaris).—‘Berwick, November 2nd.
During the terrific storm on Thursday last, 28th Oct., I had oc-
casion to walk on the sea-banks between Spittal and Sand Bank

406 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Lime Works, and as I neared the Railway Cottages connected
with Scremerston Station, my attention was attracted by a bird,
which was to all appearance one of the Finches, but of unusual
size. It seemed to be entirely out of its element, and at the
mercy of the wind and spray. From researches I have since
made, I believe it to have been a Hawfinch.”—Thomas Darling.
—There has been an unusual abundance of the Hawfinch or
Grosbeak this winter, noticed all over England; frequenting
orchards and gardens into which they had been driven in search
of food.

Sxvua Guuis (Lestris sp.)—Mr Darling continues his statement
thus: ‘‘ Before I had gone a mile further along the banks, two
Skua Gulls sailed gracefully past me, the first I have seen this
autumn. I saw several last.” Were these Pomarine Skuas ?

Woop-Piaron (Columba Palumbus).—Penmanshiel, Oct. 30th,
a very large migratory band, flying at a great height, passed from
the north to the south, during the day. Previously it had been
stormy weather in the north, the Highland hills being white with
snow. Oct. 8th, as an instance of late breeding, Mr Knight in
Floors Castle gardens, found a young pigeon apparently of a
week old, which had fallen from the nest to the ground. Wood-
pigeons felt the winter of 1880-1 severely. I noticed three or four
dead birds. They had nothing to depend on but the turnips,
where not fully covered by the snow. AtChirnside, Dr Stuart
writes, ‘‘ Wood-pigeons were observed to fall off the branches at
Stuartslaw, frozen or starved to death ; and at Leetside the men
caught them at the sheep boxes unable to fly away. They were
feathers and bones, poor things. Many dead birds have been
picked up.” During the summer, a white Wood-pigeon was
several times seen among: other Cushats in the Pease dean. Mr
Robert Waite, Blinkbonny, Dunse; got, in Jan., 1881, a white
Wood-pigeon spotted with gray, which had been captured alive
in a turnip shed.

Got~pEeN Prover (Charadrius pluvialis).—-Nov. 2nd. During
a hard frost great numbers were associated with Lapwings on the
turnip fields in Hast Lothian. Dec. 28th. Thirty Plovers on lea
near Oldcambus, mixed with Lapwings. They were scarce in
winter 1880-81.

SHORT-EARED Own (Olus brachyotus).—Nov. 2nd, sprung a
Short-eared Owl on the sea-rocks near Boulmer.—T7.H.G.—In
Nov., 1880, Mr Robert Waite had two ‘‘ Marsh Owls” from
onetermacad,

Record of Migration, éc., of Birds, by James Hardy. 407

Waitt Sparrow (Passer domesticus).—‘‘ Nov. 4th, 1880, during
stormy weather, I observed, while at breakfast, a perfectly
snow-white Sparrow sitting on the hedge at the foot of my gar-
den. On going out, I saw it feeding with a flock of other spar-
rows and greenfinches. Itremained in the neighbourhood several
days, but has, I am afraid, been shot. It was seen at Hast
Blanerne and other places, but its companions did not seem to
relish its company, as its colour attracted more attention than was
desirable.”’—Dr Charles Stuart. About the date Dr Stuart assigns

I was informed that a white Sparrow was shot within Berwick
- Bounds. During the winter, Mr Loney observed a white Spar-
row in company with others of the usual hue at Marchmont. The
boys had got their eyes on it, but it was still present on March
Ist, 1881.

Littite GREBE (Podiceps minor).—Nov. 5th, several Little Grebes
on the river Aln, and by the edge of the withered sedges, and
near to them, a female Gotprmn Eve (Luligula clangula) made its
appearance.—7. H. G. In Dec., 1879, after the ice broke up, a
Little Grebe, dead, was found at the edge of the Whitadder near
the rifle range at Blanerne. In thesame month, Mr Ross Hume,
of Ninewells, shot two GoosanpERs (Mergus Merganser) on the
river there.—Dr. Stuart.

Siskin (Carduelis Spinus).—Nov. 5th, numerous among trees in
Gordon Moss.—Rev. William Stobbs. Nov. 10th, large flocks of
Siskins were seen feeding on the alders on the banks of the Aln.
—T. H. G.

Great Nortuern Driver (Colymbus glaccalis).—In the afternoon
of Nov. 7th, a Great Northern Diver was captured in Buccleuch
Square, Newcastleton, by Michael Dagg, carter. The bird was
apparently exhausted for want of food. It measured across the
wings from tip to tip 6 feet 1 inch.—(Kelso Chron., Nov. 12th).

GotpEn CresteD WREN (Regulus cristatus v. aurocapillus).—Aln-
wick, Nov. 12th. Hvery winter we are visited by several com-
panies of this beautiful little warbler. At the above date, when
it was very cold and snow lay on the ground, I observed three of
these tiny birds threading their way through a hedge in the teeth
of the storm, whilst the hardy animals of the field were huddled
under the covert of the most sheltered places.—T7. H. Gibb. Its
absence has been noticed in the West of England during the
winter. On March 27th, 1881, I noticed one in a hedge near
Cockburnspath Tower, which probably had wintered in the ad-
jacent dean.

408 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy.

Roveu-teaceD Buzzarp (Buteo lagopus).—A female in grand
plumage was shot at Ladykirk lately.—(Ber. News, Dec. 7th, 1880).
Of late, John Laidlaw, gamekeeper, Bengerburn, Yarrow, has
trapped three Buzzarps (Luteo vulgaris), one of which measured
48 inches between the tips of the wings.—(Jb., Dec. 14th).

Bonemian Waxwine (Ampelis garrulus).—9th Dec., a fine spe-
cimen of the Bohemian Waxwing was shot at Howton near Alloa
(Scotsman, Dec. 1ith). . Another was shot about the middle of
January, 1881, in the immediate vicinity of Kelso.—(Kelso Chron.,
March 11th).

Lark (Alauda arvensis).—Oldcambus, Dec. 16th, during a slight
frost, with thin snow on the ground, a great flock of Larks, about
100, feeding on stubble fields, creeping close to the ground,
through the stubble ; on being disturbed, they broke up into small
parties. There was much low inward warbling among them as
they fed. Dec. 17th, about 40, mixed with ‘‘Snow-flecks,” on
the stubbles in another direction. In February, after the snow
decreased, Larks were numerous on the borders of turnip fields,
and continued till March, when they scattered in the neighbour-.
hood. Larks are plentiful all over the east of Berwickshire, even
in the most cultivated places; there has been no diminution of
their numbers nor any marked increase.

Grey Liynet (Linota cannabina).—A few bred in the dean at
Oldcambus this summer, but were thinned before I was aware
by a Newcastle bird-catcher, who had also been poaching for
them with bird-lime in East Lothian. Dec. 31st, a flock of thirty
feeding on ploughed ground near the sea-banks, which is full of
wild mustard seed. On Dec. 29th there were about seventy in
one flock, and thirty in another, on similar ground. They pack
very closely together when feeding. On Jan. 17th, etc., in the
midst of the snowstorm, three or four came to the stackyard with
other finches, or partook of the poultry’s corn. They were bold
in feeding, and a local bird-fancier again discovered their weak-
ness and captured a few. In 1879, March 28th, one returned,
and others on April 11th; 6th May, 50; on Oct. 13th, a flock of
30 counted.

Wren (Troglodytes Huropeus).—Jan. 5th, 1881, the last Wren
was seen examining the interstices of a stone wall. None have
been visible since.

Dates UnkNown.

Snorze Lark (Alauda alpestris).—A party of the Rotherham

Time of arrival of Migratory Birds, byJ.Robson-Scott. 409

Naturalists’ Society, while on a collecting expedition on the Farne
Islands, obtained a specimen of the Alauda alpestris, or Shore
-Lark.—(Kelso Chron., Feb. 13th, 1881).

Kine Duox (Somaieria spectabilis).—Mr J. Sutton, Durham,
wrote to The Field: ‘‘I have been credibly informed that a King-
Eider visited the Farne Islands during the breeding season.” —
(Ber. Adv., Sept. 1880).

Honey-Buzzarp (Pernis apivorus).—In the summer of 1879 a
Honey-Buzzard frequented Penmanshiel wood, and was left un-
molested.

Time of arrival of Migratory Birds at Belford, Bowmont-
water. By J. Rosson-Scort, M.D.

Cuckoo.

1858, May 10th.
1859, May 6th.
1860, May 12th.
1861, May 24th.
1862, May 5th.
1863, May 7th.
1864, May 5th.
1865, May 7th.

1866, May 7th.
1867, May 7th.
1868, May 10th.
1869, June 8rd.
1870, May 7th.
1871, May 1st.
1872, April 24th.
1873, May 6th.

1874, April 29th.
1875, May 4th.
1876, May 6th.
1877, May 8th.
1878, May 7th.
1879, May 8th.
1880, May 7th.

SWALLOws.
1858, May 4th.—H. urbica and riparia and rustica.
1859, May 4th.—H. urbica; 10th, H. rustica and riparia.

1860, May 1st.—H. rustica; 8th, H. urbica and riparia.
1861, May st.—H. urbica; 15th, H. rustica and riparia.
1862, May 1st.—H. rustica and riparia, and H. rustica.

1868, May 9th,—H. rustica and riparia; 15th, rustica.

1864, May 9th.—H. rustica; 12th, H. urbica and riparia.
1865, May 4th.—H. riparia; 8th, rustica; 16th, urbica.

1866, May 5th.—H. riparia and rustica; 10th, urbica.

1867, April 18th.—H. rustica and riparia; 18th May, H. urbica.
1868, April 24th.—H. rustica and riparia ; May 16th, urbica.
1869, April 24th.—H. riparia; May 14th, H. urbica and rustica.
1870, May 6th.—H. riparia and rustica; 18th, H. urbica.
1871, April 27th.—H. rustica and H. riparia and H. urbica.
1872, April 28th.—H. rustica and H. urbica; May Sth, H. riparia.

=

410 Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club.

1873, April 20th.—H. urbica; May 7th, H. rustica and H. riparia.
1874, April 22nd.—AlIl three.

1875, April 28th.—H. rustica, H. urbica; May 4th, riparia.
1876, May 5th.—All three.

1877, April 28th.—H. riparia ; May 14th, H. rustica.

1878, April 28th.—H. riparia ; May 6th, H. rustica and H. urbica.
1879, May 15th.—H. rustica; 24th, urbica and riparia.

1880, May 7th.—H. rustica; 20th, H. urbica and riparia.

The arrival of Swallows does not seem to be much influenced
by the weather; but when the cold is unusual, they sometimes
disappear for a short time, and return in a few days.

WHITETHROAT, observed for 23 years. 1858, May 20th.—Date
of arrival for 28 years, between 5th and 15th May; never as
early as April. Of late years it has been growing scarce, from
no evident reason.

Wittow Wren (Sylvia trochilus)—Usual time of arrival from
20th till 28th April. Often seen several days before it begins to
sing. Observed for 15 years.

Very few migratory birds occur in this district. No Thrushes
have been seen since the spring of 1879, when they all died.
Blackbirds survived, being less timid than Thrushes.

Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, from
Scientific Societies, &c., 1880-1.

Batu. Proceedings of the Bath Natural History and Antiquarian
Field Club, Vol. iv., No. 8. 1880, 8vo. The Club.
Bremen. Abhandlungen herausgeben vom Naturwissenschaft-

lichen Vereine zu Bremen, vii. 1 and 2 Heft. 1880, 1881, 8vo.
The Society.
— Meteorological Tables, No: 8. Lbid.
Bucksurst Hitt, Essex. Transactions of the Epping Forest
and County of Essex Naturalists’ Field Club; 4 parts and 2
pamphlets. 1880-1, 8vo. The Club.
Carpirr. Report and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists’
Society, vol. xi., 1879, and vol. xii., 1880. London, 1880-1,
8vo. The Society.
Dustin. Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society ;
Vol, i. 1877-8; Vol. ii. 6 parts. Oct., 1878 to July, 1880, 8vo.
The Society.

Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. 411

Dustin. Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society, Vol.
i. New Series, Dublin, 1877-1880, 4to ; Vol ii. Parts 1 and 2.

Ibid.
Epinsuren. ‘Transactions and Proceedings of the Botanical
Society, Vol. xiv. Parti. 1881, 8vo. The Society.
Transactions of the ecebatsh Geological Society, Vol.
iii. Part iti. 1880, 8vo. The Society.
— Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Session
1879-80, Vol. v. Part ii. 1880, 8Vvo. The Society.
Essex, Satem, U.S.A. Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vol. xi.
1879. 1880, 8vo. The Institute.
Gimssen. Neunzehnter Bericht der Oberhessischen Gesselschaft
fiir Natur-und Heilkunde. 1880, 8vo. The Society.
Guascow. Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow,
1879-80, Vol. xii. No. 1. 1880, 8vo. The Society.

Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow,
Vol. iv. Parts 1 and 2 (1878-9). 1880-1, 8vo. The Society.
Hawick. Transactions of the Hawick Archeological Society for

1879 and 1880. 4to. The Society.
Lrrps. Annual Report for 1878-80 of the Leeds Philosophical
and Literary Society. 1880, 8vo. The Society.

Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. Parts
1, 2, and 3. Leeds and London, 1878-9-80, 8vo.
The Society.
Lrverroon. Proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical
Society of Liverpool, Vols. xxxiii and xxxiv. Liverpool, 1878,
1880, 8vo. The Socrety.
Lonpon. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, Vol. vi.,
Nos. 8 and 9; Vol. vii. No. 1. 1880-1, 8vo.
Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain and Ireland, August, 1880, Vol. x. No. 1, No. 2, 1880,
and No. 3, 1881, 8vo. The Institute.
Mancuester. Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society
of Manchester, Vol. vi. third series. London, 1879, 8vo.
The Socvety.
— Proceedings of the Manchester Literary and Philoso-
phical Society, Vols. xvi, xvii, xvii, and xix. Manchester,
1877-1880, 8vo. Ibid.
Newoastitz. Natural History Transactions of Northumberland,
Durham, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Vol. vii, Part ii. 1880.
From the Tyneside Naturalists’ Freld Club.
1z

412 General Statement.

Wasuineton, U.S.A. Annual Report of the Board of Regents
of the Smithsonian Institution, 1878, 1879, 8vo. The Institution.
Eleventh Annual Report of the United States Geolog-
ical and Geographical Survey of the Territories embracing
Idaho and Wyoming ; being a report of the Progress of the
Exploration for the year 1877, by F. V. Hayden, U.S., Geologist.
1879, 8vo. From Dr. Von Hayden.
— Bulletin of the United States Geological and Geograph-
ical Survey of the Territories, Vol. v. No. 4. 1880, 8vo.
Ibid.
History of North American Pinnipeds, a Monograph of
the Walrusses, Sea-Lions, Sea-Bears, and Seals of North
America, by Joel Asaph Allen. 1880, 8vo. Lbid.
- Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smith-
sonian Institution, for the year 1879, 1880, 8vo. The Institution.
WetsHpoot. Collections, Historical and Archeological, relating
to Montgomeryshire and its Borders, Vol. xiii, Parts ii and
iii; Vol. xiv, Parti. London 1880-81, 8vo.
From the Powysland Club.

General Statement.

Tuer IncomME AND EXPENDITURE have been :—

INCOME.
& Be id.
Balance in hand from last year - .. 12 8 84
Arrears received .. as 13 10 0
Entrance Fees 33 ac) dow 00
Subscriptions axe oa 70 16 0
111 14 83
Balance due Treasurer .. oe. 2
eeneeina 61
EXPENDITURE.
Gibb and Hay for eS ee Bs ws en
Printing 75 4 4
Expenses at Modure: a5 Sr lL. 2 Or
Postages and Carriages a ZO Gi a8
Berwick Salmon Company ne 1 11

8
———-£116 16 105

Rain Fall and Places of Meeting. 413

Rain Fall at Glanton Pyke, Northumberland, in 1880,
communicated by FrREepxK. J. W. CoLLINGWooD, Esq.; and
at Lilburn Tower, Northumberland, communicated by
Mr Joun Deas.

GLANTON PYKE. LILBURN TOWER.
Inches, Inches,
January .. 2. -/0.¥o 0) Janiiary 2% ae, O47
February .. .. 2.84’5| February .. ~- 2.005
March ae .., 1.8675| Mareh aes «. 2.042
_ April ye oo t72’5), April ae omy Eee)
May ass .. 1.950} May ER ut AOS
June Ae _. 1.48’0| June ale Bo. 2a?
July a _. 8.6970] July Eee .. 4.104
August fe _. 1.40’9| August ae aa) L665
September .. Aoki s September .. .. 4.543
October is _. 4,27°9| October Ae .- 56.4380
November .. .. 3.5770| November~.. sp) Sele T
December .. .. 3.22°0| December .. il RSLS
Total ag 30.9970 Total ale heed 20734

Rain Gauge—Diameter of Funnel,| Rain Guage—Diameter of Funnel
$in. ; height of Top above ground,|10in. square; height of Top above
4ft. 34in. ; above sea level, 517ft. i ground, 6ft.; above sea level, 300ft.

Places of Meeting for the Year 1881.

Dunbar, for Biel, and Belton .. Wednesday, May 25.
Grant’s House (Jubilee Meeting) ae a June 29.
Elsdon, for Otterburn, &c. .. a a July 27.
Kelso oo ae si oe Aug. 31.
Innerleithen, for Traquair and the Glen a Sept. 28.

Berwick m a 3s A Oct. 12.

414
LIST OF NEW MEMBERS FOR 1880.

ADMITTED OcToBER 13TH, 1880.

John Crawford Hodgson, Buston Vale, Lesbury.
John Sadler, Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
Joseph Moore, Inveresk.
Ralph Moore, Inveresk.
Rev. James Millar, Eyemouth.
Walter Grieve, Cattleshiels, Dunse.
J. Erskine Stuart, M.D., Dunse.
Rev. Alex. Phimister, Gordon.
J. Gordon Maitland, Advocate, Procurator Fiscal, Dunse.
Rev. Duncan Maclean, B.D., Allanton.
James Fergusson, Morpeth.
_ Rev. James Spence, Ladhope, Galashiels.
John Broadway, Banker, Alnwick.
Alexander Dickson of Hartree and Kilbucho, M.D., Professor of Botany
in the University of Edinburgh.
Shallcross Fitzherbert Widdrington of Newton Hall, Northumberland.
Rev. Dr. Snodgrass, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire.
Rev. Charles J. Cowan, Morebattle, Kelso.
Rev. Thomas Iderton of Ilderton, Northumberland.
Edwin Thew, M.D., Alnwick.
Thomas Walby, Alnwick.
William Newton Morrison, Newcastle.
Rev. Charles Baldwin, Vicarage, Berwick.
William Alder, Berwick.
Robert Weddell, Berwick.
George Weatherhead, Berwick.

ERRATA.
Pace 229, line 23 from the top, for Hammerball, read Hammerhall.
sa ate ys oo 913 for these, read those.
se 200) pele a8 for site, read side,

» 977, last line, for unintelligable, read unintelligible.

», 299, line 13 from the top, for Mollinia, read Molinia.

1 oun #3 for officinale, read officinalis,

ay B14 59 and elsewhere, for Deodora, read Deodara.
», 330, lines 40 and 41 from the top, for poplars, read poplar,

», 9338 line 41 from the top, for Handsworthieasis, read Handsworthiensis.

» — , 42 55 for Adpressa, read adpressa, and for cupressus,
read Cupressus.

Ons oss O28 aA for unusually, read usually.

re nd mes, 8) + insert not after do.

app MEOO Se, nag ne 5 for pushed, read picked.

Ap eOly Hyg 10) ES for Sola, read Sula.

», 968, in last line, read INTERROGATIONIS.
», 982, line 3 from top, for Caldewhere, read Caldew here.

4

“a

GAtR2 &
PD EG 1887

Y =

Berwicksinre Naturalists Club.

SILVER

Full Size. Weight, 615 srs.

BROOCHES FOUND AT LANGHOPE, SELKIRKSHIRE,

FEBRUARY, 1880.

Plate, Y.

Gibb é& Hay, Lithographers to Her Majesty, Aberdeen. -

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

Address delivered to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, at
Berwick,* October 12th, 1881. By the Rev. THomas
Brown, F.R.S.E., Free Dean Church, Edinburgh.

GENTLEMEN,

ALLOW me most sincerely to thank you for the distinguished
honour you have done me in calling me to occupy the posi-
tion of President during the Jubilee year. The circumstance
that I belonged to the Club during the first year of its
history may have influenced you in your choice, but I feel
that it is only your kindness which could have induced
you to place meina position which so many of your number
are much more entitled to occupy—all the more I beg to
offer you my thanks.

It is with a strange feeling that one looks back over half
a century, and finds how the years have been passing away.
It would be a tempting theme to review the history of the
_ Club, to recall the memory of friends who are gone, to de-
scribe their work, and express the feelings which such a
retrospect calls up. This, however, if it were to be ade-
quately done, would require one far more intimately conver-
sant with your proceedings than lam. At an early period
my connection with the Club was interrupted—my parish
was on the sea coast north of Montrose—there were no
railroads in those days, and attendance at your meetings was

* Delivered in part at Grant’s House, 29th June 1881—the Jubilee Meeting.
B.N.C.—VOL. IX. NO. ITI, 2 A

416 Anniversary Address.

impossible. Even since the time when by your favour I
was readmitted a member (1871), my engagements in con-
nection with an Edinburgh church have made me an absentee
oftener than I could have wished. Without attempting,
therefore, anything so ambitious as a regular sketch of your
history, I may simply refer to the early years of the Club,
and contribute some reminiscences which may not be
altogether devoid of interest. I shall have to speak mainly
of Dr. Johnston, for he was more than the founder of the
Club—he was the life and soul of all that was done, and if at
the same time in doing this I become somewhat egotistical,
IT shall trust to your indulgence.

While yet a student at the University of Edinburgh, I had
done something to the study of Botany, and it was my good
fortune to become acquainted with Dr. Johnston soon after
the publication of his “ Flora of Berwick-on-Tweed.” He
was, I found, anxious to have the Flora of Western Berwick-
shire examined as he had done that on the East, and at his
request 1 undertook to investigate the plants of my father’s
parish of Langton and the surrounding district. In this
way we were led into close correspondence, and from time
to time I used to find my way to Berwick, assured always
of a friendly welcome and a full consideration of any point
I wished to submit to his notice. It was in this way I got
to know something of the origin of the Club. The first time
I heard the subject mentioned was during a visit to Berwick
in the autumn of 1830, I think, or the spring of 1831. The
Rev. Andrew Baird, of Cockburnspath, was staying with
Dr. Johnston, and one evening as we were sitting together
in thedrawing room, the question was suggested, in the course
of conversation, whether we might not, in conjunction with
other friends, try to work out the Natural History of the
district. It was in this connection that Dr. Johnston began
to speak of the possibility of forming a club. Various sug-
gestions were made, our different views were exchanged, but
my impression is that the matter had already taken shape
in Dr. Johnston’s mind. His great desire was that the whole
should be done in the most unpretentious way, with as few

Anniversary Address. 417

rules as possible, with no entry-money, no fixed annual sub-
scription, and no museum. The members were simply to be
those who had congenial tastes in Natural History and
Archeology. The meetings were to bein the form of excur-
sions to favourite localities, where amidst the green fields
and valleys, or along the hillsides, the pursuit of science
might be practically carried on, while without formality the
members could in pleasant friendly intercourse communicate
to each other what they were doing in their favourite
_ branches, and might afterwards place on record in some
simple way any discoveries which might be made.

In this modest unpretending form the movement com-
menced, but it was not long till the Club became what it has
continued to be—the centre towards which all new scientific
facts connected with the district found their way. From the
first, the whole intercourse of the members with each other
was on the most genial and friendly footing. We all looked
up to Dr. Johnston, none questioning his pre-eminence, while
on the other hand, none was so eager as he to welcome and
give credit to others for what they had done. An enthusi-
astic botanist himself, every new plant added to the Flora
of our district was a new source of pleasure. I remember
well the enthusiasm with which he welcomed and submitted
to the Club the little Saxifrage (Saaifraga hirculus) from
Langton Lees, and the Anthoceros punctatus from the fields
of Gavinton—both at that time new to the Flora of Scot-
land. And so it was in every department. I never saw the
slightest trace of jealousy ; the whole relations of the mem-
bers to each other were on the most cordial and amicable
footing ; the genial spirit of the President making itself felt
in all their intercourse.

The value which he attached to the Club, and his pleasure
in attending its meetings, was great. A single circumstance
may be mentioned to show how he felt even from the first.
The British Association for the Advancement of Science was
formed, and held its first meeting during the same month of
September in which our Club was instituted. We were a
week before them, however, so that we are about a week the

(418 Annwersary Address.

elder of the two. I remember Dr. Johnston went to York,
and was present when the great Association was inaugurated
with all due dignity, attended as it was by an array of well
known scientific celebrities. In a letter which I received
from him soon afterwards he described the proceedings, but
added that, in his opinion, the meeting at York was not so
good—not so much worth attending—as the meeting of the
Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, held the previous week at
Grant’s House.

One of the many remarkable circumstances connected with
this Club has been the power which it has showed to pro-
pagate itself by the formation of similar institutions else-
where. This did not take place all at once. For fifteen
years it stood alone ; but in 1846 two of your members were
the means of forming similar clubs—Mr. Carr, of Hedgeley,
(now Mr. Carr-Ellison of Dunstan Hill) and Sir Thos. Tane-
red, who had gone to reside in Gloucestershire. The example
spread—the Cotteswold, Woolhope, Malvern, and other cele-
brated Field-clubs were formed on the model of the Berwick-
shire. But, for an account of these and similar institutions, I
must refer to a valuable paper by Sir Walter Elliot in the
“ Proceedings of the Edinburgh Botanical Society,” in which
full details are given. Looking to the number of such societies
now spread over England, Scotland, and Ireland, and to the
many valuable papers which they have published, the forma-
tion of this Berwickshire Club becomes an event of no small
importance in the scientific history of our country. Little
did the small band of enthusiastic naturalists who met for
the first time at Grant’s House know the significance of the
step they were taking, when in September, 1831, they inau-
gurated a new movement destined so greatly to influence the
future progress of scientific research in all parts of the
kingdom.

That these Field-clubs met a felt want is obvious from the
very fact of their success. The real secret of their attractive-
ness lay in the opportunity which they gave for the free
intercourse of congenial minds engaged amidst rural scenes
in the elevating pursuit of Natural History. It was not in

Annwersury Address. 419

the least necessary to be always making great discoveries.
It was enough to meet and hold pleasant intercourse for
information and friendly discussion on subjects of common
interest. Of such meetings Dr. Johnston was the life and
soul, and when men had once come within the circle and felt
the charm of such intercourse, it is no wonder if, on remov-
ing to other districts, they sought to set up similar institu-
tions—the example was one which could not fail to spread.
Within the district itself the Club has done much to dif-
fuse a knowledge of Natural History. In some quarters this
was desirable. When the New Statistical Account of Scot-
land was first projected about 1830, a series of questions
was addressed to all the Parish Ministers, and among other
things they were asked whether there were any remarkable
Boulders in the parish. Soon afterwards, it so happened
that a number of these gentlemen were met within the
bounds of this Club, and one of them drawing attention to
this query, asked what it meant—what was a Boulder?
The question went round, and it turned out that no one
present was able to tell. That took place—not in Berwick-
shire—about the time when this Club was instituted, and I
remember Dr. Johnston and Mr. Baird speaking of it.
Thanks to what has since been done among us, the time
has long gone by when such an incident could have occurred.
It is not for me in this Address to attempt to estimate
the value of the many important contributions to Natural
History and Archeology which have appeared in your Pro-
ceedings. In the conversations which took place when the
Club was formed, there was a kind of ambitious desire
expressed to make our native district notable in the view of
the scientific world, securing for it aname and a place in the
history of scientific research. It is little that some of us
have been able to do in carrying out this design, but thanks
to Dr. Johnston and not afew able coadjutors it has been to
a large extent attained. Even among the outside public
this is acknowledged. During the present year a copy of
your Proceedings has been offered for sale in the Catalogue of
a London Bookseller, at the price of £13 13s, and I believe

420 Annwersary Address,

even higher sums have been paid for the series. We do not
of course estimate the value of scientific work by the amount
for which in such circumstances it will sell, but the price may
be taken as some indication of the esteem in which your
Proceedings are held by the public.

But there are other and surer grounds in which an opinion
may beformed. No one who is competent to judge can turn
to the volumes themselves which the Club has issued without
at once seeing What thorough work has been done—there
are papers by Mr Tate of Alnwick, Mr Selby of Twizell, Mr
Embleton, Mr Greenwell, and various other members, which
are of the highest interest and value, and among these a
prominent place is due to the contributions of your able and
zealous secretary, Mr Hardy.

One remarkable circumstance is that some of these papers
have subsequently developed into books which in certain
cases have taken a permanent place in scientific literature.
The “ History of the Battle of Flodden,” by the Rev Mr
Jones, and the “ History of Alnwick,” by Mr Tate, originated
in communications first made to this Club.

So also it was with Dr. W. Baird’s work on the Entomos-
traca. His first paper appeared in your Proceedings in 1835
containing 23 Berwickshire species previously known to
science, and 15 new species which he had discovered within
our bounds. It was the commencement of those investiga-
tions which issued in the important “ History of British En-
tomostraca” published by the Ray Society.

The works of Dr. Johnston were still more remarkable.
He had, among his other researches examined the Zoophytes
of our coast, and in your Proceedings for 1836 he gave a list
of the Berwickshire species. Previously, in the “ Transac-
tion of the Natural History Society of Newcastle” (ii. p.
240,) he had drawn up “A Descriptive Catalogue of Zoo-
phytes found on the coast of North Durham.” In 1838,
these led to the publication of his well-known work on
“ British Zoophytes,” a second enlarged edition of which ap-
peared in 1842,—a work of which it is not too much to say
that its appearance formed an era in the department of -

Anniversary Address. 421

science to which it belongs, giving a new impulse and direc-
tion to all subsequent enquiries.

A still more attractive book is the “ Flora of the Eastern
Borders,” familiar to us all, in which Dr Johnston’s whole
powers as a writer and a Naturalist appear to the best ad-
vantage. In addition to many of those scientific details in
which the systematic Botanist delights, it sparkles all over
with the attractions of his literary style. Every poet who
has sung the beauties of our native plants is laid under con-
tribution, but better than all are the descriptions which
flowed from his own pen. To the reader who turns over the
pages, it almost seems as if he felt the fresh breezes blowing
over the scenery of this fair Border land amidst which our
rarer native plants are found, and which Dr. Johnston loved
so well to describe. It isa delight to read, what it evidently
was for him a delight to write.

Of the other scientific work which he did for the Club,
I must not speak. At the time when I knew him, it was a
wonder to me that one who had so many demands on his
time could do so much as he did in the pursuit of Natural
Science. On one occasion when I sent him some plants from
Langton, he mentioned in his reply that he was engaged in
professional work, eleven to twelve hours daily, but that did
not prevent him giving the information I asked. And med-
ical practice to him was no mere routine. No one, as I had
occasion to see, could be more tenderly alive to the respon-
sibilities of an anxious profession, but my belief is that, like
many hard-worked men, he found relief and refreshment in
the pursuits of Natural Science. He could not beidle. Some
new investigation was always on hand, or he was recording
the results already obtained. On various occasions it hap-
pened to me to be sitting in the same room in which he was
at work, and I have a vivid recollection of the enthusiasm
with which he went on—ever and anon some exclamation
of surprise bursting from him as he summoned you to his
side, to admire along with him the new wonders which his
microscope had brought into view. It was impossible to
_ come thus in contact with him, without feeling the fascin-

422 Annwersary Address.

ation of that enthusiasm with which he pursued his favourite
studies. And no less remarkable were his powers of descrip-
tion, the ease with which in simple graceful language he
could set forth the form and structure of natural objects,
throwing a charm over every subject which he touched.
In this way he gave an impulse to the mind of others and
gathered round him a band of able coadjutors, whose united
efforts have made the Proceedings of the Club the repository
of much scientific information which will never lose its in-
terest and importance.

In this imperfect sketch of your proceedings there is one
thing that must not be forgotten—the desire which every-
where appears to see the hand of God in all the works of
nature, and mark the traces of His wisdom and power and
goodness. I donot know any learned or scientific society
in which this feature is so prominent, and it is gratifying to
find that on such themes the laymen are in many cases the
most outspoken. As in other matters so here also, it was Dr.
Johnston who led the way and gave the tone to your Pro-
ceedings. “I have taught myself ”—he says—“ to take note of
and pleasure in those works with which the Creator has
crowded and adorned the paths I daily walk,” and his de-
light was in language as natural and unaffected as it was
beautiful to express the feelings which thus rose in his mind.
In the first Presidential Address delivered from the chair of
this Club, he reminded the members how the Scriptures “ send
us for instruction to the ant and the lilies of the field, and
bid us seek out the wonderful works of God and learn their
lessons,” praising “the Creator through His creatures for His
most gracious benignity and most benevolent munificence.”
Sometimes also when circumstances naturally called for it,
the Providential care of God was distinctly recognised.
During the year in which our Club was instituted the first
great outbreak of Cholera took place in Britain. Dr. John-
ston described it as marching through the land “ with fear
in its front, and mourning in its rear,” and after referring to
its ravages in some parts of the Eastern Borders, he gave
expression to a feeling of devout thankfulness that no mem-
ber of the Club had fallen a victim.

Annwersury Address. 423

In this spirit the Club was inaugurated, and all along
through subsequent years the same feeling of devout earn-
estness may be traced—especially among the more able
contributors to your Proceedings. And long may this spirit
continue, the desire so to study the works of Creation as to
“rise through nature up to nature’s God,” never forgetting
in all our scientific researches that “the earth is the Lord’s,
and the fulness thereof.”

Thus far we have sought to look back into the past. It
is just 50 years within a few weeks, since I joined the Club.
Two years afterwards I read a paper—that is 48 years ago
—and here once more I have the honour to address one of
your meetings. Of those who were present on the former
occasion I am now the only survivor. Who knows whether,
among our younger members, there may not be some one
who may be spared to see another Jubilee, and who may look
back on us as we are now looking back on those who have
gone before us. But however that may be, and whoever may
live to see that time—the centenary of the Club—one thing
I will venture to predict—the Natural History of these
Border counties will not even then have been exhausted.

It is a fair scene which lies spread out around us, with its
hills and valleys and rivers, and that great sea with its
sandy shores on the South, and its rock-bound coast on the
North, and all over it is full of the wonders of Creation,
From Bamburgh Castle to St. Abbs and Dunbar, away along
the mountain range of the Cheviots, on to the Hildons, and
round the wide sweep of the Lammermoors, out over the
fertile plains of the Merse, down the classic banks of the
Tweed, and up many a romantic valley north and south of
the Border, we have a district full of interest, within which ©
lie many spots yet waiting to be explored—many a secret
recess destined amply to reward the researches of the student
of Nature. When shall our Archzologists have told us all
that is to be learned of Antiquarian lore in these Border
Counties? When shall the Botanists have got the last plant
—down to the minutest moss or Alga ? When shall our En-
tomologists have catalogued the whole insect fauna, or the

2B

424 Anniversary Address.

Geologists have unlocked all the treasures which lie hid
in our rocky strata? Does any one suppose that the next
50 years will see all this accomplished? I trow not.

But even if that were so—if your catalogues were all made
up and the lists of species complete—every real Naturalist
knows that even then you would not have got far beyond
the beginning of your work. ‘There is not a living organism,
not a plant or animal that has not secrets which
we have not yet fathomed—something in its structure or
habits fitting it tor the place it has to hold and the work it
_has to do in the great scheme of Nature. For theinvestigation
of such relations and of the questions which they raise, you
have in these Eastern Borders, with their varied scenery, a
wide field—than which, I believe, no better is anywhere to
be found. And,let me say, it is when the man of science
comes to this part of his work that the true charm and value
of his studies begin—all his intellectual powers are called
into exercise. The great Book of Nature lies before us full
of secrets which it 1s ready to unfold, and the more you
ransack its pages and the more you push forward your dis-
coveries, you find there is more and yet more to learn. So
it goes on from generation to generation. Gentlemen, in such
enquiries let us never forget that these are the works of the
Infinite Creator with which we are dealing, and therefore
they are exhaustless. The whole field is full of the wonders
of His hand, and the further we go the more the horizon
widens ; the higher we rise the more we behold of the glory
of the Great Maker of Heaven and earth, and the more we
are compelled to sit down in adoring wonder at the feet of
Him “of whom and to whom and through whom are all
things.”

425

Report of the Meetings of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club
jor the year 1881. By James Harpy.

THE first meeting for 1881 was held at Dunbar, on Wednesday,
May 25th, with the view of visiting Belton, Biel, Stenton, and
Presmennan. The following were present: Emeritus Professor
Balfour, M.D., F.R.S., Edinburgh ; J. W. Barnes, Durham ;
Rev. J. F. Bigge, Stamfordham; James Bogie, Edinburgh ; W.
B. Boyd of Faldonside; R. P. Brotherston, Tynningham Gar-
dens; Capt. R. Carr-Ellison of Hedgeley: William Dickson,
_ Edinburgh; Robert Gray, F.R.S.E., Edinburgh; Rev. Canon
Greenwell, F.R.S., F.S.A., Durham; James Hardy, Oldcambus
(Secretary) ; Rev. Joseph Hunter, Cockburnspath ; W. H. John-
son, Edinburgh; Rev. Ambrose Jones, Stannington; Robert
Darling Ker, Edinburgh; Peter Loney, Marchmont; Rev. G.
Majoribanks, B.D., Stenton; Capt. F. M. Norman, R.N.,
Berwick ; Rev. W. Stobbs, Gordon; Charles Stewart, M.D.,
Chirnside ; John Thomson, Kelso; Ramsay H. Traquair, M.D.,
F.R.S.E., Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh ; and Charles
Watson, F.S.A. Scot., Dunse.

The early part of the day was wet and threatening, but the
rain cleared off about mid-day. The journey was performed in
three conveyances. On reaching Belton the rain descended in
torrents ; but sheltered by umbrellas and waterproofs, and the
friendly cover of the trees, glimpses were obtained of the mansion-
house and the well-grown trees in the park, although under the
circumstances this could only be accomplished under much dis-
comfort, and hastily. The mansion which is situated on the
banks of Biel Burn, is an adaptation, effected in 1865, of an old
fortified peel to modern requirements. The original structure,
however, has had so much additional building incorporated with
it as to be almost undistinguishable. Remains of it are traceable
on the eastern and northern ends, where the wall as gauged by
the arrow-slits is six feet thick. The members entered a vaulted
apartment on the east, to inspect an illuminated coat of arms of
the Tweeddale family of which house the owner, Capt. James
G. Baird Hay isa cadet. There is a lengthened inscription in
capital letters on the west gable, which, so far as the Club is
concerned, remains incomprehensible. The front of the house
has trained over it a white flowered species of Spireea. At the
west end a notable walnut tree has succumbed to the severity of

426 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

the recent rigorous winters, aided by the disturbances to its ultimate
rootlets occasioned by the renovation of the mansion, which had
induced a decay of some years’ duration. It was lying in a pros-
trate condition. The trunk at the ground measured 5 feet 9
inches in circumference, and Mr Loney by counting the rings of
wood, found that it had been between 190 and 200 years old.
There were two acacias; one of them that measured 6 feet 9
inches at one foot from the ground, had been blown down a few
years ago, and was re-erected, and still appears to be growing. A
dense crop of Ranunculus auricomus arises here in the open space.
In the adjoining pleasure grounds are several fine trees, includ-
ing two beautiful yews, and a magnificent avenue of silver firs
_with tall clean boles, which may be from 150 to 200 years old.
Tulipa sylvestris planted out on the bank above the walk showed
numerous blossoms; and the Sevla Italica had flowers of more
than the wonted size. Tulipa sylwestris at Tynningham and
Ormiston this season has been very profuse in its blooms. Prim-
roses both red and white have been planted here; purple
comfrey, and Herb Gerard prevailed. Although Hart’s-tongue
(Scolopendrium vulgare) is cultivated on the rockery, it does not
occur wild in the vicinity.

The trees in the park were far advanced in the expansion of
their foliage, and many of them were splendid trees. The di-
mensions of the best of the trees here have been recorded by Mr
Hutchison of Carlowrie, in his valuable communications to the
‘Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of
Scotland,” and I extract them here from copies, which he has
kindly furnished. Of the sycamores, at 100 feet above the sea-
level, and quite within reach of-the sea breeze and winds of the
North Sea, three measure respectively—90, 82, and 85 feet in
height ; 12, 18, and 15 feet, length of bole; 12ft. 1lin., 12ft. 6in.,
and 12 feet in circumference of trunk at one foot from the ground ;
and 9ft. 10in., all three, at 5 feet from the ground. One of these
is a noble tree. Of the beeches three stand at 75 feet above sea-
level, and their dimensions coincide; the height of the trees is
63 feet, the length of the bole is 31 feet, the circumference at one
foot from the ground is 32ft. 3in.; and at 5 feet is 20ft. 4in.
One is ‘‘a very magnificent specimen. A large hollow on the
west side of its trunk is rapidly closing by the growth of healthy
bark ; and a stone trough, which had inits earlier years stood at
its side, is now quite embedded in the tree, by its root columns

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 427

and buttresses growing quite over it only a very small portion
is visible.” The pigeons resorted to this trough for water, and
hence it is called the ‘‘ Doo-well.” There are two very fine
ashes in a row of trees on the south side of the policy park and
road, at 60 feet above the sea-level. The one is 83 feet high ;
12 feet length of the bole; 11 feet in circumference at 1 foot;
and 9ft. 2in. at 5 feet from the ground; the other is 100 feet
high; 18 feet length of the bole; 16ft. 2in. circumference at 1
foot, and 11ft. 10in. at 5 feetfrom the ground. This girths 11ft.
6in. at 12 feet high, and is a splendid tree. The “ Birlie Tree”
stands in a space outside the lodge, where formerly two roads
met. The “Birlie Court” of the land-owner is said to have
convened under its shadow. It is even alleged that those cul-
prits who received a capital doom here, were taken to the
“‘ Gallow-law”’ at Presmennan, and there suspended ; but this is
to misunderstand the design of such conventions ; and the Gallow-
law was under the jurisdiction of another superior. The Birlie
Tree is an ash, a very ill-thriven zig-zag example. Although
sickly looking it produces a heavy crop of ashen-keys.

In the east gable of the stables, a stone bearing a shield
with the arms of the Hay family is inserted, which had been
brought trom old stables, that had been formed out of a kind
of barn for the reception of rents and dues in kind. A very
rudely cut human head has also been transferred from the one
structure to the other. This last may have belonged to a chapel
of a bypast age.

The state of the weather having prohibited explorations by
following the course of the burn, I will here state the results of
of a passing survey, which I made in that direction two days
previous to the meeting ; my inquiries being chiefly devoted to
the zoology of the neighbourhood. I entered the grounds of
Belton in company with the gamekeeper, from the public road
at Beltonford. There is an old waulk-mill near the entrance of
the haugh that the burn intersects. On the north side a hole once
frequented by badgers was pointed out. A race of badgers I am
told is still preserved in Presmennan woods, where the marks
of their scratching are occasionally discernible, and they still
retain a privileged home at Newbyth. There are no polecats at
Belton, but stoat-weasels, in diminishing numbers, still hold
their ground. The haugh is of considerable breadth but is
liable to be furrowed by inundations, and marred with gravel.

428 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

I noticed a very tall alder by the stream, with a short stout bole.
The breadth of plantation on either bank is very limited. The
north side carries some very good ashes, tough and serviceable
for joinery purposes; the English elm grown here is said to be
worthless. On the south side there are some handsome syca-
mores, two stately white poplars, and several wych-elms. The
most conspicuous tree is an old Scotch pine, which overhangs a
sloe-thicket. The branches have obtained their greatest develop-
ment on the northerly aspect, like some others of the Conifers
here. A large number of blackeap warblers, (Sylvia atricapilla)
had taken possession of both strips, and were engaged in a
friendly rivalry of song. A similar contest I found proceeding
above Biel. Mr Grey informs me that more than the usual num-
ber of blackcaps have been remarked in Scotland this season.
Professor Duns has observed that they have this year reached
the wilds of Lochaber ; but on the east-coast line, it is known that
they are distributed as far as Caithness. Protected from intru-
sion, the burn between Belton and Biel is at all seasons a great
resort for the wild-duck, which intermingles promiscuously with
the domestic and white call-ducks. Kingfishers ascend the burn,
but do not breed. ‘The dipper is not numerous; however I saw
two. ‘The water-hen is almost domesticated at the keeper’s place,
and feeds with the poultry, which is kept there, not far from the
burn side. A very interesting circumstance was witnessed by
his wife, of the young water-hens of the first brood assisting the
mother to feed the babies of a subsequent hatching. First the
mother fed the older ones, and then they joined and aided
her in satisfying the wants of their lesser brothers and sisters,
like grown up children helping a mother in the up-bringing of
their juniors. The burn is at all seasons visited by herons. In
the winter of 1879-80, a heron resorted to a place in the fields
north from the burn, when the pheasants were supplied with food,
and employed itself in catching the rats, attracted thither to steal
the grain. Having effected a clearance it next removed to a
feeding shed for sheep, and kept its watch there, killing all the
rats it could obtain. There is a rookery at Belton ; the rooks
attempted to colonise Biel, but were not permitted. The horned,
white, and brown owls have here an undisturbed refuge. The
white owl nests in an ivied tree, and like all the owls is an early
breeder. A few pairs of the grey wagtail (Motacilla sulphurea
vel boarula), very gay and lively, had just arrived, being late in

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 429

coming this season. This is one of their nesting places. The
pied wagtail exhibited a more sober gait, having been domiciled
for some time. The willow-warbler, (Sylvia trochilus) was pre-
valent ; but I listened in vain for the note of the sibilatrix. I
observed a wood-pigeon cropping the newly expanded leaves of
the beech, of which it is accustomed to make a hearty meal,
as I have remarked once before. Grey linnets I was told are rather
scarce in this quarter. A few breed in an old quarry, where
some furze bushes grow. Blackbirds are still plentiful ; but the
winters have not spared the thrushes here more than elsewhere.
-Sand-martins were skimming the waters of the rivulet above
Biel, and two pairs of chimney swallows frequented a detached
dove-cot. The grass was so backward this spring that landrails,
a circumstance never witnessed before, were seen running ex-
posed in the open fields at Biel, and also in the ditches by road
sides. Woodcocks were late in departing. A case had been
heard of woodcocks remaining to breed at Presmennan, and an-
other instance at Thurston High Wood. The Biel gamekeeper
reported that ring-ouzels pass the summer on Deuchrie Dod above
Presmennan. He had frequently on the moor edges watched
young cuckoos while being fed by titlings (Anthus pratensis). He
was positive that when a boy he had seen a cuckoo’s egg in a
wren’s nest, which was placed against a bank; one large egg
among ever so many small ones. Twenty years ago, he said,
great spotted woodpeckers (Picus major) might now and then be
visible at Newbyth. At first they were mistaken for jays. The
jay is still to be met with at Salton Hall. One would scarcely
expect vipers in woods so environed with cultivation, but one
about a foot long had been killed on the foot-bridge above Biel.
They are rather frequent on the moors above Presmennan.

There are some fine well-stocked trout pools in the burn. The
trout are of fair size and good quality. A sea-trout, 4lbs. weight,
had been taken recently, and as many as 15 dozen trout had been
caught on one occasion.

There is lying at the keeper’s cottage at Belton an old sun-
dial, brought from Old Belton farm-place, with the date 1719 and
the initial letters W.L. and G.W. There appears to have been
an old garden near the side of the wood here: (Doronicum par-
dalianches, purple comfrey, and Herb Gerard occupying large
spaces. Barbarea vulgaris which also grows as far up as Biel
Grange (accompanied there with feseda lutea), was also noticed ;

430 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

and there are beds of butter-bur. The giant bell-flower (Cam-
panula latifolia) grows near the footpath, in the wooded part of
the dean above the house. There are here exposed small sections
of the sandstone rock, which rises obliquely at a considerable
angle in white and red seams. A band of “keel” or ruddle
occurs in a quarry on the south side. On the north, where we
emerge on Biel property, the rock appears to be a compact red
marl. It is occupied by a fragment of aboriginal wood. The
rest of this northern bank is in grass. Round its lower margin
the rivulet made a fine semicircular sweep below a rocky bank
clothed with tall beeches, and elms, of a pale green hue at this
season, especially the clusters of elm seeds; whence the wind,
keeping up a continuous sighing, wafted the withered envelopes
of the bursting foliage, that dropping in successive streams to the
sheltered side, wove a sort of gauzy mist in the sunshine. The
seclusion here is perfect.

The Biel policies were entered at the eastern lodge by the
drive that crosses the deer-park. There is a considerable stock
of fallow-deer, but none of them were visible. The park has
scattered clumps, and broader masses of beech and other trees
crowning the elevated positions, and there are trees in rows as if
the remnants of old hedges. The wooded screen between the
park and the burn is not. broad. It is composed mostly of large
beeches, oaks, and elms; the beeches predominate both in num-
bers and magnitude. There is a fine cluster of rough-barked
Spanish chestnuts among the oaks. The oaks are stiff, short
stemmed examples, remarkably umbrageous. There is an impos-
ing line of beeches on the side of the park on the bank opposite
the mansion house, and viewed from the front of it, they have a
fine effect. One of the finest trees on the place grows here, at the
height of 120 feet above sea-level. By Mr Hutchison’s mea-
surement it is 105 feet high ; its bole is 38 feet long ; its circum-
ference at one foot from the ground is 11 feet 10 inches; and at
5 feet, 11 feet 8 inches.

The house is not visible till a descent is made to the burn, and
then it appears on the edge of the northern raised bank when
looked up to, as a vast combination of handsome buildings, of a
variety of ages, and of no particular style, almost street-like in
its proportions,—surmounting a series of stone terraces, tier above
tier, overhung or decorated with the foliage of shrubs and creepers
cultivated in the intervening spaces. Between the base of the

Report of Meetings for 1881. -By Jas. Hardy. 431

terraces and the rivulet stretches a level haugh, where the grass
being kept cut retains a perpetual verdure. This is ornamented
with Coniferze of various sizes, tall and upright, or in dense
rounded or jagged masses, according as individual examples
have thriven, or have obtained the full development of their
natural shape. Verdant or flowering shrubs combined with tall
trees flanking either end complete the environment of this charm-
ing piece of scenery, which pleases the more by the pervading
tranquillity. The rivulet here is nearly straight, shallow, gravelly
and clear, constantly flowing, but not roughly. The bridge that
. we cross is over-run withivy. Jinaria cymbalaria occupies many
of the seams, and, as was observable afterwards, has established
itself on the walls of the mansion house.

On the occasion of the Club’s visit, Lady Mary Nisbet Hamil-
ton had kindly intimated her intention to throw the principal
rooms of her residence, with the family relics and treasures of
art, open for the inspection of members. Besides the paintings
and beautiful sculptures in the entrance hall, in the dining room
is a gallery of the pictorial art of rare excellence andvalue. After
viewing these, the members were received in the drawing room
by Miss Nisbet Hamilton. Among the curiosities exhibited,
which members were privileged to inspect here, were a pearl
necklace, presented by Queen Elizabeth to one of the Manners
family (an ancestress of the present family at Biel), when Her
Majesty visited Burleigh ; William Pitt’s gold-chain, with a
locket containing a portion of his hair, which had been be-
queathed by that statesman to one of the Dundas family; a
Bible of date 1649 containing family registers; a copy of Cran-
mer’s Bible, published by Richard Harrison, London, in 1562;
and a prayer book of 18th century date, in red velvet, which it is
accounted lucky to have at marriages, as they all turn out fortu-
nate when the service is read from it. It has been used at many
Royal marriages, and contains the record of each signed by the
archbishops of Canterbury. Several members having felt an in-
terest in this, Miss Nisbet Hamilton has most kindly supplied me
with the memoranda of the occasions on which her mother’s
historical prayer book was used.

“The Prayer Book belonged to Lady Robert Manners (whose daughter
married my great grandfather William Hamilton Nisbet of Belhaven and
Dirleton), and was borrowed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury

(Secker) whose sight was defective, simply on account of the distinctness
2C

432 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

of the type, when it devolved upon him to officiate at the marriage of

George 3rd. He likewise used it on subsequent occasions. In course of

time, I know not how, a superstition arose that the marriages at which

this book was used, turned out happily, and therefore the Royal Family

continued to borrow the same until the marriage of the Duke of Kent,

after which time it was lost sight of, until my mother brought it again to

light, and offered it to the Queen for the marriage of the Prince of Wales.

According to the inscriptions in the book, the following are the occasions

on which it was used.

1. The marriage of George 3rd, with Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg
Strelitz, Sept. 8, 1761.

2.. The baptism of the Prince of Wales (George 4th), Sept. 18, 1762.

3. The marriage of Princess Augusta, to the Prince of Brunswick, Jan.
16, 1764.

4. The marriage of Princess Charlotte of Wales, to Prince Leopold, May
2, 1816.

5. poe eae of Princess Mary to the Duke of Gloucester, July 22,

816.

6. The marriage of Princess Elizabeth to the Landgrave of Hesse, April
7, 1818.

7. The marriage of the Duke of Cambridge to Princess Augusta of Hesse,
June 1, 1818.

8. The marriage of the Duke of Clarence (William 4th) to Princess Ade-
laide of Saxony; and

The marriage of the Duke of Kent to Princess Victoria of Coburg,

widow of the Prince of Leiningen, July 11, 1818.

9. The marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Den-
mark, March 10, 1863. '

10. The marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh to the Grand Duchess Maria
of Russia, Jan. 23,1874.

11. The marriage of the Duke of Connaught to Princess Louise Mar-
garet of Prussia, March 13, 1879.”

For a similar reason, I also introduce a list of the best of the
pictures, etc., at Biel house, authenticated by Miss Nisbet Hamil-
ton, who spared no pains in shewing the visitors everything of
interest.

“The following are amongst the best of the pictures :—
st) Dukes ob samaillttomeypa.csesseeeesecesere st reees ")
Ast), Duchessiors Hamilton esc secadceesseeceener: |
*2nd Duke of Hamilton..........csccssessscesseneen ‘ ot
Ist Lord and Lady Belhaven..................... ana hc pap
Charles slstyspcarcan mance sscbst ciecvssceenecetacan 4 { ‘
Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice............... J
Tet Hark Yok. (D enbich ee ee kis). steaQlans.gcretaniacceiecse cone Rubens.
Ivana nea ye a. Pxt,ds Oe Berit. OSCE eet es ed a Ce
*Lady Robert Manners, seta. 90..............06 daddethuree Sir T. Lawrence.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 433

Lord President Dundas of Arniston............ccccececeeeenee Raeburn.
Sarah Duchess of Marlborough.............:..0eseeeeeees Sir G. Kneller.
Mn Gee TO KOMEN Ub LAM Ghacce cesses vsaues sie seceteccetts
MUU CV 21 Li WHTCLOL GOs, o.cccectevecseseesiesacennectnes | ...Sir Peter Lely,
POO AU OL MUAY pe cgncevetiad ceed cure deena venntons
Janes) Pra | 1D Gell vey dave Wendl pane pen asadennntcaeconorsccscoacbos0oe Zucchero.
Whip in whe Temple: ji..2. scsi. csscece wcnwewlareclees :
PRHIG GAIMESTSES tied. ad StoseeSorcnece Che Seow cdsnweeaunes } 5 OR OTE
AEH time COMI CLV U mryreids ceo isre ces neh ocloa cee semoneqaaaavensctseinelsaet Murillo.
*Christ at the Well......... Ber abaaas cattiseedaneeeecoemees: School of Caracci.
ROME AOL OMIIST 3. cahoac jeer cs detessesscinmesen ner Gherardo della Notte.
Per EripUbe MONEY)... ccccscess ss cseceescense sii Supposed to be Ribera.
MUTE SCHPCS ante stycdecc eet nenowecidive svexeestaseavcenaerst Gaspar Poussin.
“STIS aiG Coy ol 216 I SE a te OR a Thomson of Duddingston.

There are likewise specimens, some very choice, of the following
masters :—

Guercino (Italian Head) ; *Canaileto (View of Venice) ; *Guardi (2 Do.) ;
Sasso Terrato (Copy of Madonna della Seggiola of Raphael) ; *Giorgione
(Venitian Lady) ; Bellini (Holy Family); Bassano (Adoration of the
Shepherds, and Dives and Lazarus): *Nicolas Maas (Dutch Family) ;
* Metzu (Dutch Group) ; Hobbema (Landscape); *Adrian Van Ostade (Dutch
Boors) ; *Cwyp (Men and Horses); *Lingelbach (Christ preaching from the
Boat); .4llan Ramsay (Lord Sherard Manners), (Lady Robert Manners),
(Lucy, Duchess of Montrose) ; Crome of Norwich (English Landscape) ;
Wissing (Duchess of Portsmouth).

It is difficult to pronounce a decided opinion as to the respective merits
of good pictures, which so greatly depends upon taste, but those which I
have marked are generally considered striking specimens of the masters
who painted them.

I may add that one of the works of art which we most highly prize is
a colossal Bust of Napoleon by Thorwaldsen. There is also a good speci-
men by Campbell, viz. a statue of Psyche, and one by Westmacott, viz.
‘The Homeless Wanderer.’”’

The charter chest at Biel is not arranged, but contains it is be-
lieved, some valuable historical papers. Some letters on affairs
of State both from and to the Lords Belhaven, once the owners

of the estate, were produced; several of these were in Charles
Il’s hand.

Leaving the house the members proceeded to see the terraces,
and the trees on the lawn. These decorated terraces of dressed
stone give the place an unique character. They afford support
to many fine trees and creeping shrubs. At the period of visit
there was a splendid Wistaria Sinensis in full bloom. I shall not
specify everything grown, but only individual instances that took
the attention. The two first rigorous winters that we have ex-
perienced dealt gently with shrubs on the well-screened platforms,

434 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

but the frost of 1880-81 was of unexampled severity. Fuchsia
Riccartoni was entirely cut down, for the second time within
fifteen years. Aloysia citriodora which has been accustomed to
grow on the open wall, had its upper wood killed, but shewed
fresh sprouts from the under porticns. Lscallonia Montiwidiensis
was greatly cut up; and ELdwardsia microphylla (two bushes) was
almost killed. Leycesteria formosa, as well as Ampelopsis Veitchit
endured the winter untarnished. Both aremuch employed here,
' as well as Perzploca Greca, and several of the Clematises. /ag-
nolia grandiflora and Ligustrum Japonicum yield a most refreshing
look from their laurel-like foliage. An old myrtle which is ex-
posed to the open air during the summer, is preserved in a
sheltered corner under a glass case in winter. The spacious
conservatory is parallel with the billiard room. In it were three
well-grown Camellias, one being ‘‘ Lady Hume’s Blush.” In
the centre is a very tall specimen of the rough-looking Swamp
Oak or Tinian Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), which was first in-
troduced to Britain from the South Sea islands by Admiral Byron
in 1766. The Elk’s-horn fern (flatycerum alcicorne) in an ex-
cellent condition composed a fantastic arch over a door-shaped
opening, joined with two or three variegated aloes (Agave varie-
gata); the sides of the frame work were made up of a tender
green wall of Selaginella denticulata. A wide spreading Lonicera
helped to cover the walls. Cobea scandens, which has a large blue
flower, was one of the greenhouse creepers. Other things noticed
were a shewy purpie Dracena, and a large Rhododendron arboreum.

Qne of the Elgin marbles, which carries the name of St. Paul’s
Chair, brought from Athens, and bearing the symbol of Minerva
stands here under cover. There is here also a memorial of the
second Lord Belhaven’s dislike of the Union. This is a stone,
which at one time had been placed above the doorway in front
of the house, but has been judiciously removed. It bears the
following inscription :—

TRADITIONIS Sco.
ANNO PRImo. 1707.

1707.
(¢.¢., In the first year of the betrayal of Scotland). .
A rude old bowl-shaped Norman font, which had been derived
from Stenton, and was to be seen here, has since the Club’s
meeting been restored to the parish church. The stone of which

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 435

it has been fabricated is similar to that used in the construction
of the Norman doorway of the old church there.

A survey was next made of the trees and shrubs growing
from the bridge upwards, and along the base of the bank on
which the house is situated. It may be first premised that the
winter of 1880-81 has not departed without distributing some of
its significant marks. The Laurestinuses have been sore dam-
aged; Arbutus Unedo was not only defoliated, but the stems and
even the branches have been split. Many sweet bays and laurels
would have to be cut down. A Garrya elliptica was killed, and
an old Quercus llex (which has a bulbous base) above the house
was stripped of its old leaves.

Entering the haugh at the lower end, a few notices may be
taken of the condition of the Coniferee, in this collection. The
Deodars are growing well. Picea nobilis is very fine, but the top
is gone; the squirrels are blamed for this and corresponding de-
predations on other specimens. There are several Wellingtonias,
mostly young. Here they have a tendency to. grow off the per-
pendicular by swaying to the north side whence the most
vigorous shoots proceed. Sequoia (Taxodium) sempervirens has
lost its main shoot several times, but always renovates it. Cu-
pressus macrocarpa occurs next ; and C. Lawsoniana is also
represented ; and we have the first of two fair grown Atlas cedars,
Cedrus Atlantica. Picea Nordmanniana is very bushy, being hurt
at the top. Cupressus Nutkaensis (borealis) is well thriven ;
Abies Douglass: is hurt at the top and forms a great bush; Taxus
fastigiata, of which there are several distributed throughout, is
fine ; Pinus Cembra, a compact grower, is also worthy of remark.
The largest Cedrus Atlantica is of great beauty. It measures
14 feet in girth at the ground, and has many large limbs, at least
fourteen innumber. Then we reach the great Cedar of Lebanon,
the patriarch of all the others. It hasa short stock which separ-
ates into a multitude of individual trees, some of which again
coalesce, and it forms a grand object when it spreads at- the
summit. It was probably injured by over great attention in its
youth. From its bulk the amount of timber in it must be very
large. According to Mr Loney’s estimate and measurement of
this venerable tree, it is at present 82 feet high ; its girth at one
foot from the ground is 17 feet 4 inches; it then increases to 17
feet 9 inches; and at the height of five feet its circumference is
19 feet. ‘It was brought in a flower-pot from London, by the

436 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

anti-unionist Lord Belhaven, and planted about the beginning of
the last century.”* A very curious shaped tall Cypress is its
mate, being said to be coeval with it, but it is much less robust.
Its stems are dared half-way up, and all dead wood has been
carefully removed at the top, whose greenness is somewhat faded.
It was carrying cones. Both trees at one time were in a back-
going state, but fresh soil was supplied about the tips of the
roots, which was effectual in producing a renewed vigour, espec-
jially in the cedar. A fine P. Cembra next attracts notice, and a
young well-thriven Araucaria; more Wellingtonias, and then a
young Quercus Ilex. Then we meet a double white hawthorn
draped with ivy; and a good Cryptomeria Japonica, there being
two here, but one has lost its top. At the upper end stands a
beautiful Magnolia, a purple beech, and a weeping elm, there being
weeping ashes elsewhere. Atthe northern angle isa Weymouth
Pine (P. Strobus) pleasing in its emerald hue, although poor as
a tree. Besides these the maples and sycamores, the old walnuts
and ilexes in various positions near the house, are not to be
overlooked, and there may be others of a miscellaneous char-
acter. There are some stately oaks near the north-west approach,
although they might not furnish substantial results to the appli-
cation of the tape line. The plants picked up in making this
circuit, or elsewhere, were Rumex viridis, Hypericum hirsutum,
Lysimachia nummularia, Anchusa sempervirens, and Campanula
Trachelium. Grount-ivy was frequent.

On returning to the carriages it was found that the kindness
of Lady Mary Nisbet Hamilton had not terminated yet. The
company was invited to luncheon in the dining-room, where,
after a sumptuous repast, Canon Greenwell, in a speech of some
length, proposed the healths of ‘‘Lady Mary and Miss Nisbet
Hamilton.” In doing so he said the Club had had an opportu-
nity of viewing several State papers of rare interest and value.
Miss Nisbet Hamilton had casually remarked that what the Club
had seen were only a few which at random she had taken from
the family charter-room. This being the case, the Canon thought
it was a great pity that such historical documents should not be
searched into, and the valuable parts brought into public notice.
The Royal Commission for the preservation and publication of
family documents had examined into the charter-rooms and
charters of many of the ancient houses in England and Scotland,

* New Statistical Account of Haddingtonshire, p. 56.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 437

and the result had been that much valuable knowledge, which
might have remained unknown save to a few but for those re-
searches, was now being brought before the public. He thought
the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, although it was not strictly
in their field of work, should take the matter up, and if success-
ful, the fact that such researches had been made by the Club
would add to its popularity. The Club had been highly honoured
by the kindness of the two ladies, and had felt great delight in
visiting the place. He would ask Mr Marjoribanks to convey to
them the best thanks of the Club. The sentiment was cordially
responded to, and the Rev. George Marjoribanks, Stenton, who
had acted as guide to the Club when the pictures were examined,
stated that from what he knew of Miss Nisbet Hamilton, he was
sure she would be most willing to allow the Club to make the
researches to which Canon Greenwell had referred. He wassure,
further, that the visit of the Club that day had given Lady Mary,
even though on a sick bed, and Miss Nisbet Hamilton as much
pleasure as the members had felt in visiting their beautiful home
and its many treasures. He formally thanked the Ciub for the
sentiment which had been so touchingly proposed and so cordi-
ally responded to.

Leaving the hospitable mansion, the members walked by the
side of the wood to the ford, where the carriages were joined.
The sweet and picturesque view of the narrow green haughs was
much enjoyed. The stream, which the rain had caused to rise a
little, flowed down the middle, and over its waters the swallows
skimmed lightly. The banks on either side were finely wooded,
and in the distance, where the trees closed up the view, were two
rustic bridges, while in the immediate foreground a herd of Chan-
nel Islands and Ayrshire cattle were leisurely browsing. The
lower branches of the thorn and some other shrubs in the woods
showed, from their being denuded of their bark, that the rabbits
had been in sore straits during the late storm. In the cottage
garden at the bridge was a great show of apple blossom, and
this appeared to be quite the rule this year.

Before leaving, it may be mentioned that Sphinx Convolvulc had
been captured at Biel Lint-Mill. Pheasants of a white colour are
occasionally hatched; bullfinches appear in all the woods. Weissia
verticillata, in cushions and large masses, covers a dripping rock
of petrified moss and calcareous tufa, on the way to Biel Grange.
Saponaria officinalis, Mr Hepburn informs me, used to grow a
little above the Lint-mill.

438 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

In proceeding to Stenton, after the junction of the Biel with
the Dunbar road, the field on the right belonging to Meiklerig
farm, was that in which the Urn, Flint-knife, and Whetstone
were taken out of two cists disclosed in demolishing a cairn on
the 20th January, 1878, of which there is an account in the
present volume of Proceedings, pp. 101-104. A further notice of
this discovery, illustrated with beautiful wood-cuts, is contained
in the ‘ Proceedings of the Scottish Society of Antiquaries,”
1879-80, pp. 220, 221. From this it is evident that the urn was
the occupant of one cist, and the flint-knife and whet-stone ac-
companied the cranium, &c., inthe other. The shattered urn has
been re-constructed, and is now with the other relics preserved
in the Society's Museum. A hollow, visible from the road, re-
presents the site of this ancient cemetery. The field is termed
the Rood-well-field, and the structure that covered what was
probably once a sacred fount, still called the ‘‘ Rood-Well,” was
examined by the Club previous to entering Stenton village. On
its summit were two detached stones; one might have been the
basis of a pillar (possibly a portion of the shaft of the village
cross), the other was conjectured to be the finial of a gable of the
old church at Stenton, and since the meeting, it has, I am in-
formed, been remanded to its legitimate position. Nothing is
recorded about this well, but Mr Marjoribanks stated that the
diminutive space of ground overgrown with nettles around it be-
longs to the Duke of Roxburghe, in whose family at one time lay
the right of presentation to the living of Stenton. Stenton church
like every other of early date, would be placed under a saintly
guardian, to whom it was dedicated. Had this well merely in-
dicated a cross that once stood here, the word cross would have
survived, and it would have been named the Cross or Cors-well.
Being however, designated a “rood” and not a ‘‘ cross” well,
although the words are equivalent, it possibly refers to the “‘ Holy
Rood ”; and being inalienably annexed to the advowson, it is
not unreasonable that it points to the church here, being under
the protection of that symbol—the ‘‘ Sanctze Crucis.” In 1669,
when warrant was granted to John, Lord Belhaven, to hold two
annual fairs, and a weekly market at Stenton, so utterly had the
remembrance of any sanctity about the place been effaced, that
in the Act of Parliament sanctioning the proposal, blanks are
left for the names to be adhibited to the fairs, these not uncom-
monly being dubbed after saints.*

* Acts Parl. Scot. vii. p. 112, appendix; viii. p. 442.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 439

The holly hedge at the glebe was quite untouched by the severe
winter’s frost, but the yews in the churchyard had suffered a good
deal. The church of Stenton has a nice appearance, both inside
and outside, and its tower is almost a landmark in the district.
It cost above £2000 and was opened by Dr. Chalmers, Oct. 4,
1829. It was built to supply the place of the old church, which
was a quaint structure in the Norman style of architecture. The
old tower is still standing, and part of the walls are left, thanks
to the care of Mr Marjoribanks, who has done much to beautify
the churchyard and preserve what old relics remained. There is
a fine Norman doorway.

The Biel burying vault, which has not been opened for forty-
seven years—since the coffin of Mrs Mary Hamilton Nisbet was
placed there in 1834—+ill the previous day, was thrown open by
Lady Mary’s orders. In the vault were the following coffins : —
(1). Nearest the east wall, of the Union Lord Belhaven. This
was John the 2nd Lord, born July 5, 1656; died June 21, 1708.
[John the 3rd Lord was drowned near the Lizard point, Nov. 17,
1721]. (2). John, the 4th Lord, succeeded his father in 1721,
and died unmarried at Newcastle, Aug. 28, 1764. Neither of
these have inscriptions. (3). James, 5th Lord. The inscription is
‘‘Rt. Hon. James Hamilton, Lord Belhaven, died 25th Jan. 1777,
aged 72 years.” He died at Biel. (4). William Hamilton Nis-
bet, Esq., of Biel and Dirleton, who died July 22.——(5). Mrs
Mary Hamilton Nisbet of Belhaven and Biel, who died April,
1834. She built the new church.

The principal monument in the churchyard is that of the late
R. C. Nisbet Hamilton, Esq., who died in 1877, by Sir John
Steel, and pronounced by him to be one of the most elaborately
carved granite monuments in Britain. It'is in the form of an
Iona cross, and the whole of the elaborate carvings were designed
by Miss Nisbet Hamilton.

Time not admitting, the proposed visit to Presmennan had to
be abandoned. It would require a day to itself. We are fortu-
nate in having a paper from the Club’s former member, Mr
Archibald Hepburn, formerly of Whittingham Mains, now of
Ramsbottom, Manchester, on the birds of that locality.

At four o’clock the company partook of dinner at the St. George
Hotel, Dunbar, the chair being occupied, in the absence through
indisposition of the president, by the Rev. J. F. Bigge, M.A.,
Stamfordham, while Mr Charles Watson, Dunse, discharged the

2D

440 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

duties of the vice-chair. On business being resumed Canon
Greenwell called attention to the state of Dunstanborough Castle,
and, referring to the recommendation made by the Club after the
Embleton meeting, said nothing had yet been done in the way of
repair. St. Margaret's Tower was tumbling to ruin and might
at any time disappear. He thought that if the Club were to call
the attention of those in whom the property was vested to it,
something would be done. He urged the Club to take action in
the matter. The Club also should take charge of all ancient
monuments and ruins in their district, and recommend to the
proprietors to take steps to preserve them. Canon Greenwell was
glad to see the remains of the ancient church at Stenton preserved
so carefully. It was an example which ought to be more gener-
ally followed. Mr Hardy read a paper by Mr Hepburn on *‘ The
Birds of Presmennan ’’; and also extracts from an elaborate paper,
which must have cost an amount of thought and research, from
Miss Russell of Ashiesteel, entitled ‘‘ Notes on some Historical
and Literary Matter bearing on the Works called the Catrail,
and on the connection with them of the Harit’s Dyke in Berwick-
shire.’ Miss Russell also sent photographic illustrations of
portions of the Catrail, and a photograph from a cast in the
Museum of the Society of Antiquaries, Edinburgh, of the inscribed
stone found in the vale of Yarrow in 1807. The inscription on
this stone, part of which only can be read, appears to contain the
name of Nudd Hael or Liberalis, and the word Dumnogini which
follows it probably connect him with the Damnonii whom Ptolemy
places in that quarter, Dryan the son of this Nudd fought at
Ardderyd.* The Rev. J. F. Bigge read some notes on the occur-
rence of some Birds in the South of Northumberland; and Mr
Gray gave his ‘“‘ Notes on the effect of the recent Winter Storms
on Birds and other Animals—November, 1880, to March, 1881,”
which were listened to with much acceptance. Mr Boyd exhib-
ited three very small eggs, which had been found last year in a
cup-shaped nest in Glen Lochy. In Mr Gray’s opinion they were
grouse eggs. It is nothing unusual to have a single “ dwarf”
egg in a nest, but it is certainly extraordinary to find three abor-
tions of this description, and also an abortive nest. Mr Watson
exhibited a specimen of the rare pied flycatcher (Museicapa atri-
captlla) which had been got at Goswick in the last week of April:

*Skene’s Celtic Scotland. i. p. 158, note. Four Ancient Books of Wales,
i, chap. 10; Proc. Ant. Scot. iv. p. 539.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 441

Mr Bigge mentioned that a woodpecker (Picus viridis) had been
shot at Dyehouse, three or four miles south of Hexham. One
was seen Jan. 22, 1881, within a mile of Stamfordham. Three,
both green and spotted, were seen during spring in East Dipton
woods, near Hexham. Mr Thomson mentioned that a male al-
bino water vole (Arvicola amphibia) had been caught by a cat in
the straw barn at Riddletonhill, in the parish of Maxton. The
vole was of a beautifully pure white colour, and had red eyes.
It had lost one of its fore legs, and was diseased in its body,
while at one time it had been affected on the tail. Some years
previously a vole of a similar colour had been caught near
Heatherhope, by Mr A. Douglas, the Duke of Roxburghe’s
gamekeeper at Greenhill, Roxburghshire. Mention was also
made of the capture, three weeks previously, of a Daubenton’s
Bat (Barbustellus communis, Gray), at Under Samieston. Dau-
benton’s Bat is well-known about Dunbar, and in other districts
of Scotland.

Captain Norman while recently fishing on Tweedside near
Twisel found examples of the Edible Morel (Morchella esculenta)
on Dreeper Island. Dr. Stuart, who hasmade Hillside Cottage,
Chirnside, quite famous by his successful cultivation of flowers,
had brought many interesting specimens. These included a
most remarkably fine Aquilegia, grown in an open border, and
supposed to be a cross between A. glandulosa and A. Witman-
mana. The flower was most superb in growth and colour—blue
and white. Dr. Stuart had many specimens of Primula Scotica, P.
Sarinosa, P. Munroit, P. cortusoides. P. Sieboldii, and many hybrid
hardy Primulas and Polyanthuses; also new Violas, Cream of the
Valley, a pale straw coloured variety, Mauve, of a delicately
coloured mauve, and several other seedlings. Dr Stuart also
brought some blooms of Fortune’s double white Clematis. Mr
W. B. Boyd had also a fine variety of flowers. Among them
was a spike of the flower of the New Zealand flax, which at Or-
miston this year has attained the height of nine feet. He had
also a double wood Anemone, the Petticoat Narcissus, Double
ditto, and Zrollius Asiaticus. Mr Watson produced specimens of
Anemone Apennina, which Mr Ferguson, writer, Dunse, had
found in Dunse Castle woods growing with A. nemorosa. The
usual toasts were proposed and honoured, and a vote of thanks
was accorded to Mr Marjoribanks for the trouble he had taken to
render the excursion enjoyable. A very pleasant evening was
spent.

442 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

At this meeting the following were proposed and seconded as
members of the Club:—The Right Hon. Lord Napier and Et-
trick, Thirlestane Castle, Selkirkshire ; Dr. William Craig, 7,
Lothian Road, Edinburgh; Mr Robert Hutchison of Carlowrie,
Linlithgowshire; Mr James 8. Mack of Coveyheugh, §.8.C;
and Rev. George Marjoribanks, B.D., Stenton.

Grant’s Houszt Mzettna.

The second, which was also appointed to be the Jubilee meeting
of the Club, was held at Grant’s House (formerly Bank House),
on Wednesday, June 29th. Though the Club had been instituted
there in September, it was resolved to hold the Jubilee meeting
in June, on account of the botany of the locality being in its best
state at that time. The meeting was in every respect a success.
The assemblage consisted of upwards of 80 members and their
friends, and apologies were received from several others who
were unable to attend. Those who were present, so far as could
be ascertained, were :—the Rev. Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E., Edin-
burgh, President; Dr. Francis Douglas and Mr J. Hardy,
Secretaries; Sir George H. Scott Douglas of Springwood Park,
Bart.; John Hutton Balfour, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., Emeritus
Professor of Botany in Edinburgh University: Revs. J. F. Bigge,
M.A., Stamfordham ; David Burns, M.A., Linlithgow; J. Man-
ners Hamilton Nisbet Graham, Maxton ; Joseph Hunter, M.A.,
Cockburnspath ; Peter Mearns, Coldstream ; Robert Naismith,
Chirnside ; John Orr, B.A., Berwick; David Paul, M.A., Rox-
burgh; J. Hill Scott, Kelso; Robert Simpson, M.A., Stockbridge;
Adam Spence, Houndwood ; William Stobbs, M.A., Gordon ; and
R. Hopper Williamson, M.A., Whickham ; Messrs Thomas Allan,
Horncliffe House ; John Bertram, Howpark ; Henry Hunter
Blair, Alnwick; J. W. Blundell, Liverpool ; James Bogie, Edin-
burgh ; Robert G. Bolam, Berwick ; James Bowhill, Ayton ;
John B. Boyd of Cherrytrees; W. B. Boyd of Faldonside ;
Andrew Brotherston, Kelso; Robert P. Brotherston, Tynning-
ham; James Brunton, Broomlands; William Crawford, Dunse ;
William Currie of Linthill; J. T.S. Doughty, Ayton; Charles
Douglas, M.D., Woodside; George Brisbane Scott Douglas,
Springwood Park ; Robert Douglas, Berwick ; John Dunlop,
Norham; A. H. Evans, Scremerston ; John Ferguson, Dunse;
Churchill Flintoff, Alnwick ; J. Greig, Renton ; William Grant,
Grant’s House; James Heatley, Alnwick; A. W. Henderson,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 443

Cockburnspath ; John Hood, Oldcambus Townhead; George P.
Hughes of Middleton Hall; W. A. Hunter, M.A., Dunse ;
William T. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; Edward Johnson of Tweed-
bank, Kelso, M.D.; William H. Johnson, Edinburgh ; James
Balfour Kerr, Kelso; Robert Darling Kerr, Edinburgh ; Alex-
ander Leitch, Fairneyside ; Peter Loney, Marchmont; J. S. Mack
of Coveyheugh; J. F. Macpherson, Adjutant, B.R.V., Melrose ;
Jonathan Melrose, Coldstream ; George Muirhead, Paxton; F.
M. Norman, Commander, R.N., Berwick ; Dr. John Paxton, Ber-
wick ; James Purves, Berwick; Bobert Renton, Fans ; Henry
Richardson, M.D., Berwick ; Frederick Lewis Roy of Nenthorn ;
Francis Russell, Sheriff-Substitute of Roxburghshire, Jedbank ;
John Sadler, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh; William Shaw,
Eyemouth ; Septimus H. Smith, Norham ; George Heriot Stevens,
Gullane ; Charles Stuart, M.D., Hillside Cottage, Chirnside; G-
H. Thompson, Alnwick ; John Thomson, Kelso; John Turnbull
of Abbey St. Bathans; Matthew Turnbull, M.D., Coldstream ;
J. J. Vernon, F.S8.A. Scot., Hawick ; Charles Watson, F.S.A.
Scot., Dunse ; William Weatherhead, Berwick ; Robert Wed-
dell, Berwick; John Wilson, Chapelhill ; William Wilson,
Berwick ; James Wood, Galashiels; and Matthew Young, Ber-
wick.

After breakfast the members and their guests divided them-
selves into companies for the day’s excursions. One party went
by conveyances to EKdin’s Hall; a second at whose disposal Lady
Stirling of Renton House placed her carriage, visited Pease
Bridge, Dunglass dean, and Cockburnspath. A third group
consisting of the President, Professor Balfour, Mr Sadler, Capt.
Norman, Rey. Peter Mearns, Mr A. H. Evans, Mr W. Weather-
head and Mr Hardy, undertook to do the pilgrimage of the Club,
by paying a visit to Penmanshiel Wood, which the President
assures us was the scene of the first walk of the Club. On that
day we were told that an adder (Pelvas Berus) was captured, and
that Vicia Orobus was discovered in those early years, at the post
road side, near Harelawside wood, to the north of Grant’s
House, whence it has now disappeared. The note of the black-
cap was heard in this wood, and the sedge-warbler’s song came
from the willow bushes both to the east and west of Grant’s House.
*“‘Witch-knots” were frequent on some of the birches by the
side of the public road. It is now understood that these are pri-
marily occasioned by the irritation caused by colonies of mites

444 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

of the genus Phytopus that harbour in some of the leaf-buds, as
was first pointed out by Miss Ormerod ‘‘ Entomologist,” x. pp.
83-86. In Penmanshiel Wood, Pyrola media was the plant of
chief interest gathered. The places where it now flourishes were
formerly covered with long heather free from trees, these open
spaces having been planted up. On reaching the fields the Presi-
dent said that his attention had been drawn to the curious changes
of positions in the flower-buds of Spergula arvensis or Spurrey,
during the progress from their evolution till the seeds were per-
fected. From a drooping state, it erects its flower to be fertilized ;
that being accomplished, the stalk bearing the capsule is again
bent, till the seeds are matured, and the stalk rises and scatters
them abroad. The same provision exists in the chickweeds.

An extensive view of the Lammermoors was obtained from
Penmanshiel. The sight of these familiar hills recalled to the
President’s recollection a popular weather proverb, connected
with two of the most conspicuous, Cockburn and Dirrington Laws,
which has never been in print.

““When Cockburn Law gets on its hat,
And Dirrington its cowl,
A’ the herds o’ Lammermoor,
Ken it will be foul.”
In the early part of the Club’s history considerable attention was
paid to the preservation of these local sayings, and three or four
papers were devoted to their being recorded.

After resting and a slight refreshment at Penmanshiel, the
party took the Harelawside road towards Grant’s House, picking
up Antennaria dioica on the moor; and Plantago maritima near
what was once the site of St. David’s Cairn. An old flat moss
on the left hand still carries its old British or Pictish name of
Moss Maw, 7.¢., the level moss. The same name still adheres to
a moss in the hilly district to the south of Edinburghshire, once
the country of the Strathclyde Britons, but afterwards encroach-
ed on by the Southern Picts. At the side of the wall near the
effaced memorial which later times connected with King David,
there used to lie a slab of greywacke stone hollowed out into a
smooth circular concavity, like a shallow dish, which had come
from among the stones, and remnants of old fortifications about
the cairn. It might have been once used for husking big, or
four-rowed barley. At the top of the field east of Grant’s House,
which was passed, nearly in the line of the upper wall, there
were formerly a collection of camps and cairns, now entirely

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 445

swept away. It is desirable to record all such sites of the settle-
ments of the ancient inhabitants, if their position can be ascer-
tained, and have them mapped.

Accepting the kind invitation of Lady Stirling the party then
went to Renton House. The immediate vicinity has been much
beautified and improved of recent years, by the growth of young
plantations, and by a new arrangement of the ground round the
mansion house. The house commands a fine view of the valley
of the Eye. The garden was visited, and excepting some of the
hollies and more tender evergreens, had been comparatively un-
injured by the frosts. Grammitis Ceterach, how introduced is
unknown, mixed with the common Polypody, still thrives near
the summit of a portion of the garden wall. The plants in the
greenhouse and conservatory were bright and flourishing. Among
the firs and pines planted to shelter the house on the west, Pinus
Austriaca is taking the lead, and grows very robust. Before
leaving the visitors partook of lunch.

A fourth party visited Fast castle and Dowlaw dean, which I
follow by the aid of Mr Vernon. Driving over the moors ornith-
ologists distinguished a considerable variety of birds, and among
others, the carrion crow, the heron, the sparrow-hawk, the sedge-
warbler, the lark, corn-crake, water-hen, missel-thrush, stone-
chat, etc. Arrived at Dowlaw, the party divided, one half pro-
_ceeding to the dean, and the other to Fast castle. This gloomy
border fortress occupies a striking position upon a perpendicular
rock projecting into the German Ocean on one side, and only
connected with the mainland by a steep and very narrow path
leading to the castle gate. At the present day there remains just
sufficient of the ruins of the castle to indicate that it was a donjon
tower of moderate size surrounded by flanking walls. [What
Sir Walter Scott imagined of Wolf’s Crag in the “ Bride of Lam-
mermoor,”’ chap. x., has now been realized. About ten years ago,
during a thunderstorm, the battlements of this tower were struck
and rent by lightning, and what remains is a mere wreck. |

Both parties being reunited, continued the journey by the Pease
Bridge and Cockburnspath Tower. Descending into the Pease
dean from the bridge a great many species of ferns were observed,
among which may be mentioned—Polystichum angulare very plen-
tiful, also P. aculeatum and P. lobatum. The Scolopendrium vul-
gare and Asplenium Trichomanes are to be found here. Other
ferns obtained during the day were Aspleniwm Ruta-muraria, A.

446 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

‘Adiantum-nigrum, A. marinum, Lastrea dilatata and Polypodium
Dryopteris. Jueaving Pease Bridge, they proceeded to visit Cock-
burnspath Tower, a ruined strong hold of the Dunbars, Earls of
March. By order of the Privy Council in 1581 and again 1584,
Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, was commanded, under pain
of high treason, to deliver over to the King’s officers, the castles
of ‘‘Thomptalloun, Douglas, and Cokbrandispeth.” The old
fortalice is now in a toppling state ; a large portion, twice in suc-
cession, fell during the autumn and winter of 1880-81, and the
rest will surely follow, unless means are taken to preserve this
relic of a bygone age. The approach to the castle from the east
has been from a curious old bridle bridge, of which few suspect
the existence, being hidden in the depths of the dean a little
above the modern bridge.

Of the day’s work accomplished by the fifth, and by far the
most numerous party, Mr Thomson has given the detail, and as
it wears the stamp of a fresh and vivid impression, I shall with
slight alterations adopt it. This party walked from Grant’s
House to the Pease Burn mouth. ‘The ramble was most de-
lightful. For perhaps a mile and a half the way lay along the
road, with the railway on the left, and the splendid old natural
wood on the right. This wood, which formed part of the original
forest which once covered the banks in this part of the country,
is composed mainly of oak, birch, hazel, and willow, (in the
Pease dean partly of elm), and the gnarled appearance of the
oaks is in itself a sufficient proof of its antiquity, while their
great knotty roots upon which successive generations of oaks
have grown were a study to the curious. There were also not a
few bushes of sloe and juniper, and the ground was covered by
interesting plants and shrubs. Most noticeable was Rosa spinos-
assima, Whose pure white petals and yellow stamens and anthers
lay in profusion on every twig of the parent shrub. The pretty
yellow rock-rose (Helianthemum vulgare) was seen on every sunny
bank, and the red bloom of Lychnis diurna, and the green bracken
(Pteris aquilina) held almost undisputed sway up in the heart
of the wood. By the roadside, and flourishing among the furze,
brambles and raspberry bushes, or near the little marshy strips,
were Corydalis claviculata, Equisetum sylvaticum, Pyrola media,
Luzula sylvatica, Valeriana officinalis, etc. On our left the warb-
ling of the sedge warbler (Sylvia phragmitis) was heard in a
clump of stunted willows, at whose roots grew half developed

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 447

brackens, whose colour, owing to the peat was of a reddish yel-.
low. The weather had been very severe upon the whins and
broom on the slopes. The bushes were nearly all dead, and
though this part of the prospect was not pleasing, the rich purple
of the fox gloves (Digitalis purpurea), whose spikes shot every now
and then up through the decayed branches, was decidedly so. At
the south entrance to the tunnel is a plantation of spruces, which,
like the firs in the whole course of the day’s excursion, grew
well, and seemed healthy like. Here also, as elsewhere this
season. the hawthorn has blossomed very profusely, and though
on the lower-lying grounds inland the blossom has given place to
young haws, here where it is later the bloom was very fine. Be-
yond the north entrance to the tunnel we crossed the railway,
and entered the Pease dean, a delightful and romantic rugged
glen, beautifully wooded, and full of entrancing interest to the
lover of natural history. On entering the dean there was a large
display of Geranium sylvaticum, while in the course of a few yards
we had Ajuga reptans, and Lysimachia nemorum was seen. Fur-
ther on two goodly-sized trees of Cedrus deodara had been planted ;
one had grown fairly well, but the other had been dead for some
time. Past the forester’s lodge we struck upon a large patch of
Blechnum, the plants composing which were very fine; and this
was succeeded further on by a large bed of broad-leaved garlic
(Allium ursinum).

The way leads by the banks of the burn, where it prattles
down its stony bed, at times almost concealed from view by the
luxuriance of the vegetation on its banks—the buckler ferns
(Lastrea dilatata) of themselves forming a splendid shade. Rising
above us is a large holly, which from one trunk sent up six or
seven limbs to the height of about 50 feet. These, sad to say,
were dying from canker. After walking along the open
part of the path in the sunshine, we reached a large clump of
spruce firs, which rise to a towering height, and were so thickly
grown, that it was almost darkness itself in the heart of the
group. Theonly plant growing among the ‘ needles’ with which
the ground was covered, was Ovalis acetosella. In the open we
had plenty of Scrophularia nodosa. 'The blaeberries were plenti-
ful on the sward up the bank, and Orobus tuberosus was frequently
met with. While the stream continued to descend the path
caused us to ascend the bank, at the top of which we found our-
selves walking alongside a precipitous gully, the rugged rocks

) 25

448 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

rising almost perpendicularly from the water. Clinging with
wonderful tenacity to every cleft where roots could be inserted
were hazel, and mountain ash, and birch bushes, which judging
by the vigour of their growth, seemed to thrive on their rocky
home. [This deep winding fissure is called the Black Craig.
Fresh-water flounders are said to have been caught in one of the
deep pools of the burn here. At one time a flock of goats was
grazed in the woods, and their night-fold, still known as the
Goat Fold, is still traceable on the west side of the ravine. It
was also the haunt of illicit distillers ].

After walking along Aikieside ‘Banks’ past the woodman’s
cottage, through what was once an ‘ Apple haugh,’ or orchard,
the Pease Bridge was reached, a stone and lime structure span-
ning a tremendous gully, which had been hollowed out by the
stream in the course of ages. From the parapet of the brilge
the spectator looks down upon an almost unbroken .expanse of
leafy verdure, so magnificent was the foliage. Away far beneath,
stray glimpses may be had of the stream, and in the north-east
at the foot of the burn is the sea, calm and unruffled, and bear-
ing on its placid bosom several ships, both under sail and
steam. The scenery in the glen is most romantic, and the botan-
ists were kept busy. Perhaps the best fern seen during the walk
was Polystichum angulare, which thrives exceedingly in this
locality. A splendid lot of plants of Zgwisetum maximum was
picked up. One or two were over two feet high, and correspond-
ingly large in the fronds.

On the way to the coast we pass the prettily situated old mill
with its undershot wheel. Near the foot of the burn, and among
a scrub of alders, willows, and an undergrowth of butter-bur were
seen the Argynnis Aglaa, the common blue butterfly, (Polyom-
matus Alexis), and Polyommatus Artaxerxes, while flitting over
the newly-mown hay were several of a commoner sort. [Plants
of the white horehound sometimes grow here, and abundance of
Mentha viridis]. When the sea-side was reached the weary limbs
were stretched on a grassy slope, where there was a beautiful
view of the high red cliffs and the wide expanse of sea. But the
botanists were indefatigable, and while part of the company en-
joyed the sea breeze and the fragrant weed, the diligent plant-
gatherers pursued their vocation at the burn mouth. They
brought back a very fine specimen of the horned poppy (Glau-
cium luteum); also the sea-rocket, (Cakile maritima), the sea

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 449

sandwort (Honkengja peploides), the Scottish Lovage (LZigusticwm
Scoticum), etc.

The return journey was then commenced. One section of the
company returned by the same route followed in the morning,
while the other section,—all ardent naturalists—diverged as they
thought proper in search of their treasures. On the railway
slopes some splendid patches of Jberis amara were found, as well
as specimens of the viscid groundsel (Senecio viscosus) ; while the
wood-vetch (Vicia sylvatica), flourished in great abundance, in-
cluding an almost white variety. In the wood above the tunnel

_the oak-fern (Polypodium Dryopteris) showed exquisitely fine
fronds, while there had been abundance of Anemone nemorosa.
The sun shone brightly during the time the walk back occupied,
and though there had been a stray shower or two it scarcely
served to damp the ground.”

By three o’clock all parties had returned. Several members
exhibited the contents of their vasculums containing garden
flowers, or plants otherwise remarkable for their singularity. Mr
Muirhead had a large collection of beautiful flowers, including
Phlox Carolina, Saxifraga Wallacer, Papaver alpinum, Meconopsis
Cambrica, Veronica rupestris, V. Verbena, Ranunculas bullatus
plenus, Chrysobactron Hookert, Lychnis viscaria alba, Delphinium
nudicaule, Lychnis Lagasce, Campanula turbinata, Dranthus neglectus,
D. glacialis, Silene alpestris, Linum Sibiricum, Geranium Armenicum,
Erinus alpinus, Saponaria ocymoides, varieties of Helianthemum,
etc. Dr Stuart, Chirnside, had also some fine plants, including
Lychnis viscaria alba, Aquilegia cerula, A. chrysantha, and
‘“‘Borderer,” a hybrid, Salvia alpina, Anemone Pennsylvanica,
Primula rosea, (Afghanistan) Achillea tomentosa, Krinus Hispanicus,
and var. albus, Ourisia grandiflora, Lotus mayor flore pleno, Bellium
corulescens (Mount Atlas), Campanula speciosa, Vicia sepium flore
albo (from Berwickshire), Saxifraga ceratifolia, S. Wallacec, Silene
alpestris, varieties of Digitalis, etc. Mr R. P. Brotherston shewed
some orchid blooms from Tyningham, which were especially
fine. They included Epidendrum vitellinum majus, a very fine
variety, with a long spike of flowers; Odontoglossum veaillarum,
a large light coloured variety ; and Cattleya crispa, with a very
dark lip—a fine plant. Mr Andrew Brotherston brought speci-
mens of the noxious water-weed, Anacharis alsinastrum or Elodia
Canadensis, which he had gathered in the Teviot at Roxburgh
Castle, and again above Roxburgh Bridge. There is a slight

450 Report of Meetungs for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

difference between the plants in tidal waters, and those in the
Teviot. The leaves of the latter plants are obovate, while under
the influence of the tide, they are oblong. There were several
other collections of plants. Sheriff Russell stated that he had
plants growing in his garden at Jedbank of Goodyera repens, Stel-
laria glauca, Listera cordata, and Linnea borealis, plants of which
he obtained at the Gordon meeting last year. Boletus lwridus
had been picked up on the journey.

Mr Stevens, Gullane, shewed a sketch of an earthenware urn
recently discovered at Stobshiel, near Leaston, in Humbie Parish,
East Lothian. The encircling ornamental bands were of a
lozenge pattern and not chevrons. In the beginning of January,
1882, another East Lothian urn containing calcined human
bones, was found while ploughing on the farm of Quarryford,
on the Yester Estate of the Marquis of Tweeddale.

In a field near the Railway Station a large marquee had been
erected, gaily decorated for the occasion with flowers, evergreens,
and bannerets, couspicuous on one of which appeared the words,
‘« Welcome all to Grant’s House.” A rustic arch of flowers had
been constructed over the gate of the pasture field in which the
tent stood. Inside the tent on the tables was a tasteful display
of cut and pot piants, for which and many other obliging favours
during the day the Club owes special thanks to Lady Stirling.
Precisely at half-past three the chair was taken by the President,
who called upon Dr Francis Douglas to present Mr Hardy with
a testimonial of respect from the members of the Club. Mr
Hardy’s reply took the form of a paper in which he gave an ac-
count of some of his experierices as a Naturalist, with reminis-
cences of many of the friends to whom during the prosecution of
his studies he had been introduced.

After dinner the foilowing were formally proposed as members
of the Club :—The Most Honourable the Marquess of Tweeddale ;
Mr John Scott of Gala; Rev. C. E. Bowden, St. Columba’s
Church, Edinburgh; Edward Johnson, M.D., Tweedbank,
Kelso; Rev. John Orr, Berwick; Mr R. P. Brotherston, Tyn-
ingham Gardens, Prestonkirk; Mr. Edward Willoby, jun.,
Berwick ; and Mr Joseph Wilson, solicitor, Dunse.

The following motion of which notice had been given by Mr
John Thomson, was then put from the chair and carried :—
“That the Club approve of a proposal to reprint the first volume
of the Proceedings as a private enterprise, and cordially recom-

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 451

mend the members to avail themselves of the opportunity to sup-
ply themselves with copies.”

In proposing the usual toast, ‘‘ Success to the Berwickshire
Naturalist’s Club,’’ the President, the last survivor of the origin-
ators of the Club, gave an interesting account of its origin and
history, and dwelt particularly on the wish of its founder that it
should be a non-pretentious and a social Club, and congratulated
the meeting that his ideas should have hitherto been so well car-
ried out. The ‘Lady members of the Club” having been duly
honoured, this memorable gathering dispersed.

REDESDALE MEETING.

The third meeting was held on Wednesday and Thursday, July
27th and 28th, at Elsdon and Otterburn in Redesdale, one of the
most sequestered districts in Northumberland. Among those pre-
sent were:—Sir Walter Elliott of Wolfelee, K.C.S.1., LL.D.,
F.R.S.; Mr Hardy, Secretary; Revs. T. G. Baillie, Elsdon ; J.
Elliot Bates, Milburn Hall; M. A. Bettison, Otterburn; J. F.
Bigge, Stamfordham ; William Stobbs, Gordon; J. Walker,
Whalton; C. Wesson, Alnwick ; Messrs. Joseph Archbold, Aln-
wick; Ephraim Arkle, Carrick; Thomas Arkle, Highlaws; J.
R. Arkle, Carrick ; Robert G. Bolam, Berwick ; John Broadway,
Alnwick; William Currie of Linthill; Samuel Donkin, Bywell ;
— Elliot, Arkleton; Robert Faill, Dunshiel; William N. Fraser
of Tornaveen, W.S , Edinburgh; G. Gibson, Alnwick ; William
Thompson Hall, Dunns Houses ; W. T. Hindmarsh, Alnwick ;
John James Horsley, Alnwick ; Alexander Main, M.D., Alnwick;
Hugh Miller, F.G.8., Elsdon ; J. L. Newbigin, Alnwick ; James
Nicholson, Murton; Dr. John Paxton, Berwick ; Adam Robert-
son, Alnwick; Dr. H. C. Bobertson, Otterburn; John Russell,
Edinburgh ; John Thomson, Kelso; J. P. Turnbull, Alnwick ;
Thomas Turnbull, Lilliesleaf; F. R. Wilson, F.S.B.A., Alnwick ;
James Wood, Galashiels, ete.

The place of meeting was at Elsdon. Many from beyond the
Borders came by train to Knowesgate and Bellingham Stations,
where conveyances awaited them, while others mounted or driv-
ing came from every point of the compass, a brake and four
conveying a large party coming from Alnwick by way of Roth-
bury.

The contingent that arrived at Knowesgate, met there the
conveyances that their Redesdale friends and others had kindly

452 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

provided, and proceeded under the guidance of Mr Thomas Arkle
and the Rev. J. F. Bigge to cross by the Newcastle Road the
long stretch of high moors between the Railway Station and Els-
don. The sandstone upheavals are not very high. The boggy
tracts feed small streams that cut down to the subjacent sand-
stone. A more abrupt congeries of rocks on the left hand is
called Wolf Crag, bearing witness in its designation to the prim-
eval animals of the wild, with which the Umfraviles, Lords of
Redesdale, had to combat for the conservancy of their rights, and
doubtless a favourite meet of the wolf hunters of pristine times.
Similar to it at the present day, where these hunts are still con-
ducted, we read of the forests of Brittany, where one—that of
Conveau—is described as “‘ a forest of rock, scrub and heather ;
the last waist deep, and affording a rare cover for the wolves,
foxes and deer that frequent it ;”* all which this might well be
seven or eight hundred years ago. Here we enter Elsdon parish.
Outcrops of limestone succeed, which supply road metal, and
yield a better pasturage, Ottercaps being regarded as one of the
best grazing farms on these heights. ‘hese “‘ green gairs,” and
the patches of marshy ground broke up the continuity of the
heather, and mitigated the sombre moory aspect. Fuel is pro-
curable in the peat mosses. British camps are traceable on some
of the hill-faces, and the more projecting swellings are capped
with modern piles of stones or ancient commemorative cairns.
At length, encircled by hills with green slopes extending down
into low meadows, the valley of the Redeappears. Redesdale is
a quiet pastoral valley, remarkable at this season for its verdure ;
its features are gently moulded, and mostly rounded, with no
very salient prominences. A dark massive mountain, with a
stone summit rises in frunt, called Padon’s or Peden’s Pike, so
named from Mr Alexander Peden, one of the most noted of the
outed Scotch Ministers in the reign of Charles II., who held con-
venticles on it among the wild borderers. In his life it is re-
corded that he was near the Borders in 1679. A stone still known
as ‘‘Peden’s Pulpit,” at the apex of Ruberslaw in Roxburgh-
shire recalls the same or similar visits. Prke, crag, law, head,
know, dod, edge, rig, it may be observed, predominate in the no-
menclature of the Redesdale eminences. In the Harbottle direc-
tion the blue pike of Darden is pre-eminent, and another heath
darkened elevation called the King’s Dod. This ridge coalesces

* Wolf Hunting and Wild Sport in Lower Brittany, p. 14.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 453

with the Simonside Hills, whose craggy front is turned from us.
Afar off Cheviot heaves its mighty ridge, several of its cairns,
and even the deep impressions in its sides being very distinct.
Along the continuous mountain wall of lesser altitude that forms
the Border line we can also pick out the scaurs and cleughs, some
of them pale hued, others in gloomy shade. Cushat Law is the
bulkiest looking of the intermediate heights, having space to ex-
hibit itself, but there are heathery cones of no trivial dimensions,
that vie with it, and the other formidable protuberances of that
billowy land. The woods at Biddleston are easily recognisable,
and with a little spare time many other notable specialities might
be determined in the far extending landscape here mapped out.
As we pass on we begin to familiarise ourselves with the farm-
places and the dwellings distributed throughout the valley, or on
its sloping sides; with the well-marked belts of road, Watling
Street being one, that cross the levels, surmount the less ambi-
tious hill-backs, or dive into the winding passes; with the
clumps and lines of wood, which, however, are rather sparse ;
and above all with the wealth of glittering waters that enrich the
meadows.

Before the moors are left, wheat-ears perched on the stone-
walls, which by the bye are excellent, and the telegraph
wires, shewed that their summer breeding places were in the
neighbourhood. Larks and pipit-larks arise at intervals. The
pipit-larks even nestle in the Mote-hill at Elsdon, where one with a
morsel of food in its bill, was afterwards seen to be extremely
concerned about the movements of a small dog that had ap-
proached too near the spot where its young were concealed.
Descending to Raylees burn, the farm place of Ravenscleugh
near the opening of a ravine, again testified to the equivocal
character of some of the former members of the indigenous fauna.
‘Capability Brown,” the landscape gardener, was a descendant
of the Browns of Ravenscleugh. There are hawthorn bushes not
very well grown, and sore scourged by the frost, at Raylees.
Alders and butter-burs flourish by the stream. The Rev. J.
Hodgson will have us to believe that Raylees is derived from Rae
or Hrae, a carcase, and that it signifies the field of the slain.
But did it not occur to him that it carries the name of the wild
roe, once plentiful hereabouts? For does not the oldest set of the
“‘ Battle of Otterburne,”’ say,

“ The roo full reckless there sche runnes
To make the game and glee ?”

454 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

‘«‘ Ag wild as the rae,” is a well-known Border phrase; on Che-
viot we have the Rae (or Roe) burn; and Raa moreover, is the
original A.S. form of the word.

In descending the next declivitous hill, Elsdon village appears
opposite, withdrawn within an angle of the hills which back and
shelter it, and occupying in a straggling manner a considerable
space, somewhat raised above the level meadows, through which
runs the Elsdon or Monk burn. It is a small, somewhat decay-
ing place, with the houses—most of them slated—chiefly on the
one side of a very large village green, on which there were sey-
eral collections of geese. The venerable church with its field of
graves in front is placed on a more elevated position at the top
of the green. Higher still among trees the old steep-roofed Bor-
der tower, now and for long, the Rectory, crowns the ascent ;
while opposite it and on a level with it, across the Elsdon or
Carrick burn, is the double Mote hill, encircled by a stone dyke.
The subsidiary valley below Elsdon is very flat and this continues
to the vale of the Rede. Inthe meadows preserved for hay, there
is a profusion of the blooms of the betony (Stachys Betonica).
The pied wagtail haunted the burn sides. There are small co-
lonies of sand-martins on the sandy or clayey banks of the
streams. The colour of the soil is yellow, where displayed in
fissures. At Otterburn the same kind of soil occurs, derived from
the waste of the yellow sandstones of the district; apparently
of little agricultural value. The Monk burn is made up of two
others which here unite—Carrick or Elsdon burn from above the
village, and Whiskershields or Tod-holes burn from the east.
When we are across, the village property in the green sidings of
the road commences ; and it was here the Midsummer bone-fires
were long continued to be kindled, even in Mr Arkle’s boyhood,
when he attended Elsdon school.

The name Elsdon is a corruption of Elisden, Ellesden, or Elles-
dene, for so it is written in the oldest forms. The Rev. Mr
Hodgson (Hist. of Northumberland, Part 2, vol. i, note pp. 86,
87) tries to establish that this signifies the valley of waters; and
one of the rectors, Rev. Charles Dodgson (1762-1765) would have
agreed with him, for he alleges that the view of the place from
the hill on the south “gives a person an idea of a few houses
built in a boggy island,” (Table Book, Leg. Div. i. p. 234).
Mr Hodgson is correct as to the dene not being dun or don; but
the personal name Ella has a very good handle ; besides it is the

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 455

traditional and probably far-descended name, only Ella instead
of an early settler is popularly said to be a Danish giant, and a
terrible robber, who dwelt on the Mote hills. Elsdon isalso said,
on a traditionary basis, aad from the church being dedicated to
St. Cuthbert, to have been one of the retreats to which the body
of the saint was conveyed, during those years of dangerous in- ©
quietude, consequent on the Danish invasion of Northumberland,
A.D. 875.* Elsdon was part of the gift which William the Con-
querer bestowed on the first of the Umfravilles, ‘‘ Robert with the
Beard,” on the condition of keeping the country free of wolves,
and defending it from the King’s enemies, by the same sword
with which William entered Northumberland. This family held
Redesdale ‘‘ per regalem potestatem.’’ The dispossessed Anglo-
Saxon owner was Mildred son of Akman. In thereign of Henry
III., this extensive power was wielded by two chieftains, a father
and a son, both named Gilbert. The vill of Elisden was then
held from them in fee by 1. Richard fitz William, who had a
earrucate of land by the 20th part of a Knight’s fee. 2. Robert
de Umframvill, who held another carrucate on the same terms.
3. Hugo Payn, who held a third carrucate, which seems to have
exhausted the arable land, paid one pound of pepper.t| From an
inquisition 29, Hen. III. 1244, we ascertain that the advowson
of the Church pertained to the Umfravilles, Lords of the Manor.t

After breakfast at 12 o’clock, which was requisitioned at two
different inns, the members were conducted round the church and
its characteristics were explained by Dr Robertson, Mr Thomas
Arkle, and by Mr F. R. Wilson, architect, under whose superin-
tendence the church had been restored in 1877. The restoration
has been very judiciously performed, and the church may now be
termed an elegant and comfortable place of worship.

The church is cruciform, and was erected about 1400. The
north transept is called Anderson’s porch, and the south transept,
Hedley’s porch, after clans of those names. ‘There is a fine ar-
cade with side aisles, in the nave, and west sides of the transept.
In the restoration a flat roof was removed, and a vaulted substi-
tuted. The only remains of a still older church, are two pilasters
in the west gable of early Norman design—about 1100—and
perhaps the two small windows in the west ends of the aisles,
from whence perhaps in the “riding times’ an arrow may have

* Raine’s Hist. of North Durham, p. 71, Note. + Testade Nevill, p. 385.
{Calend, Ing. p. m. i. p. 3.
2F

456 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

whizzed. On the pillars near the door are deep scratches sup-
posed to be marks made in sharpening arrows, before leaving
church for arrow practice. Others of these marks are ascribed
to the sharpening of the swords of the warlike villagers. The
windows in the church are fine, and are of 14th century work-
manship. The large window was put in some 50 years ago. In
the north transept are some monumental slabs, one with the Um-
fraville arms, a cross with crosslets; another with a shield (a
stag upon it) a cross and sword; and others to former Rectors
and members of the Reed family. In this transept was standing
against the wall an old Roman monumental tablet, removed by
Archdeacon Singleton (once Rector here) from Bremenium. The
inscription is nearly worn out now, but is thus given in Hodgson
as translated by him: “Julia Lucilla saw that this stone was
erected to * * * * * her very meritorious husband, who
was an inspector under the surveyor of the Flaminian Way, and
a pensioner under the surveyor of the public works. He lived
47 years, 6 months, 25 days.” There is a tablet in the chancel
to the family of Reed of Troughend, on which a scroll asserts
that the family has been seated in Redesdale for the last 900
years. There are also monumental slabs for Howards of Over-
acres, (decendants of Lord William Howard) formerly lords of
Redesdale; and also for Benefactors of the Poor of the Parish.
The sedilia for the ancient priests to sit in during service still ex-
ists in the chancel, and a piscina was laid bare in the south tran-
sept during the restoration. In forming a chamber for the
harmonium in the north chancel wall, the remains of a leper
window were brought to light. -In it, and used as walling stones
were found some burial slabs with a dagger on them, denoting
the male sex. Two slabs were also to be seen above the door-
way into the church, with on one a dagger, on the other a pair
of shears, the sign of a female. A coat of arms with three fishes
was noted. The stone-coffins outside the church, were removed
from the chancel some years ago. There are some remarkable
figures, as well as singular inscriptions on the tombstones out-
side; but there are few old country churchyards that do not
realise the ‘‘uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked” of
the well-known ‘‘ Elegy.”

The immense number of skulls and other bones found under
the floor of the church during the restoration was brought under
notice by Dr. Robertson, and was afterwards discussed at Otter-

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 457

burn in a paper which he read. Another great accumulation of
bones under the floor of a church was mentioned by the Rev. Mr
Dobie, as having occurred at Ladykirk, of which he has sent me
a notice. We have also to bear in mind the case of Gordon as
narrated by the Rev. William Stobbs on the previous year, and
the zest for sepulture within the precincts of Newminster Abbey,
of which I by no means exhausted the list that might be gleaned
from the Chartulary (See the present vol. pp. 227, 257-9). It
was no common sight to gaze upon the remains of the warriors
who fell at Otterburn. The skeletons of three horses’ heads, which
‘were discovered at the same period, built up, as if specially
sacred, in a chamber of the church tower, were shewn in a cellar
behind the church, and were placed in the same pyramidal form,
they were in when dicovered. Dr. Robertson’s learned paper
accounting for their presence will be read with much interest.
Some support may be given to the idea there hinted at, that they
were connected with offerings made at the dedication or erection
of the church, or it may be at the celebration of some festival of
the patron saint. Without forming any decided opinion I may cite
here three instances in which this kind of immolation is spoken
of. When Alexander I. of Scotland restored to the church of St.
Andrews, the lands called the Boar’s Chase, with many privileges,
he accompanied this benefaction, ‘‘ with the strange gift of a
royal Arabian Steed, with its trappings and silver shield and
Spear, which the king led up to the altar, and a splendid suit of
Turkish armour.’’* The inference from Fordun’s version is that
this was a token of investiture or taking seisin.| At the inter-
ment of one of the Nevilles, Lords of Raby, in Durham Priory
Church, his war-horse, armed in battle array, preceded the body
ofits master. The horse was given to the church asa portion of its
owner’s mortuary payment.t In 1164, St. Aeldred of Rievaux
during a journey into Pictland, happened to be at ‘Cuthbrichtis
Kirche’ at Kirkcudbright, as it is now called, on the feast day
of its great patron. A bull, the marvel of the parish for its
strength and ferocity was dragged to the church, bound with
cords, to be offered as an alms and oblation to St. Cuthbert.§

*Skene’s Celtic Scotland, i., p. 451. + Goodal’s Fordun, i., p. 340.
{Journal of Archzological Institute, vi., p. 436.
§Joseph Robertson, Miscellany of Spalding Club, v. pp. 56, 57, from
Reginald of Durham’s Miracles of St. Cuthbert, quoted in Dr. Mitchell’s
Past in the Present, p. 275.

458 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

If ever such practices, relics of the old paganism, were manifest
here on such occasions, a valuable or favourite steed was pecu-
liarly appropriate, the great uncultivated wastes of the parish
having formerly been the breeding places of the stock of horses
of the potent lords of the valley of the Rede, and they being the
church patrons, might possibly be the donors. This appropri-
ation of the Redesdale forests to horse-breeding we learn from
the chartulary of Kelso. Odenelle de Umfraville, who was alive
in 1173, granted the monks of Kelso the tithe of the foals of the
whole of his haras or stud. This was confirmed by Richard de
Umframville his son about 1220, who in presence of his whole
court at Whelpintun commands his servants to give effect to his
instructions. Gilbert de Umframville, about 1228, confirms his
grandfather’s grant, and adds in addition the tithe of the foals
within his forest on the western part of Cotteneshope, and the
foals marked with the brand of the monks were allowed to follow
their mothers for two years. The gifts were still further con-
firmed at ‘‘ Oterburne,” about 1250 by William de Umframvill.
These were the bounds of the forest in Redesdale liable to the
tithe: ‘‘from Blachope as far as into Rammeshope, and from
Rammeshope as far as into Harhope, and from Harhope as far
as into Goldingpottes, and from Goldingpottes as far as into Flex-
lie, and from Flexley as far as Caldelaw above Wilkewde, and so
even into the head of Yerdehope’’; a most extensive tract. Roger,
rector of the church of Ellesdene having laid claim to these tithes,
as the property of his church, was, after an appeal to the Pope
and a commission of inquiry appointed at York, compelled to re-
linquish his contention, and abjure any right to which he might
pretend, before the Abbot and convent of Kelso on St. Clement’s
day, 1228.* In whatever light these facts may be regarded, they
at least testify how well calculated this parish was for rearing
young horses; and how the attention of a considerable number
of interested inhabitants would be absorbed in them.

The parish register and minutes date back to the 17th century.
Some of the more curious extracts Mr Arkle has promised to
arrange for the Club’s ‘“ Proceedings,” when there is room for
them.

A very large company assembled on the Mote hills, several ladies
from the Rectory also being present, when Mr Arkle proceeded

* Liber de Calchou, pp. 261-265. Bannatyne Club. This is not mentioned
in Mr Hodgson’s History,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 459

to point out their peculiarities, and state his theory of their
object, aided by a plan and sections, which he had prepared.
Apart altogether from Mr Arkle’s statements, the opinion that I
and some others formed from the slight inspection that as strangers
we could make, was that the Motes, which are combined at the
base, although double-topped, were Aaims, or accumulations of
drift, which have been subsequently dressed and modified by hu-
man agency ; that they were possibly once occupied as a hillfort ;
burials also may have taken place in them, as they have the bar-
row form; and that as the name indicates they were employed as
a place for holding tribal councils; but as to whether a British
or a Saxon people held these comitia, or both at different stages
of history, there will be always room for differences of opinion.

Dr Bruce in the 3rd Edition of the ‘Roman Wall,” thus speaks
of them. ‘‘The Mote Hills’ of Elsdon are marvellous works of
an unknown antiquity. Even upon the supposition, which is
highly probable, that their constructors have availed themselves
of mounds thrown up by diluvial action, these fortifications in-
dicate a people capable of great thoughts and resolute acts.

‘‘ Although the ‘ Motes’ have no resemblance to a Roman camp,
it is certain that the Romans occupied them. Several Roman re-
mains have been found in them, the most important being the
very curious inscription,”’ on two stones now at Durham, which
reads as follows :—‘‘ To the god Matunus for the safety of [ Anton-
inus Czsar born] for the good of the race of mankind, by order
of . . Imperial legate and propretor. It was erected
and Boltented by Caius Aulus Cecilius.” (?). ‘The name of the
emperor for whose welfare the dedication was made, and to whom
is applied the proud but not unprecedented title of ‘ born for the
benefit of mankind,’ is lost in consequence of the fracture of the
stone. There can be little doubt, that one of the Antonines,
probably Caracalla, was intended. The god Matunus is not else-
where mentioned.”

After a discussion on what we had been listening to, Mr Arkle
in conclusion gave glowing utterance to the sentiments which the
storied spots which we were visiting, with their lessons out of the
dim past, were so calculated to elicit. I am happy to be able to
give in full his appropriate summing up.

‘* Wehave no time for any lengthened reading here, but it may perhaps assist

us in remembering the old and interesting objects we have examined, if I

ue to make a few remarks on, or rather allusions to them at the presi
ime

460 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

We have heard of the visit of the Monks of Lindisfarne to Elsdon, A.D.
875, with the bones of St. Cuthbert, and this event forms a very important
epoch in the history of the town. Let us turn our attention to this period,
and for a moment take a retrospective glance at the changes which have taken
place. Let us picture to ourselves the village and locality as they were in the
ninth century, and see how much of the Elsdon of the present day belongs to
the time when it had the honor of being the resting place of the great north-
ern saint. The camps occupied the summits of the neighbouring hills, and the
huge cairns on Peden and Darden Pikes covered the bodies of brave warriors,
that for ages had reposed beneath their kindly protection. The Mote Hills
no doubt raised the wonder of the wandering monks, for the date of their
construction and the purposes for which they were intended were probably
then as great a mystery, as they are atthe present moment. The tablet dedi-
cated to Matunus for the safety of Antoninus Cesar, born for the good of the
human race, had become imbedded here; but the touching memorial which
Julia Lucilla had left to the memory of her meritorious husband might then
have been found near the moss covered ruins of the deserted Bremenium, or
hid underneath the debris of that ancient city.

The church of those days (if the village enjoyed the blessing of a church)
would be a very unpretending structure. Its walls might have been of mud,
or like Grinstead (where the bones of St. Edmond are said to have rested) of
rifted oak, and its roof of rushes in imitation of the reeds with which Lindis-
farne was covered two centuries before. Certain it is that not a fragment of
the present church was then in existence ; even its predecessor, the building of
which the two west end columns are the only remaining vestiges, had not yet
been erected; and if the stones composing the durable Border Tower which
overlooks the village had still to rest undisturbed for centuries in the F'latt
Dene, it were vain to look for remains of such frail habitations as afforded a
precarious shelter to the fugitive Monks and their hospitable entertainers

Though the works of man have in a great measure passed away, little
change has taken place in the natural features of the country, which even
now presents the same general outline of hill and dale as it then did; only in
the earlier period the valleys were luxurantly covered with natural wood, and
the sweet though feeble music of the lark would be drowned by the more
powerful chorus issuing from the grove.

The geological epoch when Elsdon burn probably swept round the north
west side of the Castle was long past, and the brook was quietly flowing in
its present channel. No essential change in its course has taken place during
the ten centuries which have elapsed since the important visit of which we have
been speaking, and opposite the Mote Hillsits channel has not been deepened
more than four feet whilst thirty generations have sported on its banks.

Well may its murmurs, in the beautiful language of Tennyson be supposed
to say—

‘ And onward thus I ceaseless flow,
To join the brimming river ;
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.’”’
The company next adjourned to the medieval peel, now the

rectory-house, which was kindly thrown open for the occasion by

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 461

the rector, the Rev. T. G. Baillie, who along with Mr F. R. Wilson
pointed out and explained whatever was noteworthy. The tower
stands in a commanding situation, and from the summit which is
attained by a spiral staircase, there is an extensive view of the
vale of the Raelees and Monk burns, and the country opposite.
About the tower are many ancient remains, one being a stone
from Bremenium, which.had been rescued from being a gate
post. Who was the erecter of the tower is not quite certain. The
shield in front of it carries the arms of the Umfravilles, a cinque-
foil with an orle of eight cross crosslets; and above it the helmet,
surmounted with a cinquefoil for the crest, is supported by two
wolves, each holding a sword upright. Below the shield are
letters in the old English character supposed to mean ‘‘ R. Dom-
inus de Rede, and are probably intended for Sir Robert Umfra-
ville, a distinguished member of this family, who died in 1436.”
Others suppose that Sir Robert Taylboys is the person indicated.
The castle has undergone a great change. As a lively writer
says, ‘‘‘Cedant arma toge’ was the notice to quit served upon
the warlike tenants of Elsdon tower, when Cheviot Hills ceased
to be the boundary between two hostile nations. The occupation
of the Lord of Redesdale was gone for there were no longer
wolves in the county, nor enemies of the king to encounter within
the four seas; and the Border rider, clad in a rusty steel jack
and armed with a long sword, stalked out, and the rector having
on anew cassock and a clean band, walked in, and hung up his
goodly beaver in the hall, where the former tenant used to hang
up his helmet.’’*

By the waysides on leaving the village for Otterburn, the com-
mon burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) was growing. The Rev. J.
F. Bigge found in one of the inn gardens a form of the common
tansy with much subdivided foliage, which he had long observed
grown there. In Scotland itis called ‘‘ gingerbread.” At Over-
acres farm, now the property of the Duke of Northumberland, a
party left the general company, and ascended the hill above it,
called in Armstrong’s Map, ‘ Coolaw hill,” but in Mr Arkle’s
plan of the parish, ‘“ Colwell hill,” to examine an extensive Brit-
ish camp on one of its summits. In the moist half-wild pastures,
which are given to grow Wardus stricta far up, several plants of
the adder’s tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) were gathered.
The camp was double-ringed, but not so strong in the ramparts

* Chatto’s Rambles in Northumberland, pp. 109, 110.

462 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

as those occuring among the Cheviots near Wooler. A hut-circle
fifteen feet in diameter was still traceable. Mr Arkle has draw-
ings and measurements of this camp. There is a far view from
it. A wide extent of grazing ground lay to the north, and upon
it on a lower height another similar camp, called Fawdon Camp,
was visible, which Mr James Ellis of Otterburn was of opinion
was that occupied by the Scots on the evening previous to the
battle of Otterburn ; and he also held that the scene of conflict lay
along the slopes and unequal ground between these two ancient
camps. Lower than the last, but more distant, and nearer the
Otter burn, the farm place of Gersonfield, marked ‘‘Grasing
Field” by Armstrong, was pointed out—modern—but carrying
the name of another steading once in the occupancy of the ‘‘fause-
hearted Ha’s” (Halls) who betrayed Percy or Parcy (Percival)
Reed of Troughend, a keeper of Redesdale, to a band of moss-
troopers of the name of Crosier, who slew him at Batinghope,
near the sources of Rede-water. The plants gathered in the des-
cent were chiefly such as grow in moory soils. Myosotis repens
appeared in the pools. After crossing a ravine some deserted coal-
pits and lime-kilns were passed. There was not time to attend
to the geological features of the district, but Professor Lebour’s
paper on the subject makes ample amends for what was gone
over ina rapid tramp. Gaining the Newcastle road, the wild
burnet and betony appeared by the way-side, and likewise a
plant of the figwort (Scrophularia nodosa). Celandine and Solo-
mon’s seal were cultivated alongside the houses that we passed.
White and red foxgloves of the wild sorts are great favourites in
the vicinity, and at Otterburn the throatwort bell-flower and the
French willow contributed to the stock of cultivated flowers. A
single purplish rocket (Hesperis matronalis) some fine coloured
phloxes, and a variety of Mimuli, were frequent ornaments of the
frout gardens in the village.

The party which preceded visited Otterburn Tower, which those
coming later did not see till next morning. This is an imposing
and handsome modern mansion, but it includes within its walls
the old peel tower, that withstood all the efforts of Earl Douglas
and the Scots to capture. It was then “ tolerably strong, and
situated among marshes.” In the entrance hall are three very
interesting Roman altars, as well asa fine collection of stuffed
birds, which besides hawks and mooriand species, include a vari-
ety of waterfowl shot by Mr James; among others the Pintail

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 463

duck and the Gooseander and Dun-diver. There is a very fine
' wild swan shot in the Rede, by his son Mr John C. James and
Dr. Robertson. Mr James himself had shot here the Picus minor
and the Solitary Snipe. Ptarmigans, Woodpeckers, Capercailzie,
French partridges, Indian pheasants, birds of Paradise, &c., make
up the residue. The ground in front is prettily laid out in ter-
races. I did not notice any particular new border plant. The
Phloxes were gay, and the scarlet Lychnis chalcedonica, of which
there was also a white variety. Some shrubs had been victim-
ised by the winter, and several of the trees were severely touched.
This party also visited Otterburn Church, which has been only
recently erected. The Misses Davison of Lemmington Hall and
Mrs Askew of Pallinsburn built the church, in 1857, and left a
fund which provides a stipend of £200 a-year to the curate, who
is appointed by the rector of Elsdon as patron. It is in the decor-
ated style. It has many fine stained glass windows, the gifts of
Miss Reid of Old-town, Lord James Murray, etc. There area
few graves in the recently-consecrated ground, but only one tomb-
stone—a fine granite monument, which marks the last resting
place of the first curate, the Rev. Timothy Wearing. In the font
is a carved stone brought from Hexham Abbey.

Otterburn is a small clean village, with good substantial houses
having slated roofs. The trees by the side of the Otter burn, in
the low lying haugh, had been much affected by the hoar frosts
of the past winter. Oaks, elms, and ashes had their stems muf-
fled with tufts of twigs, and large leaves, while the tops and outer
branches were destitute of foliage. In driving to the battle-field,
hay-making was seen to be at the present as essential a branch
of rural economy, as it was at the period that the old ballad
speaks of, when ‘‘ the Doglas and the Persé met,” August 15th,
1388. ‘There is a considerable ascent over ground rough with
bent (Nardus stricta) before the apex of the battle-hill is reached.
Wood anemone springs up in some profusion at places. There
was a remnant of old wood on the west side. Most of the trees
were mountain-ashes, two of them were sore broken; for being a
stiff, obstructive, twiggy tree, the mountain ash is often over-
turned in a gale. One of the trees grew on the British camp
which the Scots occupied. The Scots, Froissart relates, ‘‘ made
huts of trees and branches, and strongly fortified themselves.”
Wood would be more within their reach then than now. The

2G

464 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

series of ballads on the battle bear the impress of traditions of
the sylvan attributes of the neighbourhood.
“ The birds fly wild from tree to tree.”
“The rest were slaine in Chevy-Chase,
Under the greenwood tree.”
“Then on the morn they made them beerys,
Of byrch and hasell greye.”’
‘“*Q bury me by the braken bush,
Beneath the blooming breer.”

The old British camp is double-ringed, and is now divided by a
stone dike. The slopes were grassy, the ‘‘ lilly lee” of the ballad,
but the summit is sufficiently elevated to carry heather. This is
the ‘‘ bent sae brown,’’ on which the Scots “‘ lighted high,” “‘ and
threw their pallions down,” securing a Jefensible position, as
well as a free look out above the woods, towards the Newcastle
road whence the approach of the English might be expected.

We were fortunate to. have Mr Arkle’s guidance, as he had
studied the ground minutely, when he surveyed it to construct
the map contributed to Mr Robert White’s History of the Battie.
It was next to having with us ‘‘the old man eloquent,” who
wrote the book ; who, had he been alive, would, I am most sure,
have been proud to have accompanied usin our pilgrimage, even
to the high places of the field; and in our hearing “ fought his
battle o’er again.” But, alas!

“ Fate drives us from the fields of youth,
And no returning step allows.”
The last time I met the author, this publication was one of the
subjects of conversation. He intended, for he looked hopefully
forward to many days to come, to re-issue the now scarce work,
as well as ‘‘ Bannockburn,” in a popular form, to keep alive the
spirit of patriotism in the rising race.

Being beyond the season for singing birds, a great silence pre-
vailed. A ruinous peel, rent into two dark columns, stood at a
little distance on the left, and Davy-shiels noted in the Lay of the
Redewater Minstrel for its “‘gowks,” was pointed out ina northerly
direction. In the lawless stage of Border History ‘‘ Davie scheill”
had unenviable attractions for the Scotch reivers. (See p. 224,
note of the present vol.) But that has passed away, and we have
now the better times of which the native poet sings—

“ Sweet Redesdale, thro’ thy winding glens
No more shall hostile tumult roar;

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 465

Wi’ note forlorn the bugle horn
Shall echo from thy hills no more.

“No more shall ruthless flames devour
The trembling shepherd’s lowly shiel ;
Nor fierce moss-troopers burst the door,
That strongly bars the shelt’ring peel.”
R. Roxsy.

Turning now towards “‘ Otterburn by the highway,” the course
by the Douglas pillar was taken, although it is said to be dis-
placed from its original site. It is disfigured with the names of
holiday seekers. Some one has sown “ the mother of thousands,”
(Linaria cymbalaria) ;

“ the crevice flowers
That sprinkle beauty o’er decay,”
in the chinks of the stones at its base.

After a late dinner at the Murray Arms Hotel, the Rev. J. F.
Bigge in the chair, Dr Robertson read two papers, one being on
the horses’ skulls found in the tower of Elsdon Church. This
and kindred topics led to an animated discussion and conversa-
tion. The Rev. J. Elliot-Bates addressed the meeting on the
influence the Phcenicians might be supposed to exert in the in-
troduction of sun-worship, charioteering, and horse-racing into
Britain. The Rev. C. Wesson, not being a member, wished,
however, to contribute a few observations on horse-sacrifice as
practised by the Scythians according to Herodotus. Ihave since
looked up ‘“‘ the father of history,” and find that he has recorded
also a curious instance of burial of horses that were thrice victori-
ous on the Olympic course, and Ajlian refers to another parallel
example. Mr Wesson also intended to have spoken of the church
of Ippolyts in Hertfordshire, which was dedicated to St. Hip-
politus, whose shrine had the virtue of bringing under subjection
the temper of those unruly steeds, that were brought to the high al-
tar of this church. ‘‘ The horses were brought out cf the North
Street, through the north gate, and the north door of the church,
which was boarded on purpose to bring up the horses to the
altar.”* Mr Thomas Turnbull said that in taking down an old
cottage on his property, in Lilliesleaf, the gable of which had
formed part of an ancient Peel House (Hector’s Peel), the work-
men came upon the skull of a horse which had been built into the
wall near the centre of the gable. It was found in an upright

* Handbook of Hitchen, pp. 71, 72. From Chauncy’s Hist. of Hertford-
shire, p. 181.

466 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

position, the front projecting a little from the wall. The head
had been of a very large size; for though somewhat wasted, the
skull still measures 214 inches. It may be seen with Mr Boyd,
Veterinary Surgeon, at Melrose. Some coins of David I., David
II., and Edward I., having been found near the foundation, is
some proof of the antiquity of the building.

The Rev. J, F. Bigge read from the notes of Mr James Ellis,
written on the margin of Hutchinson’s History of Northumber-
land, which copy Mr Bigge possesses, notices of Mote Hills,
and on ‘‘ Robin of Risingham,” an effigy cut on sandstone on a
hill-side at Parkhead, south-west of Woodburn, to which allusion
is made in Sir Walter Scott’s ‘‘ Rokeby.” Mr Bigge also made
some remarks on the ballad of ‘‘ Chevy-chase,” and alluded to its
trumpet tones that thrilled Sir Philip Sidney’s chivalrous spirit,
and to the approving criticism of the modern version by Addison.
Mr James Thomson's specimens of jasper obtained in Ramshope
were exhibited. They. were accompanied by a paper on the
Ramshope jasper. The Redewater Minstrel (R. Roxby), refers
to the picking out the jasper, ‘‘ that shines in the dark, mossy
Rede.” The colours were good—yellow, red, and a bluish white
chalcedony spotted with red, but the stone, although it takes a
good polish is much traversed by cracks. Mr Hugh Miller men-
tioned that he had detected old iron scoriz in a variety of situa-
tions in the district. The name Snarisdelf indicates one of the
iron-mining stations in Elsdon parish. Delfs are pits out of
which iron has been dug: Snaris 1 take for a local modification
of a Norse personal name Snorro, although Mr Hodgson favours
another interpretation, suggesting the Danish serra, a battle.
The name is old. In Testa de Nevil, Plesencia de Aslakeby, a
ward of Roger Bertram, held Snarisdelf by the 20th part of a
knight’s fee.

There were various plans of camps on the table, as well as
beautiful drawings of stone and bronze weapons found in the
vicinity, due to the assiduity and skill of Mr Arkle. Mr Arkle
exhibited a peculiar Roman half-globular vase or cup of bronze,
with ornaments and a round aperture on the sides, and two pro-
tuberances, the one opposite the other, below the rim, as if for
suspension. Healso shewed a fine bronze spear head. Mr Hall
of Dunns Houses, handed round a very perfect felstone celt,
ploughed up in 1877, at Troughend, on some hitherto unbroken
heath land. It had not ascratch uponit. It is of a rather

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 467

elongated cuneiform shape, tapering considerably at the narrower
end. Its length is 63 inches; greatest width which is above the
cutting edge, 23in.; and at the lesser termination it is one inch.
Mr Arkle had another of the same pattern and stone, also ob-
tained at Troughend, which was broken by the workers. The
fracture was blue, the surface dirty white. One of the inn-
keepers at Elsdon had a third of these British stone implements,
which appear to be far from scarce in the district. Mr Hall has,
since the Elsdon meeting, in November, 1881, obtained a re-
markable stone implement from a field next to that in which the
two celts were found by his men, and this also was on land that
had never previously been cultivated. It is apparently an an-
cient stone-knife of an oblong or razor-shape, composed of a
piece of very fine sandstone, of a dark ‘‘ sandy drab” colour.
The straight cutting edge is sharp and very smooth ; the slightly
convex rounded back is also smooth; the section of the ends, of
which one is not so thick as the other, is elongate ovate. Its
length is 43 inches, and its extreme breadth 1x5 inch. It has
been suggested that it might have been used as a flaying imple-
ment, and a skilful person might really flay a sheep with it yet.
When Mr Hodgson wrote, Archdeacon Singleton had in his poss-
ession at Elsdon, a collection from the neighbourhood, which is
thus enumerated. ‘1. A flint spear head 33 inches long, found
in the river Rede. 2. A small knife blade of flint, so sharp that
Mr Thompson of Otterburn, of whom he procured it, declared
that he had mended a pen with it. Itis of avery light grey
colour. 3. A spear head of flint, about 4 inches long, found on
the Camphill near Overacres. 5. An arrow head of flint, found
at Shittleheugh near Elishaw, of a very dark colour, and neatly
formed.’’*

Dr. Robertson communicates that ‘‘ Lady James Murray un-
fortunately hasremoved to London a very fine Roman bronze uten-
sil, found near Watling Street some 8 or 9 years ago. It was
shewn I believe to the British Museum people, and there was
nothing similar there, and also to the Newcastle antiquaries. No
one can make out its use. My own idea is that it was made to
hold half a salmon—the Romans caught and eat fish; I believe
the Celtic inhabitants are stated not to have done so.” From
the outline figure, this looks like an oblong concave salver, with
a loop handle at one end, and a central boss beneath to rest on.
It is one foot long.

* Hodgson’s Hist. of Northd. Part 2, vol. i. p. 93.

468 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

While the account of this meeting is being printed, the occur-
rence of an additional old stone implement, obtained in the
beginning of February, 1882, by Mr John Hedley, having been
turned up by the plough on Otterburn Townhead farm, calls for
afew remarks. It appears to have been a whet-stone for sharp-
ening a scythe, but instead of being as at present of a hard
sandstone, this is of finely granular greywacke, possibly from the
Roxburghshire Silurians. The exterior is brown, the interior
grey, with minute micaceous specks. The outline is subelliptical,
but more sloped at one end than the other; the one side is also
more convex than the other. On the most convex side itis much
worn from use. The under side is marked by a cross, and it is
also worn. The length is 11 inches; the greatest thickness 2
inches; the greatest breadth 33 inches ; near the ends its breath
is about 2 inches to 13. It is almost of the shape of modern
home-made scythe stones.

The thanks of the Club are specially due to William Wood-
man, Esq., Stobhill, Morpeth, for contributing at his own expense
the wood blocks, to illustrate Dr. Robertson’s paper on the Horses’
heads from the belfry of Elsdon Church.

While most of the members obtained beds in the village or at
Elsdon, a considerable number were indebted to the hospitality
of the neighbourhood —some going as far as six miles for sleeping
accommodation—as well as for the supply of conveyances to take
numbers of the company from -one place to another, and ‘to
speed the parting guests” by driving them to the nearest sta-
tions.

Next day there was still a considerable muster ; the Alnwick
members, and most of those from across the Borders remained,
while their local friends still rendered them aid and direction.
In early morning the little wooded ravine on the banks of the
Otter, opposite the inn, was examined, and presented several
good plants. The following were picked up:—Campanula lati-
folia, Lysimachia vulgaris, Phalaris arundinacea, Carex hirta, Triti-
cum caninum, Geranium sylvaticum, Stachys Betonica, Sangusorba
officinalis, Mercurialis perennis, Geum rivale, Spirea Ulmaria, Hy-
pericum quadrangulum, Crepis suceisceefolia, and C. paludosa, Valeri-
ana officinalis, and dog-roses red and white. The melancholy
plume thistle (Carduus heterophyllus) was very prevalent, and it
was afterwards noted in the grass fields bordering on the Rede.
The burn cuts through sandstone, and although shallow, contains

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 469

several trout. The birds in this dean were the white throat; a
common wren, which was singing, several of Sylvia trochilus, and
also the more local wood-wren (Sylvia sibilatriz). Otterburn Hall
stands higher up the stream.

The great cairn removed in 1729, which drew the particular
attention of the Rey. John Horsley, owing to the discovery of an
ancient tomb within it, appears to have stood on the haugh be-
tween Otterburn village and the Rede. About 60 tons of stones
were taken away, when there appeared at the bottom a sort of
grave, with a large, but rough, and awkward grave-stone above
it, with smaller stones wedged in the interstices. The grave was
2 yards long, 4 feet broad, and as many deep. At the top of the
grave was some very fine mould for about 13 foot, next to it some
ashes and cinders, and at the bottom 2 feet of fine white sand
from the side of the Rede. Charcoal and pieces of bone burnt
black appeared, and a flint of a particular shape, ‘‘ though no-
thing artificial about it.”* Mr Robert White says the stone was
conveyed to Otterburn walk-mill, when the cairn was cleared
away, and it still (1882) forms the landing to a stone stair at the
east end of the dwelling house. It is of a darkish blue or grey
colour, seemingly hard, and only a few inches thick.+

After the company had re-formed, the route was taken for the
Roman Camp at High Rochester. By the road-side on the banks
of the Rede, the ash trees had suffered much by the severe win-
ter and spring frosts; the ends of the twigs of the spruce firs
were bitten, and the furze was nearly killed. Three or four
thriving sweet-bay willows (Salix pentandra) ornamented a haugh
by the side of the river, but they had been planted, as well as the
grey willows (S. cinerea) alongside of them. Before us following
up the Rede were sinuous expanses of boggy meadow, margined
or dotted with clumps, or continuous groves of birch and alder,
excellent cover for black game, and resorts for woodcocks. But
we turned up at Elishaw. Of old there was an ecclesiastical
structure here. Here, says Mackenzie’s Hist. of Northd. ii. p.
102 “‘ was an hospital and achapel, valued in the Liber Regis.,
at 13s. 4d.a year.” The first is probably the hospital of the Rede
mentioned in the Testa de Nevill. Its master held a hundred
solidates of land in pure alms. It was probably a leper hospital.

* Inedited Contrib. to Hist. of Northd. pp. 13,14; Hutchinson’s Hist. of
Northd., i., p. 196.

t Table-Book, Leg. Div. i., p. 268.

470 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

There was a leper window at Elsdon church. It is very likely
that leprosy would be prevalent in Redesdale at some period, as
the climate would be much colder, and more unhealthy than it is
now, and the means of subsistence scanty. Itis well-known that
king Robert Bruce notwithstanding his once strong constitution,
died of a leprosy brought on by the hardships and exposure which
he had endured. On February 10th, 1728-9, the Rev. John
Horsley, writes, ‘‘I viewed the bridge at Elishaw with Mr Rey-
nold Hall. I believe it to be Watling Sheet, by its elevation
and stoniness, that comes from Blackup up to the bridge, the re-
mains of which old Mr Hall (Mr Gabriel Hall of Otterburn)
remembers.”* The haugh behind Elishaw is the recipient of the
floating rubbish that the Rede carries off from the upper country
during floods. Hence it is said, when anything is amissing in
that district, ‘‘ you'll find it in the haugh anunder Elishaw.”
It is also said, ‘‘the lang gaunts o’ Elishaw were heard in’t
loans o’ Blakelaw,” Blackman’s Law being a hill near Elishaw,
on the opposite side of the Elishaw burn. Almost opposite Elis-
haw or ’Lishaw is a decayed farm-place, called Rattenraw, near
a burn of the same name, about which the people have a saying
that ‘‘ Rattenraw burn will not make a crowdy after May-day.”
This is indicative of the former poverty of the place, the whole
of the small stock of winter-corn having been ground up annu-
ally before this date. Many places in Redesdale did not grow a
sufficiency of grain for the home supply. The map of Elsdon
parish places a ‘‘ Breedless Raw ’”’ opposite High Byrness.

I shall not dwell upon what was seen at Bremenium or High
Rochester. It has been fully described by the Rev. Dr J. C. Bruce
in his 8rd edition of the ‘‘ Roman Wall,” with figures of the in-
scriptions. Dr. Bruce has also given an account of the excava-
tions at Bremenium, conducted by the late Duke of Northumber-
land, with several of these figures, in the Newcastie volumes of
the Archzological Institute, i. pp. 185, 149. To vary the relation
TI shall now for a little, make Mr Russell, the reporter. ‘‘ Brem-
enium is situated about three miles to the west of Otterburn, and
on the way thither good views were obtained of long stretches of
the Watling Street, running in a northerly direction towards the
Cheviots. The Roman station of Bremenium is situated on the
east bank of the water of Rede, near where the Sills burn flows
into it, and a little to the west of the Watling Street. It is

*Tned. Cont. Hist. Northd., p. 96,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 471

believed by antiquaries to have been erected chiefly for the protec-
tion of thisroad. The camp was originally a large parallelogram,
of which only small portions of the outer wallnowremain. This
wall had been about 14 feet in height, and is built of large
blocks of hewn freestone. Its thickness has been about 17 feet,
the inner portion consisting of rubble-work. On one or two of
the sides the wall has been strengthened on the exterior by from
two to four lines of fosses. The immense fortifications thus
erected appear to have served as quarries for the district for
hundreds of years, and even when the party was there, a few
masons were found engaged in building an additional cottage
within the camp, and for this purpose were digging stones out
of one corner of the old stone wall.

Under the intelligent guidance of Mr Arkle and Dr. Robertson
the members of the Club perambulated the whole boundaries of
the camp, noting especially the west gateway, which is still to a
certain height apparently as complete as when the Romans va-
cated the camp.”

Major Thompson, Walworth Hall, who is owner of the Peel
within the Camp, and who has kindly sent me a sketch of the
Roman Gateway just mentioned, gives me also the inscriptions of a
silver coin found in the field adjoining the camp. Obverse: ‘‘ The
Emperor Trajan Augustus Germanicus (Pontifex Maximus) P.P.
(Father of his Country), Consul for the 6th time. Reverse: 8.P.
Q.R. Optimo Principi (The Senate and People of Rome to the
best of Princes).” This coin was shewn to the Club at Berwick.

The company next proceeded about half-a-mile across the
heathery and grassy hill-side, to the east of the station, to exam-
ine the remains of three Romantombs. At some sandstone rocks
more than midway, the pretty lichen Spherophoron coralloides grew
in some abundance. The tombsare thus described in Dr. Bruce’s
Roman Wall, p. 330. ‘On the line of the Watling Street, and
at about half-a-mile 8. Hast of the station are the foundations of
some ‘cippi’ or funeral monuments, They were uncovered by
Mr Wm. Coulson, some years ago, and are believed to be the
only examples of Roman cippi in England. Three of the tombs
are square ; the fourth, which is the largest, is circular. The
largest one has two courses of stones standing, besides the flat
stones which form the foundation ; it is ornamented in front with
a small carving, resembling the head of a fox; has it been in-
tended for the head of a boar—the emblem of the 20th legion?

2H

472 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

On clearing out the interior, a jar of unburnt clay was found,
containing calcined boxes anda coin of Severus Alexander. The
natural soil was found to have been acted upon by fire to the
depth of more than a foot. Mixed with the rubbish was a quan-
tity of white ashes.’”’*

Whatever the animal’s head represented may be, it is not like
that of a boar, and Mr Arkle who saw it when it was first ex-
posed thought it was that of a goat. His account of the discovery
in a letter to a friend dated from High Carrick, June 18th, 1850,
I shall insert here. He says his principal object in writing it is
to describe a piece of antiquity discovered, at the distance of half
a mile from Bremenium, ciose on the southern side of the Roman
road.

‘«¢ This is a circular building about seventeen feet in diameter, consisting of
a rough layer of stones which forms the foundation, and two courses of ashler
work, each about fourteen inches high, and composed of stones from one and
a half to two feet long. Each course stands about five inches within the
one immediately underneath’it, and as the blocks are of considerable width
there is no inside facing. On the south side is sculptured, the head of a goat,
the workmanship being of an excellent character. This may be supposed to
represent the heathen deity Pan who was generally represented under the
semblance of that animal. Within were found two large thin oblong stones,
the lower edges resting on a quantity of ashes containing some fragments of
calcined bones, and the upper edges meeting together, with a small stone
placed at each end. The fragments of an urn and some small pieces of glass
were also discovered. ;

Mr Coulson thinks that this work is of Celtic origin, an opinion which ap-
pearsto be entirely unsupported, exceptso far as a sun baked urnand the absence
of mortar in the building tends to corroborate it.

The Celtic tombs are usually composed of rude blocks, indeed I am not
aware that the Britons ever attempted to make any regular erection of hewn
stone. Time may have caused the mortar to disappear, and it is easy to con-
ceive how the urn of the Britons might find its way into the work of the more
modern people. Certainly the Britons could not be acquainted with the use of
glass ; there is no mention of its having been made by the Romans before the
reign of Tiberius, and from the Emperor Nero having in the year 60 given a
sum equivalent to £50,000 for two glass cups, we may conclude that glass
would be a scarce article even up to the time when the Romans evacuated
Britain.”’

Mr Arkle also read notices of two other unopened Long-barrows
in that neighbourhood of which the sites were pointed out, and

*T am indebted to Mr J. J. Horsley for these extracts, and also for copies
of Dr. Bruce’s figures of objects found at Bremenium, and a drawing of these
tombs. Major Thompson has favoured me also with a pen and ink sketch of
the tombs.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 473

these in like manner I shall here subjoin for the benefit of future
inquirers.

“ The first is situated on the grounds of Birdhopecraig, but the best way of
reaching it is to drive from Horsley or elsewhere, to a place called Bellshield
Burnfoot, and then walk up the hill by way of Bellshield Farm House from
which the remains are distant about two miles, close to the south west corner
of a plantation, shewn on the Ordnance one inch Map by something like an
octagonal figure. On MacLauchlin’s Survey of the Watling Street the place
is marked ‘ Remains.’

The barrow is placed on ground shelving a little to the southward, the
length being about 112 yards, with a width of 12, and a height of from 2 to 3
yards, the shape having originally been pretty regular. The top is now
somewhat uneven, probably from attempts made to reach the interments, which
however seem to have been ineffectual. It was noticed that a few stones had
recently been disturbed, and on questioning an old shepherd whether he had
ever known of a fox being dug out there, he attributed the turning over of
the stones to parties in search of rabbits.

On the north side the mound is partially covered with an accumulation of
earth and a coating of grass but less so on the south face, which difference may
be attributed to the rays of the sun, and the more precipitous edge caused by
the declining ground, rather than to any difference of age in the two portions
of the structure. Perhaps the stones are larger and more angular than usual,
and if so they must be of a harder nature, which has prevented them assuming
the rounded and weatherworn shape and appearance so common in such cases.
The regular appearance of the barrow forbids the presumption that it origin-
ally consisted of a succession of circular cairns placed side by side, another
having been added as a fresh interment became necessary, a supposition which
might not be extravagant in relation to the other barrow hereinafter noticed.
There are no cists exposed to view, neither is there much appearance of any
of the stones having been taken away to build the wall of the adjacent planta-
tion.

The other barrow is on the lands of Cottenshope Burnfoot on the eastern
side of the burn of the same name and south of Gunscleugh, not far from a
sheep fold which is marked on the Ordnance Map, No. XLI. The way to
get to this is to leave the Redewater turnpike at a point opposite to the
plantation above Burnfoot, following a track till two small rivulets are passed,
If I recollect aright, the barrow is situated near to the inner sheep fold,
south of Gunscleugh, but am not quite sure of this, as there is another fold
further to the north east.

This barrow is 50 yards long, and 25 feet wide, not so regular in its shape
as the Birdhopecraig one. Part of it has been removed to build the neigh-
bouring fold, and a cist 4 feet long and two wide remains to view. Both
barrows are on the lands of the Earl of Redesdale.”’

A little incident occurred while viewing the tombs which was
rather alarming, a viper having unrolled itself from about the
base of one of the tombs, it was held for a time, but was per-
mitted to escape. Vipers also occur on the Otterburn Hills ; and

474 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

last year Mr Hall’s shepherd killed several on the moors above
Dunns Houses. Before re-joining the conveyances, a whinchat
(Saaicola rubetra) was observed perched on the summit of a bog-
thistle, the only example seen during the visit. Wheat-ears ap-
peared at Horsley. By the side of Watling Street in proceeding
to Dunns Houses, green squares bounded with turf walls were
pointed out, which are called ‘‘Green camps.” The purpose of
them is unknown. Curlews, Mr Bolam noticed, were still at
High Carrick, but the young and old were assembling for depar-
ture ; a single curlew was seen between Troughend and Corsen-
side, and several lapwings above Old Town; wheat-ears also
appeared there. At Troughend are some of the largest and
oldest elm trees in the district. In the time of Henry III, the
Abbot of Gedworth held one carrucate of land in Trocquen in
pure alms-gift.* This is unknown to Scottish antiquarians.

We shall now return to the rest of our friends, from whom,
bound for Woodburn, we parted at Horsley. ‘‘After a few
hours,” says Mr Russell, “spent in the neighbourhood of the
Roman remains, the party returned to Otterburn, about 1 o'clock,
where they lunched at the inn, under the chairmanship of Mr
Adam Robertson, Mr Wood, Galashiels, being croupier. After
lunch the company drank to the healths of Mr Arkle and Dr.
Robertson, in recognition of the able and intelligent manner in
which during two days they had guided the party in their ex-
ploration of the antiquities and curiosities of the neighbourhood.
About 3 o’clock the party separated, highly gratified with their
two days’ sight-seeing in the interesting district of Redesdale.”

At this meeting the following were proposed as members of the
Club:—Mr William Maddan, British Linen Company’s Bank,
Berwick ; Rev. James Beale, The Parsonage, Dunse; Mr Wm.
Thompson Hall of Dunns Houses, by Woodburn ; Hugh Miller,
F.G.S8. of the Ordnance Survey, Elsdon ; and Mr James Leslie
Newbigin, Alnwick.

Sir Walter Elliot and Professor Lebour were appoiated re-
presentatives of the Club at the York meeting of the British
Association of Science.

Kzetso MEETING.

The fourth meeting was held at Kelso, on Wednesday, August

31st. There were thirty seven or more present, including the two

Secretaries, Dr. Francis Douglas and Mr Hardy :— Revs. J. F.
* Testa de Nevill, p. 385.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 475

Bigge, Stamfordham ; A. B.: Coulson, Carham ; William Dobie,
Ladykirk ; Thomas Ilderton of Ilderton; David Paul, Roxburgh ;
T. F. Rogers, Precentor of Durham; G. H. Wilkinson of Har-
perley Park, Darlington; and R. Hopper Williamson, Whick-
ham ; Major R. Thompson, Walworth Hall, Darlington;
Adjutant Macpherson; Messrs Charles Anderson, Jedburgh ;
— Battesby, Keswick; James Bogie, Edinburgh ; George Bolam,
Berwick ; John B. Boyd of Cherrytrees ; W. B. Boyd of Faldon-
side; Andrew Brotherston, Kelso; James Cumming, Jedburgh ;
Charles Douglas, M.D., Woodside ; John Ferguson, Dunse ; John
Freer, Melrose ; Edward Johnson of Tweedbank, M.D.; William
H. Johnson, Edinburgh ; James B. Kerr, Kelso; Jonathan Mel-
rose, Coldstream ; Frederick Roy of Nenthorn; Maitland Roy,
Liverpool; Francis Russell, Sheriff-Substitute of Roxburghshire ;
Robert Renton, Fans; Thomas Rutherford, M.B.C.M., Kelso;
James Robson Scott of Ashtrees, M.D.; John Thomson, Kelso ;
Edward Willoby, Berwick ; William Wilson, Berwick; and John
Henderson Wright, M.B.C.M., Kelso.

After breakfast at the Queen’s Head Hotel, the Museum was
resorted to, where after a short time spent in viewing the numer-
ous and varied collections, an enchanting view of the banks of the
Tweed and Teviot was obtained from the balcony. There are
some valuable books of reference in the library. The walk was
through Floors grounds, and the environs of the Castle; the
flower-garden and the conservatories received special attention.
West of the Castle, Rudbeckia in plots was seen to be very rich and
ornamental. The grass on the lawn, being constantly cut over,
is quite free from moss. ‘The woods were then entered, where
there were some fine tall beeches, although only of medium di-
mensions in this direction. The walk led to the banks of the
Tweed beneath Broxlaw Hill, where gypsum crops out among
the shale. Listera ovata was plentiful, as well as Calamintha Clin-
opodium, and several wood-grasses, including Triticum caninum.
The wild fruits in the woods—crab apples, haws, hips, chestnuts,
beech-mast, rowan and elder berries, were most abundant. At
the Trow Orags, ZLchium vulgare and Scabiosa columbaria were
gathered ; and a plant of Thalictrum flecuosum having been brought
to light, Mr Brotherston made some remarks on the differences
of forms of Thalictrum derived from a diversity of localities. Mr
Jeffrey in his Hist. of Roxburghshire, i. p. 167, will derive
Trows from Thor or Zor, a perpendicular rock or height; but if

476 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

he had looked into Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary, he would have
seen that Zrow is the same as Trough, and there are a plurality of
them here where the water rushes among the rocks. Further up
were many Salices, including ramulosa, also Verbascum Thapsus,
Galium boreale, Carex Watsoni, C. muricata, Symphytum tuberosum,
etc. Mr Brotherston brought from a shady nook a fine plant of
musk mallow (Malva moschata) covered with blooms. Leucodon
sciuroides grew on several of the trees. The Tweed was in full
stream, and way was made along the margin of the beautiful
reaches, till Makerstoun grounds were reached. In the river it
was seen that Anacharis alsinastrum had got so far up the Tweed ;
and Mr Boyd stated that in the Teviot it had reached Ormiston.
At Makerstoun Crags, which are partly of greywacke, the
spindle-tree, maiden-pink, black horehound, viper’s bugloss, the
burnet rose, the great mullein, the stork’s bill, and the common
feverfew grew; also near it Juncus compressus. Below Makers-
toun, Carex muricata was gathered. On the Corbie Crags beyond
the mansion, Arabis hirsuta, Viola hirsuta, Helianthemum vulgare,
Trifolium striatum, Avena pratensis, and Allium oleraceum grew,
A splenium Trichomanes, and A. Adiantum nigrum were gathered, and
a few specimens of Asplenium septentrionale, which is fortunately
in an almost inaccessible position. There is a fine portion of the
river above the Crags, wooded on both sides. The Rev. David
Paul reminds me that a fine Polyporus of which three or four
were seen just below Makerstoun House was Polyporus giganteus ;
and another handsome large fungus growing under a beech tree
close by, was Agaricus grammopodius—both uncommon. Several
examples of Agaricus Georgw occurred by the walks. There are
some magnificent trees in the park to the west of the house, of
which Mr Melrose has promised to let the Club have the dimen-
sions. In the entrance hall of the house is preserved an urn de-
rived from a camp situated near the Corbie Crags. There are
some old books in the library. A vault below the house is very
old, its date about 1400. ‘There is a very fine view from the ter-
race in front of the house. ;
The Tweed was crossed by a boat put at the service of the
members by Miss Scott Macdougall. Time did not admit of
visiting Ringley Hall as was intended. On the return nothing
was met by the waysides except Geranium pratense. It is said
that the Trows thicket is one of the few spots whence the mag-
pies have not yet been extirpated. Several went by Roxburgh

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 477

Castle and crossed over, by a boat that Sir George H. S. Douglas
had considerately provided, to the gardens and grounds of Spring-
wood Park. The mausoleum and the gardens were visited.
Specially among the border flowers were to be noted the blue and
scarlet Salvias (Salvia patens), some good Phloxes, a species of
Statice, and the tiger lilies. In the conservatories the foliage
plants and a fine series of Begonias were especially taken notice
of. Mr. Wemyss’s house was beautifully ornamented with a
perennial species of Tropzeolum (speciosum), which I see thrives
also very well in Lord Reay’s garden at Laidlawstiel, and
I am told does not prosper so well when transferred to the milder
climate of England. The ravages of the frost have been exces-
sively severe at Springwood Park. Almost every evergreen has
either been killed or impaired, except the yews bordering the
‘¢ Green Walk ;” and two yew trees have remained intact, which
were shorter in the leaf than those cut down. The box and
privet hedges were severely damaged. I am informed that a
silver fir here nearly destroyed by the Adelges or Chermes Picea
was effectually resuscitated by the application of soap and water,
which removed the insects. Campanula latifolia is planted out in
the woods; but many things thus set out fail when the trees grow
up. The French willow has also been transferred to the sides of
one of the walks. The young shoots used to be eaten as a sub-
stitute for Asparagus. There are some noble beeches, as well as
other fine shapely timber trees in the parks and grounds.
Arrived at Kelso several of the members visited the Abbey
ruins, St. Andrew’s Episcopal church, the parish church, &c.
After dinner, the Chairman, Dr. Douglas, gave the toast of the
Club, and in doing so, said that that day was also the first of the
annual meeting of the British Association, which was nearly as
old as the Club. He hoped that the members would drink con-
tinued prosperity to the Club and the British Association. Let-
ters of apology for absence were read from the Rev. Thomas
Brown, the President, who was detained in the Highlands, and
from the Rev. P. Bainbridge, Makerstoun. Mr John Ferguson
brought some rare plants from the vicinity of Dunse, including
Lamnanthemum Nympheoides, Nuphar luteum, Nymphea alba,
Acorus calamus, and Typha latifolia, from Dunse Castle lake.
These were considered as introductions, but it is interesting to
know that they are there. Acorus calamus we saw at Foulden.
Mr Ferguson also handed in a list of other rarities. Mr James —

478 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

Cumming, Jedburgh, brought a fine example of Sirex gigas,
caught in the gas-works at Jedburgh, by Mr James Watson.
Mr George Bolam said that he had obtained this large saw fly at
Berwick. I have since received a third example taken in a house
at Cockburnspath, where the cat was playing with it. Notice of
another rare insect,—Sphinx Convolvuli—was brought before the
meeting by Mr Adam Elliot, Samieston, who had received it from
Mr Andrew Scott, Glendouglas, who had captured it there on the
20th July. A similar insect, Mr Thomson mentioned, had been
found at Hawick, and on the 8th Sept., I received a note from
Mr James Simpson, Edinburgh, now of the Anatomical Museum,
stating that a fine specimen had been secured three weeks previ-
ously at North Berwick. At the Berwick meeting, Miss Dickin-
son had one also from Norham; and Mr Renton got one at
Earlstoun which was resting on a stone wall. Of one of the
other moths, Acherontia Atropos, a very fine example was sent me
to examine from Haddington. Mr Thomson shewed a section of
an old lead pipe connected with the sewage of the Abbey, found
in the foundations of the ruin; it had been welded by a hammer ;
he also exhibited an iron ball found near Roxburgh Castle. A
large round pebble of agate, evidently from an amygdaloidal
rock, was sent to Mr Boyd from Akeld. The donor thought he
had lighted on a “ petrified toad.” Mr Renton had a curious
horn-spoon, dug out 8 feet deep in Fans moss. It appeared to
have been made with a knife. On my way to the meeting I
gathered quantities of Huphorbia exigua in a gravelly stubble field
at Highridge Hall. A visit was paid by some members at the
close to Mr Brotherston’s shop, to see the cranium of Delphinus
Tursio, from a specimen captured off Berwick.

At this meeting the following were proposed as members :—
Mr George Bird, 12, Warrender Park, Edinburgh; Rev. A. B.
Coulson, Carham; Mr John Dobie, M.A., Ladykirk; Mr James
Cumming, banker, Jedburgh; and Mr T. D. Crichton Smith,
solicitor, Kelso.

INNERLEITHEN MEETING.

The fifth meeting was held at Innerleithen, on Wednesday, Sep-
tember 28th. Forty-five attended including visitors. Among
those present were—Rev. Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E., Edinourgh,
President ; Dr. Douglas and Mr Hardy, Secretaries; Hon. H.
C. Maxwell Stuart of Traquair; Sir Henry Ingilby, Bart., of

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 479

Ripley Castle, Yorkshire; Sir Walter Elliot, K.C.8.I., LL.D.,
of Wolfelee ; Sir George H. 8. Douglas, Bart., of Springwood
Park; Revs. J. F. Bigge, Stamfordham ; James Boyd, Inner-
leithen ; C. E. Bowden, Edinburgh ; John Henderson, Glasgow ;
David Paul, Roxburgh; R. F. Proudfoot, Fogo; William Stobbs,
Gordon ; Drs. H. 8. Anderson, Selkirk ; Charles Douglas, Kelso ;
S. Grierson, Melrose; James Hunter, Edinburgh ; Tennant,
Melrose ; Weight, Melrose ; Captain Macpherson, Melrose ;
Captain Norman, R.N., Berwick ; Messrs George Anderson, Sel-
kirk; W. L. Blaikie, Holydean; James Bogie, Edinburgh; John
B. Boyd of Cherrytrees; W. B. Boyd of Faldonside ; Thomas
Brewis, Edinburgh ; D. Craighead, Galashiels; William Currie,
of Linthill; Andrew Currie, Darnick ; Master OC. Douglas, Edin-
burgh; James T. S. Elliot, yr. of Wolfelee; A. W. Henderson,
Cockburnspath; W. H. Johnson, Edinburgh; Richard Lees,
Galashiels ; Robert Mathison, Innerleithen; Claude Ponsonby,
from The Glen; A. E. Scougal, Melrose; — Scougal, Melrose ;
Edward Tennent, yr. of The Glen ; Thomas Turnbull, Lilliesleaf ;
Charles Watson, F.S.A., Scot., Dunse ; James and David Wood,
Galashiels.

Apologies for absence were received from the Marquis of
Tweeddale ; Professor Balfour, Edinburgh; and Dr. William
Chambers of Glenormiston.

Chiefly by means of notes supplied to me, I shall take up the to-
pography at the point left off in the Club’s excursion to Ashiesteel
in 1878. First of all I follow an itinerary furnished by Miss Rus-
sell. ‘ After passing the fishing cottage of the Nest, or Caddonlee
Cottage, on the left hand, looking down on the roof of it, the oak
called Sir Walter Scott’s may be seen in the Ashiesteel haugh,
apparently uninjured by the frosts which have taken so many old
forest trees, standing comparatively alone and on low ground.
The steep plantation along the Tweed to the west of the haugh,
the Rampy Wood, seems to owe its name to a bed of wild garlic,
which grows nowhere else in the immediate neighbourhood. The
railway passes through the slate rocks near Thornielee {' Thornie-
lee Crags]; slates re-appear on the Ashiesteel hill opposite.
From near Thornielee the original hill-road of the country went
over the hill at Laidlawstiel; the slate cliff being then impass-
able.”

The Thornielee slates with their Graptolites and Annelide-marks

21

480 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

(Nereites, Crossopodia) are inclined southward.* The slate was
once quarried here.

I went up as far as Thornielee station on the day previous to
the meeting; and as the rocks about it appeared to look promis-
ing for ferns, I asked Mr Robert Mathison, Innerleithen, who
gave me the following information. ‘‘I have several times
walked over this ground and the only rather uncommon ferns I
could pick were the Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum and the A.
Ruta-muraria, the latter near Thornielee so abundant, that every
joint and fissure of the masonry (in the walls) seemed alive with
this little fern. Further down the river there is a fine station for
the Aszleniwm Trichomanes growing upon a moist wall and pre-
ferring a north aspect.”

Opposite the station, Elibank Craig forms part of a craggy and
glitter-faced hill that juts out like a great spadeful of mountain
thrown in at the base of the higher range behind. On the next
hill the old grey tower ‘of Elibank stands a ruin among green
pastures or hay fields. The bank beneath it has been originally
of hazel, ash, and native wood ; but it isnow planted with thriv-
ing larches; and it is, I believe, intended to form it into an oak
coppice. It is marked in Pont’s map as ‘“‘Elybanke wood.”
Several of the trees near the river were much shattered by last
winter’s frost.

The burn where Elibank copse ends divides Selkirk and Peebles
shires on the south side; the Priesthope burn, in the grounds of
Holylee, on the other. The Plora Glen opens next. Holylee
house is opposite Elibank. Then Walkerburn, a modern manu-
facturing village which owes its prosperity to the perseverance of
one family, lies at the base of a bare steep concave hill side.
Hereabout as we pass onward the hills acquire a more imposing
altitude, and have their sides facing the river scooped out from
top to base, as if cut sheer away, and become almost perpendic-
ular walls. It is wonderful how green they are with such abrupt
slopes, and there is a singular look of cleanliness about them at
this season, when the grass is so closely cropped.

‘‘ After Walkerburn,” to continue Miss Russell’s notices, “‘ on
the north side, are to be seen a set of irregular and slightly slop-
ing terraces, said to have been made by the laird of the former
tower of Purveshill for his seven daughters, who could not walk

* Murchison’s Siluria, 5th Ed. p. 152., where more may be learned about
the Selkirkshire and Peebles-shire Silurian rocks.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 481

together without quarrelling ; but they have certainly never been
garden terraces, and from the analogies of other cases, may not
unlikely be part of a much older fort.

‘‘ Nearing Innerleithen, the steep-hill to the left or south is the
Caddon Bank, on which is one of the oldest plantations in Scot-
land. There is no doubt that it is such, but it is impossible to
say how far it may have been re-planted. The rocky hill on the
north side is the Pirn Craig, and the house of the Pirn is passed
rather to the west of it. The rocky valley of the Leithen opens
actually into the town; there is a fort on the small planted hill
behind the Pirn house, and another on the west side, on a
shoulder of the peaked hill called the Lee Pen, still called the
Curly Bank, and latterly spelt Caerlee.”’

The Lee Pen derives its name from the old castle of Lee situate
at the base of the hill. Lee once belonged to Newbattle Abbey.

It is impossible to particularise all the points of interest brought
suddenly into view on landing at Innerleithen. I shall content
myself with noticing Grieston among the elevated ground of Tra-
quair parish, where the position of an abandoned lead mine,
where it perforates a sloping ridge, can be perceived from Inner-
leithen. Mr Mathison supplies some remarks on the localities
for lead in the vicinity. ‘‘ Lead is found on the farm of Gries-
ton, in the parish of Traquair. There are here three old mines,
in all of which I have been, but they are now filled at the en-
trance. The ore in this locality used to be found in the burn
where I often have gathered it ; but owing to the burn being
walled in and covered over it is not now accessible. A second
locality is upon the farm of West Bold close by the burn.
The ore in this neighbourhood does not appear to be so rich.
It is mixed with zinc biende. [Chalmers in his Caledonia,
li. p. 901., notices a feeble attempt, made in 1775, to sink a lead
mine above the village of Bold]. It has alsc been found in In-
nerleithen churchyard, a fact which the following quotation sub-
stantiates: ‘Some years ago the grave-digger frequently came
upon the lead ore and portions of the smelting furnaces.’ A por-
phyry dyke, being the continuation of the same band as at
Grieston, crosses the valley near the churchyard.” I was also
informed that lead had been observed at Walkerburn. Accord-
ing to Sir Roderick Murchison, ‘‘in the Grieston slates, on thenorth
bank of the anticlinal plunge to the north, and then for the first

482 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

time in ascending order we find Trilobites in addition to the Grap-
tolites and Annelides ”’ present in the Thornielee slates.*

Specimens of the galena or lead ore mixed with zine blende,
and also fossil Graptolites from the neighbouring hills, were to
be seen in Mr Mathison’s garden, which many of the members
visited before breakfast. A cross or pillar with sculpturing of
Celtic type is here preserved erected on a pedestal, of which Mr
Mathison has furnished a drawing. It had been discovered in
the old church at Innerleithen when removed. There were here
also several querns of porphyry and conglomerate from the dis-
trict. These querns, Mr Mathison states, ‘‘ were found when
breaking in hill ground at an elevation of about 1000 feet, one
upon the farm of West Bold and the other on the farm of Dam-
head. ‘The under stones are conglomerate and much resemble the
breccias or conglomerates of the Firth of Forth near North Ber-
wick. The upper stone is a felspar porphyry from the neigh-
bourhood, very hard and enduring.”’ Mr Mathison at his cottage
grows some beautiful flowers, and some rare Peebleshire ferns,
including two forms of Woodsia Livensis.

The excursion was by conveyances furnished from the Traquair
Arms, the route being in the first place for Traquair House. Be-
fore reaching the eutrance attention may be called to a forgotten
object, mentioned by Ruickbie, the poet, which should be exam-
ined, called ‘‘The Fairy Stane.” The scene is about a quarter
of a mile from Innerleithen. ‘‘The stone called the Fairy Stone
is yet to be seen at a place called the Chapman Hope, situated at
the foot of an opening between two hills, called the Curlaw
Swire; it derives its name from one of these hills called the Cur-
law rock, and famous in the olden times as the place where the
revels of those beings called fairies were annually held.’’}

In passing to Traquair house, the prominent peaks of the moun-
tain ranges, especially the Lee Pen and Wallace Hill, took the
attention. There are the remains of a camp on the north side of
the latter, but rather obscure. The grounds of Traquair were en-
tered at the new castellated lodge at the entrance gate on the
main road. The house lies to the right, the Quair having to be
crossed by a bridge built lately, before the carriage drive to the
house is reached. The ford lower down was used latterly, butit
is understood that the late Lord Traquair allowed it to go to ruin.

* Siluria, p. 152.
t+ Transactions of the Hawick Archeological Society, 1864, p. 27,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 483

There was always a foot bridge alongside the ford. The house,
either externally or internally, is seldom, or ever, shewn to vis-
itors. But on this present occasion, through the courtesy of the
proprietor, the Hon. H. C. Maxwell Stuart, who himself conducted
the party through it, the most historic rooms were shown. On
account of the frail state of the flooring, from the great age of the
house, which is visible both outside and in, but a limited number
could be admitted. The first room entered was undergoing re-
pairs. In stripping the paper off the walls an old fresco, orna-
mented with lions or leopards, among winding branches or
foliage, was disclosed, which has scriptural sentences in English
along the top and middle of the design. Of this fresco the Earl
of Bute lately caused a facsimile to be produced. The rcom con-
tained some ancient relics; among these were spinets on which
the ladies of bygone days must have played, and spinning wheels
and distaffs which they must have handled. One of the spinets
with the date 1718 had been made at Antwerp.* There were
also old horse-trappings for state occasions. The old dais, chests,
etc., in the room bore marks of great age. The party were
shewn a secret stair-case off this room by which the officiating
priest could escape from the little chapei in times of persecution.
The chapel, which is now a bed-room, was shown, and the posi-
tion where the altar once stood. The visitors were then con-
ducted to the libraries. One of them contains a large number of
rare and valuable manuscripts. The walls of the other are adorned
with likenesses of many of the ancient Greek philosophers—
Cicero, Demosthenes, Plato, Aristotle, ete. It contains several
curious and ancient books. One of these was the Catechism in
the vernacular, sanctioned by John Hamilton, archbishop of St.
Andrews, and printed at St. Andrews, 29th August, 1552. It is
usually called ‘‘ Archbishop Hamilton’s Catechism,”’ and consists
of about 440 pages, 4to. A large folio Latin Bible, in excellent
condition, with coloure1 initial letters, was printed at Nuremberg
in J497. There was also a miniature Bible in MS., beautifully
written, which had also coloured initials. This had belonged to
the Abbey of Culross, a monastic establishment founded in 1218,
as recorded in ‘‘ The Book of Melrose.” The inscription on it
bore ‘“‘ Liber sancte Marie de Culros in scocia prope Monasterium
de Dunfermline.” There was a fine copy of the ‘‘ Nuremberg

* The inscription on it is, ‘Soli Deo Gloria. Andreas Ruchesand F. me
fecit, Antverpiz.”’

484 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

Chronicle,” (a history of the world) in German, printed at Nurem-
berg, 23rd December, 1493, by Anth. Koberger, infolio. The
original was in Latin, and was printed by the same printer at
the same date and place. This Chronicle was written by Hart-
man Schedel, and is remarkable for the number and peculiarity
and the beauty of its woodcuts, of which there are more than
2000, reckoning those which have been many times repeated.
The wood-cuts were by Michael Wolgenmuth (master of Albert
Durer) and Wilhelm Pleydenwurffs. According to Brunet
‘‘ Manuel du Libraire,” there is another edition of the Latin text,
with the same figures, printed at Augsburg by John Schersperger,
1497, infol. The highest price known to be given for a copy,
was 180 francs, but it had the frontispiece painted in gold.

Previous to entering the mansion, some notanda about Tra-
quair house, for which I was obliged to Miss Russell of Ashiesteel,
were read, and I shall finish the account of this historical place
by giving them here.

‘«The new entrance from the south, gives a picturesque view of the house.
The very wide avenue, the original entrance from the west, is very imposing,
and would have been more so, if the trees had been gradually thinned out.
It is to be supposed that it was originally a road, but has long been entirely
covered with turf. The old iron railing across the front of the house, form-
ing a quadrangle, is very ornamental ; I forget exactly what the coat of arms
above the gate is; Stuart and the Earldom of Buchan, and some other quar-
terings. It is always quite bright, as if enamelled, but I suppose it is
repainted sometimes.

It will be observed, that the principal part of the house, the great building
to the east, is in two parts, the roofs being of quite different slope. The
northern part is believed to be very old, and indeed I quite believe it to be,
ag is said, one of the oldest inhabited houses.in Scotland. I have heard it
said that the lowest story of this oldest part might quite probably be part of
a house inhabited in the time of Robert Bruce; but I do not know that there
were any particular reasons for this date being assigned, and if it is as old as
that, it is quite as likely to be older; for it was in the two hundred years be-
tween the Norman Conquest and the Wars of Independence, that the more
or less Celtic kings of Scotland made Traquair a regular royal residence ;
while the necessity of building towers or houses of some strength would be
found before this time. Indeed it was only with Robert Bruce that the pecu-
liar and successful system of leaving the country undefended, in a general
invasion, originated. The later kings, whose capital was as near as Edin-
burgh, did not require any special establishment to enable them to hunt in
this country.

On the southern part of the main building, which projects a little in front,
has not such a steep roof as the other, and is not so entirely without windows
in the lower part, is the date 1642, showing it must have been built by the

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 485

first Earl of Traquair, who was Treasurer of Scotland in the time of Charles
the First.

The small porch, which rather looks as it were an addition, and probably is
such, protects a fine iron-studded door, with a graceful ornamental knocker.
It is perhaps the oddest of all the anecdotes about Sir Walter Scott, that, as
the housekeeper was accustomed to relate, he used to regret that he could not
get this knocker for Abbotsford, because, as he said, Montrose’s hand had
been on it. There is no doubt Montrose was at Traquair after the battle of
Philiphaugh, but the date on the knocker, in letters four inches long, is 1705,
just sixty years later. It shows what an overpowering faculty Sir Walter’s
imagination was, for he is quite reliable as to facts where there was nothing
to stimulate it. A very similar circumstance is mentioned in the Statistical
Account of Yarrow. Whether the moor called Annau’s Treat (really no doubt
Annan Street, the Annandale road) was a burial ground or a battle field, it
was formerly scattered over with some 25 or 30 cairns, among which stood
two upright stones. When the cairns were destroyed, while Sir Walter was
living in the parish, at Ashiesteel, he began to connect the stones which were
left, with the authentic duel of the ‘Dowie Dens of Yarrow,’ in which two
gentlemen of the name of Scott, brothers-in-law, I think, killed each other ;
and this though it was on record that the duel had been fought at Dewchar,
some two miles lower down the valley.

It is almost certain Montrose must have been at Traquair before, as he and
Lord Traquair had married sisters ; but it should be observed that the Minch-
moor road by which he and his immediate followers came off from Philip-
haugh, was the high-road of the country, the direct line from Edinburgh to
Selkirk and Hawick. It was used for marching the infantry regiments of the
Edinburgh garrison by, when they were changed, at least till the time of
railways.

The two one-story wings of Traquair house, are without date, but some of
the outbuildings have the date 1745, and these seem to be of the same period.
That on the south side was latterly inhabited by the late Lady Louisa Stuart,
and indeed her brother Lord Traquair, or, as she called him to the last,
‘ Linton ’—his title when his father was alive—lived chiefly in these rooms too.
The north wing I think is the stables belonging to the house. On this side
there is rather a picturesque pond, with old trees about it. I heard a story
lately that this was the old bed of the Tweed, of which the course had been
turned ; no doubt this is true, geologically, for there is nothing but haugh-
land between; but not probably since Traquair house was built. The pond
seems to be a piece of ornamental water of the last century. The masonry
terraces on the east of the house are curious, for till the father of the late Lord
Traquair made the two flights of steps, there was no access to the house this
way ; in fact they were a means of being in the open air in a fortified place.
—Some of the old gean trees (Prunus avium) have been cut down which, net-
ted with enormous nets and with a man sitting up all night to watch them,
used tobe a particular hobby of the late Lord Traquair. They bore very
large crops of the native black fruit. [Charles, 8th Earl of Traquair, died in
1861].

Before leaving Traquair, it may be remarked, that Lady Louisa Stuart,
who up to her hundreth year, was keenly interested in all that went on in the

486 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

neighbourhood, had no tendency to go back to the past; the only case in
which any one can remember her mentioning anything connected with her
earlier life, was when she reminded a neighbour who had just been in Spain,
of the name of a particular street in Madrid, where the Traquair family had
been before the Peninsular War, when France was closed by the Revolution.
This showed there was no failing of memory. [Lady Lonisa died 6th Dec.,
1875, in her hundreth year]. Family traditions were probably rather sup-
pressed. The Lord Traquair of the day was in prison asa Jacobite all through
the Balmerino and Kilmarnock trials, but nothing could be proved against
him.

It is strange Sir Walter Scott has not mentioned Traquair with its armorial
bears among his originals of Tully-Veolan.’’

Dr. Alexander Geddes, a native of Banffshire, was chaplain in
the family of the 6th Earl here, a man of remarkable scholarly
accomplishments. He published two vols. of a translation of the
Bible in 1792 and 1797. In 1781 he paid a visit to Charles, the
7th Earl, at Traquair house, and there wrote a poem entitled
‘Linton: a Tweeddale Pastoral.’’ Dr. Geddes is the author of the
popular song, “‘The Wee Wifikie,” and the fine Jacobite lyric
‘* Lewie Gordon.’’*

After leaving, the principal gateway to Traquair house was
first passed. The coat of arms with the bear supporters, is very
conspicuous. ‘The avenue from the gate to the front of the house
is lined with tall trees. The story is that it has not been used
since 1796, on account of the funeral cortege of the Countess of
Charles the seventh Karl having passed through it, he having
signified a wish that it should not be usedagain. This earl died
14th Oct., 1827.

Resuming the journey, the hamlet of Traquair was soon reached.
When the kings of Scotland, with their numerous retinue, so-
journed for deer-hunting in its vicinity, it must have been a con-
siderable village. At one period Traquair was a sheriffdom.
One of the ministers of the parish, the Rev. James Nicol, born
at Innerleithen, has some fame as a poet. He was ordained 4th
Nov., 1802, and died 5th Nov., 1819. He published ‘‘ Poems,
chiefly in the Scottish Dialect,” 2 vols. Edinburgh, 1805, 12mo ;
contributed a number of articles to the ‘‘ Edinburgh Encyclo-
peedia,’’ and wrote ‘‘An Essay on the Nature and Design of
Scripture Sacrifices,” published posthumously in 1823. His
eldest son, who died recently, was the well-known geologist,
Professor James Nicol, Professor of Natural History in the Uni-
versity of Aberdeen.

* Professor Veitch’s Hist. and Poetry of the Scottish Border, pp.
475-6.

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 487

Proceeding onwards an interesting spot is neared. The Quair
water is seen running on the right, at some distance from the
road. Above it, on the face of the hill, ‘‘ The Bush aboon Tra-
quair,”’ celebrated in Crawford’s song, with its singularly plain-
tive (Principal Shairp says “‘ blythe!’””) air, once grew. It stood
near the base of the hill called the } irks, and fell down early
in the century, although it still survives in books. ‘The Bush
aboon Traquair,” like ‘‘‘The Broom o’ Cowdenknowes,” ‘‘ The
Birks of Aberfeldy,” and ‘‘The Birks of Invermay,”’ Allan Cun-
ningham remarks, ‘‘ continue to supply the curious with snuff-
boxes and drinking-cups,” although there is not a stick left of the
majority of them.

Orchard-mains, a farm once the property of the Earls of South-
esk, was passed, and then after a drive of two miles up the cir-
cuitous valley of the Quair, the woods enclosing the fine modern
baronial mansion of The Glen, the seat of Charles Tennant, Esq.,
M.P., are reached. It is not without surprise that one finds a
palatial residence, surrounded with so many natural attractions
of wood and water and variegated hill-slopes, to which taste and
art have added the final touches, within the sight of the brown
heath on the mouutain’s shaggy brow, and not remote from bar-
ren acclivities, where vegetation struggles for existence.

The more recent part of the mansion at The Glen was erected
by Bryce in 1855; and in 1878 large additions were made. The
gardens and grounds are in keeping with the house. The lawns
and terraces are kept in the very best of order, the former being
trimmed almost as smooth as velvet. The place was remarked
on in its modern beauty as a marked contrast to Traquair, the re-
presentative of departed greatness. The extensive green-houses,
kitchen-gardens, vineries, pine-stoves, fig and peach, and tomato
houses, shrubberies and flower gardens were passed under min-
ute review. The most notable plants in the conservatories are
the tree ferns Cibotiwm Schiedei and C. princeps ; the Crotons,
Bougainvillea glabra trained over an arch, and Clerodendron on a
globe ; Jvora coccinea an old fashioned shrub; and the old Erica
elegans. In the Orchid-house the more remarkable were Vanda
tricolor, V. teres, Peristera elata and Anthurium Scherzerianun.
For the most part Glen, which stands almost 900 feet above the
sea, has escaped the ravages of the recent severe winters; but
several of the Araucarias were singed, and the yews, and especi-

ally the laurestinuses and Portugal Laurels bore many tokens of
25

488 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

damage. The rhododendrons were thriving. They are planted
in peat and not in the natural soil. It is renewed as they get
larger.

A small party passed up the ravine above the grounds towards
the hills, and obtained a few fungi, on which the Rey. David
Paul makes the following observations.

‘‘No fungi of any interest were observed about Traquair, the only ones
picked up being such common species as Agaricus laccatus, Lactarius blennius,
and Scleroderma vulgare. As the gates of The Glen were approached, fine
specimens of Hygrophorus puniceus were seen on the hill side to the right, and
all over the lawns near the house was abundance of Hygrophorus virgineus.
Though the ground looked favourable there was no variety of the large fungi,
nor was any one of them in itself interesting. Here and there about the shrub-
beries and walks were found the ubiquitous Agaricus fascicularis ; Ag. terreus,
and imbricatus ; Ag. melleus; Ag. mutabilis ; Ag. squarrosus , the pretty Ag.
granulosus ; Boletus chrysenteron ; very large specimens of Clavaria rugosa,

growing beside fine specimens of the fetid Phallus impudicus, both full grown
and in the egg.

One specimen of Gomphidius glutinosus was found on our return to Inner-
leithen in the fir wood behind the well.”

By invitation the company partook of lunch, and Lady Ribbles-
dale did the honours of the house. Mr Edward Tennant then
shewed his collection of the birds of Peebleshire, which were
well preserved specimens. They comprised :—the rough-legged
buzzard, two; peregrine falcon, two; common buzzard, two;
merlin, two ; kestrel ; sparrow-hawk, three ; tawny or brown
owl; long-eared owl; chough or’ red-legged crow ; cross-bill,
two ; ring-ouzel, two ; magpie ; bull-finch, two ; common wren ;
crested wren; meadow pipit; long-tailed, blue and coal tits;
tree-creeper; pewit; golden plover; curlew ; woodcock; snipe;
black game and grouse; partridge ; coot; land-rail ; water-rail ;
cock pheasant, in variegated plumage; common sand-piper ;
green sand-piper ; little grebe or dabchick ; herring gull; golden
eyed duck, inimmature plumage ; teal. The Red-legged Chough
was shot by a ploughman somewhere in the vicinity. Mr Robert
Grey thus writes me, ‘‘ The occurrence of the chough in Peebles-
shire is of very great interest. In my ‘ Rirds of the West of
Scotland,’ I refer to the disappearance of this bird from inland
places where it formerly occurred in considerable numbers; but
this specimen at The Glen, is the second instance that has come
under my notice this year of the chough returning to its inland
quarters—the other being in Ayrshire.”” Mr Mathison enumer-
ates among the rare birds of Peeblesshire the peregrine falcon;

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 489

the buzzard; the raven ; and the king-fisher. ‘“‘ The osprey made
a short visit this spring to St. Mary’s Loch and Loch Skene,
where formerly it used to build on a rocky island which rises a
few feet above the waters of this desolate and lonely mountain
tarn.”’

We passed and re-passed near the entrance to the grounds, the
spot where Lucy, whose story has been so pathetically sung by
Sir Walter Scott’s friend, William Laidlaw, ‘‘ wonnedi’ the glen
a’ the simmer.” Adjacent to it, as we were told, although scarce-
ly crediting it at the instant, lived once Captain Porteous, whom
the Edinburgh mob murdered—Sept. 7, 1736—in an outburst of
national fury. But I am informed that by the older generation
in this locality he is said to have been born at old or Easter Glen.
In support of the statement the following evidence is from the
Statistical Account of Peeblesshire, 1845.

“Tradition affirms that Captain Porteous was born in Haster Glen in
this Parish.” ‘Porteous when a lad was like other boys of his own age
addicted to mischief and practical joking. One day he unluckily hap-
pened to kill a hen which belonged to an old woman who resided in one
of the cottages adjacent to his father’s. On seeing her favourite deprived
of life, the wrath of the grandam was kindled. She vowed the most hor-
rible vengeance, and among other things which she is reported to have
uttered, she declared that there would be more people present at his death
than there were feathers on her hen.”

On returning to Innerleithen the company went to see the well,
now called St. Ronan’s, from Sir Walter Scott’s novel of that
name, but originally the ‘‘ Doo Well,” the pigeons having resorted
to drink of the waters of what was little better than a puddle,
until it acquired celebrity. It is much less resorted to now than
formerly.

There was no time to spare to visit the British camp at Caer-
lee, although had we known the ground better it might have been
arranged to overtake it also. On the camps of Peeblesshire I had
a letter from Dr. William Chambers of Glenormiston, which I
have great pleasure in quoting. Dr. Chambers after saying that
he would be glad to give to the Club any special information in
his power, proceeds to mention what he had done in his ‘‘ His-
tory of Peeblesshire,” in which there is a tolerably complete list
of British camps in the county, including that at Caerlee, half of
which is within his property. ‘‘I took great pains,” he contin-
ues, ‘‘to analyse the character of these camps, and came to the
conclusion that for the most part they originated as defensible

490 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

posts against the invasion of Jutes and Angles subsequent to the
departure of the Romans. The Club would be interested in com-
paring these circular camps of a rude type, with the square and
still well defined camp at Lyne, a few miles west of Peebles.
This is a very precious relic of antiquity, which I am happy to
say, by my recommendation, has been saved by the present Earl
of Wemyss, the proprietor of the land, from progressive ruin.
My History contains a sketch as it was originally, and when I
visited it a few years since.” In conclusion I give a few
thoughts of Mr Robert Mathison, to whom the Club owes so much
for his guidance and information throughout the excursion, on
these pre-historic remains. He says ‘‘ there is a camp on Ches-
ter hill on the south side of the Tweed immediately opposite the
Caerlee camp. The latter is in a good state of preservation, the
ditch and mound being nearly entire throughout the whole cir-
cumference of the ring. Peeblesshire abounds with camps.
You rarely find them on the higher hills, mostly on the lower or
at a moderate height, averaging from five hundred to one
thousand feet above the level of the valley, and not far from the
river or its tributaries.’ Mr M. then refers to the cairns as part
of the camp system, rudely constructed as they are of ‘stones
gathered into heaps on the hill-sides or by the burns, and not
very far from the site of the camps. How strange they look!
old and hoary, and grim with the magnificence of age; and
beautifully crusted and stained by the growth of lichens. The
question naturally arises, what are they, or for what purpose
were those stones piled up? Well, I think, they have been the
place of sepulture of the rude inhabitants of the camps. If so,
what a step down from the towering pyramids and polished stone
sarcophagus of ancient Egypt, to the rudely constructed cairn and
uncoffined ashes of the early Briton.”

After dinner Sir Walter Elliot gave an account of what had
occurred at the York meeting of the British Association of Science,
so far as the representative interests of the Club are involved,
Sir Walter will furnish a separate report on the conclusions the
delegates of clubs such as ours had arrived at. Sir Walter had
obtained a large two-handed quern from near Wolfelee, but it
was too heavy to transport to the meeting. Itis double the bulk
of the ordinary sized querns, and has the hole for the handle at
the side instead of the top for inserting the handle to turn it.

A letter was read trom the Rev, George Marjoribanks, Stenton,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 491

accompanying another from William Allan Woddrop, Esq., of
Garvald House, Dolphinton, in reference to a brass pot, of the
three-legged ‘‘ kail-pot” type, discovered on Mr Woddrop’s pro-
perty of Edmonston, in Biggar parish, last summer. It was
found only about four inches below the surface ; about a quarter
of a mile from the old Roman Camp on Candy Castle. The pot
when found was on its feet and full of earth. It had an iron
handle, very much rusted. The pot was exhibited before the
meeting dispersed. Such brass pots are found in inventories of
a few generations back. Itis a very perfect specimen; has a
circular projecting ridge below the insertion of the ears; two
parallel ridges round the middle; and a fourth single one above
the insertion of the feet, the feet are its chief peculiarity, as they
raise it up considerably, and are stiff looking. There isa double
lance-like ridge lengthways on the centre of each, and the termin-
ation is like the foot of an ox. The height isl1l3inches. It is
cast in two pieces. ‘The length of the feet is 4} inches. Mr
Mathison has sent a fine drawing of it, along with these dimen-
sions. When exhibited since at Edinburgh to the members of
the Society of Scottish Antiquaries, its chief interest to them was
the iron handle, which none of their examples were provided
with. As appears by their Catalogue the neighbourhood of Big-
gar has been very productive of these brass pots.

Mr Blaikie, Holydean, exhibited a map of the course of the
Niger, drawn by Mungo Park, the traveller, previous to under-
taking his last fatal journey ; also a letter of Mungo Park, to his
sister ; and two letters of Sir Walter Scott, the longest being ad-
dressed to Mrs Laidlaw, Peel. A Report on the Effects of Winter
1880-81, on Vegetation and Animals at Mounteviot, by Mr Page,
gardener to the Marquis of Lothian, was received. Mr James
Wood, Galashiels, showed a ponderous iron axe of antique fashion
that had been found recently near Hume Castle.

The following gentlemen were proposed as members at this
meeting :—Mr Ephraim Arkle, Carrick, Elsdon, Northumber-
land; Dr. Tennant, Melrose; Dr. Weight, Melrose; Dr. John
Henderson Wright, Kelso; Rev. James Boyd, Innerleithen ; Mr
Richard Lees, Galashiels; Mr Edward Tennant, yr. of The
Glen ; Stevenson Macadam, Ph.D., Lecturer on Chemistry, Sur-
geon’s Hall, Edinburgh ; and the Hon, H. C, Maxwell-Stuart of
Traquair,

492 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

Berwick MEETING.

The annual meeting was held at Berwick, on Wednesday, 12th
October, at half-past twelve, in the King’s Arms Hotel. There
were present :—Rev. Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E., President; Dr.
Douglas and Mr Hardy, Secretaries; Sir Walter Elliot of Wolfe-
lee, K.C.8.1., F.R.S. etc.; Revs. W. Dobie, M.A., Ladykirk ;
Robert Paul, M.A., Dollar; R. F. Proudfoot, B.A., Fogo; R.
Hopper Williamson, M.A., Whickham ; Robert Wilson, Rig-
muir, Hamilton; Professor Balfour, M.D., F.R.S., Edinburgh ;
Major Thompson, Walworth Hall, Darlington ; Capt. Forbes,
R.N., Berwick ; Capt. Norman, R.N.; Dr. Fluker, Dr. Richard-
son, and Dr. Paxton, Berwick; Messrs R. G. Bolam, Berwick ;
George Bolam, Berwick ; W. B. Boyd of Faldonside ; A. Brother-
ston, Kelso; William Cunningham, Coldstream ; Robert
Douglas, Berwick; John Ferguson, Dunse ; Peter Loney, March-
mont; William Maddan, Berwick ; James Purves, Berwick ; John
Sadler, Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh ;
William Shaw, Eyemouth ; John Thomson, Kelso; Robert Wed-
dell, Berwick ; William Wilson, Berwick; and Matthew Young,
Berwick.

The retiring President, Rev. Thomas Brown, occupied the
chair, and delivered a most touching closing address. Professor
Balfour proposed a vote of thanks to the president for his able
address—one of the best addresses he had ever listened to—a
vote which was heartily accorded. In returning thanks, Mr
Brown nominated as his successor the Rev. James Farquharson,
M A., Selkirk, as president for the next year.

Mr Hardy read an outline of the proceedings at the various
meetings of the Club in 1881. Dr. Douglas said that so many
places had been visited by the Club that they were compelled to
go further afield. He proposed that the meetings for next
year be: May, Haddington; June, Hownam for Chew Green;
July, Longformacus; August, Corbridge-on-Tyne ; September,
Jedburgh; while out of compliment to the new president, he
proposed the business meeting to be held at Selkirk.

The noblemen and gentlemen who had been proposed as mem-
bers at the meetings during the season were then admitted
members of the Club, the list being added to by the nomination
of Mr Adam Darling, mayor of Berwick; Mr A. L. Miller, Ber-
wick ; Dr. Thomas Frazer, Berwick ; and Dr. Heagerty, Tweed-
mouth,

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 493

Sir Walter Elliot among other remarks on the working of the
Club said that many members were not aware of their responsi-
bilities as members of the Club, and did not recognise the full
scope of the Club’s work. A committee had sketched a plan to
explain the objects for which the Club was instituted, which Sir
Walter stated would be printed and circulated among the mem-
bers. It was then proposed to indicate to the Club subjects for
general inquiry ; and meteorology, biology, geology, archeology,
parochial history, and biography, were suggested.

Mr Bolam, who had audited the accounts in the absence of Mr
Middlemas, gave a statement of the monetary position of the
Club. The income had been £104 2s., while the expenditure
amounted to £108 7s. 9d. This left a balance due to the treasur-
er, but arrears amounting to £30 were to come in. It was then
agreed that all members should pay 6d per annum additional to
the present subscription, to cover the rather large cost of the
postage of the Club’s ‘‘ Proceedings.” Sir Walter Elliot pro-
posed Mrs Middlemas, Alnwick, as an honorary member of the
Club, in recognition of her disinterested services on its behalf.
This was at once, and cordially agreed to.

Major Thompson exhibited a silver coin of Hadrian, which
was found at the Roman Camp of Rochester; and the Rev
Robert Paul, Dollar, showed a number of flint arrow heads and
wrought flints found on Tent’s Muir, in Fifeshire. Our Lady
members at Berwick had much to shew of objects interesting to
the Club. Mr Brotherston stated that a specimen of the Gem-
meous Dragonet (Callionymus Lyra) had been recently found
among other fishes at Berwick. Dr. Jonnston states that this re-
markable and beautiful fish is not uncommon on our coast. Mr
John Ferguson had remarked that in the Dunse district, Black-
caps and Redstarts were this year very numerous. In some
visits to the upper part of Westruther parish, he had gathered
the French willow (Epilobium angustifolium )in some of the ravines,
as I have done in another similar cleugh close on the hills above
Woodhall, E.L.; he had also found Vaccinium Vitis-ldea on the
Lammermoors of that parish, and Vaccinium Oxycoccus, or cran-
berry in some of the mosses.

Mr Renton had found Utricularia minor in fine flower in Gor-
don moss, which is very rare in that condition.
The members dined in the King’s Arms Hotel at 3 o’clock.

494 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

OBITUARY NOTICES.

We have sustained the loss of seven members during the past
year—1. Major John Hutcheson Fergusson-Home of Bassendean.
Major Home, born at Edinburgh in 1815, was the eldest son of
Mr James Fergusson of Crosshall, Ayrshire, principal Clerk of
the Court of Session, by Mary, daughter of John Home of Bas-
sendean, a cadet of the ancient house of Home. Entering at an
early age the Bengal Army, he rose to the post of Major of the
33rd Regiment, B.N.I. He went through much hard service,
was present at the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and
Sobraon, under General Sir Henry Hardinge in 1842, for which
he received a medaland clasps. Under General Pollock in 1845-
6 he was engaged in the relief of Jellalabad, and took part in
forcing the Kyber Pass. He succeeded to Bassendean on the
death of his uncle, Lieut.-Gen. John Home Home, Col. of the
56th Regiment, and for some time Lieut.-Governor and Com-
mander-in-Chief of Nova Scotia. He resided chiefly at Bassen-
dean, or The Mount, Coldingham. For several years he
commanded a corps of Berwickshire volunteers, and was a J.P.
and deputy lieutenant of the county. He was held in much re-
spect as a landlord and neighbour. His death took place at
Edinburgh, May 27th, 1881. He became a member of the Club,
Sept. 29th, 1875. 2. Cospatrick Alexander, eleventh Earl of
Home, died at the Hirsel, July 4th, 1881, in his 82nd year. His
death was sudden and unseen, in the woods whither he had gone
to meet the forester, not more than fifty yards from the appointed
place of meeting. The noble Earl was born at Dalkeith House,
Oct. 27th, 1799. He succeeded his father in 1841. During his
career he held several important offices of State. Under the
Ministry of the Duke of Wellington from 1828 till 1830 he was
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and in 1852 he
was Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. He was a represen-
tative peer for Scotland from 1842 till 1874, and then was created
a British peer under the title of Baron Douglas, the extensive
possessions cf the Douglas family, having through his Countess
come to his House. He was a leputy lieutenant in Berwickshire
and Lanarkshire. The Earl of Home “ took great pride in the
management of his estate, personally devising and superintend-
ing the carrying out of the work for improving the amenity and
increasing the beauty of his policies and gardens. He had his
woods always kept in superior order. He was well versed in the

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 495

principles and practice of agriculture, horticulture and forestry ;
and the habits of punctuality and method acquired in the public
service in early life, made him orderly and exact in the transac-
tions of business all through his long career. He was an excel-
lent and considerate landlord, and evinced a kindly interest in the
concerns of his dependents, those especially who had been over-
taken by illness or adversity being the objects of his open-handed
but unostentatious generosity.”” His Lordship became a member
of the Club, Oct. 20th, 1847, and ranked 13th in the order of
seniority of membership. An earlier interest, however, had been
manifested by him in the objects of the Club, as in 1835 it is
recorded that there was read ‘‘ A notice of the Fishes found in the
Tweed, and in the rivulets and lochs in the vicinity of the Hirsel,
by the Earl of Home.” (Proc. i. p. 67). This appears to have
been partly utilised in Dr. Johnston’s ‘‘ List of the Fishes of
Berwickshire,” in the same vol. p. 172. In vol. v. p. 442 we
have another communication signifying that for three nights, 7th,
8th, and 9th November a swallow passed the night in the library
at Hirsel. Lord Home also supplied information to Mr Yarrel for
his ‘“‘ British Fishes.” Under his Lordship’s sanction, the family
papers of the House of Home, have long been under preparation
by Mr William Fraser, asa privately printed work. 3. Rev.John
Hunter Walker, minister of Greenlaw, died there in June 26th,
1881, in the 81st year of his age, and 48th of his ministry. Mr
Walker was previously minister of Legerwood, where he was or-
dained, Oct. 4th,1836. He was translated to Greenlaw, Aug.
2nd, 1844. He was an able and earnest preacher, and was much
esteemed and respected by his parishioners. He was able to dis-
charge his pastoral and pulpit duties to the last. Mr Walker was
fond of archeology, and had a fund of local information about the
topography and traditions of Berwickshire, and the history of the
ancient families of the district, which he was always happy to
impart to a ready listener, to whom his suavity of manner was
charming. He had conversed with many old people of intelli-
gence and observation, and he thus came to know much that the
older generation had certain opinions upon, and the grounds on
which these rested. He had also read extensively, and recollected
all he had read. Geology had engaged some of his spare time,
as appears from a few notices he has left. He was the writer of
the account of the parish of Legerwood in the New Stat. Account
oi Berwickshire, pp. 347-300. He became a member of the
2K

496 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy.

Club, Sept. 22nd, 1858. He contributed to the Club’s Proce. vol.
v. pp. 110-120, an ‘“ Account of the Town and Parish of Green-
law,’’ which contains some facts not readily to be met with, without
some research. 4. Dr. Robert Wilson, Alnwick, died Nov. 19th,
1881. Dr. Wilson was the son of the late Mr Allan Wilson, In-
verneil, Argyleshire. Intended for the medical profession he
prosecuted his studies at the University of Glasgow, where after
a distinguished curriculum he took the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine in 1848. After spending two years as house surgeon to the
Northern Infirmary, Inverness, he came into England, and set-
tling at Castle Eden, county Durham, he quickly laid the
foundation of a large and responsible practice. His courteous
demeanour and kindly sympathy made him the friend and favour-
ite of all classes, but by none were his services more warmly
appreciated than by the humbler orders. In 1863 he read before
the British Association, at Newcastle, an able and interesting
paper on the ‘‘ Habits and diseases of the miners of Northum-
berlana and Durham,” which excited much attention in medico-
literary circles. Resigning his practice in Castle Eden to his
brother, Dr. Allan Wilson, he came to Alnwick in 1864 as
successor to the late Dr. George Wilson. His genial disposition
and scientific skill readily won him the esteem and confidence of
the leading county families, whose medical adviser and friend he
continued to be till his death. In recognition of his high profes-
sional abilities his colleagues recently elected him president of
the British Medical Association at the next meeting of which he
would have presided. Dr. Wilson became a member of the Club,
September 29th, 1865. He was intimately associated with the
volunteer movement in the advancement of which he took a per-
sonal interest. His remains were interred in Alnwick Cemetery
with military honours. 5. Mr William Kinnear, who became a
member, Sept. 29th, 1865, died at Radcliffe House, Acklington,
December 6th, 1881, aged 31 years. 6. Mr Andrew Scott, Glen-
douglas, factor to the Earl of Home, died suddenly, Jan. 13th,
1882. Mr Scott, who was much respected, became a member, Sept.
26th, 1871. 7. Rev. Adam Spence, minister of the Free Church,
Houndwood, died Jan. 23rd, 1882. On returning home, Jan.
20th, from his pastoral duties on horseback, Mr Spence met
a sad and tragic accident, by his horse taking fright and throw-
ing him violently to the ground. He was picked up and conveyed
to Coveyheugh House, where he died of his injuries, never having

Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 497

regained consciousness. Mr Spence was born at Frenchlaw near
Whitsome, where his father occupied a small farm, and he was
in a great measure self-educated. He was pastor over Hound-
wood Free Church for thirty-six years. It was chiefly through
his instrumentality that a new Free Church was erected at Res-
ton. He was the author of avery beautiful tribute to the memory
of the late George Buchan of Kelloe in the “ Disruption Wor-
thies.”” Mr Spence’s Christian excellence, his earnest but unob-
trusive and untiring efforts among his people, and his missionary
zeal, joined to a gentle and persuasive manner, made him a
general favourite. His death will make a general blank in the
locality where he wasso much esteemed. He had afund of curi-
ous information, the result of his early experience, about the
people of a bypast age, with which he used to enliven his lectures
for popular instruction. He expressed very great satisfaction at
becoming a member of the Berwickshire Naturalist’s Club, when
he was proposed at Reston in May, 1879.

498

Notes on the Effects of the recent Winter Storms on Birds
and other Animals—November, 1880, to March, 1881.
By Rosert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A. Scot.

[Read 25th May, 1881, at the Dunbar Meeting of the Club].

Ir is not many weeks since we escaped from the rigours of a
winter which may safely be said to have been one of the severest
on record during the present century, and I have thought that it
might interest the members of the Club, to listen for a few minutes
to some of the observations which have been made in various
parts of the country, on the effects of the season upon Birds and
other animals. These observations, 1 may remark, are taken
from my own note books, and from letters addressed to myself by
correspondents throughout Scotland, during the storms which
broke out at intervals between November and the last week of
March.

Before giving an abstract of the occurrences of which I have
taken note, it may not be out of place to refer to the strong east-
erly gales which prevailed in the end of October, and up to the
middle of the following month, and which may be said to have
been the beginning of sorrow to the poor birds. Many of the
Clyde Ships on their passage from America, were thronged with
flocks of birds of various species, and I have several records be-
fore me which shew that these visitors in Mid Atlantic were more
than usually numerous during the months I have mentioned.
One ship in particular—the ‘‘ Rutland ” of Greenock—was on the
25th of October, literally covered with small birds when between
four and five hundred miles from the coast of Ireland. The vessel
had been tossed about in the Atlantic for 72 days, and the crew
on board had run short of provisions. The visitation of birds,
therefore, was looked upon as a Providential relief. The chief
species were the common thrush, pied wagtail, linnet, and snipe.
There was only one robin in the vast assemblage. The birds
covered the deck and rigging, and Captain Roy has informed me
through my friend Mr Stark, that many of them died almost im-
mediately, through apparent exhaustion. The ‘‘ Rutland” left
Quebec on the 28th August and experienced easterly winds all
the way across. The first flock of birds alighted on the 20th
September, and as the distance of the ship from Newfoundland
was at that time not over 400 miles, it is presumed that many of
the little creatures, which, after leaving the vessel, were seen to
be carried on with the gale, found their way to that country.

Effects of recent Winter Storms. By Robt. Gray. 499

Although several heavy falls of snow had taken place in De-
cember, it was not until the first week of January that the effects
of the weather began to be shewn. Later in the month, viz.,
about the 20th, sea-gulls, which in all my lengthened experience
I have never seen put to straits, succumbed to the frost. Intel-
ligence reached me that these birds were dying in hundreds on
the banks of the Mersey near Liverpool, owing to the frozen
state of the mud banks from which their food had been largely
derived, and on further enquiry I found the information to be
only too true. About the same time it was discovered that on the
banks of Loch Lomond, wild ducks, grebes, coots, and other
waterfowls were dying in considerable numbers, and that hun-
dreds of rabbits were frozen to death all along the shores of the
Loch. Fish, ranging from 10 to 20lbs. in weight, were also ob-
served to have been killed in a similar manner in the river Leven
which runs out of the Loch.

After the storm had continued without a break for about three
weeks, it became evident even to the most careless observer that
birds had to a great extent disappeared from districts where its
effects had been most felt, and that to such as had remained the
season had proved to be one of unparalleled severity. General
sympathy, however, became awakened in their favour, and in
many places a clearance of the snow was made and food placed
within their reach. Odd assemblages of species were then seen :
rooks, pigeons, partridges, bramblings, snow buntings, gallinules,
and sea-gulls, all joining in the half starved crowd. I often
wondered what had become of the more familiar species—larks,
blackbirds, thrushes, and such birds as are always to be found
in the neighbourhood of towns, villages, and farm yards, and I had
even ventured to suggest in my note books that they had suc-
cumbed to the frost. But I afterwards found that I had come to
a wrong conclusion, and it was with no small satisfaction that I
learned from several correspondents, that in the more sheltered
districts, where the snow fall had been but trifling, small birds of
all kinds were not only plentiful, but that a very large increase
in their numbers had been observed—records which show that
the birds had gathered into flocks and wandered about in search
of both food and shelter, or in other words, that local migrations
had taken place. Thus in some parts of Argyleshire, notably in
the Kyles of Bute, large flocks of larks, pied wagtails, meadow
pipits, blackbirds, and thrushes, suddenly made their appearance

500 Effects of recent Winter Storms. By Robt. Gray.

about the middle of February. On the sheltered slopes of the
hills above Tighnabruaich, the number of birds was quite re-
markable, and this invasion occurred when the storm in other
parts of Scotland was regarded as the worst of the season up to
that date. In other places, as for instance in the immediate
neighbourhood of Glasgow, the flocks of larks especially might
well be called immense. In one case a field of five acres on which
but a sprinkling of snow had fallen, was seen to be literally cov-
ered with these birds—the surface of the ground being completely
hidden. Some one curious in figures made the calculation that
one or even two hundred thousand larks were far within the
actual numbers in the field.

About the same time there appeared in the neighbourhood of
Edinburgh, very large flights of larks and snow buntings. These
flocks were noticed in some instances close to the city, the bunt-
ings especially, having attracted considerable attention through
the strikingly variegated appearance of their plumage while in
flight.

During a thaw, more or less complete, which occurred about
the close of January, proofs were not wanting, as the snow
melted, of the frost’s terrible severity. In the Botanic Gardens
at Edinburgh the dead bodies of many birds were found—
biackbirds, thrushes, redwings, and chaffinches. The greatest
mortality, however, occurred among wood pigeons and rooks.
Numbers were found dead, and others were observed to be so
sickly and emaciated, as to be quite unable to save themselves
from the clutches of the cats which infest the enclosures.

In the island of Raasay, cartloads of dead rabbits were found
after the snow had disappeared,—a mortality which must have
occurred in many other places besides, although no actual records
have reached me.

One of the most singular results of the extraordinary and per-
sistent frost which had been experienced in the month of January,
was the destruction of littoral shell fish on different parts of the
coast. Enormous quantities of Solen Siliqua and Mactra stultorum
were thrown upon the beach near Stornoway in the outer Hebrides,
and also at Nairn on the shores of the Moray Firth. The same
thing occurred near the mouth of the Tay, on the Forfarshire
side, the species that suffered most in the locality being the com-
mon mussel (Mytilus edulis). There can be no doubt that in the
three instances I have given, these molluscs—millions of which

Effects of recent Winter Storms. By Robt. Gray. 501

were carted away—had been destroyed by the intense frost when
the tide was out. A similar occurrence took place in the neigh-
bourhood of Leith and Portobello, during the hard winter of 1855,
and a paper on the subject by the late Hugh Miller appeared in
the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society (vol. i. p.10). In
this paper the author remarks that the ‘‘ wholesale destruction
of these species by a frost a few degrees more intense than is
common in our climate, strikingly shews how simply by slight
changes of climate induced by physical causes, whole races of
animals may become extinct.”

As a consequence of this destruction of animals living in shal-
low water along our shores, I may here allude to the occurrence
in a comparative state of emaciation, of various birds which are
known to feed upon them. Mergansers, grebes, black-throated
and red-throated divers, &c., were all seen to be keeping close in
shore, and were found to bein bad condition. JI examined an
unusual number of red-necked grebes killed in Mid-Lothian and
Haddingtonshire. Some of these had left the coast and gone
inland, only, however, to meet with a worse fate. Herons, too,
principally old birds, were obtained in quite unusual numbers in
an enfeebled state.

On the 10th February a fresh storm broke out, and was found -
to be worse than any that had preceded it, the words “terrific”
and ‘‘ tremendous” being applied to it in the weather telegrams.
From some parts of Perthshire I learned that blackbirds and
other small birds were seen falling dead from the trees, and that
in districts where the previous thaw had not been complete, the
renewal of the storm was likely to kill every living thing not
under shelter. Fortunately, however, its severity was of com-
paratively short duration, and before a week was over the
ground in lowland parts at least, was again opened, and the
winged fauna seemed to have been relieved of their sufferings
for the time being, and of all prospect indeed of further danger.

My own notes and correspondence at this time shew that many
species which had disappeared from certain localities had again
come back, and that some had commenced their spring notes—
the missel thrush especially being in full song. This continued
with occasional breaks which induced renewed quiet, and in some
cases despondency, until the 4th of March, when the worst storm
of this memorable winter occurred. The snowdrift was in fact
quite unprecedented, and the traffic of nearly all the Scottish

502. Ljfects of recent Winter Storms. By Robt. Gray.

Railways was more or less interrupted. In the northern coun-
ties, indeed, trains were completely buried, and many cattle
perished in the trucks. Any one who read the newspapers of the
day must remember the hardships endured by travellers in these
trains, the disastrous shipwrecks that occurred a day or two
afterwards, and the tremendous floods which followed the melting
of the snow. In short the incidents connected with this particu-
lar storm will not soon be forgotten.

In connection with this subject I may, without going into fur-
ther details, summarize the effects of a winter which has probably
no parallel in the experience of any one now hearing me :—

(I). It caused most of the smaller birds to gather into flocks
and flit restlessly from place to place in search of food and
shelter, and this partial migration no doubt was the means of
preventing their destruction.

(II). It produced an unusual number of cases of partial and
complete albinism. Ido not remember a season in which so
many such instances have come under my observation.

(IIL). Numerous and wide spread instances of death by frost
and starvation occurred, but the results from this point of view
are comparatively insignificant when compared with the destruc-
tion caused by birds having been blown out to sea. Hundreds
of thousands must have been lost in this way.

(IV). Birds of Prey, as a rule, were quite uninjured—their
well-known powers of flight, and the comparatively easy capture
of half-starved birds having saved them at least from starvation.
Wild quadrupeds on the other hand—the Carnivora especially—
were sorely beset by the storms.

(V). Hares and rabbits were driven to commit extraordinary
havoc among the trees, even of considerable dimensions, the bark
having been entirely gnawed off for a space of 18 inches, and in
some cases to a depth of 4-10ths of an inch. I examined many
large trees of 30 years growth in Perthshire, which had been in
this way totally ruined. In Lanarkshire, rabbits were observed
climbing on the branches of trees three or four feet from the
ground, and devouring the bark. The proprietor of an estate
near Lesmahagow informs me that he estimates the damage done
by rabbits to his woods at many hundreds of pounds.

(VI). Alpine hares deserted their usual haunts, and descended
to the low grounds in search of food. Many were observed tra-
versing the streets and villages in Perthshire.

Lhe Birds of Pressmenan Lake. By A. Hepburn, Esq. 503

Lastly. Before the final storm which occurred in March, lap-
wings, curlews, and other birds, had left the sea shore and retired
to their inland breeding places. They were therefore overwhelmed
by the quantity of snow that fell, and instead of going back to
the coast, as they certainly ought to have done, they cast aside
their usual wariness and approached farms and country residences
where they could find a clearance or moist spot on which they
could rest. In connection with this it ought to be remembered
that in some parts of the country snow lay to a depth of twelve
and fourteen feet, and that even in villages of some size, people
were literally dug out of their dwellings.

I must apologise for having taken up so much of the time of
the meeting on this occasion, but perhaps I may venture to hope
that these notes have been of some slight interest. Let us hope
as a body of Naturalists, that no such winter will occur again in
our day.

And now when it is gone:

‘“‘ Happy the ear which first perceives,

From depths of freshly blowing leaves,
The sparrow’s cry along the eaves.

“ The rook’s alarm—the swallow’s cry,
The magpies’ jangled litany,
The curlew’s challenge, shrill and high.”

It nas been our privilege to-day, to be welcomed by choristers
whose winter existence has never been so imperilled, and although
it has been chronicled that many a peaceful glen is but half
peopled when compared with former years, I know that we have
cause to rejoice that so many of our feathered favourites have
been spared.

On the Birds found in the neighbourhood of Pressmenan
Lake, East Lothian. By ARCHIBALD HEppuRN, Esq.,
Ramsbottom, Manchester.

Tue birds which 30 years ago frequented, or were occasionally
found in the neighbourhood of Pressmenan Lake, amounted to
above 70 or 80 species. The Sparrow Hawk was the only per-
manent resident belonging to the diurnal rapacious birds; the

Merlin, Kestrel, and Buzzard, migrated before winter. There
21

504 The Birds of Pressmenan Lake. By A. Hepburn, Esq.

was a decided increase in their numbers for 2 or 3 weeks about
the autumnal equinox. The Short-HKared Owl was a winter vis-
itor. The Long-Eared, Tawny, and Barn Owls, were perma-
nently resident; the Grey Flycatcher a rare summer resident.
Of the Thrush family, the Dipper or Watercrow frequented all
the streams. The Missel Thrush and Blackbird were common
and permanent residents, also the Song Thrush for nine months in
the year, mid-winter being spent on the sandhills by the sea shore.
The Redwing and Fieldfare were abundant in winter and spring.
The Ring Ouzel frequented the mountain ash when its berries
were ripe. Of the Sylviide or slender billed warblers, the
Redbreast and Hedgechanter were plentiful; of the summer vis-
itors of this family, the Redstart or Firetail was very rare. The
Blackcap and Garden Warblers not uncommon. The White-
throat, very common. The Wood Wren, not uncommon where
Beech trees were numerous. Strange to say, I never heard or
saw the Sedge Warbler by the lake, or in its immediate
neighbourhood, The Willow Wren very common. The Gold-
crested Wren common. Of the Wagtail family, the Pied Wag-
tail, and the Grey and Yellow Wagtail, visited the Lake, but
chiefly haunted the neighbouring streams. The latter was per-
manently resident; the former departed in September, and
returned again in March. The Meadow Pipit was common,
except during the breeding season. The Tree Pipit was not
rare, so also was the Wheatear, or Stonechat as it was called;
the Whinchat very rare, all three being only summer residents.
The 4 common species of the Tit family were common (I never
met with the Marsh Tit). Of the hard-billed birds which feed
their young on insects, and chiefly subsist on seeds and grass,
the Skylark was abundant, except during mid-winter, when it
migrated to the sea coast. The Common or Corn Bunting was a
rare straggler from other localities in the county. The Reed
Bunting, rare and local, departed in the autumn or early winter.
The Brambling, or Cock of the North, was rather a rare winter
visitor. The Yellow Bunting, Chaffinch, Sparrow, Green Linnet,
and Grey Linnet, were abundant. The Bullfinch not rare. Of
the Crow family, the Starling, a recent colonist was rapidly be-
coming common; the Common Crow and Grey Crow were not
common ; the Rook abundant ; the Jackdaw not rare; the Mag-
pierare. The Tree Creepernotuncommon. The Wren common.
The Cuckoo not uncommon. Of the Swallow family, the Swift

The Birds of Pressmenan Lake. By A. Hepburn, Esq. 505

was a daily summer visitor ; the Sand Martin was rather common
but local; the Swallow was common ; the House Martin decreas-
ing in numbers almost every year. The Night Jar, or Goat-
sucker, very rare. The Ring Dove or Cushat too abundant.
The Pheasant common. The Partridge very common. ‘The
Golden Plover, small flocks in winter and spring occasionally.
The Lapwing, or Pewit, common, and resident from February to
November. The Heron a daily visitor to the streams ; sometimes
seen by the lake. The Curlew seldom alights in the fields. The
Common Sandpiper, a common summer resident by the streams
and occasionally seen by the lake. The Common and Jack Snipe,
winter visitors in hard weather, not common. The Woodcock
not very rare in Pressmenan Wood at times during winter and
spring. Oorn Orake, not uncommon in the fields in summer and
early autumn. Gallinule not uncommon in lake and streams.
The Bean and the Pinkfooted Goose, almost daily visitors to a
few fields eastward of the lake during spring. The Mallard sel-
dom seen by lake or streams, oftener seen and heard on the
wing passing to and from the sea by day and in autumn even-
ings. The Common Pochard and Golden Eye are occasionally
seen on the lake in winter and early spring. The Little Grebe
rarely seen on the lake. The Common and the Herring Gull,
the latter in immature plumage, and the Blackheaded Gull oc-
casionally frequent the fields except during the height of summer.

After this rough enumeration it may not be out of place to add
a few remarks on some of the Birds. I once found the nest of a
partridge containing some pheasant’s eggs along with her own.
On menticning the incident to an intelligent gamekeeper, he told
me that he had frequently met with the like, both in England and
Scotland, and that the partridge made the best foster mother.
Game preserving was the apology offered for the virulence with
which the hawks, owls, crows, and magpies, were persecuted ;
and extermination was the object aimed at by gamekeepers who
tried to do their duty to their employers. The balance of nature
was destroyed, and the wood pigeon was rapidly becoming an
intolerable nuisance by the extent of its damage to crops of grain,
turnips, and clover. I have seen in districts where flesh and
ege-eating birds were not persecuted and where game-preserving
was not encouraged, that the egg-eating birds kept the wood
pigeon within very moderate bounds. I have seen the carrion
crow watching the domestic ducks when laying and dropping

506 Skeletons exhumed at Elsdon. By Dr. E. C. Robertson

their eggs about the margin of pools in spring; also carrying
off downy ducklings in their claws to their nests, and once I saw
two old crows successfully throttling a duckling fit for the spit,
whilst their newly fledged brood clamourei around. I have also
seen these birds wading in shallow water and picking up the large
Unio molluscs in rivers where these abounded, the banks in many
places being strewn with broken shells.

In districts where the magpie is not persecuted, their nests may
be seen conspicuously placed on trees, near cottages, farm yards,
and even on the outskirts of villages and towus, and it earns an
honest livelihood. It is not a very uncommon thing to see five or
six pairs of magpies sitting on one tree, in a bright spring day,
and those who admire this beautiful bird—and who does not,—can
well imagine what a beautiful sight it is. How many thousands
of acres in Kast Lothian or Berwickshire would require to be re-
quisitionedtosupply a dozen magpies tosuch aparliament? I have
seen rooks carrying off eggs, and their presence on the tillage
farm is not an unmixed evil, but it is quite a mistake to suppose
that the rooks cannot live on lowland districts where dairy farm-
ing on old grass land prevails, almost to the exclusion of tillage.
The well manured meadows and pasture land supply plenty of
food, except during snow storms. Their nests may not only be
seen in twos and threes in hedgerow trees, but also in numbers
varying from a dozen to a hundred or more in small groves.
They not only cling to their nesting stations, when houses and
factories spring up alongside, but now and then they will found
a flourishing colony in a grove close to factories where the whir of
machinery never ceases by day or by night except at meal hours,
from 6 a.m. on Monday, till 1 p.m. on Saturday. The starling
also makes himself quite as much at home in such scenes, as he
does about the cottage or barn or hollow trees. This bird is one
of the farmers’ best friends.

On the Skeletons exhumed at Elsdon, and their probable
connection with the Battle of Otterburn. By Dr. EDWARD
C. RoBERTSON, Otterburn.

In the course of the restoration of St. Cuthbert’s Church at
Elsdon in the year 1877, it was found necessary to dig down and
alter very considerably the levels of the different parts of the

Skeletons echumed at Elsdon. By Dr. E.C. Robertson. 507

flooring of the church. Such was the accumulation of soil within
the building, that the bases of the pillars were nearly covered and
out of sight. The flooring was damp, and a disagreeable musty
odour pervaded the church. In reducing the levels to their
present state, it was necessary to remove in the Nave some 4 feet
in depth of soil, and in the Transepts and Chancel about 24 feet.
‘ In the Nave the soil was removed completely with all remains
contained in it down to the subsoil; in the other parts of the
church, about one half of the soil was left. Theremoving of the
earth brought to view an immense collection of skeletons, in every
quarter of the edifice. The labourers who removed the earth,
kept count of the number of skulls they carted into the pits dug
in the churchyard to receive the bones, and they reported that
996 whole skulls were re-interred, besides a large number mutil-—
ated in the course of the removal. I may fairly estimate that the
remains of nearly 1200 of the former chief inhabitants of the dis-
trict were thus disturbed and removed from their silent beds,
whilst probably 300 or 400 are left still peacefully reposing in
hallowed ground. The skeletons bore every indication of having
been much disturbed by the interment of those more recently
buried. No doubt the intra-mural interments had taken place
during hundreds of years, the last having occurred some 80 years
ago and thus the bones of the earlier deceased had been fre-
quently put out of place to make room for their successors. We
thus frequently found skulls lying together in heaps of 3 and 4
in one spot. No remains other than bones were found, with the
exception of a very few modern coffin handles, with a little de-
cayed wood, and in one instance a small quantity of flaxen hair.
The only sign of warfare and deadly strife I observed upon the
bones so brought to light was upon one skull found in Hedley’s
Porch, which had during life been cleft open, but the hardy Bor-
derer had recovered from the deadly wound, and very probably had
lived for many years after its infliction. I picked up several
bones of evident antiquity, which showed that their unfortunate
possessors had been severe sufferers from rheumatic diseases, the
hip joints being distorted and the leg bones immensely enlarged
by ossific deposit. Some of the thigh bones in the Chancel were
of great length and straightness. I estimated that their owners
must have been from 6ft. 4in. to 6ft. 6in. in height. Whilst ex-
amining the excavations within the church, I was astonished to
find that the north wall of the Nave was very shallow in its

508 Skeletons exhumed at Elsdon. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

foundation, shallower than the south Nave and Transepts’ walls,
and that the north Nave wall was built over and upon skeietons.
These bodies were lying EH. and W., and were completely under
the wall of the church. I dug very carefully and with difficulty
under the foundation of this north wall, and found the skeletons
so laid, that the head of one was lying between the knees of its
fellow. I examined under the deeper foundations of the corres-
ponding south Nave wall, and also under those of the Transepts
and Chancel, but under none of them did I discover any bones.
In Hodgson’s History of Nothumberland, in describing Elsdon
Church, the Historian of the 7 parishes writes, ‘‘ In removing a
great accumulation of earth, against the north wall of the church,
some short time before our visit here, in Sept., 1810, the bones
of 100 or more (we have since been told only about 30) persons
were discovered in double rows, with the skulls of one row within
the thigh bones of the other, packed, as the labourers said, in the
smallest possible compass.” These skeletons mentioned by
Hodgson had been discovered outside the church exactly opposite
the wall, under which I traced bodies buried in exactly the same
manner. Within the Nave it was impossible to determine how
the bodies had been buried, but on examination of the bodies, I
came to the conviction, that they were mainly the remains of men,
and chiefly of young and middle aged men. From the close
packing of the skeletons, I think it may be inferred that these
dead men had been buried at one time and in all probability
were the remains of men slain in battle. From the facts I have
just brought before the Club, viz., that the foundations of that
one wall, under which human skeletons were found, were shal-
lower than the other foundations of the church, it seems to me
fair to infer—I. That the bodies so found were buried before the
Nave was built, II. That the bodies had only shortly before the
erection of the wall been consigned tothe earth ; and that it was
to avoid the disturbance of these closely packed and not yet de-
composed bodies, that the foundations of the church were in that
part ot so deeply laid, as in the rest of the church.

If I am correct in my inferences, and we can by its architec-
ture discover when the church was built, we shall have a clue as
to when these bones lived, moved, and had their being. Hodgson
judges from its architecture that the church belongs to the period
immediately after Richard II., or very early in the fifteenth cen-
tury, Richard being deposed in 1399. Mr Wilson the well-known

Skeletons exhumed at Elsdon. By Dr. E.C. Robertson. 509

ecclesiastical architect and author of ‘‘ Churches of Lindisfarne,”
to whose enlightened taste we owe the conservative restoration
of this fine old parish church, also assigns the erection of this
edifice to about the same period. No doubt a much older and
probably smaller church had existed at Elsdon for many centuries
—small remains of it are to be found in the west part of the
church in the round Norman pilasters, and in the small round-
‘ headed windows, but the edifice as it at present stands, dates back
undoubtedly to about the year 1400. Now in the autumn,
‘* About the Lammase tyde, when husbonds wynn ther haye”
of the year 1388, there was fought 3 miles distant from Elsdon, the
famous Battle of Otterburn, where there was slain a large num-
ber of knights and men of high degree. The great Scottish
leader fell in the combat, and his dead body was with those of
Sir Robert Hart and Sir Simon Glendinning carried away long 40
miles to Melrose for burial. No historian tells us what became
of the corpses of men nearly equally distinguished, who fell in the
fray, but the ballad in a touching stanza tells us.
“Then one the morne they made them beeres,
Of byrch and haysell graye ;

Many a widowe with wepyng teyres,
Ther makes they fette awaye.”’

The probability seems strong, that the bodies of the glorious
dead, lying on their rustic biers, were carried to the parish church
for interment with all solemn rites, in the consecrated ground,
whilst the bodies of the meaner soldiers found a grave where they
fell. There is no account extant of any battle about that period,
except the battle of Otterburn, having occurred near Elsdon,
which could have produced so many bodies ‘‘in one red burial
blent,”’ as those mentioned by Hodgson as discovered outside the
church at Elsdon and to which must be added the skeletons I
found extending under the walls, and probably within the Nave
of the old Border church. We thus find ourselves arriving at the
conclusion, that the mouldering bones I have been dilating upon
are the remains of those warriors true, who in the autumn of
1388 met in deadly warfare on the now peaceful slopes of Otter-
burn, and whose heroic deeds are handed down to all generations
in that chiefest of ballads—which will live as long as the English
language endures—‘‘ The Battle of Otterburne.”’

510

On w discovery of Horse-heads in the Belfry of Elsdon
Church, Northumberland. By Dr. Epwarp C. RoBERt-
son, Otterburn.

In 1877 it was found necessary to pull down the small spire,
which terminated the beli-turret, that surmounts the western
gable of St. Cuthbert’s Church, Elsdon. In the spire, immedi-
ately over the bell was discovered a small chamber, without any
opening, and in it, nearly filling the cavity, were three horse-
heads or rather skulls, piled against each other in a triangular
form, the jaws being uppermost. The heads look to be two of
draught horses, and one of a cob.

Measurement of horse skulls, found in spire of Elsdon Church.

Breadth from one eye- Circumifenente of

Length over the top.} head over

| socket to the other. centre of eyeholes,
I. 24> inches. — 7% inches. 23 inches.
II. 241 inches. 74 inches. 22 inches.
IIT. 203 inches. 62 inches. 203 inches.

Much speculation arose as to the meaning of horses’ heads being
placed in such a position. By some it was looked upon as a
mason’s freak; by others that the cavity had been formed to act
like a hollow sounding-board, to assist by its vibrations the feeble
sounds of the single bell in the tower. Neither of these views is
a sufficient explanation of the strange placing of horse-heads in
a chamber evidently formed to receive them, in the highest part
of an edifice devoted to God’s worship. I venture to express the
view, that the reason of the placing the heads of horses on high,
and fixing them in the tower, is to be found in some old Pagan
custom, derived even as our language, and indeed we ourselves,
originally from the far East;

Many Pagan customs still obtain amongst us, and many have
only lately died out. In all countries superstitions die hard. A
negro in the West Indies, who all his life has prayed and sung
psalms with the Methodists, is after death often found to have
round his neck some talisman, obtained fromthe Obi Man. The
fires at Midsummer, through which cattle were driven to protect
them from disease, were burning only a few years ago on Elsdon
green—their origin in the worship of Baal being forgotten; Well-
worship continues to this day, and votive gifts, not so valuable

Discovery of Hovrse-heads. By Dr. B.C. Robertson. 511

as those showered into Coventina’s well, are still thrown into the
clear spring waters. We have in All-Saints’ Day the Heathen
autumn festival—in All-Hallow-Eve the day of thanksgiving for
the fruits of the earth, when apples are eaten, and stalks of corn
pulled for charms. The Midwinter festival of the Pagan Yule—
is changed into the feast Christmas and kept as the birth of our
Saviour. In Easter we have the Saxon Goddess of Spring, in
proper person “ Kostre”’; and throughout the Eastern Church,
as well as in the West we have the eggs still, which were offered
to the goddess ‘‘ Kostre’”’ as a symbol of production, or as the
Roman Catholic Church says, of the resurrection. Paul II., in
1466 issued a form of benediction of eggs for England ‘‘ for those
eating them in thankfulness on account of the resurrection of our
Lord.” The “ Yirding of a live cock” to cure epilepsy, which
custom has perhaps hardly even yet passed away, is another ex-
ample—it being in the nineteenth century an unwitting offering
to the heathen god, Esculapius. The last words of Socrates may
be quoted, as referring to the custom of offering a cock to the
god of health, “Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepias, will you
remember to pay the debt.” ‘‘The debt shall be paid” said
Crito, ‘‘is there anything else.” There was no answer, Socrates
was dead.

We need not feel surprise at such superstitious practices being
connected with Christianity. The early missionaries did not
stamp out such things, but gave them a religious turn. Well-
worship continued, but the wells became consecrated to the Saints
—the Heathen feasts became Christian festivals, the sacred ivy
and holly of the Heathen were used by the priests of the new
religion to adorn their churches. This shows how great was the
tolerance of the early Christian church towards the rites and cere-
monies of Heathen worship.

These ancient pre-christian rites might be expected to keep
their hold upon the people most tenaciously in a district, situated
as the dale of the Rede, of which Elsdon might be called the
capital, was of old. Redesdale was until quite recently, a very
secluded valley, surrounded by moors and morasses, and occu-
_ pied to a great extent by shaggy woods. Until all-conquering
Rome planted her standard in its centre, Redesdale must have
been singularly inaccessible to the outer world. After the Roman
domination came to an end, the district seems to have remained
undisturbed by Saxon from the east or Northman aN the west.

M

512 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

In his sylvan fastnesses the Celtic inhabitant held his own, nay,
for many generations did much more, harrying and robbing his
more peaceful neighbours. Redesdale being a Regality, with a
resident Lord of the Manor supreme, for centuries it was found
that ‘‘The King’s writ runneth not in Redesdale.” Until the
time of Bernard Gilpin, the thieves, that is the men of Redesdale,
were probably hardly Christians even by profession. Their clergy
and instructors are described by Bishop Fox in 1498 as “‘ wholly
ignorant of letters, the priest of ten years standing not know-
ing how to read the ritual.” In this community of men, ignor-
ant, dissolute, accustomed to crime, debarred by laws made
specially against them from mixing freely with their neighbours,
having only slight connection with the world beyond their own
morass-girt vale, and intermarrying amongst themselves, it may
be expected that old customs and superstitions lingered longer
amongst these fierce Borderers, than elsewhere. The Redesdale
man of the fourteenth century probably still showed in his habits
and customs many affinities to his early Aryan progenitor, who
in one of the Keltish migrations left the east of the Caspian, and
fought his way across the north of Greece and central States of
Europe to North Germany and Britain.

In early times human sacrifice was common and. was of course
the most solemn of all. Next in honour came the sacrifice of the
horse. ‘‘ In the earliest period (writes Grimm) the horse seems
to have been the favourite animal for sacrifice. Our ancestors
have this in common with several Slavic and Finnish races, with
Persians and Indians; with all of them the horse passed for a
specially sacred animal. Heathendom saw something sacred
and divine in the horse and often endowed him with conscious-
ness and sympathy in the destiny of man.’”’ We have an ex-
ample of this in the Iliad, where Achilles has a touching con-
versation with Xanthos and Bullios—a parallel case is in the
Karling legend of Bayard, and several others in the Northern
Sagas might be quoted. The admiration of the Ancients for the
horse was supreme. In ‘ Job,” that oldest drama, the horse
is described in language of marvellous poetic beauty. ‘‘ His neck
clothed in thunder—he swalloweth the ground with fierceness
and rage—he smelleth the battle afar off.” Paris rushing forth
with Hector to battle, like a God, is likened by Homer, [ Pope’s
translation | to

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. BE. C. Robertson. 513

‘‘ The wanton courser, thus with reins unbound,
“Breaks from his stall and beats the trembling ground ;
‘*‘ Pamper’d and proud he seeks the wonted tides,

** And waves, in height of blood, his shining sides.

‘‘ His head now freed, he tosses to the skies,

‘“ His mane, dishevell’d on his shoulders flies;

“He snuffs the females on the distant plain,

“‘ And springs exulting to his fields again.”

This is a picture of strength, power, activity, and beauty, and the
horse, the noble symbol of these natural qualities, was in the
far East taken as the pre-eminent sacrifice or offering. In India
the great rite of horse-sacrifice—the Assamhedha, long since
disappeared from Indian life—is the most impressive ceremony of
sacrifice, of which we have any account. This great solemnity
is thus defined in Dowson’s Hindoo Mythology, ‘‘ Rajah-Surya
—a Royal Sacrifice, a sacrifice performed at the installation of a
king. It implied that he was a supreme lord, or King over Kings.”
It seems to have been performed three thousand years ago—
at any rate in the great Indian poem ‘“ Ramayana,” written
several centuries before our era, the great horse-sacrifice with
all its intricate ceremonies is portrayed. Let me quote a de-
scription of it from ‘‘ Wheelboy’s History.” ‘‘ When Yudhish-
thira was firmly established in the kingdom, he resolved to
celebrate the great sacrifice, known as the Aswamhedha or
sacrifice of a horse. It was an assertion of the Rajah’s supre-
macy over the whole world. A horse of a particular colour was
let loose a year to wander at its will. At the end of the year it
was brought back triumphantly to his own city, when the animal
was sacrificed and there was a grand feast, at which the roasted
flesh of the horse would be eaten as an imperial dish.”” Another
interesting account of the same sacrificial ceremony is given in
“William’s Indian Wisdom.” ‘‘The horse for sacrifice was
allowed to roam about for a year. If no one was able to seize
it during that period, it was deemed fit for sacrifice, but the
seizure was sometimes effected by the god Indra. Another year was
consumed in preparations for the sacrifice.”” Again, “‘ Dasaratha
not having a son, resolved to perform the horse sacrifice and so
propitiate the gods to give him one.” The following is a curious
description of the ceremony. ‘Twenty one Yupas or sacrificial
posts were erected, to which were tied various animals and the
horse. Near the horse the Queens of Dasaratha watched for a
whole night, The marrow of the horse was taken out and

514 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

dressed and the carcase was then cut up and offered in the fire,
and the King smelling the smoke of the burning flesh, became
absolved from his sins. One important part of the proceedings
was the feasting and largesses. King Dasaratha is described as
giving to the priests a hundred million pieces of gold and four
times as many of silver.” The horse chosen was either white
like the moon, with saffron tail and black right ear, or black as
midnight, without one speck on it of any other colour. ‘It
is difficult,” writes Arnold, ‘‘to raise the thoughts of a mo-
dern western public to the solemnity, majesty, and marvel
of the antique, oriental rite of the Aswamheda, as viewed by the
Hindoos.”’

Our kinsmen the Germans, in the days of the Romans, still pre-
served some of the old veneration of their Eastern forefathers
for the horse. Tacitus, the great Roman historian, writes of their
worship : ‘‘ The Germans consecrated groves. Gods dwelt there
—no images are mentioned by name, as being set up—no temple
walls were reared, but sacred vessels and altars stand in the
forest, and heads of animals hang on the boughs of trees.” In
another place we read of ‘‘immolati diis equi abscissum caput,”
or the severed head of a horse sacrificed to the gods. Again
Tacitus mentions ‘‘the Alemanni, who eat horse-flesh, cutting off the.
head, which was not consumed with the rest, but consecrated by
way of eminence to the gods.” ‘When Cecina on approaching
the scene of Varus’s overthrow by the German tribes, saw horse-
heads fastened to the stems of trees, these were no other than the
Roman horses, which the Germans had offered up to their gods.
The Hermanduri are also described by Tacitus as sacrificing the
horses of the defeated Catti.

Among the Northmen it was customary to fix a horse-head
upon the ‘‘ Neidstange,”” which gave the power to bewitch an
enemy. In German children-stories are still to be found survi-
ving but now hardly understood reminiscences of the mysterious
meaning of a horse’s head suspended. In Russian fairy-tales also
horse-heads figure as possessed of mystic faculties and powers.
Gregory the Great, the Supreme Pontiff between 1073 and 1085
admonishes Brunichild to take precaution with her Franks, ‘ ut
de animalium capitibus sacrificia, sacrilega non exhibeani,”’ that
is, that they do not commit sacrilege by the sacrifice of the
heads of animals. This shows that the practice must have re-
mained so common, even in the eleventh century in the Christian
Church, as to require a set condemnation from its Pope.

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson. 515

At the present time the horse-head has in eastern countries not
lost all its superstitious power. Tozer in 1879 writes, that the
skulls of horses may, in Asia Minor, be seen stuck up on poles in
the fields to avert the evil eye.

‘‘ In olden times,” writes Marryatt, ‘‘ there was a strange cus-
tom in Zealand (Denmark), and may be elsewhere, of interring
‘a living horse in every church-yard, before any human being
could be buried there. This horse re-appears under the name
of the Hell-horse . . . . ill luck to the man who sees it, for
it foretells his own death.” An entire skeleton of a horse was
found in 1842 in the Saxon cemetery of Marston, St. Lawrence,
Northampton. We here find the horse taking the place of the
human sacrifice, which was common in early times, to insure
the success of buildings, the human offering being built into the
wall alive.

Beyond being a type of strength, beauty and activity, the
horse seems in early times, and in the Kast to have been consid-
ered an emblem of the Sun, that greatest and most beneficent
visible being in the universe and in itself a natural object of
worship to man. The Psalmist speaks of the sun as a ‘‘ bride-
groom coming out of his chamber and rejoicing as a strong
man to run his race.” Call the sun a Racer (and he is so
named in several mythologies) and it brings at once before
us the idea of the horse. In fact the horse is constantly as-
sociated in mythology with the sun. Phaeton and the horses
of the sun are an example. In the minds of Vedic worship-
pers, the sun is associated with fire and is frequently repre-
sented sitting in a chariot, drawn by seven ruddy horses—the
seven days of the week. It is also to be seen represented as
borne on horseback. The sun in the heavens was in heathen
wythology itself a symbol of the resurrection—setting at night,
rising inthe morning. The horse in time became from its
resemblance to the sun, a type or symbol of the resurrection.
The sun moved rapidly, so did the horse. The idea of the sun
as a being drawn in a chariot by horses was soonreached. Thus
we have Indra, the Sun-God, drawn by the Harits. One more
step ; the horses of the sun in the Veda are Arushi, and the Sun is
also Arushi, the terms thus being interchangeable. In two
chapters of Revelations the horse is significant of victory, and
he that sat on the white horse had for name “King of Kings
and Lord of Lords.”

516 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

In ancient Etruscan tombs, we find on the funeral urns the
horse portrayed, waiting to take its dead master off to a new
world, and in one case a horse’s head is represented as looking
in through a window, upon a funeral feast.

In ancient British tombs the skeleton of the horse has been
frequently found buried beside human remains. At the period
when these burials took place, the flesh of the horse was es-
teemed a favourite article of food, and the occurrence of these
remains of the horse near or alongside those of the dead warrior,
seems to indicate rather the funeral feast than the attachment
of the deceased master to hisfaithful steed. But sometimes the
head alone of the horse has been found in the grave—a fact
open to many constructions. One instance is very noteworthy :
in 1849 alongside a stone coffin found near Bath, was dug up the
head of a horse enclosed in a stone box. In Japan many symbols
were introduced with Buddhism; amongst them the cross-like
symbol of the sun, the Swastica, is put on coffins, with a drawing
on white wood of the Yama, or sacrificial horse. This drawing
has been formally deposited in the tomb of every person of im-
portance, ever since the abandonment in the first century of our
era, of the ancient custom of sacrificing the horse. (Hdinburgh
Review). Itis remarkable that this horse is delineated, not as
the little ill-formed animals of the country, but with all the beauty
of the Arab horse.

The horse is represented on numerous early British coins. By
many antiquaries, these coins are considered as medals, used in
the worship of Mithras the sun-god, and not as pieces of money.
I have given woodcuts of three. On the first, there is the horse,
the head drawn out to resemble a bird’s bill and some marks
about it, which are neither Ogham nor Runic characters, but
which may be regarded as a rude representation of stars and
clouds. At one side is a wheel. On the second coin, there is de-
picted the horse with wings. On the third coin, the horse has a
human face; it is being driven by a figure with a whip and is
striding over a man prostrate.

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson. 517

To interpret the signification of these designs we must go to
India, where we shall find that ‘‘ Indra is the son of Dyaus, the
gleaming heaven, and he is seen in the dazzling orb, which seems
to smite the thunder clouds and compel them to give up their
prey. In his hands he holds a golden whip, and he is borne
across the heavens in a flaming chariot, drawn by the tawny
steeds, the Harits.” Thus Indra is the Indian sun-god, who
drives with his horses through the heavens. As the bringer of
the rain and also of the harvest, he is the god, whose power.is
most earnestly invoked by his Hindu worshippers. The sun
symbolises creative power, the horses the sun’s rays.

On the first coin we have the horse, in the sky, surrounded by
or rather among stars and clouds, having a bird’s head, with a
seed. in its bill, symbolic of the first creation or of the yearly pro-
duction of the vegetable world, scattering seeds that the earth
may “‘ bring forth grass and herb, yielding seed, after its kind.”
He has the wheel, emblem of the sun at his side.*

On the second, the winged horse is figurative of the sun pass-
ing through the sky.

On the third, the horse is depicted human-headed to imply in-
telligence and mind—he is not self-impelled in his career, but
is driven by Indra, the sun-god himself. The man prostrate
under the horse, shows that the horse with its driver is careering
over man above the earth.

The horse and wheel being figurative of the sun rolling in his
course through the space of heaven, we have in them a type of
the earliest and nearly universal worship of that orb as creator,
by its light and heat calling the herb into being. More correct-
ly the adoration may be regarded as the worship of the visible
sign of the unseen First Great Cause, the luminary being in its
glory the symbol of life and a manifestation of God himself—in
its setting typical of death and burial, in its rising of the resur-
rection. In the worship of the Parsis, Mithras is the angel, pre-
siding over the sun, sometimes the sun himself. In the ‘ Nihvi-
Yasht”, Ahuramazda (First Cause) says ‘‘ I created Mithra, who
rules over large fields, to be of the same rank and dignity as I

* Tn the island of Mull, in 1767, in consequence of a disease among cat-
tle, a wheel was turned from east to west, until the needed fire was produced.
On the Moselle, so late as 1823, a huge wheel bound with straw, was set on
fire and rolled down hill, an invocation that the summer might be hot
and the vintage consequently generous.

518 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

myselfam . . . , Mithra gives those whodo not belie him
swift horses.’

The famous Carthaginian coin, representing the horse’s head,
must not be forgotten, nor the lines of Virgil, preserving the tra-
dition of its finding, and of what it was a type.

“Effodere loco signum, quod regia Juno
Monstrarat, caput acris equi; sic nam fore bello
Egregium, et facilem victu per secula gentem.

Ain. i., 443.

On the chalk hills of Berkshire may be seen the ‘‘ Great White
Horse,” striding along at full gallop, as he has appeared for
many centuries. The figure of a horse has been cut out of the
turf, four feet in depth, exposing the white chalk beneath.* It
covers some acres, I believe, in extent, and being on the side of a
high hill, is a prominent object in the landscape. Periodically
the ‘‘ scouring ” of the sculpture in the turf takes place, where-
by the form of the horse has been preserved fresh and intact to
this day. The “scouring,” with its attendant festivities and ath-
letic games, has been graphically described by Hughes. The
white horse was there in the 12th century and long before. In
a cartulary of Abingdon of that period, land is described as
‘prope montem, ubi ad album equum scanditur.” The figure
has a bird-like head, with open jaws, much resembling the bird-
head of the horse, on the coin figured 1. Nothing is known of
its origin, but it may be supposed to owe its existence, in some
manner or degree to the ancient ‘‘cultus’’ of the horse, by our
forefathers.

The horse represented on the coin No. 1, has the ears of a
horse, but the head and bill of a bird, like a stork or crane. It
holds within its extended jaws a ball. Cox in his “ Aryan My-
thology ” mentions that in mythological tales we constantly meet
with a ball, often a golden ball (as the golden apples in the gar-
dens of the Hesperides), which is lost or killed when the sun

*Tt is very singular to find in the valley of the Mississipi, a similar re-
presentation of animals, esteemed sacred by the early inhabitants, but
made in relief, instead of as the Britons did, in intaglio. Amongst the
animals so represented is the elephant—did the mound-builders bring
their knowledge of the animal from India ?

+ The snow-white steed still appears on the ensign of Kent as it an-
ciently did on the shield of the old Saxonsin Germany. Hence the white
horse is still borne on the royal shield of Brunswick-Hanover (Palgrave).

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson. 519

rises, but brought back by the sun the following morning. This
is found in the mythology of all nations, receiving a local colour-
ing according to the climate of the country. In thenorth, before
the dawn or summer child can be won, there must be a battle
with the powers of frost and snow, and the sun must be aided by
birds, which denote the clouds—the bright light-tinted clouds
assuming the forms and names of birds, to remove the rocks of
ice and snow.

On the coin we have the sun bringing back the dawn, and the
head of a bird is given to the horse (sun) as with the break of day
the birds take their first flight, and specially earliest welcomers
of the morn, the long-billed cranes and storks. The ball held in
the bird’s mouth may be considered as an additional symbolic
expression.

‘“‘ Storks are unmolested in all Moslem countries, and protected
in Switzerland, Western Germany, and Holland. The Dutch re-
gard them as birds of good omen, and happy is the roof where
they make their domicile. A stork’s nest is the crown of the
house. The transformation of storks into men is a popular be-
lief in Friesland and Prussia. The stork is known in Holland as
a fire (sun)fowl. In Hesse, a waggon-wheel—emblem of the sun
—is laid upon the roof, for the stork to built his nest upon. The
house on which he builds is safe from fire, and his nest must
not be disturbed, lest the house should be struck by lightning.”’
(Past in the Present).

The design on the coin, figure 2., is seen on several British
coins—in one instance, with the crescent moon.

The silhouette of the head and neck of the Berkshire white
horse, taken from the engraving in Hughes’ interesting volume,
gives us the head and neck of a bird, with the ears of a horse.

520 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

The neck is long extended like that of a stork, and the jaws or
rather bill wide open, as if grasping something. It may be con-
jectured, that when first carved on the hill side, the jaws were
extended to complete the stork-like bill, holding a ball. The
resemblance betwixt the representation on the coin and that on
the hill side is so marked, that we may fairly consider that the
designers of both had the same mystic idea in common, and that
the bird-like horse was the offspring of the reverence of the Early
Britons for the great luminary. In the rude relief on the coin
and the ruder sculpture on the hill side, we have much what the
Greeks did, when on an amphora they pictured the Sirens of the
Odyssey by birds with womens’ faces.

In the Triads, the ancient Welsh poems, we have several mar-
vellous horses mentioned, such as the wonderful mare of Tevinyen,
which foaled on the night of every first of May, the great feast
of the Sun among the Celts, and no one ever knew what became
of the colt. There also we read, ‘“‘The white horse took it at a
gallop through thirty cities and three hundred towns, which had
ceased to be Roman.”

Many other superstitions are common to India and Britain.
For instance the virtues of the mountain ash, the rowan tree, are
well known. The Hindu master of a herd, in spring, cuts a rod
of it and strikes his cows that they may yield milk. In West-
phalia, and also in Sweden, on the 1st of May, he does the same
thing, with the same prayer. In Wales, on a certain day in the
year, every person wore a cross of the wood to avert evil spirits.*
In Cornwall a sprig of rowan is carried as a charm against an
evil wish, or as a remedy against disease, whilst in Scotland the
dairy-maid will not forget to drive the cattle to the summer pas-
ture with a rod of rowan tree, which she carefully lays by until
the time comes to drive them home again with the same. Hspec-
ially in Britain do Indian superstitions seem numerous, and
more usually met with than on the Continent. The Celts were
the earliest wave that left the Aryan home, on their journey to-
wards the setting sun. The first of these hordes of colonists,
stated by historians to have been Buddhists from the north of
India mingled with Brahmins, driven on by foilowing migrants,
ultimately settlel in Britain. They probably had all the early

* Here the wood with a Pagan superstition makes a Christian cross, a

remarkable instance of an object of heathen superstition being used to
form a Christian emblem.

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. H.C. Robertson. 521

Aryan traditions and preserved them. The Celtic prehistoric
stone remains of Britain are similar to those found in Northern
and Western India,* and the language of the Gael is not less
strikingly similar to the tongues of Eastern peoples. Our hills
and rivers have maintained their Celtic names—many being simi-
lar to the Persian, for instance Chat-moss, Chat in Persian signi-
. fying water.

The Britons are described by Strabo, B.C. 50, as being indi-
genous tribes, retaining traces of ancient customs. Ozesar, B.C.
55, tells us that the Britons had customs of their own, different from
others ; that the Druids, their priests, were learned in the magic
and learning of the Hast; and that Britain, not Gaul, being the
proper and high seat of Druidism, those who wished to be per-
fect in the system travelled to Britain for instruction. Pliny
writes, ‘‘ Why should I speak thus of magic art, which has spread
even beyond the sea, and to the extremities of nature. Britain
cultivates it with so much enthusiasm and with so many cere-
monies, that we fancy it was from thence that the art was com-
municated to the Persians.” It will be remembered that the
‘¢ Magi,” were the Parsis, priests of the Persians. The Druids
are considered to be distinctly Brahminical in aspect. They were
mono-theists, believing in transmigration and in another life.
According to Pomponius Mela A.D. 45., they were Astronomers
and Philosophers. ‘‘The Druids profess to know the form and
size of the earth and universe, the motions of the heavens and
stars, and the intentions of the immortal gods.” By Czsar they
are mentioned as measuring time by nights and not by days, the
days being reckoned as parts of the preceding nights.| In other
customs, they differ from the rest of the world.” Lucan, who
wrote about 100 years after Ozesar’s invasion, thus describes the
Druids,

“ And you ye Druids, free from noise and arms,
‘“‘ Renewed your barbarous rites and fearful charms,
“What God, what Powers in happy mansions dwell,

“ Or only you, or all but you can tell.
“ To secret shades and unfrequented groves,

* See Captain Congreve’s paper on Druidical remains in the Nilghirry
hills, Madras, and Captain Meadows Taylor’s book “Cairns, Cromlechs,
Kistvaens, and other Celtic, Druidical, or Scythian monuments near the
village of Raynkolla.”’

t This practice is of eastern origin, as shewn in the Hebrew Scriptures,
‘And the evening and the morning were the first day.” (Genesis).

522 Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E. C. Robertson.

“From world and cares your peaceful tribe removes.
“You teach, that souls, eased of their mortal load,

“ Nor with grim Pluto, make their dark abode,

“ Nor wander in pale troops, along the silent flood,

“ But on new regions cast, resume their reign,

“« Content to govern earthly frames again.

“Thus death is nothing but the middle line,

“ Betwixt what lives, will come, and what has been.

“ Happy the people by your charms possesst !

“Nor fate, nor fears disturb their peaceful breast,
“On certain dangers, unconcerned they run,

“ And meet with pleasure, what they would not shun ;
“‘ Defy death’s slighted power and bravely scorn

“To spare a life, that will so soon return.”—(Pharsalia).

Albion itself seems to have acquired, no doubt from its being the
high seat of worship and learning, possessing its Bards or poets,
its Vates or sacrificers, and above ali its Druids, priests versed in
all Eastern lore, whether in philosophy, moral or natural, or in
astronomy, a weird and almost awful reputation. ‘In Germany,”’
says Kuhn, “it was of old an established belief, that Britain was
the island of souls, and such to this day it is believed to be, under
its new name of England.” It isin Armorica a popular belief,
that the dead betake themselves, at the moment of their depar-
ture, to the parish-priest of Brasper, whose dog escorts them to
Britain.*

From what has gone before, the inference I think cannot be
resisted, that in this island, more than anywhere else in Western
Europe, superstitious practices, connected with early Hastern
forms of worship, might be expected long to linger: for in Eng-
land pre-eminently did a priesthood, evidently eastern in origin,
_ hold sway so lately as the invasion of Britain by Julius Cesar ;
and if these Druids, with their Vates or sacrificers, came from
India with the earliest emigrants from the East, what is more
likely than that they should have brought along with them the
rites and venerations of their native country. And as chief among
the sacrificial rites of India was the Aswamheda, there is strong
reason for believing, that traditions of the wondrous grandeur
and solemnity which accompanied the sacrifice of the white horse,
emblem of the sun, in their fatherland, would long dwell in the

*Here again we have an Indian superstition. Vedic accounts say, that
the wind in the shape of a dog, accompanies and protects the soul on its
journey. In German mythology, the dog is an embodiment of the wind,
and attendant'on the dead.

Discovery of Horse-heads. By Dr. E.C. Robertson. 523

memory of the early colonists of Britain—the ‘‘ sacred island,”
where the priests were in Pliny’s day so learned in the magic of
the East, as even to bear the reputation of having sent its wis-
dom to Asia, instead of owing it to importation from the Kast.
The dominion of Rome with the introduction of its own gods
and mythology supplanted the ancient laws, customs, and religion
_ of Britain—the Druids were exterminated and their religion died
with them. Remains of it still existed at the time when the pure
Christian faith overturned it, replacing pagan rites and sacrifices
by the pure “evangel” of Christ. In the seventh century
Christianity prevailed in the Northumbrian highlands, and a
church at Elsdon then arose. At that early period in the history
of Christianity in England, many pagan superstitions and acts
of worship were mixed with the simple rites of the new religion,
and as I have mentioned before, the tolerance of the early church
for the practices of Heathendom was very great. It seems tome
to be within the pale of probability, that at the installation of
the first church in Hlsdon, the sacrifice of a horse as an act of
sanctification of the building may have taken place. It was a
sacrifice common in early times at the raising of buildings, and
being in solemnity next to the human, what more likely than for
it to be used by the half-savage and newly, and but partially,
converted inhabitants of this wild district. And as the Gauls
were described not many centuries before as fixing the heads of
horses on high, as an act of worship and veneration for their
gods, what more likely, than that their kinsmen here should,
even perhaps with the approval of the missionaries, show their
veneration towards their newly acquired religion, by fixing the
heads of the sacrificed horses on the church. The practice thus
commenced in faith, would naturally be repeated with less and
less belief in or understanding of its significance, as oft as a new
church arose on the ruins of the old, until at last in the fifteenth
or sixteenth century, we find the rite still in practice, as shewn
by the preparation of a chamber in the belfry of the church,
specially constructed to hold the horse heads.* Or the horse
heads may have been considered as emblems of Pagan sun wor-
ship, and the three heads of the animal so especially sacred to
Heathendom may have been raised aloft in the church tower, as
a sign of the victory of the Tri-une God over Paganism, even as

* The present church belongs to about the year A.D. 1400; the spire may
be of even later date,

524 Skeletons found at Ladykirk. By Rev. W. Dobie, M.A.

we at the present day hang up in our churches the banners
gained in battle from a defeated enemy.*

Whatever was the significance attached to the act by the work-
men in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, who constructed the
chamber to hold its strange occupants, it is, I think, very plain
that in the (so far as I can learn unique) discovery so lately made,
has been laid bare in the nineteenth century, a relic or survival
of that early ‘‘cult”’ of the horse, the type of the sun, which at-
tained its zenith three thousand years ago, in the magnificent
rites which accompanied the Aswamhedha or Great Horse sacri-
fice of India. The fact of this symbol of the sun having been
discovered in a Christian church, erected at a remote time by a
rude people, is not more surprising than to read in 2nd Kings,
xxiii, of King Josiah taking the horses of the sun and his char-
iots from the great temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem.

* Beneath the eucharistic altar of Notre-Dame, in Paris, were discovered
stones with the symbols and imagery belonging to ancient Heathen reli-
gion. These votive monuments had evidently been placed there, says
Palgrave, “as trophies of triumphant Christianity.”

On Skeletons found at Ladykirk Church, Berwickshire. By
the Rev. WILLIAM DopIE, M.A.

In opening up a portion of the floor at the east end of Ladykirk
Church, whereon would have stood the high altar (had the edifice
ever been occupied by the Roman Catholics), the workmen came
upon a mass of human remains lying four feet from the surface,
and in the order of individual skeletons, but across each other at
every conceiveable angle as if they had been thrown hurriedly
into a common grave. Strange to say at the depth of ten feet
there was disclosed a plain unpolished freestone flag 23ft. by
2ft., which, being carefully removed, was found to have rested
upon a handful or two of soft dust and underneath the dust a
flag of dimensions similar to that on the top. The dust seemed
to be all that remained of what must many centuries ago have
been the body of a child. During the restoration of the church
in 1860-1, it was found necessary to erect a scaffolding inside for
the purpose of reaching the arched roof, and the workmen, in
digging a hole in. which to fix their uprights, again came upon
human remains and not wishing further to disturb them, other
methods were employed by which the work was successfully car-
ried out.

525

Brief Notes on the Geology of the Country round Elsdon, in
Northumberland. By G. A. Lrzour, M.A., F.G.S., Pro-
fessor of Geology in the University of Durham College of
Physical Science, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

AttuovuasH the writer of these notes has, at various times, spent
. many days and even weeks in workmg out the detailed geologi-
cal structure of the neighbourhood of Elsdon, he must confess
that the nature of that structure was such that at his departure
from the district the details remained masters of the field—not
he of them. Concerning the larger facts of the region there is no
doubt left ; but the exact horizon of some of the beds, and the exact
nature of some of the faults which dislocate those beds—these are
points on which evidence is yet needed, but which we may ex-
pect to see satisfactorily cleared up when the Geological Survey
maps of the area in question come to be published.

If we tabulate the various members of the geological series that
may be studied within, say, four or five miles of Elsdon, we get
the following column :—

Recent Deposits.
Rainwash.
Calc-tuff.
Alluvium.
Peat.
Sus-Recent Deposits.
Old Peats and Alluvia,

Drirt Deposits.
Moor Gravels.

Moraine heaps.
Re-assorted Boulder Clay.
Boulder Clay.
Lower CARBONIFEROUS.
Part of the Bernician Series.

IGNnEovs.
Dolerite.

The Rainwash, a deposit the formation of which is of the
highest interest, as illustrating many important processes, and
which is far too little studied, is common on every hill-side, and
daily adds its quota of sediment to the Alluvia of the valley bot-
toms—sand, coarse and fine, from the grits and sandstones which
form the great mass of the fells hereabouts, clay from the shales
accompanying the grits, and in much smaller quantity small

526 Geological Notes. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., E.G.

grains of ironstone from some of those same shales, of whinstone
(dolerite) from the dyke that crosses the country, and of a num-
ber of miscellaneous stones from the drift deposits.

Cale-Tuff is perhaps better shown near Elsdon than anywhere
else in Northumberland, Springs throwing up the hard water
and depositing the light, porous, limy travertine abound here,
and alittle to the east of Dykenook, the soft greyish mounds
cover quite a large extent of ground. If situated in some fashion-
able neighbourhood these springs would long ago have won
renown as ‘ petrifying ’’ wells.

Alluvium, the result, to a great extent, of Rainwash, sandy,
gravelly of every degree of coarseness, loamy, and in a few cases
clayey, occurs here in some quantity, forming the great flat
haughs by the river Rede, which, near Elsdon, is at its deepest
and most sluggish, and the smaller ones by Elsdon Burn and
the other minor streams that water the country. It will be
noticed that when gravelly, the stones are chiefly of sandstone,
limestone, and (sparingly) of basalt, not (except perhaps a few
rare pebbles derived from the drift) of the Cheviot Porphyrite
which is so common in the gravel alluvia of Coquetdale.

Peat also abounds, from that now forming in the wet bogs so
numerous on the heights round the village, to ancient peats show-
ing where similar bogs once were, and might be once more, should
the ancient natural conditions—altered by human agency—ever
be allowed to prevail again.

The Sub-recent Deposits are not specially well shown in the
district, but they are represented by the so-called peat marls, or
white and yellow clayey deposits, which occur at the base of al-
most every peat moss. These can be seen in drainage cuttings
in the large bogs about Harwood.

The term Moor Gravels was applied by the writer a few years
back to some problematical pebbly deposits, found in the western
part of this county, in irregular patches and mounds on high
moorlands, far above the ordinary kaims or eskers to which they
otherwise bear some resemblance (1). Gravels of this kind are
widely though thinly spread to the East of Elsdon.

Moraine heaps. A beautiful example is to be seen in the
little Lisle Burn Valley, near East Woodburn, some distance, it

(1) See Lebour’s “Outlines of the Geology of Northumberland,” (1878),
p. 14.

Geological Notes. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.G.S. 527

is true, from our centre, Elsdon, but still within the prescribed
five miles. (2)

Boulder Clay and its immediate product Re-assorted Boulder
Clay do not, fortunately for the geologist, cover much ground
about Elsdon. They are found, however, in patches obscuring
the lower slopes of the valleys, and often forming the concave
‘ curve at the foot of the hills, but being generally covered with
grass it is only where a road cutting or a broken burn-bank ex-
poses the glacial beds, that the polished and scratched boulders
attesting their age can be seen in their stiff clay matrix,

The Lower Carboniferous Rocks however furnish the stone frame-
work of the entire district. This great division, it will be re-
membered, has been in Northumberland, the ancient Bernicia,
split into two members, the Bernician above, regarded as the
equivalent of the Carboniferous or Mountain Limestone Series of
the more southern parts of England, and the Tuedian below, the
equivalert of the Calciferous Sandstone Series and part (at least)
of the Upper Old Red Sandstone of Scotland. (3) Of these the
Bernician Series is alone represented in the tract of country under
notice, and part of that series only, viz.; the Lower Bernician. This
Bernician Series, both upper and lower, consists of beds very sim-
ilar throughout, grits and sandstone predominating (and thus
sufficiently putting such names as Carboniferous Limestone Series
and Mountain Limestone, out of court as actually misleading),
shales, some with and some without nodules of ironstone, cal-
careous and non-calcareous limestone in beds rarely exceeding
twenty feet, coals usually not thick, but not very inferior in
quality to those in the coal-measures proper, and underclays.
The general nature of these beds has been described over and
over again, in the most accurate manner, in the Transactions of
this Club, by the late Mr George Tate, F.G.S., and need not be
repeated here. The term Bernician, however, is somewhat new
in its present application, (4) and it may be well to remind the
reader that the Upper Bernician is in a general way (that is
without a hard and fast line of division, either above or below),
the representative of the Yoredale Rocks, (5) and the Lower Ber-

(2) Lebour’s “ Outlines of the Geology of Northumberland,” p. 15.
(3) See “Transactions of the North of England Institute of Mining and
Mechanical Engineers,” Vol. xxv. (1875-76).
(4) See ‘* Geological Magazine,” Decade ii., Vol. iv. (1877).
(5) Ibid., Decade ii., Vol. ii. (1875), p. 539. 9
oO

528 Geological Notes. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.GS.

nician that of the Mountain Limestone of Derbyshire. But
whereas the Yoredale Rocks proper, and the Mountain Limestone
are very different from each other, and can be separated with the
greatest ease in their typical districts, the Upper and Lower
Bernician are almost identical in lithological characters, a good
line of separation between them has yet to be found, their fossils
are to a very large extent identical, and their useas stratigraphi-
cal terms is one of convenience mainly. So perfect is the faunal
identity of the Bernician Beds, from top to bottom—throughout
those ten thousand feet of rock, which Mr W. Topley, F.G.S.,
was the first to announce as being the thickness which this form-
ation attains in Northumberland—(6) that Professor De Koninck,
the greatest living authority on Carboniferous marine Palzontcl-
ogy, correlates the entire series (on the strength of the fossils
only), with the Visé Limestone, viz :—the uppermost of the Moun-
tain Limestone divisions in Belgium.

About Elsdon then, we have sandstones and grits forming crags
and bold escarpments, shales worn into more retiring features,
and limestones tolerably numerous and hard enough, but too
insignificant in thickness to show very prominently in the land-
scape. To these limestones are due the sinter deposits which
have been already mentioned, and to them also are due the swal-
low-holes, which are so characteristic of these moors. About
Ottercaps and near the Black Stitchel—a hill up the Elsdon Burn
—the number of these broad, deep, funnel-shaped grassy hollows
following at short intervals the upper line of the outcrops of
the various beds of limestone, is simply amazing. Some of them
(at the Black Stitchel, for instance), follow the line of subterra-
nean streams, emulating in a small way the great river caverns
of America, and accumulating a small-pebbled blackish limestone
gravel of their own—underground alluvium, in fact, which eludes
the mapping powers of the Geological Surveyor.

The limestones are of the ordinary Bernician character, full of
fossils—Productus of many species with Pr. giganteus conspicuous
among them, corals (Lithostrotion yunceum the commonest as usual)

(6 Ina memorable account of the progress of the knowledge of the geo-
logy of the County, given by Mr. Topley at the Alnmouth and Alnwick
meeting of this Club, in 1879, and unfortunately not yet published. The
writer had given the thickness as “ at least 8,000 feet”? in 1878, a state-
ment much disputed at the time, and even now not always accepted.
See “ Outlines of the Geology of Northumberland,” p. 33.

Geological Notes. By G. A. Lebour, M.A, F.GS. 529

compound and single in large quantities, crinoid stems often
forming whole ‘“ posts” of stone—these are the most obvious or-
ganisms, but they are not, as a rule, easy to obtain, being one
with the stone and not separable without great skilland luck. In
the earthy and shaly bands between the limestone posts many
foraminifera are also found (7), as at Colster Cleugh, within a
‘mile of the village where a handful of ‘‘stuff” yielded eight
species.

Now these beds of limestone are so constant, or rather relative-
ly to the other beds of the series they are so constant, that it has
been the custom of geologists to rely chiefly upon them for their
horizons. But in this Elsdon locality there are a number of
faults and disturbances of the strata, which disconnect it, so to
speak, from the adjoining areas where the succession of the beds
is well known. It is owing to this, that the writer must confess
his inability, to correlate exactly these limestones with those of
the more southern, or of the more northern portions of the coun-
ty. All he can affirm is, that they are in the Lower Bernician
Series (bearing in mind that there is no hard and fast line be-
tween that and the Upper Bernician), and above the Harbottle
Grits—on or about the horizon of the Rothbury Grits. (8) After
all this is as near an approximation as most people can require.

Although not forming very salient features the limestones are
apt to form picturesque waterfalls, wherever they cross rapid-
running burns, and these are not wanting here. At Todholes
Syke where the Burn runs down a steep slope of limestone, a
vein containing conspicuous strings of galena is visible. This is
within a few minutes walk of the village.

But besides sandstones, shales, and limestones, coals occur also
in the district, and of no mean thickness for seams of Lower
Carboniferous age. They have been worked at Grasslees, be-
tween Elsdon and the Coquet, at several places in and near Jills-
moor Park, and close to Elsdon, between Otterburn and the
village. Near the turnpike a seam has frequently been worked
which has been proved to attain a thickness of nearly six feet,

(7) See Brady's ‘“‘ Monograph of Carboniferous and Permian Foramin-
ifera,” Palesontographical Society’s Publications for 1876, p. 29

(8) In his ‘ Outlines” the author inadvertently called these grits the
Simonside Grits (See p. 41). Mr W. Topley gave them the more appropri-
priate name of Rothbury Grits (See Guide to Rothbury and Upper Coquet-

dale, 1873). The term Simonside Grits has long been in use for some York-
shire deposits,

530 Geological Notes. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.GS.

but water and the presence of a number of ‘‘ stone troubles” and
faults have hitherto prevented continuous working.

Of the many faults affecting the beds thus briefly described,
the writer will say nothing, since his knowledge respecting them
is still very imperfect. He would, however, call the attention of
observers to the very high dips of the sandstone rocks in the
Grasslees valley, at the southern base of the Beacon Hill, as being
the indication, probably, of a very important line of dislocation,
an accurate knowledge of which would in all likelihood, go far
to explain the apparently singular relations of the Rothbury and
Harbottle Grits, in Upper Coquetdale.

Of igneous rocks the Elsdon ground contains but one specimen.
That, however, a good one. A great whinstone dyke (dolerite),
belonging to the North-East and South-West Series of Dykes of
this County, and of which the writer has elsewhere written as
follows :—‘‘ The Lewis Burn or Troughend Dyke is first seen in
the County in Short Cleugh, a little valley formed by a tributary
of the Lewis Burn; thence good exposures are frequent, as in
the railway cutting east of the Belling, crossing the Tarret Burn
at High Green, 7 the field gust north of Troughend Hall, in the Els-
don Burn between Elsdon and High Carrick, on the road from Elsdon to
Bullsmoor ; and lastly (and perhaps best of ail), in a deep cleugh in
the hills between Bullsmoor Fark and Darden Lough, whence it has
been traced to the south of Tosson, as | am informed, by Mr Topley.
This dyke is sometimes very inappropriately called the Falstone
Dyke.” (9)

The italics in the above passage, denote the words specially
relating to the Elsdon district.

(9) See ** Outlines,” p. 50.

531

The named Stones of Northumberland ; being a list of huge
stones, single and im groups, in sith and detached, to which
local names have been given im the County. By G. A.
Lesour, M.A., F.G.S., ete., Professor of Geology in the
University of Durham College of Physical Science, New-
castle-on-Tyne.

In the following list I have excluded two important classes of
named stones almost eutirely : namely, the crosses which abound
in Northumberland, of which only such as stand upon parish or
other boundary lines have been retained, and the still more nu-
merous named stones along the coast. With these exceptions, I
have entered every big stone, standing stone, portion of rock
(not entire crags), known to me either personally or by informa-
tion. Most of them I have visited myself. The latitude and
longitude, as derived from the six inch ordnance maps, I have
given in each case, with such brief remarks as might help any
one to find and recognize the localities in which the stones occur.
Whenever a stone marks a boundary between countries, counties,
parishes, or townships, the fact has been carefully noted.

I was led to observe the stones in question by the late well-
known antiquarian, Dr. Black, of London, who held certain views
as to their connection with some ancient long-lost system of
topographical mensuration, which the present list is by no means
calculated, I fear, to confirm.

As to the importance of preserving records of such objects as
these named stones, I would refer the reader to a paper published
by Mr James Hardy, in 1861, entitled—‘“‘ Legends respecting
huge stones ” (Alnwick), in which a number of interesting refer-
ences are made to traditions and historical facts connected with
them; and I would add that, the connexion between them and
the history of our local boundaries, is probably closer than might
be thought at first sight, whilst philologically there is interest
in the subject as well.

Any information as to any stones omitted in this list, and as to
traditions respecting those included in it, is earnestly requested
and will be thankfully received.

532 Named Stones. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.G.S.

Names of Stones.

Duddo Four Stones

Chapel Stone

‘Holy Rock
Bridle Rock

The Grey Stone
Tuppie’s Grave

The Two Grey Stones
Cloven Stone

Battle Stone
Yeavering Stones

Battle Stone

Tom Tallon’s Grave

Hurl Stone
Ox Eye

Gill’s Chest
Hanging Stone

Standing Stones

Percy’s Leap Stones

Latitude.

55° 41’ 12’’

55 43 34

55 34 19
55 385 64

55

32

32
32
32
Bh)
33
34

32

30
31

30
27

28

28

18

Longitude.

20 \G6).38"

2 4

58

1 52 47

1 45

HS
Oo
mm OD

1 46

1 55

21

15

Remarks.

Used as a trigonometri-
cal station.

Marks the site of the
old Chapel at Thorn-
ton.

A pillar of basalt stand-
ing out from the es-
carpment of the Great
Whin Sill at Spindle-
ton Heughs, locally re-
garded as the rock over
which Childe Wynde
threw his horse’s bridle
when about to attack
the Laidley Worm.

Boundary between Eng-
land and Scotland.

Township Boundary.

»? )

Just East of Bendor
turnpike gate, Akeld.

On Yeavering Bell, sup-
posed to be druidical (?)

Between Old Yeavering
and Yeavering.

Just South of the sum-
mit of Tom Tallon’s
Crag, marking a tu-
mulus (?).

Parish Boundary, on
Lousy Law.

Township Boundary

Close to the Boundary
between England and
Scotland.

Nine stones, supposed to
be ‘Druidical remains,’
just West of Three-
stone Burn House, the
name of which is worth
noting.

Site of the Battle of
Hedgeley Moor, 1465.

Named Stones. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.G.S. 533

Names of Stones. Latitude. Longitude. Remarks.

Percy’s Cross 55° 28’ 1” | 1° 54’ 49’’ |Close to Township Boun.
daries.

Shivering Stone 55 25 12 2 9 18 |Just South of the Bloody
Bush Edge.

Tod Stones 55 240-1 2 3 15 |Onthe banks of Spart-
ley Burn.

Malcolm’s Cross DON Zomon 1 41 55 |Malcolm I. slain here,
1098.

Broken Stirrup 55 25 52 1 38 45 |In Ratcheugh Crag.

Phillip’s Cross Bike) iy, 2 24 4° |Close to the Boundary
between England and
Scotland.

Outer Golden Pot bon Qhe 31 2 18 30 |Parish Boundary. On
the site of Watling

Street.

Middle Golden Pot 565 21 8 2 17 43 |On the site of Watling
Street.

Grey Yade of Coppath| 55 23 42 al Gi)

The Priest and Clerk | 55 20 28 1 54 52

Kail Stone 55 20 17 1 52 31

Grey Mare 55 20 51 1 49 20 |Close to Wellhope.

Gowk Stone 55 21 6 1 47 55 |Three Parishes meet at
this stone.

Bigge’s Pillar 55 21 27 1 48 27

Union Stone 55 22 15 1 46 47 |Parish Boundary. Three
Townships also meet
here.

Green Needle Stone | 55 18 36 2 33 30 |On the Boundary be-
tween England and
Scotland.

Kielder Stone 55 17 48 2 43 20 |On the Boundary be-
tween England and
Scotland. Thisis the
stone referred to in the
Ballad of the Cout of
Kielder.

Jenny Storie’s Stone | 55 17 22 2 35 32 |On the Boundary be-
tween England and
Scotland on Peel Fell.

Girdle Stone 55 18 16 2 27 50 |Neara Parish Boundary.
Grey Mare Stone 55 18 5 2 26 18

Three Kings 55 18 6 2 21 19

Hawk Stone 55 20 13 2 23 0 |Hast of Hawkhill.

Crow Stone 55 18 41 2 11 28 |Parish Boundary.

Blue Sow 55 17 18 2 10 24

Pedlar’s Stone’ 55 17 62 2 6 12 |Parish Boundary.

Grey Mare ‘ 55 16 62 2 10 12

534

Named Stones. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.GS.

Names of Stones.

Drake Stone
The Five Stones

Main Stone
Kate and Geordy
Little Church
Kate’s Kist
Cockcrow Stone
Black Sow
Bumping Stone
Bore Stone
Hanging Stone
Leaping Stones
Devil’s Lapful
Common stone

Dove Stones
Greymare Stone
Graymare Stone
Fairy’s Kirk
Standing Stone
Eve Stone
Hanging Stone
Percy’s Cross
Cooper Stone
James’ Cross
Blood Bush Pillar

Seven Sisters

Standing Stone
Grey Mare

Gray Mare
Blackheugh End

Gray Stone
Rob of Risingham

Gun Stone
Loughing Stone
Peter’s Stone

Latitude.

55° 20’

1?

43

NDNWNYNNYNNYNMNW ND WY

Longitude.

Remarks.

2° 7’ 30” |The largest of the single

NWN NWNNYD KF KF Oe eH Se

named stones of the
county.

All in one line near the
Beacon Hill, only three
still standing.

Township Boundary.

Parish Boundary

Close to the summit of
Monkside.

Near Otterburn.

Township Boundary.

On the Boundary be-
tween England and
Scotland.

Close to the Boundary be.
tween England and
Scotland.

Near a Parish Boundary.

Close to Grey Mare Moss

Parish Boundary.

The last stone of Blacke
heugh Crag.

Township Boundary.

Blasted. Remainsof Ro-
man sculptured stone.

Parish Boundary.

Parish Boundary.

Close toa Parish Boun-

dary.

Named Stones. By G. A. Lebour, M.A., F.G.S. 535
Steng Cross 552 12’ 41” | 2° 3’ 86” |Parish Boundary, close
to Winter’s Gibbet.
Grey Mare 65 11 2 2 6 57 |Parish Boundary.
Baker’s Chest 55 10 23 1 51 34
Long Sal 55, 17 18 233 57 (Near a Parish Boundary.
Rocking Stone Bor 9 10 2 33 20
Riding Stone © 55 8 25 | 215 17 (Inthe River North Tyne
by Bellingham Mill,
almost on the Town-
ship Boundary.
Piper’s Chair On Shaftoe Crags
Devil's Punch Bowl } Be as AA wi Cato iict aguemeiae.
Tailor and his Man 55 7 «(42 055 8 sf Bs ml
Poind and his Man 55 67 «58 153 48 |Associated with a tumu-
lus, close to the site of
the Devil’s Causeway.
Hunter’s Stone 556 67:~«CO=#B8 152 45 |Just East of the last.
Rutter’s Stone 55 «6«5 O6D 227 58 {Close to the ruins of
Rutter’s Hall.
Hotter Stones 556 6 4:«i18 226 18 |Near Mossy Walls and
Haining Head.
The Split Stones Sa Soin wp 2uab) \BTiCiy pr een maT Ae
The Flat Stone 55 5 13 Dobe Pert Township
The Large Stone 550 «6lOd14 224 15 Boundary.
Rimmin’s Cross 55 83 Od 218 49 |Parish Boundary.
Carlin Stone BR, 4. 98 215 18 |On the flank of Carlin
Hill.
Molly’s Stone 55 62 «630 220 42
Long Stone 64 59 31 220 46 :
Fairy Stone 55 (0 (2 219 41 |Just north of Borcovicus-
Written Crag 56 0 28 2 5 46 | Petra Flavi Caran-
tini,” South of the Ro-
man Wall.
Standing Stone 55. 1 58 2 0 41 {Modern (?).
Standing Stone 55 1 42 156 48 |Ancient (7). At the
Standing Stone Farm
House.
Monk Stone 550 E27 126 18
Eadely Stone 54 57 29 234 0 {County Boundary, about
36 chains South-West
of the ruins of Hadeley
Stone House.
The Chair 54 56 26 226 48 |On Ramshaw Fell.
Hanging Stone 54 57 2 a a
Standing Stone 54 638 58 232 651 |By the Glendue Burn.
Standing Stones 64 53 12 2 2 29 |Parish Boundary.
Donald’s Grave (stone?)| 54 53 20 159 58
Grey Nag. 54 49 19 231 19 |Parish Boundary.

2P

536 «Native Jasper. By Mr James Thomson.

High Haddock Stones | 54 49 24 218 0

Sheriff's Stone 54 49 21 2 9 0 |County Boundary

Beggar’s Rest 54 49 138 2 9 28 |County Boundary.

Rookhope Edge Stone} 54 48 5 210 - 5 |County Boundary.

The King’s Stone* 55 38 22 211 2 {Close to trigonometrical
station.

Big Nichol* 55 40 12 2 8 40 |Between Tiptoe Mill and
Tiptoe Throat, on the

right bank of the Till,

* These two stones should have been entered fourth and fifth in the early
part of the list, the order followed being that in which the six-inch
ordnance maps of the county are numbered.

Native Jasper. By Mr James THomsoy, Shawdon Gardens.

THE Jaspers found in Ramshope Burn, near the head of the
Reed water, are not composed of true volcanic rock, but a con-
glomerate, made up of water-rounded pebbles of lava mixed with
other pebbles of Silurian Graywacke. The lava pebbles are com-
posed of porphyritic rock, much the same as those of Coquetdale,
and like them containing many cavities filled with jasper. Some-
times these Jaspers form the whole or nearly whole of a pebble
and as they resist disintegration very much better than porphy-
ritic, they are found in streams washed down by floods, sometimes
beautifully polished by the action of the water. The specimens
now shown to the members of this society were found in Rams-
hope Burn. This burn falls into the Reed through a deep gorge;
the jasper pebbles roll from the face of the crumbling rocks into
the stream below, and are by this means carried into the Reed-
water. There is no doubt that the pebbles found in this place are
capable of beiag worked into very pretty ornaments for the
pérson, and for writing and toilettables. Of course the value of
these stones consists in their being found amongst our native
hills.

I am much indebted to Mr T. C. Clough of the Geological Sur-
vey Office, whose acquaintance I made this summer in the Reed-
water district, for the information he gave me regarding the
formation of Jasper. As much of it is already known to mem-
bers of your society, I need not repeat it again, but draw their
attention to the beauty of the stone when it passes through she
hands of the lapidary.

537

List of Fungi found in the immediate neighbourhood of
Roxburgh. By Rev. Davip Paut, M.A.

Tue following list of larger and less common Fungi is supple-
mentary to the lists contributed by the late Mr A. Jerdon,
Jedburgh, and published in the Transactions of the Club for
1863, 1866, and 1868. The species have not heretofore been
recorded from the Border District, which is rich in Fungi, but
has been as yet hardly explored at all. Mycology possesses at
present the peculiar interest of being a somewhat fresh branch
of botanical study, which may be expected to yield to the student
not only new localities for the rarer forms, but many species new
to Scotland, and to Britain. It is to be hoped that some of the
botanical members of the Club will help to place it on better
footing than it has hitherto had among us. The nomenclature
in the list is, for the Agarieint and Polyporei, that of the 2nd
edit. of Fries’ Hymenomycetes Europaei.

1. Acaricus (AMANITA) LENTIOULARIS, Lasch, In mixed wood;
rare.

2. Aa. (TRIcHoLoma) ustTauis, Hr. In woods; not uncommon this
year (1881) ; often in rings.

3. Ac. (TRicHoLoMA) cotuMBETTA, /r. In woods; not common.

4, Aq. (TRIicHoLomA) nupus, Bull. Not common; a very pretty
Fungus.

. Aa. (CLIToOoYBE) cLAVIPES, Pers. In woods; not uncommon.

. Aa. (CriTocyBE) InvERSUs, Scop. In woods; frequent.

. Aa. (CottysiA) stipirarius, Fr. On grass root; rare.

. Aa. (Cottyp1a) conicEnus, Pers. On fir cones; much less fre-
quent here than the somewhat similar Ag. tenacellus.

9. Ac. (Coxtypra) INoLENS, Fr. In pine wood; rare.

10. Ac. (Mycrna) ELEGANS, Pers. Rare.

11. Ac. (Mycena) PRouIFERUS, Sow. Not Common ; rath, grow-
ing abundantly in soil on a heap of old roots.

12. Ac. (Mycrna) TENERRIMUS, Berk. Ina green-house flower
pot; rare.

13. Ac. (OMPHALIA) DEMIssus, #r. On turfy wall top ; rare.
This is the 4g. rufulus of Berkeley’s ‘‘ Outlines.”

14, Aa. (OmpPHALIA) GRisEUS, fr. Among pine leaves.

15. Ac. (PLUTEUS) PHLEBOPHORUS, Dittm. On old stump; rare.

16. Ac. (Entomoxa) crypgatus, Z. In garden beds; frequent.

On dD oN

538 Elsdon Mote Hills. By Mr Thos. Arkle.

17. Ac. (PHottoTa) sPEcTaBILIS, Fr. Densely coespitose on de-
cayed stump ; not common.

18. Ac. (PHotioTa) ToauLaRis, Bull. Grassy bank of Tweed;
rare.

19. Ac. (PHouioTa) pumitus, Fr. On wall top, in mossy turf;
rare. In company with Ag. muralis and Ag. demissus. Ap-
pears not to have been recorded in Scotland till this year,
when it was also found by Rev. J. Keith, Forres.

20. Ac. (FLAMMULA) HyBRIDUS, Fr. Coespitose on old Scotch fir
stump ; apparently uncommon.

21. Ac. (Navcortra) siparius, #y. Not common.

22. CoRTINARIUS MULTIFORMIS, fr. Under beech; rare.

23. LacTaRius etycrosmus, Fr. In mixed wood.

24. Lenzires sarpraria, Fr. AtSprouston Ferry, on old timber ;
rare.

25. BoterusLaricinus, Berk. Under larch; not uncommon here.

26. PoLyPoRUS BRUMALIS, Fr. On dead fir branch; rare.

27. PoLYPORUS SANGUINOLENTUS, Jr. On the ground in awood ;
rare.

28. Potyporus vApPoraRius, /r. On dead wood.

29. Inpex oBtiquus, Fr. Covering barked fir-log in a wood at
Rutherford ; rare.

30. Puziza cocHLEATA, Bull.

31. Prziza numosa, Fr. On turfy wall top ; frequent.

32. XYLARIA POLYMORPHA, Grev. Onanoldstump ; not common.

Elsdon Mote Hills. By Mr Tuomas ARKz, Highlaws,
Morpeth. With two Plates.

Tur town of Elsdon lies on the western side of the brook of the
same name, and the Mote Hills are situated on the other side of
the stream, a little to the north-east of the town. For upwards
of half a mile above Elsdon the course of the brook is through a
narrow valley, there being a bank of considerable height on each
side.

The hills occupy the southern point of the eastern bank, which
from thence slopes down to the level haugh on the south side of
town. These memorials of bygone times which are remarkably
perfect, consist as the name implies of two hills, the southern or
higher of which is 70 feet above the adjoining brook, The top

Elsdon Mote Hills. By Mr Thos. Arkle. 539

of this southern hill, which was originally nearly level, only de-
clining a little towards the entrance, has at various times been
much disturbed by diggings probably made in search of hidden
treasure. It contains an area of 900 square yards, being 100 feet
long and 80 broad, exclusive of the earlier rampart by which it
is defended on the north and east sides. This barrier, the base
of which is from 15 to 40 in width, the greatest height being 12
feet, extends from the western to the south-eastern point, where
the entrance is placed. On the remaining side the hill is a little
higher towards the edge, but this elevation is so very trifling that
it has not been shown on the drawing. The heightened edge,
however, leads to the inference that a portion of earth may at
some period have been removed from this quarter, and that the
hill originally may have been guarded by a continuous line of
defence. On the eastern side, the bottom of the surrounding
ditch is 35 feet below the summit of the rampart.

The north or lower hill rises to an average height of 63 feet
above the brook. The nearly level space on the top measures on
an average 200 by 120 feet, thus having an area of 2700 square
yards, or upwards of half an acre, exclusive of the ground occu-
pied by the rampart which runs along the northern and eastern
sides. This defence is 60 feet broad at the widest part, its ex-
treme height being 15 feet.

The ditch on the northern side of this hill is 27 feet below the
top of the adjacent rampart, whilst the sloping side of the breast-
work and ditch taken together is double that distance.

When the hiils were occupied for defensive purposes, the
ditches would possibly be filled with water to a considerable
depth, but if so every trace of the retaining dams has disappeared.
It may be remarked that this could not be done to any appreci-
able extent on the south side, on account of the small capacity of
the ditch.

The surface of the northern hill, unlike that of its more aspir-
ing neighbour, appears to have remained untouched. Its beau-
tifully level top, and the fine unbroken, sweeping barrier by
which it is protected, seem never to have been disturbed since
the last detachment of weary labourers relinquished their tools
on the completion of their stupendous, and probably long pro-
tracted work.

On looking carefully at the section DBE, the reader will be
apt to draw a conclusion, that the top of the northern hill is very

540 Elsdon Mote Hills. By Mr Thos. Arkle.

near to what, previous to the formation of the ditches and en-
bankments, must have been the natural surface of the ground.
Let this supposed surface line be continued onthe section, through
the higher hill across the southern ditch where the artificial work
ceases, and it will be found that there is fully 20 feet of the top
of the hill above what appears to have been the natural surface
of the ground. Hence unless diluvial action had thrown up a
conical hill here, there must have been from twelve to fifteen
thousand cubic yards of material brought from a distance, in
order to raise the hill to its present height. This earth, it is be-
lieved, was taken out of the hollow in which the road from the
High Mote House now goes downto Elsdon. Sand itis well
known, is the principal component in both the hilland the cutting,*
and Mr Matthew Hall the present owner of High Mote Estate,
to which property the hill itself was formerly attached, has as-
sured me that fragments of coal and limestone are found in the
edges of the cutting, whilst particles of both substances have been
observed by him in the sand composing the highest portion of
the hill.

The construction of the Mote Hills at Elsdon has been univers-
ally ascribed to the ancient Britons ; but the time of their erection,
and their purposes, whether as places of defence or as temples of
worship, are questions involved in impenetrable obscurity. Itis
even doubtful whether both hills belong to one period, for the
regular, more highly finished, and less time worn appearance of
the northern erection, may suggest the idea that before it was
called into existence, its older neighbour might have witnessed
revolutions almost innumerable of that deified object to which it
has been thought it was originally dedicated. The general ap-
‘pearance of the southern hill is no doubt that of a defensive
position, but there is no incongruity in supposing that at the same
time it might be used for civil assemblies, for the promulgation
of laws, for the administration of justice, and for the celebration
of religious rites and ceremonies. What, then, was the nature
of the adoration practised here? Doubtless it was the widely
spread worship of that glorious luminary which confers such

* Mr Hall of Low Angerton, formerly of the Mote, has informed the
writer that about the year 1822, he and his brother dug a shaft in the
higher hill to the depth of about seven yards, and bored two yards far-
ther with an iron rod, So far as they went nothing but sand was
reached,

Berwicksinre Naturalists’ Club.

—

ISSO NYEE ie 4
ae : eth am Pn he ae ie Wy Wf By ie

i Ne) Wi, Ui
AN Ni a — Wife

Sy = Mn Ee
: Lett TT >A a 4

'
i}
'

!
!

\
i}

SS |.
3 S
——

FS

i \\\
sh

)

{
Il
!
|
!

i

\

x

aye WS AY ) " se mA
il ue

iY, By

yg Uy 7 Yy, “9 a
Ge :
= 3 an - pS
eae ry < %, % Za
— 2 %,
SS 3 aay oe

\ \

s RS / i
-

&

SS

OX
i; -

on J
Pai AS

a Pi | Mj v i \) ws

Z ig se y NK I \\ ‘
Zz as .
Zi. His

2
Cegipsig:
yey,

Lig

ae 2
SS: Ee

ee

i

==

Loy Move

TEE. MOP aes;
ELSDON,
NORTHUMBERLAND.

|
|
Scale. 30%a7c08 to a lnch.

ZB, |
= fligh Moe
= =
= = 7 ]

Plate, 1.

Thor Arklé, SEH? LELE.

Gibb é& Bay, Lithographers to Her Majesty, Aberdeen.

Berwickshire Naturalists Chub. Plate, 11.

'
valk
H

1

H '
2 Qi Sia & BOG
‘|
1 60 ; 35 0} 73 1 55 1 34 1
Se ee ee eee ee ee ee ee een
B Cc

SECTION ON LINE ABC

Horizontal Stile 130 Feet to an lich:
Lerticeal Stale 100 Feet te anLTrth:

s 8 g 8 a 2: w 8 za ae
aati
Bs ae 231 30 18 '2\ SON wisiiz}| 40 ene TB NG s
22nd tad Sees See eeger ce ge het Ese an eee din tc es AE Se a ee S|
D .B E

SECTION ON UNE DBE

THER MOTE HILLS, ELSDON, NORTHUMBERLAND.

Gibb & Hay Lithographers w Her Majesty, Aberdeen

Elsdon Mote Hills. By Mr Thos. Arkle. 541

inestimable benefits on mankind, and which a faith infinitely
more exalted and sublime found it difficult to extinguish. We
know little of sun worship, only we are informed that elevated
positions were its most appropriate temples; and we can easily
conceive that some such notion prevailed amongst a people who
designated one of their highest mountains by a name which, in
. their admirably descriptive language, signified the presence. One
relic of sun worship certainly came down to our own times, viz.,
the lighting of a bone-fire on Midsummer eve, which practice at
Elsdon was discontinued only half a century ago. We need not
be surprised at this observance when we find that so late as the
time of Canute the Great (1017 to 1036) an Act was passed pro-
hibiting the worship of the heavenly bodies.

Hutchinson, Mackenzie, Hodgson, and Bruce, all agree that
the Romans occupied the Mote Hills; but Hodgson is the only
historian who mentions Roman masonry as existing there, adding,
however, that the hill was occupied for occasional purposes. The
evidence of Roman occupation seems to rest solely on the fact of
two fragments of stone, together forming one tablet, dedicated to
Matunus, having been found in one of the hills. Boar’s tusks,
urns containing bone ashes, and bones of animals supposed to
have been used in sacrifice, are too vague to be relied upon as
proofs of occupation by any particular people.

There is a tradition that squared stones obtained from the hill
were used in building the farm house at the High Mote. These
stones do not seem to possess any of the distinguishing charac-
teristics of Roman masonry ; they appear rather to resemble the
remains of some medieval structure.

General Roy’s conjecture that Elsdon was the first of a chain
of Roman forts between Watling Street and its Kastern branch,
the second having been on the Coquet' behind Hepple, on a hill
called Hetchester, carries with it less weight when it becomes
known that Hetchester was a British encampment, and that a
paved Roman road led from Bremenium on the Reed to Holystone
on the Coquet, and thence by way of Callaly to Thrunton, where
it joined the Hastern branch of the Watling Street. If there had
been a succession of forts they would have been placed on this
line of road.

Hodgson well observes that the term Mote Hill, as applied to
the remarkable structure at Elsdon, is descriptive either of its
form or of the use to which it was applied; but when it is

542 Stations for Woodsia Ilvensis. By Mr Robt. Mathison.

considered that so many hills throughout the country, not moated
but simple in construction compared to the one here, bear the
same appellation, we must conclude that the name is indicative
of the circumstance that such places were in Saxon times used
for the administration of justice, and that our Moot Halls are
their legitimate successors. Under any circumstances, the situa-
tion of Elsdon renders it well adapted for the capital of an exten-
sive, if not highly-populated district.

In 1281, the town was thought of sufficient importance to be
granted the privilege of holding a weekly market and an
annual fair. The Court Leet of the extensive Manor of Redes-
dale was held here till 1868, when this last vestige of departing
baronial greatness ceased to exist.

Note on Stations for Woodsia Ilvensis. By Mr Ropert
MArTuison, Innerleithen.

Tue following observations I am in a position to offer regarding
this rare and interesting fern. It seems to be its chief character-
istic to prefer an altitude of about 2000 feet. It is to be found
in several localities, in the ravines among the mountains, forming
the boundary between the shires of Dumfries and Peebles. One
of the habitats well known to me is in proximity to Loch Skene.
There it grows on crumbling Silurian rocks having a southern
aspect. It may also be interesting to know that in the immedi-
ate neighbourhood, we find the beautiful Hymenophyllum Wilsonit ;
also Cystopteris fragilis, Botrychium Lunaria, Polypodium Phegop-
teris, Lycopodium Selago, and Selaginoides. Another station of the
Woodsta is the waterfall of Corriffren (Corrie fruan). The plants
here have a western exposure, and grow upon the debris of highly
laminated Silurian shales. There is another station of the
Woodsta near Hartfell, wild, weird, and grand. Here the plants
grow upon Silurian grits, with a western exposure, like the last.
In all the stations the Woodsias shew evident signs of sparseness.
I have visited these stations personally, and give the substance
of my observations. I may also mention here that the Asplenium
septentrionale is found in Peebleshire rather abundantly.

543

On a Polygonal Grinding Stone of Quartzite found on
Lamberton Moor.

Tuts Polygonal Grinding Stone of Quartzite was communicated
by Major Campsett Renton, of Mordington, through Colonel
Davin Mitnz-Home, M.P., Royal Horse Guards, to the Society
of Antiquaries of Scotland, and an account of it was printed in
the ‘‘ Proceedings’’ of the Society for 1881, which by permission,
is here reproduced, along with the copy of the figure, the gift of
the Society, at the instance of Colonel Milne Home.

It is 133 inches in length, 3 inches in breadth, and 23 inches
in thickness, and was found in excavating a drain on Lamberton
Moor, Berwickshire. It bears on one of its broader sides three
grinding faces which have been worn to concave surfaces, and
highly polished by use. The concavities of these surfaces are
greatest towards the centre of the stone where the pressure of
friction has been greatest; and towards the ends the unworn

surface of the stone is convex instead of concave. On one of its
narrower sides two similar grinding faces are found. On the
opposite side there is but one grinding face, broader and deeper
in the centre than the others. The broader side opposite to that
first described has scarcely been used, and the surface is convex.
The form and appearance of the implement will be more readily
understood from the accompanying engraving. It is the only
specimen of the kind in the collection. These polygonal grinding
stones are rare, probably because their characteristics are not so
obvious and striking as those of the implements they were em-
ployed to sharpen and polish. Hone-stones and whetstones are
much more common than these large and massive polissoirs, which
are of such size and solidity that they may have been used for
giving the necessary grinding finish to the larger as well as to
the smaller varieties of polished stone celts,
Z2Q

544 Polygonal Grinding Stone of Quartzite.

Mr John Evans, in his work on ‘‘ The Ancient Stone Imple-
ments, Weapons, and Ornaments of Great Britain’ (London
1872), after mentioning the fact that the grindstones on which
stone celts were polished and sharpened were not like those of the
present day, revolving discs against the periphery of which the _
implements to be polished or sharpened were rubbed, presents a
summary of the evidence regarding them as follows :—

‘Considering the numbers of polished implements that have
been discovered in this country, it appears not a little remarkable
that such slabs have not been more frequently noticed, though
not improbably they have, from their simple character, for the
most part escaped observation ; and even if found, there is usually
little, unless the circumstances of the discovery are peculiar, to
connect them with any particular stage of civilization or period
of antiquity. In Denmark and Sweden, however, these grinding
stones, both of the flat and polygonal forms, are of comparatively
frequent vcurrence. Specimens are figured hy Worsaae (‘Nor-
diske Oldsager ’ Nos. 35 and 36) and were also given by Thom-
sen so long ago as 1832 (‘Tidskrift for Oldkyndighed,’ vol. i. pl.
ii. p. 423). He states that they have been found in Scandinavia
in barrows and elsewhere in the ground with half finished stone
celts lying with them, so that there can be no doubt as to the
purpose for which they were intended” p. 235). Mr Evans then
states that several of the grinding stones found in this country
resemble those of polygonal form found in Denmark, being sym-
metrically shaped, and showing marks of use on all their faces.
He figures one from Dorchester, now in the Christy collection,
9} inches long, which has both the faces and sides worn slightly
concave as if from grinding convex surfaces such as the edges of
celts, ‘‘ though it is impossible to say with any degree of certain-
ty that this was really the purpose to which it was applied” (pp.
238-9).

4

a

=
a

2
’
‘
7h
ne
¥
44
I)

Berwicksinre Naturalists Club, Plate, 111.

Robert Mathiaon, Delt. Gibb & Hay, Tathosraphers.

SCaLe or Owe Foor.

SCULPTURED PILLAR FOUND AT INNERLEITHEN, 1871.

545
On a Sculptured Stone at Innerleithen. With a Plate.

Tus stone which has perhaps been the shaft of an ancient cross,
is preserved by Mr Robert Mathison, builder, Innerleithen, and
has been erected on a pedestal in his garden. Its character is

. sufficiently obvious from the figure in the Plate, which was drawn
by Mr Mathison. It is an equi-sided quadrilateral column of a
fine grained white sandstone, such as does not occur in the vicin-
ity. The incised sculpturing is of Celtic design, being almost a
repetition of what is called the ‘‘Spectacle Ornament,” and is
repeated on all the four sides. Itis extremely interesting as be-
ing perhaps one of the few examples remaining of the former
influence of the Columban or Kentigerian Church in the district ;
of which, it may be mentioned, there is another instance in the
fragments of a sandstone Iona cross, which were turned up, when
a new church was erected at Borthwick in Mid-Lothian. Mr
Mathison supplies the following history. of the stone :—-‘‘ It was
found in the foundation of the old Parish Church of Innerleithen,
in 1871, during the process of its demolition. It formed part of
the lowest course of mason work of the south side wall, and was
near the position of the pulpit. In all my researches I have not
been able to arrive ata satisfactory or conclusive opinion as to
the quarry, or even the locality, from-which the stone has been
got. It is certainly beyond all doubt that itis not a stone native
to this county.—This old church stood in the church-yard near
to the present manse, which is about three-fourths of a mile from
the centre of the burgh. About a quarter of a mile to the north
of this old church once stood the parish church of older date.
This church, like its successor, was demolished, and probably
from it this old relic was brought. This reference is justified by
the fact, that many fragments of old tomb-stones formed part of
the structure last demolished,

‘This church of oldest date, ‘said to be dedicated to St. Calix-
tus is mentioned for the first time in authentic record in the reign
of Malcolm the Maiden, about the year 1159, in connection with
a very interesting circumstance. An illegitimate son of the mon-
arch, who derived his surname from his effeminate countenance,
had been hunting in the neighbourhood of Innerleithen, and was
attempting to cross the Tweed on his return home to the castle of
Traquair, where he was at the time residing. The river being
in high flood, he was carried down by the stream and was

546 Sculptured Stone at Innerleithen

drowned. His body was recovered and taken out of the water
near the foot of the Leithen, and immediately opposite a steep
hill called the Caddon-bank. It was conveyed by the country
folks to the church of Innerleithev, and lay there the whole of
the next night. In return for this act of kindress and respect
the King granted the church of Innerleithen to the monks of
Kelso, and bestowed upon it, the rights and privileges of sanc-
tuary.’”

In granting this privilege to ‘‘Inverlethan,” Malcolm IV. or-
dains, ‘‘that the said church in which my son’s body rested the
first night after his decease, shall have a right of sanctuary in all
its territory, as fully as Wedale or Tyningham; and that none
dare 1o violate its peace ‘and mine’ on pain of forfeiture of life
and limb.” ‘ Ut tantum refugium habeat in omni territorio suo ;
quautum habet Wedale aut tyningham, et ne aliquis ita sit
temerarius, ut pacem predicte ecclesie et meam super vitam et
membra sua, audeat violare.”’ Liber de Calchou, Chart. No. 21.
“pe 23).

‘‘The most celebrated, and probably the most ancient sanctu-
ary [in the south of Scotland]’’, says Mr Cosmo Innes, “‘ was that
of the church of Wedale, a parish which is now called by the
name of its village, ‘the Stow.’ There is a very ancient tradi-
tion, that King Arthur brought with him from Jerusalem an
image of the Virgin, ‘fragments of which,’ says a writer of the
11th century, in an annotation on a MS. of Nennius, ‘are still
preserved in Wedale in great veneration.’ ‘Of the sanctuary
of Tyningham, thus mentioned as of almost equal celebrity with -
Wedale, we have but little further information.’” (Preface to
Liber de Calchou, pp. xxi. xxii). The Scotch law of sanctuary
is fully described in this Preface. ‘The King’s peace’ alluded
to in the Charter, ‘“‘ was a privilege attached to the sovereign’s
court and castle, but which he could confer on other places and
persons, and which at once raised greatly the penalty of misdeeds
committed in regard to them.” (Jd. p. xxiii).

In the year 1144, when David I. granted the church of Lesma-
hago as a cell to Kelso, he conferred upon it the secular privilege
of sanctuary in these terms: ‘‘ Whoso, for escaping peril of life.
or limb, flee to the said cell, to come within the four crosses that
stand around it, I grant them my firm peace.” (Jb. p. xxil)
The ‘‘territory” of Innerleithen would have similar crosses.
Was the sculptured stone now under consideration, the shaft of

On a Trout of great age. By Mr. James Wood. 547

one of them? As already hinted at it was possibly of still older
type.
The portion of the shaft that remains is 2 feet 9 inches in
height, fifteen inches on the face, and twelve inches in thickness.
. J. H.

On a Trout of great age. By Mr JAmes Woop, Galashiels.

Nort having seen in the Club’s Proceedings any notice relative to
the age to which fishes attain, I think the following may not be
without interest to the members.

In the year 1835, James Crosbie, son of the late Thomas
Crosbie, letter carrier, captured a trout in the Leader, and put it
into a well belonging to the late James Thin, weaver, West End,
Earlstoun. The trout when put into the well was of an ordinary
size, and might weigh from five to six ounces, but as it took quite
kindly to its altered circumstances, it gradually increased in bulk,
until in course of time it attained to the dimensions of a fish of
a pound and a half in weight, which seemed to be the full extent
of its natural development, as for many years afterwards it pres-
ented no perceptible change whatever. It was observed to get
darker in colour, which might have been due to its shaded pos-
ition. The well was cleared out every year, and during this
operation the trout was carefully transferred to a tub of water.
In the latter years of its life, when taken out for this purpose, its
head seemed to be assuming abnormal proportions. This, how-
ever, was ultimately found not to be the case, the fact being that
its body was gradually getting more and more emaciated, until
in 1869, to the grief of many people in the neighbourhood, it
was taken out dead, its body wasted away to a mere skeleton.
During all the thirty-four years it was in the well, its wants were
carefully attended to, as the women, when they went to draw a
pitcher of water, generally took a few crumbs of bread and threw
down, and children going to take a peep at their favourite trout,
seldom did so, empty handed. From the emaciated condition of
the fish when taken out of the well, it may safely be concluded
that its death was due to natural causes alone, and assuming from
its size when put in, that its age may have been five or six years
old, this would make the whole life of the trout to be close on
forty years. Whether it would have attained that age, or be-
yond it, in its native stream, exposed to many enemies, is matter
of conjecture,

548

Notes, with Measurements, of some of the Conifere at
Rowchester, Berwickshire, 20th September, 1881. By Mr.
Peter Loney, Marchmont.

1. ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA—
Height . - . 984 feet.
Circumference at 1 foot, 4 feet.
Do. 3 feet, 3 ,, 3 inches.
Do. Dieghay en 5 iy
This tree is in luxuriant health. It has 20 whorls of branches. Thereare
seven cones on it, each about 19 inches in circumference; two of them resemble
a Pine Apple, with the branch rising from their apex ; the other five are sessile,
or seated on the branches. This is the second year of the cones, and I have
no doubt they will ripen seed.
2. ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA—

Height . : . 243 feet.

Circumference at 1 foot, 3 ,, 8 inches.
Do: Steet, 2° 4 1 4s,
Do. OF go eaten 3

This tree is growing vigorously.
8. WELLINGTONIA GIGANTEA—

Height . A . 87 feet.
Circumference at 1 foot, 8 ,,
Do. 3 feet,6 ,, 1 inch.
Do. 5 4) 2 4) 2 inches.

This tree is growing vigorously, and bears a heavy crop of cones, the seeds
in which are nearly ripe.
4. Pinus EXCELSA—

Height . 5 . 81 feet, 6 inches.

Circumference at 1 foot, 4 ,, 5 ;,
Do. 3 feet, 3 99 10 99
Do. Bi ter gy

”

This tree has suffered a good deal by the severe frosts of the past two
winters; it has several leading shoots, characteristic of it in this country.
There,;are a number of cones about 9 inches long, which promise to ripen
seed if we have no early autumn frosts.

5. TAXoDIUM SEMPERVIRENS—
Height . . . 981 feet.
Circumference ait 1 foot,8 ,, 2 inches.

At 2 feet high this tree branches into two trunks, each at 3 feet is 5 feet
2 inches in circumference ; it is growing vigorously, and there are no signs
of the past winters observable.

6. Picza Prinsaro—

Height. < *. . 29 feet.

Circumference at 1 foot, 2 feet 10 inches.
Do. 3 Teebs OO 4s F095
Do. 5 %9 2 39 0 29

This is a very healthy, well-proportioned tree.

Notes on Conifere at Rowchester. By Mr. P. Loney. 549

7. CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA—
Height . . . 27 feet 8 inches.
Circumference at 1 foot,3 ,, 4 4,
Do. S feet, 2. ssl. 55
Do. BY 59. 2) ayy 39
A very healthy, vigorous tree.
8. CuPREssUS TORULOSA—
Height , - . 388 feet.
Circumference at 1 foot, 4 ,,
Do. 3 feet, 3 ,, 8 inches.
Do. Bigs 8 si) 0 aap
Growing vigorously.
9. PickEA PONDEROSA—

Height . : . 24 feet.

Circumference at 1 foot, 3 ,, 10 inches.
Do. SLEOUs A gsi Oo 55
Do. Ties Agen aearty ae,

10. Apres CEPHALONICA—

Height . - . 80 feet.

Circumference at 1 foot, 3 feet 7 inches.
Do. Sfeet, 3 , 1 ,,
Do. Ge SPARS ea 1

”

A healthy tree, clothed to the ground with branches, and thoroughly hardy.

11. Pryus Srrozsus, nanA—Height about 7 feet, with several leaders; a
very striking plant, from the variegated appearance of its foliage and shining
bark.

12. Apres Doveras1—30 feet high.

13. ABIES ORIENTALIS—28 feet high; a very fine specimen, but over-
shadowed with deciduous trees.

These fine specimens of Conifers were planted by the present proprietor,
R. H. Broughton, Esq., about 22 years ago, who is deservedly proud of them.
The cone-bearing Araucaria is decidedly rare in Scotland, and goes far to
prove that Araucaria is not absolutely dioecious ; probably far from it.

Record of Migration and Occurrence of Burds on the Borders
im the order of their dates, for 1881. By JAMES HARDY.

For furnishing the particulars in addition to my own observa-
tions of the past year on the migration of Birds, I am indebted
to the following, whose contributions are chiefly indicated by
their initials, viz.: Mr John Aitchison, Belford; Rev. J. F.
Bigge, Stamfordham ; Mr George Bolam, Berwick; Mr Andrew
Brotherston, Kelso; Mr James Mein, Lamberton; Mr Robert
Renton, Fans; and also to Dr. Charles Stuart and others, whose
names are given in full.

550 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

Woop-Picron.—Mr John Aitchison writes from Belford: ‘‘ The first great
migration of 1881, took place in the early part of the year, namely, from the
6th to the 20th of January. It consisted of large flocks of Swans, Geese,
Ducks, and Wood-pigeons. The Wood-pigeons were exceedingly abundant ;
and some of the flo-ks must have contained thousands of birds. In the
neighbourhood of Belford, whole fields, many acres in extent, were literally
covered for several days by these immense flocks. Many of the birds were, no
doubt, from the north of Scotland, but vast numbers must have come across
the sea from the more northern parts of continental Europe They suffered
terribly in the snow-storm in January. Scores of them were found starved
to death in the fields, and fowlers shot them down, not by scores, but by
hundreds ina day. They visited in flocks the gardens of the Blue Bell Inn,
the stack-yard and cattle folds; and the back-yards and open ash-pits in
other parts of the town, were daily assailed by flocks of from a dozen to
twenty and thirty or more individuals. They nearly all disappeared after
about the 24th January.’’—A migration of Wood-pigeons was observed Oct.
30th, 1880, see “ Proceedings,”’ p. 406. It was at the period referred to by
Mr Aitchison that Wood-pigeons during the snow-storm stripped the leaves
off most of the Swedes in this neighbourhood and in East Lothian. A game-
keeper who shot some of them here, said they were mere skeletons. Some
were so weak that they staggered in their flight, although not wounded.
They have been very scarce on the coast-farms during the summer and au-
tumn. No flocks visited the corn-fields at the ripening period, a source of
constant annoyance. Only a few pairs remain in the woods.—On Dec. 6th,
1881, Dr. Stuart, at Whiterig, near Ayton, saw vast flocks of Wood-pigeons of
a darker hue than the birds of our country ; evidently foreigners. ‘The pure
white bird noticed last year as being in the Pease dean was shot by one of the
gamekeepers. .

Wiip Swans (See Woop-Picron).—Mr Aitchison goes on to note of date
Jan. 26th, that ‘‘ several flocks of Swans had been seen at Kenham Flats re-
cently, and some individuals were shot. A flock of 14 Swans visited Belford
on Jan. 27th. They alighted on a pond in front of Belford Hall, where they
remained for nearly two hours, then took their departure a little before dusk.
Another flock of seven was seen at the same place on Feb. 4th.’’— May 28th.
Three were observed on the Tweed, between the Quay and the Pier at Ber-
wick. They flew off in the direction of the Farne Islands. (Ber. News).
Oct. 7th, a family company of Swans appeared at enham.—J.A —Oct. 25th,
Mr Brotherston received a Hooper from Greenlaw-walls near Norham.

Lapwine: Spring Migration.—March 7th, snow disappearing; 18 Lap-
wings appeared on the leas. Same day. Lapwings and Golden Plovers came
in a great band to Penmanshiel. March 11th, fresh, 31 birds flying towards
the sea. March 16th, becoming scattered. March 19th, from 20 to 30 seen ;
wind high. March 20th, several seen at their breeding places near Cock-
burnspath ; where they continued on the 27th. March 20th, a large flock at
lea fields, Oldcambus, and on 28th about 20 crossing the country in quest of
ploughed ground. April 8rd to 12th, a considerable number of parties not
yet dispersed; and this continued till April 14th and 16th. The companies
were long in breaking up this ungenial spring ; several were still seen on the
28rd. ‘On April 20th, the Lammmermoor Lapwings and Golden Plovers were

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 551

driven down by cold piercing winds, to the low fields near Skateraw, East
Lothian.— Feb. 27th, in considerable flocks at Edington Hill.—Dr. Stuart.
—March Ist, a considerable flock at Roxburgh Barns, along with Golden
Plovers, before severe weather, which sent them off again to the sea-side.
—A.B.—March 8th, Lapwings appeared at Fans, near Earlstoun ; had eggs
in April.— R.R.— Autumn Migration.—Sept. 4th, the flocks of Lapwings were
fewer this year among turnip fields on the coast, owing to there not being any

‘caterpillars (although full of Aphides) ; a few parties of them observed in the
Merse. On Sept. 6th, they came down in great numbers to the rocky shore
at Oldcambus. Oct. 18th, very large numbers in the fields at Rowchester
near Greenlaw. They did not leave Fans till November. Oct. 26th, they
returned in considerable numbers to the leas at Penmanshiel, their summer
residence. Nov. 18th, bad weather, numerous at Cockburnspath. Nov.
22nd and 23rd, passing the night in the inland fields, and the day at the sea-
side. Dec. 28th, Lapwings had left; were near Dunbar 10th Jan., 1882.
These and some that follow are instances of local migration dependent on the
necessities of incubation, on weather, and on food.

CurLew: Spring.—March 12th, fine day ; about 20 Curlews on the coast.
March 15th, began to venture inland ; 9 or 10 at the sea side; only one left
on March 21st. March 28th, 18 Curlews at the coast; on March 30th and
31st, April 4th and 5th, there were only two or three left; April 12th, there
werenone. April 13th and 28rd, the Curlews were on the moors. May 11th
and 17th, only a single bird frequented the shores. March 19th, appeared at
Fans; had eggs, April 17th.—R. R. March 15th, appeared at Stamfordham.
—J. F.B. Autumn.—July 2nd, 4 Curlews arrived on the coast ; and on the
16th more ; on the 22nd there were 8, and then 5 visible. They were scarce
all the season. Aug. 4th. about 30 ina flock. Aug. 22nd, the Lammermoor
Curlews in East Lothian were circulating between the hills and the coast
above Innerwick. Sept. 1st, at Scremerston, near Berwick, the Curlews and
Redshanks had scarcely left the hills for the coast —A. H. Evans. Sept 13th,
there were 15 Curlews on the coast here; Nov. 15th, there were none; Nov.
24th, only one; Dec. 16th, 10; a few continued till Dec. 28th.

Gotpen Puiover (See Lapwine and Curtzw). -March 10th, appeared
inland at Fans.—R. R. March 1st, at Roxburgh Barns.—A. B.

RepsHank : Spring.—March 31st, last seen on the coast, and then only
three. Autumn.—July 22nd, 8 Redshanks arrived. Aug. 4th, a few on the
coast, where they continued but the numbers were very scarce during the
winter.

Heron: Spring.—Feb. 24th, Herons left, three only remained till that
date. Autwmn.—May }2th, one returned to the shore; July 22nd, two old
Herons returned for the first time. Sept. 1st, 8 Herons seen. The sea-coast
salmon fishery interferes with their haunts. Oct. 9th, 11 Herons present ;
continued till Dec. 28th.

Witp-GresE: Spring.—March 7th, came in great numbers to the moors
at Penmanshiel and continued till March 3\Ist.—Jan. 5th, in a thaw, about
60 seen flying from N. to S. near Earlstoun ; one left behind seen Jan. 19th.
—R. R. For the great arrival of Wild-Geese in the Belford district see
Woop-ricron. Mr Aitchison recorded in his Note Book, of date Jan. 26th,
that “ Fenham Flats has, during the last two weeks, been visited by immense

2R

552 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

flocks of Brent Geese, such as have not been observed there for many years.
The low-lying slakes in many places have been entirely covered with them,
and large captures have been made. Bernacle Geese have also been very
abundant, and so has the common Bean species.”’ ‘‘On Feb. 26th to March
3rd, Fenbam Flats was again visited by extensive flocks of Wild-Geese.
They stayed over a week; but were not seen after about the 8th of March.’
Avutumn.—Dec. 15th, a flock of 40 came to Penmanshiel ; Dec. 19th, a con-
siderable flock at Cockburnspath.—Oct. 16th, a small flock of Brent Geese
visited Fenham, opposite Holy Island; and a second and rather larger flock
appeared at the same place on Dec. 13th; others have been seen since, but
in very limited numbers.—J. A. Wild Geese were seen at Berwick in the
end of August and beginning of September (early) ; Brent Geese appeared on
25th October.—G. B. Feb. 4th, an Eeypri1an Goost shot at Howburn,
Northumberland.—A, B.

Sxvas.—Flocks of Skuas—chiefly Pomarine Skuas—were observed at Bam-
borough and other parts of the coast, on Feb. 17th, 19th, and 20th.—J. A.
About the middle of September, Skuas of various kinds were very numerous
a little way out to sea. On the 17th of that month, I watched five or six of
them off the shore at Holy: Island for some time. They were Richardson’s
Skua, and were chasing a flock of Terns that were fishing a quarter of a mile
to sea.— G. B.

Cormorant: Spring.—March 15th and 30th, last seen. The salmon fishery
interferes with their favourite rocks and fishing ground. Autumn.—July
30th, first Cormorant arrived. On removal of salmon nets, Sept. 15th, three
took their station on the rock named from them, ‘‘ The Scart Rock.” They
have been scarce during the winter.

Witp Duck orn Matiarp: Spring.—April 5th, ceased to frequent the sea ;
April 12th, in inland ponds.—At Fenham Flats, in January, the Mallard was
very plentiful; but most of the other species were comparatively scarce.—J. A.
Autumn.—Oct. 9th and 12th, Ducks re-appeared in the sea, in small numbers;
there were only 4 on Nov. 15th, and then they disappeared. They have been
equally scarce inland.— Wild Ducks have been very scarce at Fenham this
fall.—J. A.

Erper-Dvuck. Local movements.—March 15th, 13 Hider-Ducks in a pack
off the coast, 7 males and 6 females; on March 13th, there were 20 in a body
at Siccar Point, 8 of them males. March 31st and April 1st, 10 Hiders ; April
4th, 17 Eiders; April 9th, 11 or 12; April 15th, 8, the sexes being equal ;
April 27th a pair of Eiders. Notseen again till Spring, 1882.—Mr Brothers-
ton received to stuff, Jan. 22nd, March 10th, and Nov. 25th, Eiders from the
neighbourhood of Berwick. On Sept. 17th, Mr Bolam saw hundreds of Hider
Ducks all along the rocky shore of Holy Island ; some in small parties, others
in very large flocks.

GoosanDER.— March 2nd, Goosander on the Teviot. April 25th, saw two
on the Tweed near Floors —A. B.

CresteD GreBe.—April 29th, left the coast, having been present in con-
siderable numbers all winter, probably mixed with other species, as the size
varied ; they did not return in the autumn; only two or three birds were
seen in spring, 1882.—Sept. 30th, one from Teviot, near Roxburgh; stomach
as usual filled with feathers. —A4, B.

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 553

Coot.—March 7th, returned to an inland pond from and to which they are
regular migrants; pair of Wild Ducks arrived with them ; Oct. 28th left,
and the Dascuicxs about the same period ; and another species of GREBE ar-
rived and replaced them. When the Coots are intercepted in their autumn
journey they fight vigorously and bite their opponent, and will not be gain-
sayed. There are Coots also in a pond at Dowlaw ; and at Fairneyside. At
Fairneyside the Coots before the frosts of winter, 1880-1, betook themselves
' to the burn that passes through the dam. A Dascuicx at that period at-
tached itself to the tame ducks, and came daily to the door to be fed with
them.

Warter-HEN.—March 10th, returned to its favourite pond; but the frost
and snow prevented its stay ; and it did not renew its visit till April J4th, to
settle.

Prep WaertalL: Spring.—March 16th, good day, first Wagtail ; on the 17th
two were present, being a breeding locality. March 24th, two appeared at
Penmanshiel, but left. April lst, two at the first locality, walking on the
ice of apond. April 3rd, a pair at Pease Bridge; April 9th, 11th, 12th, and
28th, others seen in a variety of places; the last noted arrivals were May 5th
and 11th. A specimen of Motacilla alba on stones in a burn, May 3rd; en-
gaged in search of water insects; not again seen.—April 11th, first Wagtail
at Fairneyside near Ayton.—A. Leitch. March 19th, at Fans, Earlstoun.—
R. R. March 7th, at Stamfordham.—J. F. B. April 24th, at Shawdon.—
James Thomson. Autumn,—Aug. 16th, no Wagtails visible. Aug. 30, Pied
Wagtails at Ednam. Sept. 20th, last for the season seen at Innerleithen,
Nesting places observed at the middle part of Edmond’s dean; at Heriot water
above Stockbridge; and on the Water Eye at Butterdean Mill; at Renton
and Horsley ; and Dryburn and Saltpanhall, HE. L.

Grey Waertain.—May 18th, at Redheugh water-fall a female had just
landed ; it flew northwards by the coast line. May 28rd, had just arrived at
Biel burn, East Lothian. In general were very scarce this year. May 13th
only one Grey Wagtail on the Whitadder below Blanerne, which is a favour-
ite resort, while there were several of the Pied species. Dr. Stuart remarks
that no Grey Wagtails remained in the vicinity of the Whitadder to winter
in the autumn of 1881-2. Absent this year in Pease burn, Dowlaw burn,
Rigg-dean, and Water Eye above Grant’s House ; present at Dunglass burn.

Goup Crest.—March 27th, a single bird in ahedge. No Gold-crests or
CREEPERS, and rarely any WRENS were seen during the summer of 1881. Dec.
29th, a single Gold-crest on Spruce firs in the Pease-dean woods; where a
pair was visible in March, 1882.

Moor-Pirir: Spring.—March 30th, from 10 to 15 arrived on the coast at
Redheugh, where among young grass, they were springing at flies; calm and
frosty. April 16th and 23rd, there were two or three on the moors. May
9th they were assembled in great numbers on Coldingham moor, where at
one place I counted from 20 to 30 pairs. It was a good clear day. They
were mostly perched on the top of heather and furze bushes. There was very
little song among them, very few mounting into the air. -Awtwmn.—July
20th, a considerable number of young birds from the hills, frequented the
coast near Siccar point. Aug. 22nd, Pipits had deserted the Lammermoors
above Woodhall Woods, E.L. Aug. 25th, Sept. 5th, 6th, 7th, numerous

554 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

Pipits in straggling companies frequented the turnip fields and bean stubbles,
and the sea-banks; most of them had left on Sept. 17th; a few only remain-
ing on 24th. On Sept. 26th, I observed that a few only were still frequent-
ing Meigle Hill, Selkirkshire.

Txee-Pipir or Tit-Larx.—May 6th, one newly arrived at Oldcambus,
flew wildly, contrary to the wind; very windy from W. May 7th, one at
Pease Bridge and another at the top of Aikieside, newly arrived.—May 9th,
a newly arrived bird at Dowlaw-dean. These appeared to have come singly.
Bred this year on the Railway-side north of the Tunnel; also in Bowshiel-
dean.

MisseL-Turusu, Sone Turusu, ETc.—March 1lth, wind N.W., fresh, a
band of 10 Missels on this day, and 5 on the 10th, passing about 10 a.m.
going northwards; the local birds were singing on both days. The Missels
were fewer than usual ; the Song Thrushes had to be sought after to discover
if there were any left; one was heard March 9th, another April 16th; none
seen in Pease dean woods, April 20th. On Sept. 26th, a flock of 6, and then
another of 26 Missels were feeding on Meigle Hill, Galashiels. —Oct. 24th, a
considerable number in the fields at Penmanshiel.— Mr Aitchison mentions
that Missels have been more than ordinary plentiful in the autumn about
Belford.— Winter 1881-2 has almost exterminated the Common Thrush near
Chirnside.— Dr Stuart. Hardly a Thrush has been seen or heard this spring
(1881) at Stamfordham, but there are fair numbers of Blackbirds.—Rev, J- F.
Bigge. At Meldon Park, near Morpeth, the Blackbird is much more plentiful
this year than last, but Thrushes are scarce, as well as Starlings.—J. Finlay,
Nov. 14th, 1881.

Rine-OvuzeL.—May 10th, nest and four eggs at Howpasley, near Hawick.
—A. Brotherston. It has not re-appeared in this vicinity this year any more
than last.—J. H. June 3rd, 1880, one on the Craigs near Crichness in the
Lammermoors.—J. Logan Mack. In middle of July, seen at the foot of the
Lammerlaw.—A. Leitch.

BLACK-HEADED GuLu.—There were a few left at the sea-side in Jan. 1881.
June 12th, two returned from the inland district ; July 2nd, one; Ju'y 16th,
more, July 30th, more; July 30th, following the ploughs; August Ist,
upwards of a hundred in a flock on the shore, and flying about the f-elds in
the evening. Nov. 23rd, several were still on the coast ; Dec. 16th and 22nd
one seen; Jan. 3rd, 1882, about 6 remain, several were still on the coast; Dec.
16th and 22nd, one seen; Jan. 3rd, 1882, about 6 remain, which were flying
towards the inland country. There appears to be generally a residue left
during the winter.

Snow-Bunrine : Spring.— Jan. 7th, three or four in a great storm of snow.
Feb. 19th, two heard. March 28th, the main body left Penmanshiel; one
remaining behind April 1st. April 12th, one seen a little inland.—Feb. 12th,
a large flock of Snow-Buntings was observed at Belford, going in a southerly
direction ; and on the 18th another considerable flock, all making their way
southwards.—J. A. Autumn.— Oct. 31st, at Oldcambus Townhead before a
snow-storm ; Noy. 14th, seen at Bowshiel; Nov. 26th a great flock on clover
leas at Penmanshiel.—Nov. 5th, at Lamberton.—J. M. Oct. 9th, a small
flock in a field near Belford; none subsequently.—J. 4,

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 555

Bramsiine.—Jan. 15th and 19th, one and then two Bramblings among
Chaffinches and Grey Linnets in stackyard during a snow-storm.—Jan. 10th,
appeared in a hard frost during a snow-storm, at Fans near Earlstoun.—Z&. &.
Feb. 4th, at Hast Blanerne.—Dr. Stuart.

Wueat-bar: Spring.—April 11th, wind 8.H., a pair of Wheat-ears male
and female, arrived in a fal ow-field: continued on the 12th. April 14th,
four were seen more inland, and had departed on 15th. On 13th, one a mile
inland. Very scarce this spring. May 3rd, three fre-h birds on the coast,
and three in a sheltered dean; day cold, after rain. May 5th, one on the
coast. May 9th, three or four on moor edges at Dowlaw; probably breed
there. May 19th, more arrived with a rush of Flycatchers, &c.; wind S.W.
and: showery ; making northwards in the afternoon; left next day. May
28rd, straggling birds at Linnhead and Cove, near Cockburnspath. May 24th,
another straggling Wheat-ear seen here; and on the 25th, others near Skate-
raw, East Lothian. They have dropped in irregularly this year, and in scat-
tered parties, March 29th, at Sunnyside, Chirn-ide Crofts; March 31st, at
Allanton.—Dr. Stuart. March 28th, one at Doddington Moor, Northd.,
where I was told it had been for some days.—G@.B. April 3rd, at Belford.—
J. A. April 5th, at Lamberton.—J. M. April 12th, at Stamfordham.—
J. F.B. <Autumn.—July 20th, a young Wheat-ear at coast, and again Aug.
8th; Aug. 27th, more; Sept. 2nd and 3rd. still present.—Sept. 1st, at Scre-
merston —Uy Evans. Sept. 12th, near Belford, small flocks of Wheat-ears
were observed flying south: and on Sept. 23rd, two small companies were
seen ; the last observed in the district.—J. A. Nesting places were observed
in the upper part of Edmonds dean ; and on the coast north from Bilsdean,
East Lothian.

Sronr-Cuat.—April 7th, at Belford.—J.A. May 9th, I observed it at two
nesting stations, one on Piperton Hill, or Earnslaw, two males; and again at
the head of Dowlaw-dean. Another of its resorts is Ewieside. After the
great storm of Oct. 14th, a pair (Oct. 26th) took refuge in the dean at Old-
cambus, where they continued for a time.

Wuin-Cuat —May 7th, cold wind from the north a pair of Whin-chats,
male and female, on a pasture field in the shelter, along with two Wheat-ears,
May 19th, latest arrivals along with Flycatchers, etc. ; left next day: going
north coast ways in the afternoon.—April 9th, at Belford.—J.A. Breeding
stations were noticed in the most secluded part of Edmonds dean, and on
Ecklaw Edge; and on the river Eye below Blackburn Mill; and at Butter-
dean old Mill, and on Berryhaugh, on Brockholes farm.

CuirF-Cuarr.—April 2nd, at Belford.—J. A. ,April 27th, at Chirnside
Bridge.—Dr. Stuart. Spreading in the valley of the Eye.—A. H. Evans.

Wittow-WReEN: Spring.—April 17th, fine, clear, and sunny day, Sylvia
trochilus at Pease Bridge; and again heard it on 24th, but none in the hedges.
April 23rd, cold wind ; three eagerly in search of food ina natural oak wood at
Oldcambus, looking out to the sea, to which many of the arrivals first resort ;
other two more inland; the first noticed lefton the 27th, and there were none
on the 28th, when after rain, the weather was milder. April 30th, mild day ;
Willow-wrens pretty extensively diffused up the Pease-dean; pairing. May
3rd and 5th, cold, one seen, none in the hedges. May 6th, several at the
locality mentioned April 23rd, and in the hedges, but they were shifting

556 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. .

northwards. May 7th, continue in Pease-dean; 8th, warm, in most of the
hedges. May 9th, in thickets of birch and sallow in Penmanshiel and Dow-
law mosses, most bleak situations. May 19th, latest arrivals with the Spot-
ted Flycatcher; these left on the 20:h.—April 10th, first seen at Belford.
Mr John Aitchison remarks, ‘ I have observed that this little warbler returns
more regularly to this district, than almost any other bird with which I am
acquainted.’? April 14th, arrived at Berwick.—G. B -Autwmn.—July 28rd,
collections of young Willow-wrens on furzy banks on the borders of bean-
fields, and also frequenting the beans. This was a preparation for departure.
Aug. 16th, Willow-wrens had deserted the furze bushes and hedges some-
time before this date There were none on the 20th. On the 21st there was
one at Stockbridge. Aug. 22nd, they were still in Woodhall woods, E. L.
Aug. 25th, there was one here. Aug. 30th, none seen at Ednam, nor in the
woods and hedges near Kelso. At Chirnside, Dr. Stuart remarks. “Summer
visitors all left early. I saw no Willow-wrens, White-throats, or Red-starts,
after August.’’ At Berwick, it left in the end of September, after the 29th,
after which day it was singing lustily in the garden.—G@. B. At Belford a
company of Willow-wrens was noticed on Sept. 17th, and were the last of the
species noted in that district.—J. A.

GaRDEN-WaRBLER.—April 20th, first heard and afterwards seen at Bel-
ford,—J. A.

SwaLtows: Sanp-MarTIn.—April 12th and 14th, at Dunse; did not ap-
pear at Oldcambus till May 7th. April 19th, at Chirnside Bridge.—Dr.
Stuart. April 15th, near Belford.—J. 4. April 12th, at Berwick. Breed-
ing places observed; near Redheugh; on the coast at Billsdean, in the cliffs
near Salt-pan-hall ; on the Whitadder at East Blanerne ; on the Eye, below
Quixwood, and near Butterdean, scattered colonies; sand-pit at Horsley
road; on Heriot water, below Stockbridge ; and also above the Towerwood ;
quarry at Paddock-Cleugh. Hovse-Martin. Spring.—April 28th, at Pen-
manshiel, but left. May 5th, Swallows and Martins, 2 pairs of the first, and
5 or 6 birds of the latter, revisiting the cliffs in the shelter; wind W., cold
and unpleasant. May 7th, mixed with Swallows and Sand-Martins near
the coast, flying northwards, in the face of the wind; but perhaps a local
assemblage. May 8th, Martins inland. About 10 birds at the ‘‘ Swallow
Craig,” an old resort, on the coast. May 10th and 11th and 14th, none on
the coast. May 13th, several on the Whitadder at Edrom. May 17th, rainy
weather; a considerable number of Martins mixed with Sand-Martins and
Swallows at the coast, and a pair of Swifts. May 20th, no Martins at the
coast. May 2Ist, a numerous band of Martins on the coast at Siccar bay,
taking up a new residence under hanging rocks facing the east. May 24th
and 27th, they were numerous as bees at this new station, and their old local-
ities which are at no great distance to the north. At some of the farmstead-
ings inland, they were more numerous than usual, and could scarcely be kept
from settling in the windows, where not desired. July 3rd, very numerous
at Dunbar, over the town, during a gentle rain.—April 20th, appeared at
Belford —J. A. Autwmn.—Sept lst, the Martins at Siccar cavern had had
their nests knocked down by boys, but the young had escaped; on this day
they were inducing the young to fly. They had left the coast about the 11th.
A pair continued to linger at an inland station till their young was reared,

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 557 |

leaving Oct. 2nd. Sept. 29th, they continued at Kelso. New locality at
Hawksheugh below Linnhead ; continue to frequent the cliffs near the Cove
Shore, and further north. Swattow: Spring.—April 20th, arrived at Hast
Linton, three days behind the average time (Scotsman). April 25th, wind
cold and piercing, a single Swallow passed northwards along the coast, in the
face of the wind. May 5th, 6th, and 7th, Swallows and Martins present, in
the evening of 7th came to settle, and on May 9th a pair fixed themselves at
an adjacent farm. Swallows were again noted on the 11th and 12th, and on
May 21st, 4 had finally settled here. April 20th, Swallows arrived at Fair-
neyside; for some 20 years there, they have regularly appeared between the
21st and 29th of April.—A. Leitch. April 21th arrived at Dunse. April 26th
Swallows at Chirnside.—Dr. Stwart. At Woodside, Kelso. appeared April
20th, but departed and were not again seen till 5th May.—Dr Charles Douglas.
April 29th, appeared at Kelso, but did not arrive at Marchmont, till May
18th.—P. Loney. May 7th, at Fans.—R. R. May 4th at Lamberton.—J. i.
At Berwick, Swallows arrived before the 29th April.—G@.B. April (7th, at
Stamfordham.—J.F.B. April 20th, Chimney Swallow and House Martin at
Belford. Mr Aitchison remarks that Swallows at Belford have been less
plentiful than they have been during the last three years. April 17th, ar-
rived at Shawdon.—J. Thomson.—April 29th, at Meldon Park, Morpeth.
Sometimes they arrive a week earlier at Morpeth, than at Meldon Park. —J.
Finlay. Autwnn.—Swallows were present here on Sept. 13th, but had left on
the 15th. Sept 26th, they were seen at Reston and St. Boswells, but none
remained in the Galashiels district. At Chirnside, nearly all except young
ones, had left before the 18th, but on the 26th. a nest of young Swallows re-
mained.—Dr. Stuart. Sept. 15th, left Belford, Bowmont-water.—Dr. Robson
Scott. Sept. 24th, last seen at Woodside, Kelso— Dr. Charles Douglas. Sept.
20th, at Belford, Swallows left—J. A. At Fans, a pair were sitting on eggs,
Sept. 23rd, but the nest was knocked down; and they left Sept. 27th. I saw
a single Swallow on the 9th November.—&#. R. At Gordon, in the same
vicinity, Swallows left about the 9th Oct. ; but there were a few on the wing
a few days after. They commonly leave on the last week in September.—
(Corr.) Mr Peter Loney furnishes me with the following data from March-
mont, in the immediate district of the two last named localities.—“ Sept. 30th,
Swallows left. Oct. 8th, large flocks of Swallows arrived here at 9-45 p.m.
They continued about till the 12th, when they left at 9 a.m., in an easterly
direction, after making several circuitous flights. Oct. 14th, violent gale;
Barometer at 9°30 a.m., reading 27.850, lowest on record. Oct. 16th, two
young Swallows seen this afternoon. Oct. 17th, a flock of Swallows seen by
me at Dunse Castle, flying about the lake, a few feet above the water’’ Of
date Oct. 1st, 1881, at Milne Graden on the Tweed, Mr Milne Home writes.
“On 23rd September, the Swallows left this place in a flock of many hundreds.
We observed them about 9 a.m., congregating together ; and before 12 o’clock
they were all off. They hada fair wind, for a southward journey, as the
wind was from the N.N.E. It was the same day of the month, that they left
this place last year. Here the Swallows arrive between the 20th and 25th
April. Perhaps the time of exodus is made to depend on the time when the
young broods are ready to fly. ‘Those which remain after that date seem to
me to wait for their later broods being ready.” Miss Georgiana Milne Home

558 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

communicates further particulars. ‘‘The main body of the Swallows left
Milne Graden on the 23rd September ; but a pair of House Martins and a pair
of Chimney Swallows remained later, the former till the 17th October, and
the latter till the 15th October. A Chimney Swallow appeared on the 5th
November, and was observed for some hours skimming round the house.” In
reference to another late Swallow, the Rev. Joseph Waite, Norham Vicarage,
states: ‘‘There were 10 degrees of frost during Sunday night (Oct. 30th),
which broke on Monday morning (Oct. 31st), but returned again on Mon-
day night. There wasa heavy shower of snow on the Tuesday morning
(Nov. 1st); and snow was actually falling, when I saw, at Groatheugh near
Norham, a Swallow, which came near me several times.” SwiFr: Spring.—
May 17th, a pair present with other Swallows on the coast ; seen again on the
20th; and on the 23rd, Swifts were at one of their breeding places, Cock-
burnspath Tower. April 26th, four Swifts at Chirnside.—Dr. Stuart. May
4th, several Swifts at Kelso.—A. B. May 9th, Swifts at Stamfordham.—
J. F. B. May 2nd, at Berwick.—@. B. May 5th, at Belford.—J. 4. <Au-
tumn.—Aug. 5th, last seen at Cockburnspath. Aug. 11th, at Kelso Swifts
were numerous. None were seen again until the 15th. when they remained
till the 18th; none were seen after.—4. B. Aug. 18th, departed from Bel-
ford.—J. A. Aug. 25th, left Berwick. —G. B. The Swifts left Chirnside
early in September.—Dr. Stuart.

Dorrsret.—April 27th, mild, notes of the Dotterel heard on the high
grounds of Dowlaw. May 10, the birds seen, only seven. May 20th, still
remained. May 23rd, one seen. May 18th, five Dotterels seen at Lamberton
—J. M.

Cuckoo: Spring.—April 28th, heard at Pease Bridge. May 3rd, cold,
Cuckoo heard on moor at Penmanshiel moss.—May 3rd, heard in Dunse
wood. May 5th, seen on the moorat Dowlaw. May 6th, seen at Oldcambus.
May 22nd, Cuckoo not heard till to-day at Chirnside; on the previous week
at Blackburn and Kelloe (/ate). May 6th and 7th, heard at Fans. May 5th,
first heard at Belford. May 12th, arrived at Berwick. April 25th, at Shaw-
don. April 30th, at Stamfordham. May 2nd, at Marchmont, dAutumn.—
June 22nd, last heard calling on the moors at Blackburn Mill on the Water
Eye. Aug. 12th, young Cuckoos on Northfield moor.—J. Z. Mack. Not
seen at Hans after 9th July.—R. R. At Belford last heard June 29th. Last
specimen observed on Chatton moor, on Aug. 18th.—J. A. At Berwick, de-
parted Aug. 7th. ‘‘ In August we hada great many Cuckoos, some of them
being found in very unexpected places in the town, as for instance one in the
middle of the day having been seen amongst the fleet of herring boats lying
at the Quay. They were all young birds.’”’—G. Bolam.

Corn-Crake: Spring.—April 28th, heard near Langton. May 5th, at
Pease Bridge in an open ditch, there being no cover at that date among the
grass. May 8th, heard on Chirnside Crofts.—Dr. Stuart. May 8th, at Ber-
wick.—G@. B. April 27th, at Shawdon.—J. Thomson. May 2nd, at Stam-
fordham.—J. F. B. May 4th, at Belford.—J. A. Autumn.—Aug. 29th, a
pair last seen at Belford.—_J. A. Sept. 22nd, Corn-crake shot at St. Bos-
wells.—A. B.

Warer-Ratt.—Nov. 8th, one from Berwick.—A. B.

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 559

Buack-Cap.—April 27th, milder after rain; a single male in a hedge at
Oldcambus. April 30th, mild ; a single Black-cap in song at intervals in the
Pease dean ; none heard on May 7th, but on May 8th, its song was heard at
the Pease Bridge ; on May 11th, Black-caps were singing for a mile up the
Pease dean, and shewing themselves. May 19th, arrived in a rush of Fly-
catchers and Willow-Wrens; two remained behind on the 20th. On May
21st, they continued numerous in the Pease dean. More than usually prevalent
‘ thissummer. May 5th, arrived at Lamberton—J. UM. May 3rd, at Bel-
ford.—J. A.

Repstart.—May 3rd, a pair at natural oak-wood, male and female; did
not remain. May 13th, settled on the Whitadder, near Kdrom. May 19th,
latest arrival in a rush.—May 6th, Dr. Stuart saw it at Whiterig, as well as
several Willow- Wrens.—May 5th, at Lamberton.—J. M. May 3rd, at Ber-
wick.—Departed from Berwick in the end of September, (see under Prep
FiycatcHer).—At Gordon, the Redstart comes about the end of April, and
leaves about the end of September.—At Dunse it- was more than usually
numerous.—It is increasing on the Railway sides from Penmanshiel Tunnel
towards Cockburnspath ; built this summer in the garden wall at Lanton,
parish of Kirknewton, the male always very alert in giving warning of the
approach of suspected foes.

GRAssHOPPER WARBLER.— May 3rd, arrived at Belford.—J. A.

GREATER WHITETHROAT. Spring—May 9th, good day, wind N.; White-
throat newly arrived at Dowlaw dean, a male. singing. May 10th, clear and
cold, three or four male Whitethroats in Oldcambus dean, in song.—May
11th, continue. May 12th, rising high in the air and singing.—May 12th,
seen here and there on the Whitadder between Blanerne and Chirnside.—
May 18th, pairing. May 19th, widely diffused at Oldcambus. It abounded
this year at the Pease-dean, in Edmondsdean, and Blackburn-rig dean. —
May 9th, Whitethroat seen at Lamberton.—J.U. May Sth, seen at Belford.
—J.A. May 8th, at Berwick —G.B. May 14th, in the hedge-rows at Chirn-
side.—Dr. Stuart. _-Autwnn.—The particulars previous to departure were
gradually witnessed. August 11th and 12th, Whitethroats commenced glean-
ing currant berries, red and black, in the garden, which they do not usually
haunt. August 15th and 16th, began to pick off the yellow berries of a white
flowered Mezereon, which they did not quite relish, but at length ate when
scattered on the ground. August 19th, a large number of young birds visited
the garden, prying into every corner and crevice. and leaping at flies; on the
21st they were searching the grass-plot for insects.— August 22nd, they had
left? Woodhall woods, E. L.—August 22nd, still in the garden; one captured
a Yellow Underwing Moth, secreted in a bush of Auriculas; again in the
garden on 25th. On the 27th, there were elsewhere Whitethroats among
field beans not yet cut. On the 29th and September 6th, they were in the
garden and also among beans. Sept. 7th, they were in the garden hedge.
The beans being all cut, there was no longer any cover, but they kept among
them till the last. Sept. 15th, a single bird returned to the garden; this
being the last visit.

Woov-Wren,—May 11th, in Pease-dean woods, two birds only, newly
arrived ; on May 13th it was more dispersed. May 13th, seen at Edrom among
the tall trees. Dr. Stuart had observed it at Chirnside Bridge on April 26th,

28

560 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

as well as the Chiff-chaff.—The Wood-Wren was also observed in Harelaw-
side wood, and in Blackburn-rig wood.

Sepee- WarBier.—May 9th, in willow thickets in Penmanshiel and Dow-
law mosses on Coldingham Moor, new arrivals.—May 19th, some arrived with
a rush of Fly-catchers, etc. May 21st, settled in Cockburnspath Tower dean,
above the Pease mill; then numerous.—April 29th, at Belford, where it is
not very plentiful.—J. A. May 8th, at Berwick.—@. B.

Sanppiper.—May 13th, numerous on the Whitadder, above and below
Blanerne, pairing. Dr. Stuart informs me that Sandpipers had been seen on
the Whitadder for several days before May 6th. At Berwick in the middle
of April, at least before the 24th.—G@. B. May 2nd, pond at Shawdon.—J.
Thomson. It was numerous in the end of June on the Eye between Black-
burn Mill and Grant’s House ; two pairs were noticed on Herriot Water near
Stockbridge ; and a pair at the sea-coast north from Bilsdean; not in the
Pease dean.

Sportrp Fiycatcuer —May 18th, showery, heavy rain at night; a single
Spotted Flycatcher arrived. May 19th, still rainy, wind S.W.; a rush of
migrants had occurred during the night, or early morning : some 8 or 10 Fly-
catchers had taken refuge at the edge of a plantation, where they sat and
dozed, or caught insects in the shelter, for the wind blew cold; other 8 were
seen elsewhere ; and more down the side of a small stream till its near ap-
proach to the sea. Along with them were several Willow-wrens, a Redstart,
two Blackcaps, three or four Wheat-ears, a Sedge-Warbler, and a pair of
Whin-Chats They continued till evening, when some of them were asleep
on paling or twigs. Onthe 20th they had nearly all left, as well as the ma-
jority of their companions; one Fly-catcher only being left on the 27th. The
last Flycatcher seen for the season was on Aug. 27th, ina ravine in the Hast
Lothian Lammermoors, above Woodhall. Birds were seen settled during the
season at Thurston, E.L. near the mansion; post-road side near Penman-
shiel Cottage: and near Renton House; and at Fairneyside. May 15th, ar-
rived at Lamberton.—J, M. May 23rd, at Berwick.—G@. B.

Pizp FrycatcuEer.—April 27th or 28th; a Pied Flycatcher at Goswick.—
C. Watson. At Berwick, departed in the end of September, the last being
seen on the 26th Mr George Bolam remarks: ‘‘ During the end of Septem-
ber and the first days of October, there were large flocks of Redstarts and
Willow-wrens in the garden here, with a few Pied Flycatchers, Lesser White-
throats, Greater Whitethroats, etc., mixed up with them. They did not ap-
pear to stay more than a few hours, but to be succeeded by others, as soon
as they took their departure.”’

Goarsucker.—May 28th, Goatsucker at Belford.—J.A. May 22nd, at
Ninewells, Chirnside. —Dr. Stuart. Sept. 14th, Goatsucker in a garden at
Kelso.—A. B. Oct. 7th, Goatsucker, an old bird, killed by the telegraph
wires at Penmanshiel Tunnel.

Wooncocx.—May 3rd, a pair last seen on the upper part of Aikieside,
Pease-dean. Oct. 19th, after great gales, a Woodcock was started in the Pease-
dean. About the same date a bird was shot at Cairncross, and another was
seen in a turnip field on the higher ground near here. Oct. 24th, three were
seen at Bowshiel, and on Nov. 14th, one was shot there. They were very
scarce this season. Snipes were likewise uncommon. (ct. 20th, at Lamber-

Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy. 561

ton.—J. UM. The Woodcock as a rule returns to the Cheviots in the middle
of October. This year I heard of it from two different parties between the
20th and the 25th —G. P. Hughes. In the Belford district there were flights
of Woodcocks on Oct. 6th, 9th, 10th, and 15th, and on other days since; but
the flocks have been small, and the birds on the whole scarce. Snipes were
also scarce, and the few seen were very wild.—J. 4.
FIELDFARE.—Jan. 5th, 10 Fieldfares and 2 Missels were seen at newly
‘ploughed land. April 29th, Mr George Bolam saw 10 in pairs, near Ayton.
Rev. J. F. Bigge hardly saw one Fieldfare this spring. Autwmn.—Nov. 17th,
on Ecklaw Edge. Nov. 5th, at Lamberton.—J. UM. A few Fieldfares made
their appearance at Belford Crag on Oct. 9th, since which time I have not
heard of any of this species in the neighbourhood.—J. 4. Nov. 12th, at
Gordon. Not seen on the coast this winter.

ReEpwine.—Nov. 10th, at Lamberton.—J. MU. Dec. 6th, Redwings for the
first time at Whiterig, Ayton.— Dr. Stuart. Mr J. Aitchison reports from
Belford: ‘‘ Winter visitors have been scarce here this year; the most notable
migratory wave took place in the early part of October. On the 2nd of that
month a rather large flock of Redwings was observed in afir plantation not far
from Chathill Station ; and on the 5th a much smaller flock was seen at Bead-
nel.”

GrEENSHANK.—Aug. 16th, a Greenshank shot at Clifton Park.—/. B.

Srartinc.—Before the end of August there were considerable flocks among
the Rooks; none, however, were observed in visits paid to the Merse of Ber-
wickshire. Sept. 19th, there had been no Starlings for a long time among
the Rooks. Nov. 2nd, snow, some Starlings among Lapwings on sheep pas-
ture. Dec. 7th, scattered flocks of Starlings among Rooks Dec. 16th, a
considerable flock following Rooks. They have, however, been absent here
from assemblages of Rooks and Jackdaws during the spring of 1882 : and only
a single bird is visible at intervals. Dr Stuart remarked that at Chirnside,
Starlings disappeared in winter 1881-2; no flocks accompanied the Rooks as
usual. Dr. Stuart writes: “Mr Alexander Mitchell Innes informs me that
since the evergreens were destroyed by frost at Ayton Castle, last winter the
Starlings, which were very plentiful there, have disappeared. At Twizel
Castle they bred in the ivy in multitudes. Since the removal of the ivy, they
have left in a body. The country people all maintain that they were never
seen in flocks with the Rooks in the east of Berwickshire, till their breeding
place there was destroyed. Thirty-four years ago, the Starling was a com-
paratively rare bird here—so much so that when we heard their plaintive
whistle in the early March, we said spring had arrived.’’ I heard also that
the late proprietor, annoyed with their chattering, had dislodged them from
Dunse Castle, by cutting down the evergreens in which they harboured. I
have noted birds, say from 1830, and have always seen Starlings accompany-
ing Rooks.

Siskin.—August 28th, Mr Muirhead saw two Siskins in the Haddington
district, newly arrived. Siskins arrived at Gordon Moss on the 15th of Oct.
— The Redpole Linnet arrives with them, but there are a few of it all the
summer with us.—(Corr.) Dec. 12th, two Siskins and two Redpoles at Fans.
—R.R. Alarge flock of Siskins was seen at Lilburn, Northumberland, Sept.
26th. This species is often met with in this district (Belford) in considerable

562 Record of Migration, &c., of Birds. By James Hardy.

numbers in autumn and spring, but does not pass the winter with us.—J, A.

Wiczon.— Sept. 2nd, a Wigeon seen at Berwick.—G. B.

Rurr.—Sept. 22nd, two Ruffs in winter plumage from Lennel, Coldstream.
—A, B.

LessER WHITETHROAT.—Sept. 26th, last seen at Berwick.—G@. B.

Osprey.—Sept. 26th, an Osprey from Colledge Water.—A. B.

. Kwyor.—Sept. 27th, first noticed at Fenham ; has been rather plentiful this
fall —J. A.

SHOVELLER.—Sept. 28th, from Haddon, Roxburghshire,——A. B.

Suort-EARED Own.— Has been frequently noticed about Belford this au-
tumn, and I have a strong suspicion that it occasionally breeds in the district.
—J. A.

GrEY-BACKED Crow.—Nov. ist, wind S. and then §.E., snow. Two ar-
rived; again seen on Nov. 2nd.—On Oct. 13th, Mr Brotherston records one
from near Berwick.—Arrived at Berwick, 15th Oct. ; one was seen on 11th
May, but was probably breeding here.—G@. B. Oct. 9th and 16th, made its
appearance at Belford, but has been scarce this fall.—J. 4. At Gordon first
week of Nov.—(Correspondent.)

Grey Linnet.—Oct 31st, a few along with Yellow-hammers and Green~-
finches on the coast fields; its only occurrence in winter 1881-2. It did not
breed at Oldcambus this year; a breeding place among furze noticed at the
head of Dowlaw-dean.

GoLDEN-EYE.—Noyvy. 8rd, from Clifton Park.—A. B.

Lone-TAILeD Ducx.—Nov. 4th, first Long-tailed Duck of the season seen
off Berwick ; an immature bird.—G. B.

Great Grey Surixe.—Nov. 5th, Great Grey Shrike found dead a few days
before at Kilham, Northumberland ; another shot same day at Carham, both
females.—A. B. One dead at Fans, Nov. 20th.—R. R.

Miri —Feb. ist and Nov. J 9th, shot birds received from Berwick.—A.B.

RovGH-LEGGED Buzzarp.—A Rough-legged Buzzard visited Cockenheugh
and neighbourhood during Christmas and New-Year’s week. Several
attempts were made to shoot it, but it got clear off.—J. A.

Wooprreckers.—“ A friend of mine writes me that a Woodpecker was shot
this spring at the Dye House ; it was not preserved, only the feathers to ‘ buss
flies.’ Three were seen this spring at East Dipton wood, both Green and
Spotted. A Woodpecker was seen Jan. 22nd, 1881, within a mile of Stam-
fordham.’’—Rev. J. F. Bigge. In summer, Mr. John Anderson had a short
glimpse of what appears from his description to have been a Green Wood-
pecker, in Lintlaw wood. When seen it was clasping a branch at a distance
from the ground. When it flew off it darted up amongst the branches of
another tree, and could not be put up again ; colour, palish green.

Common Buzzarp.—About June 23rd, Mr. G. H. Thompson wrote that a
Common Buzzard wasthen in Alnwick Park, as well asa bird of another species,
conjectured to be the Rough-legged Buzzard, but if so, late at that period.
Mr. John Dodd, of Catcleugh, shot a Common Buzzard, August 12th, when
he and Mr. Ephraim Arkle were returning from the moors.

Stockpove.—‘‘ The Stockdove must now be recorded as a permanent resi-
dent here (Belford), no less than five nests being known to exist on Middleton
estate last summer, all of which I have reason to believe succeeded in rearing
broods.”’—John Aitchison.

Co-operation of Naturalist’s Clubs. By Sir W. Elliot. 563

PHEASANT AND ITs Foop.—Kelso, April 1st, 1881.—‘‘ I had a peculiar case
last week : a Pheasant that was found dead, in good condition, but no wound
upon it anywhere. The crop was full of Lastrea dilatata, and a few oats.
Could the ferns be the cause of death ? I never before saw them in any bird.”
—A. Brotherston. The only case that I know in point is that mentioned by
Dr. John Walker in ‘‘ An Economical History of the Hebrides,’ vol. i., p.
337, in a note :—‘ The stomach of the Zetrao tetrix, L., or Black Cock, after
the bird had lived in woods during winter, was several times found stuffed
with the foliage of the Polypodium vulgare, L., or common polypody. This
is the only certain instance that has occurred of any animal living upon a
plant of the fern kind in this country.”’ In opening spring in New Bruns-
wick, young fern fronds—“ fiddle-heads,” as they are named—are greedily
devoured as substitutes for green vegetables, to which the residents have been
strangers for many months.* This shews their salubrity.

Mars Trrmovusr.—Hitherto this has been passed over as a resident in the
Pease-dean and adjacent woods. On May 21st I had an excellent opportunity
for a considerable time to see a fine male engaged about the flowers of a willow,
above the Pease mill. It was without the white spot on the nape, and the
transverse white bands on the wings, and was a little larger than P. ater.
March 13th, 1882. I saw a pair in Aikieside woods. They were leaping into
the air occasionally and catching the spring Tipula—T7richocera regelationis.

CHAFFINCH FEEDING oN Haws.—Dec. 27th, in the Pease dean I noticed ten
Blackbirds feeding in a hawthorn hedge well loaded with fruit, but a number of
haws were accumulated on the ground with the fleshy part undevoured while
the stones were cracked, and the kernel was extracted. This was effected by
the chaffinches, one of them being detected, which had left several fresh tokens
of its occupation.

GotpEN OrioLE.—A very fine specimen was obtained in the end of May
in the woods of Middleton Hall near Belford. It is a male, and is believed
to be the only example of that sex got in Northumberland. It has now passed
into Mr George Bolam’s collection.—John Aitchison.

On the Representation of the Club at Meetings of the British
Association, andonthe Co-operation of Naturalists’ Clubs.
By Sir Water Extiot, K.C.S.L, F.R.S., ete.

Havina been nominated to represent the Club at the fiftieth anniversary
meeting of the British Association held at York, on the 28th September last,
I gave a short account of my mission to the meeting of the Club, at Inner-
leithen, on the 28th of the same month. On former occasions of a similar
nature I had little of interest to communicate, but the proceedings in which
I took part at York, were of a more important character, and deserve to find
a place in our Transactions.

Up to 1880 a few Societies only were in the habit of sending delegates to
the annual meeting of the Association. In that year it was proposed by those

* Adams’ Field and Forest Rambles, p. 290.

564 Co-operation of Naturalists’ Clubs. By Sir W. Elliot.

who were present at Swansea, where the Club was represented by Professor Le-
bour, in conformity with a suggestion made in the preceding year at Sheftield*
that ‘‘at future meetings of the B.A., the delegates from the various Scienti-
fic Societies should meet, with the view of promoting the best interests of the
Association aud of the several Societies represented ’’; to give effect to which
Mr H. George Fordsham and Mr John Hopkinson were appointed a com-
mittee.

In pursuance of this resolution, they issued a report of the conference at
Swansea to all the Scientific Societies in the United Kingdom entitled to
send delegates, inviting them to appoint one or more of their members to re-
present them at the York meeting. Forty-four Societies complied, the
delegates from which, on the 6th Sept, after a full discussion, decided on,
making an application to the General Committee of the Association for a grant
in support of their object, and appointing a committee of their own body as

per margin, to arrange for a conference of

Sir Walter Elliot F.R.S. delegates to be held at future annual meet-
Mr H. George Fordshim ings of the Association, and further to
Mr John Hopkinson prepare and issue a body of instructions to
Mr G. J. Symons, F.R.S., and ensure uniformity in the work of the sever-
Mr W. Whitaker. al Societies for the promotion of the general

ends in view.

The first of these proposals was not carried out. There was not time before
the close of the Association, to bring the plan ina complete and definite shape
before the General Committee, but it was subsequently arranged that Messrs
Fordsham and Hopkinson, on behalf of the Committee of delegates, should
meet a deputation of the General Committee of the British Association, on
the 31st March following, with a view of arranging a permanent mode of
procedure. j

As regards the 2nd resolution the Committee have under preparation a cir-
cular referring to subjects recommended for investigation by Local Scientific
Societies, on which Messrs Fordsham and Hopkinson have expended much
care and thought, and which it is hoped will shortly be submitted to all pro-
perly qualified Local Societies and Clubs, for their consideration and adoption
as far as they may see fit during the ensuing year.

We hope the Club will look upon this movement with a favourable eye.
It is by no means a newidea. “ Fifty years ago,’’ said Professor Ramsay
who presided over the Geological Section at York, ‘‘ fifty years ago, in this
city, Viscount Milton the first President of the Association, explained that it
had for its chief object ‘ to give a stronger impulse and more systematic direc-
tion to scientific inquiry.’ In his address, he pointed out the number of Phil-
osophical Societies which had by degrees sprung up in all parts of the King-
dom ; and the practicability through the means of the Association, including
all the scientific strength of Great Britain, ‘to point out the lines in which
the direction of science should move.’ And in the same year, 1831, Profes-

* Rule 1. class B. of the British Association for the General Committee of the
Association was amended at Sheffield as follows: ‘‘ The President for the time
being of any Scientific Society publishing Transactions, orin his absence a dele-
gate representing him, as well as the Secretary of such society ’’ [being memberg
of the Association shall be members of the General Com mittee].

Effects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Rev. James 565
Farquharson, A.M.

sor Sedgwick, President of the Geological Society enunciated similar views in
his address to the Geological and Geographical Section of the Association.
If this argument was thought to have such force in 1831, how much more
powerful has it become now, when the number of Local Societies has in-
creased more than tenfold. And accordingly we find that it has forced itself
on the conviction of groups of these bodies who have combined to assist each
other by united action in various parts of the Kingdom.

1. In Yorkshire, so far back as 1863, several Societies formed themselves
into the ‘‘ West Riding Consolidated Naturalists’ Society,” which after a
fluctuating existence for some years, was re-inaugurated in 1871, under the
Presidency of Mr ©. P. Hobkirk.

2. The Societies in the south west of England have always been distinguish-
ed for their zealous scientific work. With a view of strengthening their in-
fluence, they organised an annual meeting under the title of the Devonshire
Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and the Arts in
1862. They meet each year in different places, and publish reports of their
Proceedings, which now extend to several volumes, and contain many valuable
papers.

3. A union of the Natural History Societies of the Midland counties was
inaugurated in 1877, which already includes 23. The members of each Soci-
ety joining the scheme contribute threepence annually, and meet once a year.
The Union publishes a journal and gives an annual prize for an essay on a
given subject, the competition restricted to members. The President, Mr
Herewald Wake, also offered a prize in 1880, for the best Entomological
paper on a genus of insects in the Midland counties.

With regard to the proposal for working in concert on given subjects, it
will be in the recollection of members, that the importance of drawing their
attention to the practice of more sustained observation and inquiry in pro-
moting the objects for which the Club was instituted, was discussed at the
Annual Meeting of Oct., 1878, and that a Committee was then named to re-
port further on the matter. The result of their deliberations is now in the
hands of their colleague, Capt. Norman, who consented to act as Secretary,
and it is hoped an early day will be found for considering the suggestions
there offered in connection with the papers which may be expected from the
Committee of delegates.

Note on the Effects of the Winter 1880-81 on Vegetation. &e.,
in Selkirkshire. By the Rev. JAMES FaRQUHARSON, M.A.,
Selkirk.

Tux extraordinarily intense and prolonged cold of the winter of 1880-81
is not likely soon to be forgotten; and in indicating its nature for this county
it is not necessary to do more in this brief note than place side by side the
mean of all the highest and lowest readings of the thermometer for the winter
months of 1878-79, 1879-80, and 1880-81, along with a note of the lowest
readings from October to April in 1880-81. As on former occasions these
have been furnished to me by Mr. Mathison, the Meteorological Society’s
observer at Bowhill.

566 Ljfects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Rev. James

Farquharson, M.A.
1878-79. 1879-80. 1880-81.

Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min.
October ...... 53:1 43°2 53°2 30°7 48°5 34°3
November..,...41°1 32°6 45°5 33.2 43°6 29°9
December ......34°0 25°3 39°4 26°2 . 41°6 31°3
January ,.....34'2 23°5 37°2 28-1 31°9 19°5
February ......36°9 28°5 45°2 35°0 3876 7-7
March ........42°3 312 49°9 30°2 44°4 28°0
April egies. lS 7d 338 52°0 30°1 51°2 31-2

In October the lowest readings were on the the 20th and 22nd, 20° and
18° ; in November on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 7°, 9°, and 12° ; in December,
on the 17th and 18th, 14° and 16°; in January, on the 15th 16th, 17th, and
1sth, 8°, 6°, 1°, and 5°; in February, on the 7th, 19°; in March, on the
Ist, 2nd, and 8rd, 15°, 12°, and 12°, and on the 30th and 31st, 19° and 18°;
and in April, on the 6th, 17°. The coldest day was January 17th, when the
thermometer never rose above 11°.

These figures indicate a winter of almost unexampled severity, which
throughout this county left its mark on vegetation, and proved destructive
to wild quadrupeds and birds. I have not learned that Forest Trees were
injured, but most Shrubs suffered. The Holly, both standard and in hedges,
was cut down to the ground in many instances. Yews were browned at the
tips, and the sides of Yew hedges exposed to the sun scathed as if fire had
passed over them. Many Bay and Portugal Laurels which had struggled
through previous bad winters, now died. Common Ivy was much injured ;
and more tender shrubs, such as Awcuba, Laurestinus, Escallonia, &c., were
killed. Rhododendrons, however, both the common Ponticwn and finer sorts,
stood the cold, and flowered well. At Bowhill, the trusses on Rhododendron
Ponticwm were abundant ; but in most of the trusses some flowers failed to
develop. Cupressus Lawsoniana was scarcely touched, but many of the rarer
Conifere died. In general, Whins were cut down to the ground, and Broom
killed outright.

In the lower part of the county Grasses were sensibly weakened, and the
pastures in spring proved very poor. Under the impresssion that the frost,
which for months held the earth in its iron grip to a great depth, must have
injured the hill pastures, I asked the Rev. J. Falconer, of Ettrick, to make
inquiry among the shepherds of his upland parish whether this was the case;
but he did not find the impression confirmed. He met with the opinion,
indeed, that the deep snow, which lay on the hills unbroken through the
winter, had so thoroughly protected the grass, &c., that pastures early in 1881
were more nourishing than usual. This belief he did not entertain himself.

Concerning the general effect of the winter on hill stock, Mr Falconer writes:
—“ The sheep generally came through the winter much better than could
have been expected. We must remember, however, that a vast quantity of
hay was consumed by them. The lamb crop was inferior in numbers and
quality.’» While reporting much death among shrubs in his parish, and
severe injury suffered by those which survived the winter, he states the fol-

lowing fact from which the inference may be drawn that the sun, bearing
strongly on shrubs during intense frost, must be credited with much of the

Effects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Mr John Page. 567

harm inflicted on them :—‘‘ At Annelshope, a place on which the sun does not
shine during a considerable part of the winter, every shrub survived, and
came out of the storm and frost uninjured. The same shrubs were frosted
to the ground in 1860. They are now very large and handsome plants.”
“Small birds,” he adds, ‘‘ would suffer much; their numbers during summer
would indicate this. The crop of small fruit (1881) was unusually large.”
I have only to add that the early part of summer 1881 was quite remarkable
- for the amazing profusion of blossom on flowering trees, such as Laburnum,
Lilac, Hawthorn, Chestnut, etc. This is to be attributed to the good ripen-
ing season of 1880 preparing the flower buds to withstand the cold of winter.
The following note has been given me by Mr. Steedman, solicitor, Selkirk.
It is especially interesting as shewing the proportion of individuals killed in
each species, thus indicating the kinds which are hardiest among those men-
tioned. Ravensheugh is about a mile from Nelkirk, at the opening of a small
side valley. The trees and shrubs are planted in a sheltered situation in a
level gravelly meadow, through which a small stream winds on its way to
join the Ettrick, the elevation above sea level being about 415 feet.
** The following Shrubs killed, or frosted down to the ground in winters
1879-80 and 1880-81, at Ravensheugh, near Selkirk :—
Planted. Killed.

CRYPTOMERIA, ELEGANS and JAPONICA oe 56 3 2
Creprus Dropara ue ae 6 sa al 6
», Atuantica (top eves feted) oe on 2 0
ARAUCARIA IMBRICATA, ‘ ae 06 50 9 6
Cupressus es coNeana ie ate ae ne 2 40 4
SEQUOIA (WELLINGTONIA) a = oe B epi: 2
PINUS EXCELSA .. 40 ate yee od, 6
[2 strong plants, 6 feet high, killed to snow level in 1880-81].
Tuusa Lopsr.. si ae ae ac ais 8 4
5 GIGANTEA : 6.0 a 3 2
Lavreus, Bay and Boraueale 2 feet aes He das) (24 18

[Came away from root in spring of 1880, but were again
cut down by frost next winter, and are now again coming

from root. |
CoTONEASTER .. an . 24 5
[Those killed were on a ae satay shaded by trees. i
BERBERIS HooKERIANA.. oe Oe we et O12, 12
[9 coming from root. |
AvcuBA JAPONICA, var., 50 sie 6 4

Common Wuin, nearly all killed foo to roots.
Common Broom, much damaged
PHORMIUM TENAX (one plant 10 years old). .. ate 3 Bin

On the Effects of Winter, 1880-81, at Monteviot, Jedburgh.
By Mr Joun PaGe, Gardener to the Marquis of Lothian.

I have sent you an abstract account of the weather here from January, 1880,
to end of August, 1881.
2T

568 Lffects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Mr John Page.

In the first place, I may mention, that I am sorry not to be able to give an
account of amount of rain here for the year 1880, owing to the rain gauge go-
ing outof order, but I havesentthe number of dull and wet days for each month.
The year 1880 was remarkable for the small quantity of fruit of ali kinds, and
the terrible plague of wasps to eat what little there was ; there was taken in
the gardens and close round them some 120 nests, all ground ones, there being
very few hanging nests noticeable about here. The Oaks were long in starting
into growth having to start back in the old wood, but after starting they made
rapid growth, and some of the leaves were of an extraordinary size. I was
very much afraid that they would all be killed owing to their being so long
in starting to grow, and from the frost setting in so intense in the month of
October. we registering on the 19th, 13° frost; and on the 22nd, 15° frost;
then on Nov. 2nd, 16° of frost; 3rd 14°; 7th. 17°; 21st, 29°; 22nd 27° frost;
a condition so rigorous that it completely froze the potatoes in the drills and
prevented farmers from getting them lifted and stored. However, after
standing one of the longest and severest winters on record, they hardly cast
a young shoot in the spring, and now that they have hadall the dead wood
taken out of them, they look wonderfully fresh and healthy. I have little
more to say as regards other trees and shrubs, but that Figs and Magnolias
were killed farther back this winter than the winter before, although equally
as well co: cred with straw and mats, and that what the other winter began
in destroying Yews, Hollies, etc., this winter has finished, and we noticed here
that the Hollies that were heaviest laden with fruit in 1879, were the first to
be killed. Nearly all vegetables did well in the gardens here last
year, but the frost in Oct. and Nov. killed all summer vegetables, such as
Cauliflowers, French Beans, Scarlet Runners, etc., which in some mild open
autumns we have had very late. All winter vegetables, such as Celery,
Brussel Sprouts, Brocoli, Winter Onions, and autumn sown Cabbages, stood
the winter very well, unt 1 the middle and end of March, when we had some
terrific weather. The wind which blew E.N.E., roasted them like a fire,
fairly shrivelling them up, and turning them quite black. Roses that had
stood the winter very fresh were all cut down to the ground line at that time.
Son e Yew hedges were scorched and browned as with a fire. We had a fair
sprinkling of snow during the winter, but we missed the heavy fall that was
in nearly all parts of Scotland, blocking trains up in all directions. "We were
nearly clear of snow in March when we had the cold winds, so that all the
Brassica tribe fell an easier prey to the blasts, and what few cabbages were
saved and planted were so weakened that there was scarcely a good early
cabbage cut in this district. Strawberry plants suffered dreadfully so that
we had but a poor crop. Other small fruits were abundant and good, Cher-
ries were a very fine crop, Apples a good crop, Pears not so good, except
some trees on walls which have a good crop if we can get them ripe, but we
are suffering a good deal for want of sun. I may just mention that I con-
sider we had a harder winter in 1880-81, than we had in 1879-80, for although
we had the Thermometer lower in Dec., 1879, it rose quicker, for instance on
Dec. 4th, 1879, at 8 a.m., we had 45° frost; at 2 p.m. we only had 12° frost ;
whereas in Jan. 17th, 1881, it reached 42° frost, but it stood 35° frost all
that day, and (the coldest day that ever I stood out in all my life) 36° frost
the following morning, when it rose suddenly at mid-day to only 2° frost.

Effects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Mr John Page. 569

Dull and Wet Days, from January Ist, 1880, to January 1st, 1881:
January, 21; February, 20; March 16; April, 17; May, 17; June, 16;

July, 14; August, 11; September, 10; October, 13 ; November. 16 ; Decem-
ber, 17 days.

From January Ist to August 31st, 1881.

January, 17; February, 20; March, 10; April, 11; May, 12; June, 12;
July, 17; August, 19 days.

Maximum and Minimum for each Month in the year, 1880.

Degrees Date the frost No. of days at

Month. Maximum. Minimum, Frost. occurred on, 32° and below.
January, 48 10 22 19th 22
February, 52 24 8 9th 11
March, 60 21 i 22nd 18
April, 65 24 8 30th 10
May, 75 27 5 8th 7
June, 82 28 4 4th 6
July, 83 40 —_ 2 months clear
August, 83 40 — of frost.
September, 82 30 2 20th 1
October, 68 19 13 19th 17
November, 55 3 29 21st 19
December, 55 9 23 26th 21

Prevailing Winds for each month (year 1880).

Month, South. Days. S.W. North. N.W. East. West. S.E. N.E.

January ns 15 1 9 1 2 3

February is 10 1 2 3 5 8

March . 10 _ 3 _ 10 5 3

April a Cue 6 1 5 ive | 4
May es 4 4 _ 2 10 9 1 1
June 73 2 — 1 3 3 10 2 9
July = 2 1 | 1 8 12 4 2
August 6 1 — — — 11 16 2 1
September ___,, 3 1 4 3 4 ll — 4
October of _ — 9 2 7 — 13
November 5 — 10 14 2 — 3 — 1
December EA _— 3 10 4 1 10 — 3

53 21 59 22 66 94 «13 38

570 Effects of the Winter, 1880-81. By Mr John Page.

Maximum and Minimum for each Month in the year, 1881.

Maxi- Mini- Degrees Date the frost Datethe Noofdaysat

Month. mum. mum. frost. occurred on. greatest heat. 32° & below.
January, 49 0-10 42 17th 3rd 42 27
February, 48 12: 20 12th 23rd 48 25
March, 55 12: 20 2nd 17th 55 20
April, 64 18° 14 7th 29th 64 13
May, 83 27° 5 17th 30th & 31st 83 4
June, 85 28° 4 10th Ist & 2nd 85 5
July, 89 42° —_ ——— 5th 89 _—
August, 76 34: ua ee 14th 76 =

Prevailing Winds, 1881.

Month. South. S.W. North. East. N.W, West. S.E. N.E.
January, — t 16 t 6 1 — —
February, _— 4 6 2 6 1 4 5
March, —_ 3 2 1 5 16 1 3
April, —_— 4 1 8 1 u 4 5
May, 6 6 - _ 2 1 8 7 1
June, 2 3 2 1 3 13 4 2
July, — 9 1 2 _ 19 — —
August, 1 5 2 3 2 14 — 4

9 38 30 23 24 79 20 20
Number of Degrees of Frost on each day in January, 1881.
Degrees . Degrees
January. frost. January. frost.
1 2—the Thermometer 19 12—37 or 5 above freez-
5 5 was only twice 20 25 ing on the 19th.
6 5 above freezing 21 29
7 11 from this date to 22 10
8 15 the 26th. 23 a
9 20 . 24 30
10 18 25 10
wal 12 26 31—the 26th.
12 23 27 30
13 7 28 11
14 20 29 2
15 35 30 2
16 38 ——
17 42 Total, 488
18 36

488 degrees of frost—something terrible to think of.

The Thermometer was only 13 times above freezing point during the
month. Once it reached 49; 3 times 45; once 42; once 41; 4 times 40;
once 37; once 36; and once 33.

Rainfall 1881. 571

I may add that pigeons were found dead with hunger and cold, also water-
hens and others were so far gone that they could easily be lifted and fed
from the hand. Blackbirds became scarce. Thrushes there were none, and
the first thrush was heard to whistle on a beech tree to the east of Mounteviot
House on May 17th; and though the weather was so severe, we had in
April and May a most unusual number of wasps and bumble bees, but the
frost on the 10th of June cleared this country side of them, so much so that
I have not found a nest of them all summer, and have not seen a single wasp
until the beginning of September. We are now having very wet weather,
and a great want of sun to ripen fruit, and allow the crops to be harvested.

September, 1881. J. Page.

Rain Fall at Glanton Pyke, Northumberland, in 1881
communicated by FrRepDK. J. W. CoLLINGwoop, Esq.; and
at Inlburn Tower, Northumberland, communicated by
Mr Joun DEas.

GLANTON PYKE. ae LILBURN TOWER.

OD Inches.

January .. -. 0.740) January .. Abejions al U0
February .. -. 2.4275) February .. it BO
March ae we) P226475 March A se 2.495
open -. 1.310} April ay .. 0.805
May an: .. 4.87°0) May a .. 2.448
June Ne .. 1.7670| June ‘e sit) elie
July ey pee 2eo.Ol duly ae .. 1.875
August fe .. 6.3775| August oe ~. (4.800
September .. .. 4.60’0| September .. ». 1.455
October ss J. eae October |... .. 3.328
November .. .. 8.18'0| November .. .. 93,550
December .. .. 8.54’0| December .. .. 2.440
Total re 36.64’0 Total ce 36.774

Rain Gauge—Diameter of Funnel,| Rain Guage—Diameter of Funnel,
8in. ; height of Top above ground,|10in. square; height of Top above
4ft. 34in. ; above sea level, 517ft. | ground, 6ft.; above sea level, 300ft.

Places of Meeting for the Year 1882.

Efaddinetone oh) ail AEP le Wednesday, May 31.
Hownam, for Chew-Green 2. uuu Wy June 28.
Dunse, for Longformacus eae wy ite Met ie July 26.
Corbridge-on-Vynie © ae m Aug. 30.

Ved burg (ctl kes cian Hasta, PVPS 4 Sept. 27.
Selkirk ,... zor wa) ea BS Oct. 11.

572

Weather Notes at Marchmont from the year 1870 to the year
1881 inclusive. By Mr Peter Loney, Marchmont.

1871 1872 1873
dldlaldldlal4lalelalal.
rS) qa cS) q 3) | d °
Ailes] [d beele 18) Se ae eles
a> a7, "wn a>; a7 “mn = a7 “mn | a “mn
Ae | Bee dog |e | 8 eee
3 ° iS} Ci ° ° 3 ° ° 3S ° Sj
Sold) Se ee ee lod | 2 eee
January.. 1-95) 19°) “83 1-386) 182)" 63) 3:71) 20°! 471 38°92) 222 71
February 2-50} 12 45| 3°40 25 65] 3°69) 27 70} 2-54! 16 | 103
March.....{ 1°20} 20 91, 1°39, 12 | 142) 4:09) 24 72 2 23 OAs) hil
Aprilie. cite 0°61, 30 | 186} 4°30; 25 81} 3°91} 32 89] 0.74, 27 ; 148
MAY 5 sistas 1-72; 30 | 15if 1°79, 26 | 182} 3:84] 31 85} 3°05) 30 | 133
June......}| 2°78] 40 | !43) 3°03; 37 | 164] 4:46} 38 | 119} 3°78) 40 | 150
July ......f 1°01) 44 | 185, 3:59' 41 | 160] 3- 40 | 181] 4°67) 41 | 186

37
August... 2°29) 42 | 187) 2°39, 38 | 189] 3:50
September] 1°94) 32 | 159) 4°18; 37 | 94] 7-37; 34 | 73] 3°42) 34 | 159
October...| 4°33] 31 | 105] 3°18; 28 | 57) 5:38
November | 2 76} 27 63) 3°69, 25 421 4-86
December.| 4 74} 11 52] 844) 24 | 52] 5-81) 22 | 471128 27) 65

— -| ———— | — ——_ ] ——-- —— J —_—_ S| ——— J —- — |

Totals '28-44 1450,35°74 1291153 82 1036]36°49 11400
1874. 1875. 1876. 1877.
a j Bel eet ; ae ae = West ; i
° g a ° q Ss I d 5) |
Syele(slelelalalé]slalg
S| a 2 A=| a “m A>| a7 st g a *
ee lade | ead a Ea | eee
3 o} ° CH fo) ° 3S ° ° 3 ° °
pe a eS ed ee ee) ea ee

January..| 1°64) 27°) 54] 4°33) 10°} 3} 1°25
February .| 1:74] 12.] 64] 2-04] 24 | 62) 4-35

87] 5°91] 21°] 91
61] 2°60} 19 | 128
81] 4:04] 19 | 109
April.....] 1°60} 30 | 192] 1-18) 31 | 152] 5-09) 25 | 111} 4°53) 26 | 119
May......| 2°30) 31 | 101) 1 54} 88 | 194] 0:96) 26 | 202] 8-51) 27 | 210

: 2°56) 34 | 276] 2°55} 39 | 243
Daly. see 2°89) 44 | 211) 2°26) 40 | 259] 1-70} 39 | 280) 5:22) 40 | 127
August...] 5°60} 40 | 152] 1°89; 43 | 259] 5-37) 36 | 250] 7-98) 86 | 106
September] 2°31} 36 | 114] 4°22) 39 | 170) 4:96] 38 | 151] 1°86) 37 | 136
October ..] 3°18} 32 | 98] 1°23) 29 | 99} 2-67) 32 | 92] 3-62) 24 | 127
November] 4°99] 24 | 51{ 5:48) 23 | 66) 5°39; 23 | 77| 2:34) 25 | 101
December] 5:11} 5 | 51} 2.03] 26 | 93]11°42} 20 | 43] 1°90] 18 | 70

=| ————— | J] | | ff | |

ep
oes

oe | —— | ———_

Totals [35°92 14§0;338°28 1684]48:98 1711'46:06 1572

Weather Notes from 1871 to 1881. By Mr P. Loney. 573

1878 1879 1380 1881.

ets be We lic |e ei | ete ante bg

Ae Ce) eile eo betel es bee

as! ia “nm a] ar) “m iB a “mn A a m
Perey ie eee pase ee

Ss ° 2 cs ° i oy iS) ° Ss ° 2

Sela l|/HPelH aPelAalgdsia la |e
January...| 3°11] 19°) 99] 208 10°} 56] 0-83] 169] 66] 2-73) 2° 69
February ..! 1:67; 28 | 90] 2°66 14 | 50} 2-20) 26 | 87) 3-00) 19 | 56
March ...,| 1°16} 23 | 155] 2°47 18 | 94} 2-34] 23 | 154] 3-48] 10 | 185
April......{ 1°70] 27 | 172] 272 25 | 157] 2-63) 30 | 129} 1-69) 24 | 145
May......| 2°81] 3t | 158) 2-24 28 | 196] 1:32] 33 | 169] 2-35] 31 | 269
June ......| 2°83} 35 | 231] 5-32 34 | 132] 3-48) 35 | 260) 3-06] 32 | 187
July......{ 1°19] 42 | 246] 6-40 36 | 112] 517] 42 | 164) 3-04! 38 | 176
August.... 5°64] 43 | 165) 3.24 42 | 166] 1-05] 43 | 188] 5 89] 37 | 133

September. 3:10} 34 | 189] 1°59 35 | 136) 4-82} 37 | 129) 5-07) 59 | 70
October....| 2°76] 30 | 111] 1-19 30 | 120) 3-87] 25 | 11]| 3-63] 24 | 106
November.| 6°27| 22 | 74] 2:84 25 | 103] 4 86] 16 | 92) 3-25] 26 | 57
December .! 3°22} 10 | 70] 1-17, 0 | 53] 4-461 16 | 63) 1-86) 20 | 59

eee 4 es ee ee ed ee

Totals 35°46 |176033-92 1375}3703 1612/3905 1462

Average of the 12 years’ rainfall, 386825 inches.
sunshine, 1486 hours.
Remarks.

9 ”

The year 1872 is the wettest—53'82 inches of rain fell, and we had only
1036 hours of sunshine—450 under the average of the 12 years.

The year 1876 is also very wet—48‘98 inches of rain—.i6-81 inches of which
fell during November and December.

The year 1877 is also very wet—46-06 inches of rain—13-20 inches falling
in July and August, destroying the grain crops.

The year 1878 was not so wet—35'46 inches of rain—5°64 inches fell in
August, which seriously affected the grain crop.

The year 1879, a remarkable period— 33-92 inches of rain—11-72 inches of
which fell in June and July, being nearly a third of the year’s rainfall, and
during the two months usually the driest. This wasacold year. Thermo-
meter below zero.

The year 1880. The first five months were dry. In July 5°17 inches of
rain fell, and in September 2°24 inches of rain fell in twenty-four hours,
thoroughly saturating all grain in the stook, from which it never recovered.

The year 1881. This is also a remarkable year. August gave us 5°89
and September 5:07 inches of rain—10°96— materially affecting all the grain
crops. Barley, which at the end of .)uly promised fair, suffered most. Har-
vest was prolonged much. From the 14th October to the end of the year we
had terrific gales.

Marchmont is 500 feet above sea, and almost in the centre of the county of
Berwick.

Note —All these observations were made with tested instruments, and ac-
cording to the Scottish Meteorological Society’s rules.

574

Donations to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, from
Scientific Socreties, &e., 1881-82.

Brtrast. Annual Report and Proceedings of the Belfast Natur-
alists’ Field Club, 1879-80 Ser. ii, Vol. i, Part vii. 1881,
8vo. The Club.

Bremen. Abhandlungen herausgeben vom Naturwissenschaft-
lichen Vereine zu Bremen’ viiBd. 3Heft. 1882, 8vo.

Bucxuurst Hinz, Essex. Transactions of the Epping Forest
and County of Essex Naturalists’ Field Club, Vol. ii, Part

5. 1881, 8vo. The Club.
CarpirFr. Report and Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists’
Society, Vol. xiii. London, 1882, 8vo. = = The Society.

Croypon. Proceedings and Transactions of the Croydon Micro-
scopical and Natural History Club from 1878 to 1881.
Croydon, 1881, 8vo, The Club.

Campripez, Mass., U.S.A. Annual Report of the Curator of the
Museum of Compara Zoology at Harvard College for
1880-1. 8vo. From Harvard College.

Dusuin. Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society,
Vol. ii., Part vii.; Vol. iii., Partsi., ii., iii., andiv. Dublin,

1880-1, 8vo. The Society.
Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society,

Vol. i., Parts 18 and 14. 1880-1, 4to. Ibid.
EprnzurcH. ‘Transactions and Proceedings of the Botanical

Society, Vol. xiv., Part ii. 1882, 8vo. The Society.
— Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society,

Vol. iv., Parti. 1881, 8vo. The Society.

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland,
1879-80, and 1880-81, Vols. ii. and iii., new series.
The Socvety.
Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Session

1880-81, Vol. vi., Parti. 1881, 8vo. The Society.
The Haigs of Bemersyde. By John Russell. 1881,
8vo. The Author.
Essex, Satzm, U.S.A. Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vol. xii.
1880, 8vo. The Institute.
Giessen. Zwangzigster Bericht der Oberhessischen Gessellschaft
fiir Natur and Heilkunde. 1881, 8vo. The Society.

Guascow. Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow,
1880-1, Vol. xiii., No. i. 1881, 8vo. The Socrety.

Donations from Scientific Societies, &c., 1881-82. 575

Guascow. Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow,
Vol. vi., Part ii., 1878-79, 1879-80. 1882, 8vo.
The Society.

Lzeps. Annual Report of Leeds Philosophical and Literary So-

ciety for 1880-1. 8vo. The Socrety.
Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,
Part iv. Leeds and London, 1882, 8vo. The Union.

— Remarks on the Geographical Distribution of Terres-
trial Mollusca. By C. P. Cloyne, Leeds, 1878, 870. bid.
Life History of British Helices. By John W. Tay-
lor. No. 1, Helix Arbustorum, 1882. Ihid.
Lonpon. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, vol. vii.,
Nos. 2, 8, and 4. London, 1881-2, 8vo. The Association.
Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain and Ireland, Vol. x., No. iii and iv.; Vol. xi., Nos.

1, 2, and 8. London, 1881-2. The Institute.
———— Journal of Science, etc., Vol.iv., No.ci. May, 1882,

8vo. The Publisher.
NewcastLeE. Some more Scraps about Birds. By Charles Mur-

ray Adamson. J880-1, 8vo. The Author.

Wetsuroot. Collections, Historical and Archeological, relating
to Montgomeryshire and its Borders, Vol. xiv., parts 2 and
3; Vol. xv., part 1; and General Index to the first 14 vols.
London, 1881-2, 8vo. From the Powysland Club.

2U

576
General Statement. _

Tur Income anD ExpENDITURE have been :—

[vcoME.
£5. d
Arrears received .. xs 18 6.0
Entrance Fees en ew ee 0.0
Subscriptions ay pe 73.16" 0
104 2 0
Balance due Treasurer .. 4.5. .9
—_————- £108 7 9
EXPENDITURE.
Balance due Treasurer from last account 5 2 2
Gibb and Hay for pas yeas ee Ma ine ©
Printing 67 6 0
Expenses at Moatines ays eee) iahey Gee...
Postages and Carriages de =46 10:22
9

Berwick Salmon Company OMS |
: —£108 7 9

. Francis Douglas, M.D., Woodside, Kelso

BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

LIST OF MEMBERS, JUNE, 1882.°

Date of Admission.

2. David Milne-Home, LL.D., F.R.S.E., F.S.A. Scot., etc.,

26.
27.

. Ralph Carr-Ellison, F.S.A. Scot., asian Hill, Gatene

. Henry Gregson, Soha Beal
. Rev. Hugh Evans, M.A., Scremerston, Berwick

. Rey. William Darnell, M. A. me
. David Francis 8. Cahill, M.D., Berwick
. John Craster, Craster Tower, ebay

. William Dickson, Sea-bank House, ipemecnit | oa
. Matthew J. Turnbull, M.D., Coldstream aie sie
. Sir John Marjoribanks, Bart., Lees, Coldstream a
. Rev. George Selby Thomson, M. A., ee : ve
. William Stevenson, Paisley.. .

. William B. Boyd, Faldonside, Melrose
. Charles Stuart, M.D., Chirnside
. Rev. F. R. Simpson, B.A., North Sunderland, Chathill
. The Ven. Archdeacon George : ‘Hans Hamilton, Egling-

Milne-Graden House, by Coldstream, and 10, York
Place, Edinburgh *

. Frederick J. W. Collingwood, Glanton Oar Miagrcle(s
. Jonathan Melrose, Coldstream “re
. David Macbeath, Old Charlton, Kent te ais

John B. Boyd, Cherrytrees, Yetholm ae se

. James Tait, W.S., Edenside, Kelso.. , ne
. William Brodrick: Little Hill, Chudleigh, South Devon
. John Turnbull, Abbey St. Bathans, W.S., F.S.A. Scot.,

49, George Square, Ndinbugh -
head ... ss ee

Robert Hood, M.D.,
Edinburgh

a cinders Road, eng

ham, Alnwick .. as
Charles Rea of Halterburn ..
George Culley, Howberty: sinied. Belford

ee ee

July 30, 1834.

Sept. 21, 1836.
May 6, 1840.
9? >
Dec. 16, ,,
Sept. 18, 1841.
July 26, 1843.
Sept 20,

bP

9? ”?

Oct. 18, ,,
May 3, 1846.

2’ ”

May 3, 1848.
June 25, 1849.
Oct. 18, ,,
Sept. 18, 1850.
Oct. 15, 1851.
June 30, 1852.

” 19

eh 4 1853.
Oct. 22; 5,
Aug. 16, 1854.

” ”?

Oct. 25, ,,
June 23, ,,

+” ”»

578 Inst of Members.

28. William Marjoribanks, Lees, Coldstream 8 +e
29. Charles Watson, F.8.A. Scot., Dunse
30. Rev. Thomas Leishman, D.D., F.S.A. Soot, Linton,
Kelso .. e 4c
31. George P. Hughes, Middleton Hall, Wooler AP ss
32. F. R. Wilson. F.B.S.A. Alnwick, a
33..The Right Hon. Lord Tweedmouth, Brook EorRe, Upper
Brook Street, Park Lane, London ; and Guisachan,
Beauly >
34. Patrick Thorp Dee 13, deena Meee Notes
Hill, London, W. ate
35. William Sherwin, The Genee Peay ‘Hants oe
36. Rev Thomas Procter, M.A., Tweedmouth . :
37. Matthew T. Culley, Goapinat Castle, Wooler ..
38. Rev. J. W. Dunn, M.A, Warkworth ie
39. John Marshall, M.D., Chatton Park, Belford .. 2
40. James Robson Scott, M D., Belford, Yetholm ; and 27,
Abercromby ince: Hidinbureh 3e
41. John Wheldon, 4, Paternoster Row, London, E. C.
42. Middleton H. Dand, Hauxley Cottage, Acklington
43. Rev. Aislabie Proctor, B.A., Doddington, Wooler
44. Stephen Sanderson, Solon Berwick
45. Dennis Embleton, M.D., Eldon Square, essen
46. Charles B. Pulleine Bosanquet, Rock, Alnwick
47. Robert Douglas, Solicitor, Berwick
48. John Riddell, St. Ninian’s, Wooler
49. Watson Askew, Pallinsburn, Coldstream 56
50. Rev. Edward A. Wilkinson, M.A., Tudhoe Vicarage,
Spennymoor, Durham ... sia
51. Robert H. Clay, M.D., 4, Windsor Valles) Plymoas aC
52. J. A. H. Murray, LL. D.. Mill Hill, Headend Middlesex,
INOW. fase =< oe
58. Charles Douglas, M. D. areodside, ree a
54. Archibald Campbell Sane. LL.D., F.R.SE., FS. rv
Scot., Kimmerghame, Dunse es ee
55. Rev. Patrick ‘George McDouall, M.A., Cosgrave apie
Stony Stratford .
56. Thomas Brewis, 6, Regent Teterce! Edinburgh ate
57. Rev. W. L. J. Gooley, M.A., Ponteland, Newcastle ee
58. Rev. W. Greenwell, M.A., EBS, F.S.A., Hon. F.S.A.,

Scot., Durham .. oe
59. Sir Gases H. Scott Bawene, Bart., Springwood Pace
Kelso .. ee
60. William Shenae, Rees tanks Galasweam ee ve
61. Thomas Friar, Grindon Ridge, Norham “. oe

62. James Bowbill, Solicitor, Ayton ae

63. Rev. John Scarth, Holy Trinity Vicarage, Milton-next-
Gravesend oe ee

64. Septimus H. Smith, Galagate House, Novhars oe oe

”
-. Octia2ie.45
. June 28, 1859.

June 23, 1854
. Oct. 20, 1856.

”? ”»

"9 ”
June 25, 1857.

July 30, ,,

Oct. 28, 5,

”
June 24, 1858.

”

> ”

. Sept. 29, ,,
. dune 28, 1860,
. Sept. 18, ,,
= "Octetihe.;

May 30, 1861.

” ”

June 27, ,,

2? 2”

. Aug. 29, ;,

Sept. 26, ,,

List of Members. 579

65. Dr. John Paxton, Berwick .. ae .. Sep. 26, 1861.
66. Charles Anderson, Solicitor, J shoei ze .. dune 26, 1862.
67. Major Henry R. Hardie, Penquit, Torquay .. biG bles se
68. John Scott Dudgeon, Longnewton Place, St. Boswells .. An 99
69. William Elliot, Solicitor, Jedburgh .. ” ”
70. Rev. J. C. Bruce, LL.D., F.S.A. | Framlingham Place,

Newcastle ae at Poe only 315",
71. John Tate, Barnhill, Wolenaeton a0 ye O04 i app 9
72. Robert Crossman, Cheswick House, Beal be se A
73. Rev. Peter Mearns, Coldstream oo Dc oe ” ”
74. William Crawford, Solicitor, Dunse .. dio ae. LO, oy
75. George Rea, Middleton House, Alnwick . pier ine
76. Sir Walter Elliot, K.C.S8.1., LL.D., F.R.S., F.L. 8, F.S.A.

Scot., Wolfelee, Haaren .. June 25, 1863.
die William Dickson, Canaan Tas, SOREN eae ot 9 5p
78. Alexander Curle, F.S.A. Scot., Melrose ee ao a: aA
79. John Edmond Friar, Grindon Ridge, Norham .. Ae Ae
80. Francis Russell, Sheriff Substitute, Jed-bank, Tednarsh an >
81. William Hilton Dyer Longstaffe, F.S.A., Gateshead .. 3 np
82. Robert Middlemas, Solicitor, Alnwick ia Ab rs “6
83. James Hardy, Oldcambus, Cockburnspath ie is “ ”
84. Rey. Edward L. Marrett, M.A,, Lesbury, Bilton 2s.) SLL OO B53
85. Thomas Clutterbuck, Warkworth, a < oe i 35
86. Thomas Tate, Solicitor, Alnwick AG ac oc AE ”
87, Rey. Adam Davidson, M.A., Yetholm ave ate 5g 55
88. Robert Brown, Littlehoughton, Chathill AG se) Opt. 29; 55
89. Rev. John F. Bigge, M.A., Stamfordham, Newcastle .. May 26, 1864.
90. Christopher 8. Bell, Seoicte Darlington .. Sept. 29, ,,
91. J. Towlerton Leather, F.S.A., Middleton Hall, Belford 5 39
92. Rey. James Farquharson, M. ne , Selkirk 1 June 29, 1865.
93. Henry Richardson, M.D., R.N., Castle Terrace, Meat: PP op
94. Thomas Allan, Horncliffe Hignee. Berwick ae aie es An
95. Frederick Lewis Roy, Neathors! Kelso ae sis Uly 27,55
96. Robert Carr Fluker, M.D., Berwick . : .. May 31, 1866,
97. James Smail, F.S.A. Scot., Banker, Kame ath uly 26, 5.
98. Rev. John M. H. N. Grate Maxton, St. Boswells, ..Aug. 30,1866.

. James Brunton, Bacorslende: Kelso, Ha
. Capt. James F. MacPherson, Melrose,

. John Reed Appleton, F.S.A., Western Hill, Durham, .. Sep. 26, 1867.

. Rey. Peter McKerron, M.A., Kelso, oO a 5p >
. William Currie, Linthill, St. Boswells, an 50 as a
. William Blair, M.D., Jedburgh, on oF

. Major The Hon. R. Baillie Hamilton, F.S. thas Scot.,

Langton House, Dunse, an ” ”

. Alex. Hay Borthwick, Ladiesyde TEMES, Melrose, tate ee »

. His Grace The Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, June 25, 1868.
. Robert G. Bolam, Berwick, By ae SOP s2O5 Ary

. Rev. J. Elphinstone Elliot Bates, B.A., Milburn Hall,

Newcastle, 50 . oe ” ”

580 Inst of Members.

110. Major Francis Holland, Alnwick, at «- Sept. 24, 1868.
111. James Heatley, Alnwick,
112. C. H. Cadogan, Brenckburne Priory, Monnet ott Ais 39

113. Robert Romanes, F.S.A. Scot., Harryburn, Lauder, .. Sep. 30,1869.
114. Thomas Broomfield, Solicitor, nades

ee 9 9

me exe) ” ”

115. John Bolam, Alnwick, ee Sieh oh eg +
116. Rev. William I. niece M. oe South ata
Chathill,

ee ” ”

117. John Dunlop, Senate Baran

118. Pringle Hughes, Middleton Hall, Wooler,
119. James Purves, Berwick, aye

120. George L. Paulin, Berwick, By : sayomies a
121. Rev. David Paul, M.A., Roxburgh, Reales. Ee ee
122. Thomas Patrick, Boe ee
123. John Scott, Corporation Academy, merck

124. John Pringle Turnbull, Alnwick,

125. Rev. E. B. Trotter, M.A., St. Michael’s s Vicarage,
Alnwick, is

126. James Wood, avood tne Galaghipls:
127. Matthew Young, Castle Terrace, Berwick,
128. Rev. Thomas Brown, F.R.S.E., 16 Carlton erecen
Edinburgh, Ft ... May11, 1871.
129. Rev. Thomas Rogers, M. A. Meroocdtor of aaehars +08, ODay. 55
130. Rev. Robert Paul, F.S.A. Scot. Dollar, At
131. Rev. T. S. Anderson, Crailing, Kelas,
132. Rev. David W. Yair, Frith Manse, Finstown, (cree
133. John Philipson, 9 Victoria Square, Newcastle, aes
134. Rev. Ambrose Jones, M.A., Stannington, Cramlington,
135. W. E. Otto, Jed-neuk, Jedburgh, : sae
136. William Weatherhead, Solicitor, Beads,
137. Rev. H. E. Henderson, B.A., Alwinton, Morpeth,
138. Alexander James Main, MD., Alnwick, cae #5
139. Thomas Arkle, Highlaws, Morpeth, on ... Sep. 26,1872.
140. James T. 8. Doughty, Solicitor, Ayton, ... A ease 5
141. Capt. J. Carr-Ellison, Hedgeley, Alnwick, and 16
Rutland Square, Edinburgh, Pes 35
142. W. T. Hindmarsh, Solicitor, Alnwick, sa
143. Major James Paton, Ferniehurst, Jedburgh, ie os os
144. Henry A. Paynter, Solicitor, Alnwick, ... SAT lee
145. Major R. Thompson, Walworth Hall, Darlington, ... y 4

146. John Hutton Balfour, M.A., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.8.L.,
and E., F.L.S., F.S.A., Scot., Emeritus Professor of

? ”

Botany, Inverleith House, Edinburgh, ... duly 30,1872.
147. Rev. Evan Rutter, B.A., Spittal, Berwick, ... Sep. 25, 1873.
148. Rev. Hastings M. Neville, Ford Rectory, Cornhill, a .
149. Rev. James Henderson, M.A., Ancroft, Beal, 4° op ~
150. Lieut.-Col. David Milne Hohe! M.P., Paxton Housel

Berwick, and Royal Horse Guards, London, en 53 os
151. Rev. William Stobbs, M.A., Gordon, SS. Bete igs Bp

152. James Nicholson, Murton, Berwick, ees rdw Peo ”

Inst of Members. 581

153. Rev. Joseph Waite, M.A., Vicarage, Norham, ... Sep. 25, 1873.

154. Rev. Beverley S. Wilson, B.A., Duddo, Norham, ... Sep.24, 1874.

155. Robert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A., Scot., 13 Inverleith
Row, Edinburgh,

156. Lieut.-Col. Crossman, C.M.G.., ae E., nme Ganrday
London,

157. F. M. Norman, Goraaader. R.N., Gheciat House,
Berwick,

158. William Willoby, Solicitor, Berwick,

159. James Hastie, Edrington, Berwick, and 305 aAieh St...
Wapping, London, E., ,

160. George Muirhead, Peto Berwick,

161. Thomas Henderson, M.A., Bedford County School,
Bedford,

162. J. B. Kerr, oamnernat Bank, meleo:

163. Edward Liddell, Morris Hall, Norham, ; war
164. Samuel Grierson, M.D,, District Asylum, Melrose, ... __,, 49
165. Matthew G. Crossman, Berwick, ran ... Sep. 29, 1875.
166. John Freer, Solicitor, Melrose,

167. J. A. Forbes, Commander, R.N., West Contes House,
Berwick, :

168. David Watson, Hillside Cottage, Eewice

169. Adam Robertson, Alnwick,

170. Charles Erskine, The Priory, Melrose,

171. Arthur H. Evans, Scremerston, Berwick,

172. James Allan, Ava Lodge, Berwick, aoe

173. John Bertram, Howpark, Grant’s House,

174. John Hood, Oldcambus Townhead, Cockburnspath,

175. Rev. Joseph Hunter, M.A., Cockburnspath, ti

176. Lieut.-Col. Andrew ieee. R.A., Caledonian United
Service Club, Edinburgh, :

177. ea rs Williams, Heatherslaw House, Oren

ill, é

178. Rev. Mandell Creighton, M.A., Fiicarace, Embleton,
Chathill, ‘

179. T. W. McDowall, MD., F.S.A. Vaca County Asylum,
Cottingwood, Morpeth, :

180. John Halliday, 5 Holland Park, feagawater Rondon: W.

181. Rev. Joseph Hill Scott, M.A., Kelso, wat

182. George Greig, 19 St. Giles Street, Edinburgh, cite

183. Alexander Buchan, A.M., F.R.S.H., Sec. Met. Soc.,
Scot., 72 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh,

184, Bidwend Ridley, 2 Charles Street, Berkeley on
London, Barrister at Law, . Sep. 27, 1876,

185. Rev. George P. Wilkinson, M.A., Haxperley Baie
Durham, :

186. Capt. Wm. Eliott Tockhart BiamHolenoh aiawicle

187. Sir Edward Blackett, Bart., Matfen, Newcastle,

188. Rev. Geo. W. Sprott, D.D., North Berwick,

189. John L. Crombie, M.D., North Berwick, .

190. Rev. Paton Gloag, D.D., Galashiels,

” ”

” bh)

582

191.
192.
193.
194.
195.

196.

197.

198.
199.
200.
201.
202.
203.

204.
205.
206.
207.

208.
209.

210.
211.
212.
213.
214.

216.
216.

217.
218.
219.

220.
221.

222.
223.

Inst of Members.

Henry S. Anderson, M.D., Selkirk,

James Brown, Knowepark, Selkirk,

George Rodger, Philipburn, Selkirk,

Andrew Currie, Darnick, Melrose ..

William Lyall, Literary and Philosophical Society; Mow:
castle ..

William Topley, RB. Gs, ‘Office ie. M. Capllvetel
Survey of England and Wales, 28, Jermyn Street,

London

Hubert E. H. J erento “MP. Longridge Towers,
Berwick be oe

Alexander Towers Roberteon, Berwick

Rev. W. Dobie, M.A., Ladykirk, Norham ..

Rev. W. H. Walter, M. A., 12, North Bailey, Dadam :

Lieut. James Hunter, Anton! s Hill, Coldstream ale

George Brisbane Douglas, cei corel Park, Kelso

Rey. G. H. Ainger, D.D., Whitton Tower, ie abe
Morpeth

Sir Molineux Bede Neeennn Bare, F. S. A. Scot., Tiader’: 8
Court, Bridport, Dorset - 46

James Robertson, Rock Moor Eisuek: Magnes

Alexander Scott, Hillside, Lockerbie. .

Robert Richardcon Dees, Snihcioe oe Street, New-
castle .. oe 5c

John Ferguson, Slicer Teme ae

Archibald Buchan Hepburn, Smeaton Heep Bees
davies.

James Lumsden, F. Z.8., F. S. Ahoy Scot., Rens: Gio!
Alexandria, Dumbeatonstiens ats 56 Ac

James Tait, Thropton, Morpeth =

Isaac Bayley Balfour,Sc.D., M.B.C.M., F.R. S. E., F.L. S. os
F.G.S., Professor of aeons in the Danese i Glas-

OW tas

Rebert Mason, Sree to the Nat. His. ‘Society of
Glasgow ; 27, West George Street, Glasgow a

Alexander Rutherford Turnbull, Mansfield, Hawick ..

George Heriot Stevens, Gullane by Drem, East Lothian

Charles Felix McCabe, Thirston House, Felton, Ackling-

ton Se oe . ee oe see
John J. Horsley, ‘aia A: a
Rev. Charles Green, B.A., Embleton, "Chathill. 50

Thomas Chas. Hin deaaneh, Barrister-at-law, 1, Essex
Court, Temple, London ..

Rev. R. Hopper asec M.A. yteein a Gates-
head (ois 40 ve we
Rev. R. F. Proudfoot, B. A. avaret Drange

W. H. Johnson, Tweed Villa, Relugas Road, ginbureh
Alan Swinton, Swinton House, Dunse oe oe

... ‘ep.

27, 1876.

_ 31, 1877.

Inst of Members.

583

224. G. T. Lebour, M.A., F.G.S., Professor of Geology, Oct. 31, 1877.

University of Durham College of Physical Science, New-
castle ; 2, Woodside Terrace, Gateshead .. oe
225. Robert L. Peploe, Commercial Bank, Edinburgh ‘
226. Rev. James A. Sharrock, B.A., 22, Ashfield Terrace,

Newcastle
227. Rev. Walker Heater tanuanete M. Ns Mdesendiny ers

Blackhill, Co. Durham .. .- oe ee
228. Geo. E. Watson, Solicitor, Alnwick .. eo a
229. Lowrey Calvert Chrisp, Hawkhill, Alnwick .. oe
230. Lieut.-Col. Matthew Charles Woods, Holleyn Hall,

Wylam.. es oe ee
231. George H. ERoripeont Canes oe ap
232. William Lang Blackie, Holydean, St. Bouwells ois
238. Andrew E. Scougal, H.M. Inspector of Schools, Melrose
234. Captain John Broad, Ashby, Melrose ve ar
235. John Thomson, Reléo af oe

236. James Denholm, M.D., Broomhill, Dia 56

237. Rev. J. Mackenzie indyce, D.D., Bowden, St. Boswells ,,

238, Dr E. C. Robertson, Otterburn, Terunatls 50
239. William Wilson, Berwick,

240. The Right Hon. The Earl of pedinetos Tyningham
House, Prestonkirk oc

241. Peter Loney, Marchmont, Greonlaw. oa
242. William A. Hunter, M.A., LL.B., Solicitor, Dunse ..

243. Thomas Darling, Governor’s House, Berwick we
244. Rev. John Walker, Whalton, Newcastle .. ie
245. Rev. R. E. Taylor, B.A., Alnwick - an ac
246. Arthur Thew, Alnmouth, Alnwick oie sc

247. Lieut. William Hurb Sitwell, Barmoor .. St
248. Edward Dornan Hodgson, Barrister-at-Law, 2 Plow-

den Buildings, Temple, London is
249. John Russell, ‘“‘ Chambers’ Journal Office,”’ Hdinbursh
250. Thomas Turnbull, Lilliesleaf, St. Boswells ris

251. Alexander Leitch, Fairneyside, Ayton ..

252. John Watson Laidlay, F.S.A. Scot., Seacliffe, North
Berwick eas AS

253. J. K. Weatherliends inohedee Berwick

254. Stanley Scott, Abbey House, Kelso re

255. James Greenfield, Reston a

256. James Mein, Lamberton

257. George Skelly, Alnwick ‘

258. Rev. Canon Tristram, LL.D. F. R.S., F. 8. ne Dake

259. Rey. David Millar, B.D., LL. B. Miiordineton, Berwick

260. Thomas Cook, epi ator Alnwaek

261. Charles M. Adamson, Crag Hall, Teamond, Newcastle

262. W. F. Vernon, Kelso

263. William Layton, M.A., High School, Kelso ne

264. William Gunn, F.G. S., Geological Survey, Berwick

”»

584

265.
266.

267.
268.
269.
270.
271.
272.
273.
274.

275.
276.
277.

278.
279.
280.
281.
282.

283.
284.

285.
286.

287.
288.

289.

290.

291.
292.
293.

294.
295.

296.

297.

298.

299.

300.
301.

List of Members.

Rey. F. B. Nunneley, M.D., Rennington, Chathill ...

Rev. Thomas Calvert, M.A., 92, Lansdowne Place,
Brighton 300 ac

Rev. George Gunn, ‘Stichell, Kelso

Patrick Kynock, M.D., Greenlaw

George Anderson, Selkirk -

Thomas Craig-Brown, Woodburn, Selkirk

Ralph Dunn, Solicitor, Melrose eh

Thomas Fairley, Academy, Galashiels ...

Robert Darling Ker, St. Leonard’s House, Edinburgh

Hume Nisbet, Studio, Albert Buildings, 6, Shandwick
Place, Edinburgh

Rey. Robert Small, Caddonfoot, Salewhals

Frank Rutherford, Bank of Scotland, Galashiels

Rey. A. Duncombe Shafto, M.A., Brancepeth Rec-
tory, Durham .., i :

J.J. Vernon, F.S.A. Scot., Eack :

Robert Henry Elliot, Clifton Park, Kelso

J. W. Barnes, Banker, Durham

George Bolam, Berwick a

Rev. Thomas §&. Mara oeibanike Prestonktde East
Lothian

Rey. James King, B. ine Vicar of St. Mary’ 8, Berwick

James Bogie, 5 Spence Street, Newington, Edinburgh

Francis D. Blake, Tillmouth Park, Coldstream

Andrew P. Aitken, M.A., Dr. Sc., etc., Chemist to the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland,
Nivelle Cottage, Liberton, Edinburgh .., hy

James Thomas Spencer Elliot, yr. of Wolfelee

Thomas Rutherford, M.D., Kelso 50c

John Crawford Hodgson, Prcton Vale, Lesbury

John Sadler, Curator, Royal Botanic Garden, Edin-
burgh a6 a

Walter Grieve, Catitleshiels, Dunse

Rev. Alex. Phimister, M.A., Gordon

J. Gordon Maitland, Advocate, Procurator- Biseal
Dunse Ses ce

Rev. Duncan Maclean, B.D., Mlanton

James Fergusson, St. btpes 8 ain School,
Morpeth 3

Rev. James Spence, uadhope, ‘Galashiels.

John Broadway, Banker, Alnwick ae

Alexander Dickson, M.D., F.R.S.E., F.L. S., Brotestor
of Botany in the University of Edinburgh :

Major Shallcross Fitzherbert Miigeineion, N ewton
Hall, Alnwick ...

get William Snodgrass, D. De | Canonbie, Pyngessee
shire ..

Rev. Chailes J. Cowan, B. D. F. s. A. Beot. , Morebattle,
Kelso .. ane

Oct. 15, 1879.

302.
303.
304.
305.
306.
307.
308.

309.
310.

311.
312.
313.

314.
315.

316.
317.
318.
319.
320.
321.
322,
323.
324.
325.
326.
327.
328.
329.
330.
331.
332.
333.
334.
335.
336.
337.
338.

339.

340.

341.

Inst of Members.

Rev. Thomas Ilderton, M.A., Ilderton, Alnwick

Edwin Thew, M.D., Alnwick 4

Thomas Walby, emer ins

William Newton Morrison, Low Stead, Lesbury

William Alder, Berwick ahs aos

Robert Weddell, Solicitor, Berwick a

The Right Hon. Lord Napier and Hitrick, K. T.,
Thirlestane Castle, Selkirkshire ;

William Craig, M.D., C.M., F.R.C.S.E., FRSE., 7,
Lothian Road and econ: s Hall, Bdinburgh sf

Robert Hutchison, F.R.S.E., F.S.A. Scot., Carlowrie,
Kirkliston, and 29, Chester Street, Edinburgh ...

James S. Mack, 8.8.C., Coveyheugh, Reston oer

Rev. George aleryoristale) B.D., Stenton, Prestonkirk

The Most Hon. the Marquess of Tweeddale, Yester
House, Haddington

John H. F. K. Scott of Gala, Gala puke, Galashiels

Rey. C. E. Bowden, M.A., St. Columba’s Church,
Edinburgh tee «ae eae

Edward Johnson, M.D., Tweedbank, Kelso me

Rey. John Orr, B.A., Bonwiek

R. P. Brotherston, Teninehene Gardens, ‘Prestonkirk

Edward Willoby, junr., Berwick ie sae

Joseph Wilson, Solicitor, Dunse

William Madden, British Linen Co’s. Banke Berwick

Rev. James Beale, The Parsonage, Dunse

William Thompson Hall, Dunns Houses, Woodburn

Hugh Miller, F.G.S.,of the Ordnance Survey, Elsdon

James Leslie Mewnie Alnwick :

George Bird, 12 Warrender Park, Edinburgh

Rey. A. B. Coulson, B.A., Carham : ae

John Dobie, M.A., B.D., Ladykirk sey aes

James Cumming, Banker, Jedburgh

T. D. Crichton Smith, Solicitor, Kelso

Ephraim Arkle, Carrick, Elsdon

Dr. Tennant, Melrose

Dr. Weight, Melrose

John Henderson Wright, M. B. C. M., Kelso

Rev. James Boyd, Innerleithen sie

Richard Lees, Solicitor, Galashiels ai

Edward Tennant, yr. of The Glen, Innerleithen

Stevenson Macadam, Ph.D., F.R.S.E.,'Lecturer on
Chemistry, Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh; 11, East
Brighton Crescent, Portobello ai

Hon. H. C, Maxwell Stuart, Traquair House, Taner?
leithen oe oo
Adam Darling, Governor’ s House, Beewiee “ic

A. L. Miller, Berwick oc ate OC

Oct.

. Oct.

585

13, 1880,

99

12, 1881.

”

586 List of Members.

342. Thomas Frazer, M.D., Berwick a .. Oct. 12, 1881.
343. Dr. Heagerty, Tweedmouth .. ee oe 9 _

HONORARY MEMBERS.

The Lady A. A, John Scott of Spottiswoode, Lauder.
Mrs. Spoor, Tosti, Falsgrave, Scarborougn.

Mrs. Barwell Carter, The Anchorage, Berwick.

Miss Margaret R. Dickinson, Norham.

Miss Langlands, 5, Strathearn Place, Edinburgh.
Miss Russell of Ashiesteel, Galashiels.

Mrs. Robert Middlemas, Alnwick.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

William Shaw, Literary and Scientific Institute, Berwick.
John Anderson, Preston, Dunse.

Thomas Henry Gibb, Alnwick. .

Andrew Brotherston, Shedden Park Road, Kelso.

Robert Renton, Fans, Earlstoun.

OFFICERS OF THE CLUB.

FRANCIS DOUGLAS, M.D., Kelso seeeiee
JAMES HARDY, Oldcambus, Cockburnspath. {| °°""#*-

ROBERT MIDDLEMAS, Alnwick, Treasurer.

INDEX OF BIRDS.

Auk, Great, 222.

Bittern, Common, 253.

Blackbird, 12, 30, 34, 128-6, 130-1,
134, 136, 140, 143, 147, 149, 150,
220, 305, 327, 329, 322, 339, 392,
410, 429, 499, 500-1, 504, 554,
571.

Black Cock, 469, 488.

Brambling, see Finch, Mountain.

Bullfinch, 149, 220, 230, 488. 504.

Bunting, Black-headed or Reed, 130,
230, 504.

Common or Corn, 31, 126,
127, 230, 504.

— Snow, 123, 125, 127, 404,
499, 500, 554.

Buzzard, Common, 254, 408, 488,
489, 5038, 562.

Honey, 165, 254, 408, 409.

— Rough-legged, 284, 488,
562.

_ Chaffinch, 125, 126, 131, 149, 150,
339, 500. 504, 563.

Chiff-chaff, 390, 555.

Chough or Red-legyed Crow, 488.

Coot, 220, 391, 488, 499, 553.

Cormorant, Common, 37, 389, 552.

Crake, Corn, or Landrail, 135, 150,
399, 429, 488, 505, 558.

Cranes, 519.

Creeper, 130, 488, 504, 553.

Crossbill, 488.

Crow, Carrion, 124, 126, 220, 504,
505-6

Hooded, 20, 126, 404, 504,
562.

Cuckoo, 130, 135, 150, 220, 228, 305,
399 409 429, 504, 558.

Cushat, see Wood-Pigeon.

Curlew, 125-9, 20, 234, 388, 474,
488, 503, 541.

Dabchick, sce Grebe, Little.

Dipper, 123, 135, 220, 261, 392, 429,
504.

Diver, Black-throated, 367, 501.

Great Northern, 407.

Red-throated, 170, 366, 501.

Dotterel, 18, 136, 400, 588.

Duck, Common Wild or Mallard,
123, 126-9, 143, 147, 149, 219, 220,
390, 428 499, 505, 552.

Hider, 125, 129, 143, 552,

Golden Eye, 407, 488, 505,

562.

King, 409.

Long-tailed, 562.

Pintail, 462.

— — Pochard, 365, 505.

Scaup, 143.

Shoveller, 230, 552.

Teal, 488.

Tufted, 176.
—— Wigeon, 230, 562.

Dunlin, 166.

Falcon, Peregrine, 18, 135, 175, 183,
365, 387, 488.

Red-footed, 365.

Fieldfare, 123-131, 134, 143, 305,
329, 332, 402, 504, 461.

Finch, Mountain, or Brambling, 124,
499, 504, 555.

Flycatcher, Pied, 54, 165, 440, 560.

Spotted or Grey, 12, 131, 150,
220, 400, 504, 560.

Goatsucker, or Night Jar, 400, 505,
560.

Godwit, Common, 356, 360.

Goldfinch, 2380.

Goosander, or Dundiver, 134, 253,
366. 407, 463, 552.

Goose, Bean, 505.

Bernicle, 366, 552.

Brent, 401, 402, 552.

—— Egyptian, 177, 552.

2x

588

Grey, 401.

— -— Pink-footed, 366, 505.

Wild, 123, 139, 401, 551,

Grebes, 499, 501.

Grebe, Eared, 391.

Great Crested, 391, 552.

Red-necked, 367, 391, 501.

—— Little, 339, 407, 488, 505.

Sclavonian, 391.

Greenfinch, 124, 125, 131, 149, 151,
305, 504.

Greenshank, 361, 362, 561.

Grouse, Red, 129, 220, 440, 488.

Guillemot, Common, 394.

Gull, Black-headed, 31, 125-6, 225,
236, 241-2, 401, 505, 554.

Common, 126-7, 505.

— Glaucous, 170.

— Great Black-backed, 126.

— Herring, 488, 505.

—~ Kittiwake, 398.

— Little, 367.

Masked, 177, 225.

Gulls, 499.

Hawfinch, 405. :

Hedge Sparrow, 127, 131, 305, 504.

Heron, Common, 38, 135, 220, 389,
429, 501, 505, 551.

Hobby, 30, 175.

Hoopoe, 165, 402.

Jackdaw, 127, 504.

Jay, 150, 382, 429.

Kestrel, 125, 220, 488, 503.

Kingfisher, 20, 230, 254, 429, 489.

Knot, 462.

Landrail, see Corn Crake.

Lapwing, 32, 38, 123, 125-9, 134,
217, 220, 389, 474, 488, 503, 505,
550.

Lark. Shore, 408.

— Sky, 32, 126-7, 129, 131, 143,
151, 229, 234, 244, 271, 305, 408,
453, 499, 500, 504.

Linnet, Grey, 123-4, 128-9, 131, 151,
220, 408, 439, 498, 504, 562.

Redpoll, 151, 561.

Magpie, 24%, 476, 488, 504, 506.

Martin, Common, 130-1, 135, 397,
409, 505, 556.

Sand or Bank, 31, 130, 135,
150, 261, 394, 409, 429, 453, 505,
556.

Merganser, 501.

Merlin, 284, 488, 503, 562.

Missel Thrush, 20, 124, 126-7, 130-1,
150, 305, 332, 389, 501, 504, 554.

Night Jar, see Goatsucker.

Oriole, Golden, 563.

INDEX OF BIRDS.

Osprey. 489, 562.

Ousel, Ring, 129, 220, 397, 404, 429,
488, 504, 554.

Owl, Barn or White, 365, 429, 504.

— Brown, Tawny, or Screech, 135,
231, 329, 365, 429, 488, 504.

— Long-eared or Horned, 428,
488, 504.

— Short-eared, 406, 504, 562.

Oyster-Catcher, 365-6.

Pallas’s Sand-grouse, 247.

Partridge, 126, 147, 305, 329, 488,
499, 505.

Petrel, Fulmar, 170.

Leach’s, or Fork-tailed, 177.

Stormy, 356.

Phalarope, Grey, 169.

Pheasant, 247, 329, 488, 505, 563.

Pipit Meadow or Moor, 180, 220, 399,
429, 453, 488, 499, 504, 553.

Kock or Sea, 123, 126, 127,

130, 392.

Tree, 10, 151, 284, 400, 504,

533.
Plover, Green, see Lapwing.
Grey, 134, 365.
Golden, 38, 125-7, 134, 220,
406, 448, 505 550, 551.
Ringed, 143.
Puffin, 398.
Rail, Water, 253, 488, 558.
Raven, 125, 389, 453, 489.
Razor-bill, 126, 177, 389.
Redbreast, 12, 123-4, 128, 180-1,
_ 149, 150, 220, 329, 340, 498, 504.
Redshank, 123, 125-7, 129, 148, 390,
551.

Spotted, 360-1.

Redstart, 131, 135, 150, 220, 393, 493,
504, 556, 559.

Redwing, 124, 126, 129, 130-1, 134,
143, 332, 403, 500, 504, 561.

Ring-Dove, see Wood-Pigeon.

Ring-Dotterel, see Plover, Ringed.

Rock-Dove, 126, 130.

Rook, 11, 12, 26, 125, 127, 134, 221,
249, 265, 329, 382, 428, 499, 500,
504, 506.

Ruff, 168, 562.

Sanderling, 363-4, 401.

Sandpiper, Bertram’s, 167-8.

Common, 150, 220, 400, 488,
505, 560.

Green, 169, 362, 401, 488.
Purple, 385.

———. Wood, 362.

Scoter, Velvet, 170.

Shelldrake, 366.

INDEX OF

Shrike, Grey. 365, 405, 562.

Shrike Red-Backed, 165, 176.

Shearwater, Greater, 368.

Siskin, 230, 407, 561.

Skua, Buffon’s, 54, 169, 368.

Common, 367.

— Pomarine or Pomatorine, 54,
169, 176, 367, 552.

Skua Richardson’s. 355-6, 552.

Skua-Gulls, 406, 552.

Skylark, see Lark (Sky).

Smew, 253

Snipe, Common, 147, 488, 498, 505.

Great, 401, 463.

Jack, 505.

Russet, 176.

Subine’s, !66.

Solan-Goose or Gannet, 130, 143,
367, 399.

Sparrow-hawk, 488, 503.

Sparrow, Common, 130-1, 149, 305,
407, 504.

Starling, 32, 124-7, 149, 230, 305,

339, 387, 504, 506, 554, 561.
Stock-Dove, 18, 151, 165-6, 562.
Stone-chat, 131, 230, 284, 393, 555.
Storks, 519.

Swallow, 130-1, 135, 143, 150, 230,
395-6, 409, 410, 429, 495, 504,
557-8.

Swan, Polish, 32.

Wild, 230, 463, 550.

Swift, 131, 135, 150, 230, 397, 504,
558.

Tern, Arctic, 367.

——- Common, 367.

Sandwich, 400.

Thrush, Song, 12, 20, 34, 123-131,
134, 136, 140, 143, 147, 149, 150,
220, 305-6, 327, 329, 332, 339, 340,
387, 392,410, 429, 498-9, 500, 504,
554, 571.

Titmice, 130, 131, 149, 305, 329,
504.

Titmouse, Cole, 220, 284, 488.

Greater, 126, 129, 130, 220.

— — Long-Tailed, 134, 253, 284,

Marsh, 284, 563.

BIRDS. 589

— Ox-Eye, 125-7, 129, 157,
284, 488.

Turnstone, 387.

Turtle-Dove, 30, 365, 402.

Wagtail, Grey, 11, 123, 129, 131, 284,
305, 389, 428, 504, 553.

—-— Pied, 127, 129, 130, 220, 261,
278, 305, 389, 428, 453, 498-9, 504,
553.

——— White, 553.

— Yellow, 391.

Warbler, Black-cap, 10, 130-1, 220,
400, 428, 443, 493, 504, 559.

—— — Chiff-chaff, see Chiff-chaff.

—— Sedge, 131, 220, 229, 394,
443, 446, 504, 560.

Willow, 10, 130, 135, 220,
394, 400, 410, 429, 469, 504, 555.

— Wood, or Wood-Wren, 23,

130-1, 220-1, 469, 504, 559.

Garden, 398, 504, 556.

Water-Crow, see Dipper.

Water-Hen or Gallinule, 126-7, 219,
220, 305, 389, 428, 499, 505, 553, 571.

Waxwing-Bohemian, 408.

Wheat-ear, 129-131, 150, 220, 284,
392, 453, 474, 504, 555.

Whin-Chat, 130, 215, 230, 234, 284,
393, 474, 504, 555.

White-Throat, Greater, 130-1, 220,
397, 400, 410, 469, 504, 556, 559.

Lesser, 400, 562.

Woodcock, 126, 147, 247, 399, 429,
469, 488, 505, 560.

Woodpecker, Green, 441, 562.

Greater-spotted, 429,

441, 562.

Lesser-spotted, 463.

Wood-Pigeon, 48, 123-5, 134, 147,
220, 308, 329, 382, 406, 429, 499,
500, 505, 550, 571.

Wren, Common, 20, 123, 125, 129-
131, 149, 150, 220, 305, 329, 408,
469, 488, 504, 553.

Golden-Crested (see Gold-
Crest), 129, 131, 230, 407, 488, 504,
553.

Yellow-Hammer, 131, 157, 388, 504.

IN x.

Abbey, Cliphope Burn, 115-6.

* Abraxas Ulmata, 280.

Acacias, 426.

Accounts, 207, 412, 576.

Acherontia Atropos, 178, 379, 383,
478.

Adamson, C.M., Scraps relating to
Natural History in North North-
umberland, 353, etc.

Adders or Vipers, 231, 250, 429, 443,
473-4.

Addison, Dr. Thomas, 277.

Adelges Abietis and Laricis, 370 ;
Picesx, 477.

AMegeria exitiosa and polistiformis,
372-3.

Agate, 478.

Agrimonia odorata, 187.

Aidan, Bp. of Lindisfarne, 59.

Albinism, produced by cold, 502.

Alexander, W.M., Effects of Winter
1879-80, 316,

Allium Schoenoprasum, 186.

All-Saints’ Day, 511.

Alluvium, 526.

Alnmouth Meeting, 31; Bridge, 31 ;
Town, 32.

Alnwick, Meeting at, 40; Effects of
Winter, 1878-79, 1879-80, at, 145,
and 324-5.

Altars, Roman, 271, 273, 277, 278,
459, 461, 462, 541.

Alpine Hare in Storm, 502.

Amber Bead, 97.

Amperley, 16.

Anacharis alsinastrum, 449, 476.

Anchusa sempervirens, 20.

Ancient Monuments, Preservation
of, 212-3.

Ancroft, and its Cloggers and the
Plague, 253.

Animals, figures of in valley of Mis-
sissipi, 518.

Anne, Queen, Letter of, 45.

Annelide marks, 479.

Anniversary Addresses, 1, 211, 415.

Antiquities found, 14,17, .8, 19, 34,
35, 44,49, 58, 56, 96, 97, 100, 101,
217, 242, 243-4, 247, 251-2, 303,
386, 438, 444-5, 543-4-5-6.

Aphides, 369.

Aphis Grossulariz, 228, 369.

Aphis of the Beech, its History and
Damage by, 47, 48.

Arabis trifoliata, 28.

Aragon, Coin of King of, 7.

Araucaria imbricata, measurement
of at Dunse Castle, 380; at Row-
chester, 548.

Archbishop Hamilton’s Catechism,
483.

Archeological and Architectural
Society of Dur. and Northd.,
meeting with, 49, 57, etc.

Arkle, Thomas, The Keyheugh and
its Wishing Well, 392; on the
Mote Hills at Eldsdon, 459-60,
538-542 ; on three Barrows in
Redesdale, 472-3.

Armlet of glass, 97.

Arrival and Departure of Birds,
887-410, 549-563.

Arrow heads, etc., of Flint, Bone,
Copper, 53, 54, 243.

Arthur, King, and Image of the Vir-
gin at Stow, 546.

Arvicola amphibia, albino of, 441.

Arvicola glareola, 127, 138.

Ashes, large, 427.

Ashiesteel, Winter 1879-80, at, 351 ;
Antiquities at, 386; Haugh and
Hill, 479.

INDEX.

Asplenium Ruta-muraria, 276.
septentrionale, 245.

Aswambheda or Sacrifice of a Horse
in India, 513-4, 522.

Avenel, 237.

Ayton Castle, Siege of, and Church,
162.

Ayton Castle Gardens, Winter
1878-9, 1879-80, at, 186 and 309.

Ayton, Lepidoptera found at, 368.

Badger, 222, 242, 252, 427.

Baillie, Lady Grizel, 47.

Baillies of Lochend, 215.

Baird, Rev. Andrew,
William, 420.

Bakstanedean, oldest name of Bas-
sendean, 233.

Balden, John, on Winter 1878-9,
336.

Baldmoney, 30.

Balfour, Prof. J-H.,1, 6.

Ball in Mythological Tales, 518-9.

Bamburgh, 62, 63; its Chapels and
Church, 246.

Banna, Roman Hunters of, 272,
277.

Bannatyne Club, 192.

Barbustellus communis, 441.

Barnhill, Winter 1879-80, at, 329.

Barrington, Bishop of Durham, 78.

Barrows or Tombs on Watling St.,
in Redesdale, 471-2.

Bassendean, Church, 233; Tomb-
stone of a General Leslie at,
233-4; Covenanting Laird of, 234;
House, 234-5.

Beadnell Chapel, 246.

Bed of Sir Patrick Hume, 45.

Beda, Notice of, 61-62.

Beeches, 26 etc., 426, 430.

Bek, Bishop of Durham, 50, 76,

416; Dr.

78.

Belford Meeting, 244; Church and
Chapel, 245-6, 249; Lords of the
Manor, 246 ; Castle and Hall, 247 ;
Crag, 249; St. Mary’s Well, 250 ;
Old State of Town, 253; Tradi-
tion of Plague at, 253.

Belhaven, John, second Lord, his
dislike to the Union, 434; Tombs
of him and others of the family,
439.

Belted Will’s Oak, 276;
281; Name, 282.

Belton House, Woods, Trees, and
Dean, 425-430.

Bennet, Sir Gilbert of Marlefield,
24, 25, 27.

Tower,

591

Bennet, Sir William of Marlefield,
23, 24.

Berkshire White-Horse, 518-9, 520.

Bernician series of Rocks, 527;
Upper and Lower, 527-9.

Berrington, Prior of Durham, 70.

Berwick, ancient, view of, 287;
Coins at, 7; Gascons at, 8; Sack
of King Edward I.,117; Effects
of Winters 1878-9, 1879-80, at,
142, 320.

Berwick, Meetings at, 6, 50, 286,
492.

Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, its
origin, influence, and contribu-
tions to Science and Literature,
ey etc.; Jubilee Meeting, 416,

42.

Bewcastle, whence its name, 279;
Inscription in Runes near, 278.

Bibles, old, 44, 45, 225, 431, 483.

Bibliographical List of the Publica-
tions of James Maidment, Hsq.,
196-204.

Bibliographical Notices, Books,
rare MSS., and Libraries, 44, 45,
51, 60; 194-5, 196-204, 245, 251,
279, 280, 300, 431, 483, 484.

Biddleston, Effects of Winter 1879-
80, at, 327.

Biel, Policies, Grounds, and Man-
sion, 430-437; House, list of best
Pictures and Statues at, 433;
State papers at, 433 ; Ornamental
Shrubs and Conifers 434-6.

Bigge, Rev. J. F., Notice of Squir-
rels colonizing a district, 100; on
Effects of Winter, 1878-9, 149;
Arrivals of Birds at Stamford-
ham, 150.

Bingfield, Winter 1879-80, at, 339.

Birdoswald, Roman Station and
Remains at, 272, etc.

Birds, see Index of Birds.

Birds of Thurston and Woodhall,
220; of Gordon, 229-230, 235; of
Fowberry, 253-4; of Gilsland,
284; at Belton and Biel, 428-9;
of Peeblesshire, list of, 488-9;
found near Presmennan Loch,
503, etc.

Birds and other Animals, Effects of
severe Winters, on, 123-133, 134,
135, 140, 142, 143, 147, 148, 149,
150-1, 154-5, 157, 305, 306-7, 308,
327, 329, 332, 339, 340, 498-503.

Birds, Migration of, on the Borders,
387-410; 549-563.

. 2Y

592 INDEX.

Birgham lands, 162.

Birlie Tree and Court at Belton,
427.

Blackadder House, Effects of Frost,
at, 307 ; Plants killed and injured
at, 309.

Black Jack, 44.

Black Lough, 219.

Black Stitchel, 528.

Blaiklaw and Pringle the Poet, 30.

Boar’s Loch and its Legend, 220.

Boars, bones of, 74, 541.

Bolam, George, Effects of Winter
1878-9, 142; Ornithological Notes,
165-170.

Bold, West, Lead Mines at, 481.

Bones and Skeletons at Elsdon,
456, 506, etc.; at Ladykirk, 457;
at Gordon and Newminster, 457.

Boon, Slaughter of the Laird of,
240-1.

Boonsley, 221.

Borthwick Church, fragments of
Old Cross at, 546.

Bosanquet, C. B. P., on Winters of,
1878-9, 1879-80, 147, 324.

Boston, Rev. Thomas, Handwriting
of, 222.

Botanical Notices, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16,
17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 36, 37, 39, 49,
214, 215, 219, 220, 221, 225, 229,
233, 235, 243, 245, 248, 251, 255,
259, 261, 263, 264, 267, 271, 275,
276, 278, 279, 280, 281, 284, 288,
293-4, 417, 426, 429, 430, 431, 436-
7, 444-450, 461, 462, 468, 471, 475-
7, 480, 493, 537-538, 542.

Bothwell’s Plot at Spott House,
216.

Boulder at Marchmont, 48; at
Cockburn Law, 99; at Willow-
ford, 271.

Boulder Clay, 527.

Boulmer, 32, 38.

Bow and arrow, training practice,
456.

Bowden, services of husbandmen of,
231.

Bowie, Robert, Effects of Winter,
1878-9, (144); 1879-80, at Chilling-
ham, 144, 322-3.

Bowhill, Winter Temperatures at,
156, 349, 566.

Bowmont Forest, Winter 1879-80, at,
344.

Boyd, W. B., on Effects of Winters
1878+ 79, and 1879-80, at Ormiston
House, 154, 844-5.

Brass pots at Greenwood Moss, and
Ecklaw, 18; at Thurston Mains,
221; Newham, 252; at Langhope,
Selkirkshire, 308; near Edmonston,
Biggar, 491.

Bremenium, Roman city at, 470-1.

Brenckburn Priory, Winter 1879-80,
at, 328.

Britain, the Island of Souls, 522.

British Camps, Dwellings, ete., 17, 38,
39. 84, 96, 109, 110, 113, 114, 120,
185-8, 190, 216-7, 242, 249, 250,
438, 444, 452, 461, 463, 464, 466,
476, 481, 482, 489, 490.

British Coins, 516, 520.

Brochs, Notices of, 98, 99.

Brock or Spott Water, 215.

Brockholes, Bronze Caldron found
on, 17.

Bromfield, Rev. Robt. O., Obituary
Notice of, 288-9.

Bronze and Brass articles; Brazier,
28; Buckle and Thimble, 97;
Caldrons, 17; Celt from Hoselaw,
19; from Holburn, 252; from
Morebattle, 275; bronze or brass
Spurs at Belford, 247; vessels and
weapons, 466-7

Broomhouse, Easter and Wester, 214-
5, 218.

Brotherston, A., on Winter 1878-9,
153; Ornithological and other Notes,
1879-80, 175; Sea, Trout or Com -

* mon Trout, the Carham Pond Ex-
periments, 179; Plants found at
Gordon, 294.

Brotherston, R. P., on Winters,
1878-9, 1879-80, at Tyningham,
142, 318.

Brown, Capability, 453.

Brown, Rev. Thomas, F.R.S.E.,
Anniversary Address, 415-424.

Bruce, Rev. J. C., LL.D., on the
Roman Wall at Birdoswald, 272,
etc.; on Winter, 1878-9 on Tyne-
side, 337.

Bruce, King Robert, at Lanercost,
279.

Brudenell, Mrs, of Hebburn, 184.

Brunt Wood, 219; Mill, 221.

Bueth, Gilles, Lord of Gilsland, slain,
278-9.

Buglas, S., Lepidoptera captured at
Ayton, 368.

oe) Oblation of a, to St Cuthbert,

457.
Bullets, Stone, 244; Iron, 251.
Burning iron for thieves, 224.

ee

INDEX.

Burns, Robert, some MSS. of his, 51;
Visit to Wardrew, 285.

Burnmouth, in Ettrick Forest, 193.
Hindhop Burnemuthe in_ his
New Forest,’’ Skene’s Celtic Scot-
land, iii. p. 444, who also confounds
it with the modern fishing village
of Burnmouth. |

Bush aboon Traquair, 487.

Butler, Bp. of Durham, 79.

Caddon Bank, 481.

Cadogan, C. H., on Winter 1879-80,
328.

Caerlee or Curly Bank, 481, 489.

Cairns, John, on Winters 1878-9, and
1879-80, 1388, 311.

Cairns, at Otterburn, 469; at
Annan’s Treat on Yarrow, 485 ; of
Peeblesshire, 490.

Caistron or Kestern, the old Owners
of, 258-9.

Calc-tuff, 526.

Calciferous Sandstone, 527.

Calderwood, Rev. Wm., tomb of,
238-9.

Cameron, Mr Richard, 22.

Camps, see British Camps.

Carboniferous Rocks, 527.

Carham Hall Experiments, 179.
Carilef or Karileph, St., William of,
Bp. of Durham, 64-6, 73, 74, 77.

Carlisle, Earls of, 277, 281.

Carr-Ellison, Ralph, Effects of Win-
ters, 1878-9, 1879-80, 150, 330.

Carrick, Margaret, of Mumps’ Ha,
269, 286.

Carriden,
Edin, 83.

Carthaginian coin with horse-head,
518.

Castell, Prior of Durham, 70, 71.

Castleton; 117.

Cat incomposition of place-names, 116.

Caterpillar of Apricot stem and
branches 371.

Catrail or Picts-Work Ditch in 1880,
105-122; Literature of, 105-8;
Illustrations of, 440.

Cavers, Remarkable Trees at, 381.

Cedar of Lebanon at Biel, 435.

Celtic cross at Innerleithen, 482.

Celts, Bronze, 19, 252, 275; Stone,
19, 32, 40, 53, 466-7.

Cessford Castle, 27.

Chaffinch feeding on Haws, 563.

Chalcidide, List of, 297-8.

Charles V., the Emperor and Joanna,
Coin of, 352.

Linlithgowshire, Caer-

593

Charles the Pretender, 45.

Chambers, Dr William, on the
Camps of Peebleshire, 489, 490.

Chartres, Wm., Obituary Notice of,
290.

Chermes Abietis and Laricis, 370.

Chermes Picee, 477.

Chester-le-Street, 63.

Chesters, Tyneside, Winter 1879-80
at, 337.

Chesters Hill and Camp, E.L., 217.

Cheviots the, and Cushat Law, 453.

Chevy Chase, Ballad of, 466.

Chillingham Castle, Winters 1878- 79,
1879-80, at, 144, 322, etc.

Chirnside and Vicinity, Winters,
1878-9, 1879-80 at, 133, 305, etc.

Cholera outbreak of, 422.

Cist at Holburn, 252.

Clay, John, Obituary Notice of, 55.

Cleland, Col., his Sword, 225.

Cleugh, James, on Winter 1878-9, 147.

Cliphope, 115.

Coal-carrying on ponies, 116.

Coals, workable in Redesdale, 529-80.

Coccus Fagi, 48.

Cochrane, Grizel, 237; tomb of, 238.

Cocidius, altar to, 277.

Cockburn Law, Notice of,
Weather proverb about, 444.

Cockburnspath Tower, Notice of, 446.

Coins and Medals, 7, 8, 243, 244, 303,
352, 466, 471, 472, 493, 516-9.

Colias Edusa, Occurrence of, 353, 383.

Coldstream, Winter 1878-9, and
1879-80, at, 139, 322-3.

Collingwood, F. J. W., Rainfall at
Glanton Pyke, 207, 413, 571.

Collingwood House, Morpeth, 255.

Collingwood, Lord, Thanks to his
Officers, etc., after Battle of Tra-
falgar, 287.

Columba cenas, Occurence of, 18,
165, 562.

Columba, St, 58, 59.

Colwell Hill, Camp at, 461.

Conifers, Ornamental, 36, 37, 48,
135-8, 145-8, 154, 248, 380, 435-6,
548-9, 567.

Coombe Crag, Roman Quarries and
Inscriptions, at, 274.

Co-operation of Naturalists’
563, etc.

Coppin, John, Winter 1879-80, 339.

Cornoioi, Lewis de, 16.

Carsbie Bog, its physical features,
Botany and Geology, 234-5;
Tower, 237.

84 ;

Clubs,

594

Cosin, Bishop of Durham, 71, 77, 78.

Cottenshope, 458.

.Coupland Castle, Winters 1878-9,
and 1879-80, at, 145, 321,

Court-Leet of Redesdale, 542.

Covenanting Banners and Arms, 23,
222, 223, 225.

Coveyheugh House, 9.

Coxon Mr, Winter 1878-9, and 1879-
80, 148, 324.

Cradil of Mons Meg, 161, 163-4.

Craig-Brown, T., Remarks on Wal-
lace’s Trench, 178.

Cranstouns of Corsbie, Thirlestane
Mains, and Morriestoun, 237,
240-1.

Cranstoun, John, Slaughter of, 240.

Cross on farm of Boon, 241; at
Lanercost, 278; at Innerleithen
and Borthwick, 545; Sanctuary
Crosses, 546.

Crosbie, Alexander, M.D., Obituary
Notice of, 289.

Crossling, John, Winter 1879-80, 328.

Crossman, M.G., The Gainslaw
Hollies, 380.

Cromwell (O.) sleepsat Spott House,
216; Tradition of, 234.

Crow Tree, 27.

Cuckoo Story, 228.

Cuckoo Spit, 374.

Culley, George, on Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 146, 322.

Culley, M. T.,on Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 145, 321.

Culross, Bible of Abbey of, 483.

Cumin, Robert de, at Durham, 74.

Cunningham, William, on Winters,
1878-9, 1879-80, 1389, 322-3.

Cuthbert St., Notice of, 59, 61;
his Coffin, 61; Shrine, 67; his
Amianthine Robe, 266; Churches
named from and dedicated to, 63,
455.

Cynthia Cardui, 21, 374, 383.

Dacre of Lanercost, 279.

Dacre, supposd War-Cry of, 283.

Dalkeith, 164.

Dand, Rev. James I., on Winter,

1879-80, 327.

Danes, Invasions of, 62, 63.

Darden Pike and Lough, 302, 303, 452.

Daubenton's Bat, 441.

David II., at Lanercost, 279.

Davy Shiels, 464.

Dawson, Rev. John, Obituary
Notice of, 55.

Dawston-rig, 116.

INDEX.

Dez Matres, figures of, 273.

Deas, John, on Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 147, 324; Rainfall at
Lilburn Tower, 207, 413, 571.

Death's Head Moth, see Acherontia
Atropos.

Deer, Fallow, at Biel, 430.

Delphinus Tursio, 478.

Derry Camp, 250,

Dial, old Copper at Marchmont, 43 ;
Stone at Belton, 429.

Dickinson, Miss, on Winters, 1878-9,
1879-80, 143, 320.

Dickinson, James, on Winter 1879-
80, 327.

Dilston Histate, Winter 1879-80, 336.

Dixon, Abraham, and his son, of
Belford, 246.

Dobie, Rev. W., on Skeletons at
Ladykirk Church, 524.

Dodd or Spott-Law, 217.

Dodds Corse Stane, 241.

Doe-cleuch, 118.

Dogden Moss and its Gulls, 242.

Dogs escort Souls, 522.

Donations of Books, etc., to the Club,
204, etc.; 410, etc; 574, ete.

Doo Wells, 427, 489.

Doon Hill, Battle of, 215; Witches
at, 216; Camps at, 216.

Douglas, Sir Archibald of Spott, 215.

— _, Sir James of Spott, 216.

Douglas, Charles, M.D., on Winter

- 1878-9, 153.

— —., Francis, MD, on an
Ancient Phial found at Kelso, 100;
on Winter, 1879-80, 342.

Douglas, Lieut. J. H., Obituary No-
tice. of, 54.

Douglas, Rev. Mr, Galashiels, on the
Catrail, 106-7.

Douglas League, 22.

Douglas Pillar, 465.

Dowden [not Dowie Den] Moss Loch,
241.

Dowie Dens of Yarrow, Scene of, 485.

Druids of Britain, 521-2.

Dryden village (near Roslin) its
Strawberries, 161, 164.

Dunbar, Meetings at, 214, 425;
Council Books, 214; first battle of
at Spott, 216; prisoners of second
battle at Durham, 715 quarries of
162, 163; the town in 1789, 291;

Dunglas, Winter 1878-9, at, 130, 132;
James VI’s visit to, 216.

Dunse Castle, Araucarias, 380 ; plants
in the lake, 477.

INDEX.

Dunse, Winter 1878-9, at, 136.

Dunstanburgh Castle, present state
of, 440.

_Dunstonhill, Winter 1879-80, 330.

Durham, Meeting at, 49, etc.;
Castle Hall and Sir Walter Scott,
50; Cathedral, History of, 57,
ete.; origin of City and Church,
63; Crypt, 66; New Church, 66;
Chapter House, 67-8, 75 ; Galilee,
68, 72, 75; Lady Chapel, 68;
Nine Altars, 69, 72; Bishop’s
Throne, 70; Cloisters, 70; Dormi-
tory, 70; Central Tower, 71;
Screen of Shrine, 71; Castle, its
History and Architecture, 73;
Chapel of, 77; Priory, gift ofa
War-horse to, 457.

Dykes of Dolerite, etc., 530.

Ealdhun or Aldun, Bishop, builds
first Cathedral at Durham, 63,

74.

Earl of Dunbar’s Moor, 221.

Harwigs, 374.

Easter Festival and Eggs, 511.

Edgar, called Unniying, 258.

Edgar of Wedderlie, ring of, 35.

Egdell, George, on Winter 1879-80,
330.

Edington, vill of, 259.

Edin’s Hall, on, 81, etc.

Edward I., at Little Pinkerton, 216;
at Wyel, 117; at Newminster,
259; at Lanercost, 279.

Edward II., at Newminster, 259.

Edward III., at Newminster,
260.

Effects of Winter, 1878-9, 1879-80,
1880-1, on the Borders, 122-157,
304-352, 565-571.

Effects of Winter Storms, November
1880 to March 1881,on Birds and
other Animals, 498-503.

Egelwin, Bishop of Durham, 74.

Eldin or Ell-docken, 261.

Eldon, Lord, 255.

Elfred, the relic collector, 62.

Elibank Craig, Tower and Wood,
480.

Elishaw, Hospital and Chapel, 469;
Bridge, 470 ; popular saying about
it and its Haugh, 470.

Elk, bones of, 74.

Elliot, Sir Walter, F.R.S., on the
representation and co-operation
of Naturalists’ Clubs, 563-5.

Elliott, Thomas, on Winter 1878-9,
147.

595

Elsdon Village and Burn, 454; its
Names, 454; Harly Notices of,
455 ; its Church and Monuments,
455-6; Bones and Skeletons
found, 456-7, 506-9 ; Horses’ heads
in Belfry, 457-8, 510-524; its
Mote Hills and Roman Remains,
458-60, 538-542; Rectory House,
461; Geology of, 525-530.

Encrinites, 38.

Entomological Notices, 21, 32, 47,
48, 294-296, 296-299, 368, 369-379,
4387, 448, 477, 478,

Hriocampa Canine, 373.

Errata, 209, 414.

Hslington Park, Winter 1879-80, at,
326.

Htin and the Red Htin, 83.

Ktin, or Caer Edin, 83.

Kttrick, Winter 1880-1, at, 566.

Fairholme of Greenknowe, 232.

Fairneyside, Field of, exchanged for
a Hunting-horse, 55.

Fairy Knowe at Stenton, 101.

Fairy Stane at Innerleithen, 482.

Falstone Dyke, 530.

Fario, Genus, arrangement of, 180.

Farms, decrease of at Spott, 217.

Farquharson, Rev. James, on
Effects of Winters, 1878-9, 1879-
80, 1880-1; in Selkirkshire, 135,
etc., 349. etc., 565, etc.

Fastcastle, 445.

Faults, 529-30.

Fawdon Camp, 462.

Feen,Caldron of the, or Ossian’s, 18.

Fell and Co., Hexham, on Winter,
1879-80, 333.

Felton Park, Winter 1879-80, at, 328.

Ferguson, John, on Winter, 1878-9,
136.

Ferguson, James, Notice of Rare
Books by Morpeth authors, 300,

etc.

Fernery at Belford Hall, 248.

Field-Clubs, Naturalists,’ Origin of,
418.

Filltop Limestone, 79, 80.

Fish killed by frost, 499.

Fishes, Notices of, 154-5, 179, 180,
215, 216, 220, 223, 429, 448, 469,
493, 499, 547.

Flambard, Bishop of Durham, 66,
67, 73, 74. ;

Fletcher, Mrs., of Hebburn, 184-5.

Flint Implements, etc., 53, 102, 104,
243, 467; from Kentucky, 245;
from Tent’s Moor, Fifeshire, 493.

ZZ

596

Floors Castle and Gardens, Winter
1879-80, at, 343-4; Grounds and
Woods, 475.

Flowers exhibited, 243, 441, 449.

Folk-Lore, Illustrations of, 12, 18,
24, 27, 35, 99, 101, 215, 216, 220,
924, 228, 231, 234, 285, 444, 454,
465, 470, 478, 482, 489, 510, etc.,
540.

Font River, 262.

Food of Birds, 11, 284, 368, 387,
389 392, 398, 401, 404, 406, 407,
408, 428; 505-6, 550, 555, 559, 563.

Ford Castle, Winter, 1878-9, 1879-
80, at, 143, 321.

Forster, Ralph, of Whitsome Hill,
Obituary Notice of, 54.

Forster, Lady, of Blanchland, 246 ;
Francis, of Hasington Grange and
Belford, ib.; Elizabeth of Belford,
ib.

Fossils, List of, in Caleareous Shale
at Foxton Hall, 79. i

Fossils, 528-9; Plant, 243.

Fossor, Prior of Durham, 70.

Fountains Abbey, 256.

Fowberry Tower, Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, at, 146, 322; Birds at, 253.

Fowler, Wm., Winter 1879-80, at
Mertoun House, 312.

Foxe, Bishop of Durham, 76, 78.

Foxton Hall, 32, 79.

French, Alex., of Thorniedykes,
slaughter by, 240-1.

Frogden, 30.

Frost in November, 1880, 307; of
the last three seasons at Blackad-
der, 307; great frost of January,
1881, 308; Frost at Monteviot,
1880-81, 569, 570.

Fulfordlees, lands of, 13.

Fungi, Notices of, 476, 488, 537-8.

Fyler, Rev. 8. A., Obituary Notice
of, 289.

Gainslaw Hollies, 380.

Galashiels, Winter 1878-9, at, 157.

Galena, near Innerleithen, 481;
near Elsdon, 529.

Galfrid or Geoffrey Rufus, Bishop
of Durham, 67, 75.

Galloway Road, 115.

Galloway, John, Winter 1879-80, at
Minto, 348 ; Remarkable Trees at
Minto, Caversand Wells, 381.

Gap near Gilsland, 269.

Gardens and Garden Flowers, and
Shrubs, 9, 11, 12, 24, 26, 33, 34,
42, 48, 216, 234-5, 248, 248-9, 251,

INDEX.

265, 282, 426, 438, 434, 435, 441,
449, 475, 477, 487, 566-7, 568.

Gascon troops at Berwick, 8; de-
feated at Skaithmuir, ib.

Gean trees at Traquair House, 485.

Geddes, Dr Alexander, Notice of
his Writings, 486.

Gemmeous Dragonet, 493.

General Statement, 207, 412, 576.

Gentle Shepherd, 25.

Geological Notices, 10, 11, 12, 38-9,
215, 217, 219, 226, 231, 233, 249,
430, 479, 480, 481, 482, 525-530.

Geology of Roxburghshire, attention
called to, 4, 5.

Geology of the country round Els-
don, 525-530.

Gersonfield and the Halls, 462.

‘Giant of Edin’s Hall, Legend of, 99.

Gillalees Beacon, a Roman Watch
Tower, 274.

Gilmanscleuch, 112.

Gilsland Meeting at, 267; Hotel
and its outlook, 267; Origin of
name, 279; Natural History of,
284; Spa, History of, 284-5.

Girnwood, 113.

Glanton Pyke, Rainfall at, 207, 413,
571.

Glen, The, Mansion, Grounds, and
Garden, 487-8. :

Goat-Fold, 448.

Gold chain, 217; William Pitt’s,
431.

Gold Rings, 14, 34, 35, 64, 242 (pre-
historic), 288.

Golden Oriole, 563.

Gordon, Meeting at, 225; Castle,
Village, etc., 226; Church and
Churchyard and Ministers, 227; .
Antiquities found under a cairn,
242,

Gordon Moss, Botany, Ornithology,
and Physical features of, 229-231,
292-3.

Gordon, Alexander, on the Catrail,
105-6.

Gooseberries in October, 157.
Gooseberry Caterpillar of Winter
Moth, 30, 287; of Saw Fly, 374.

Gowks of Gordon, 228.

Gradene, lands, 162.

Grahamslaw, 21, 25; League a myth,
22; Caves, ib.

Grain, former scarcity of in Redes-
dale, 470.

Grammitis Ceterach, 445.

| Grant's House, Meeting at, 442.

INDEX.

Graptolites, 480, 481.

Graves, Ancient, Urns, etc., 15, 23,
24, 242, 250, 252, 438, 469, 472-3,
490; of Bishops of Durham, 64 ;
and tombs at Newminster, and
those buried there, 256-9; in
churches and congeries of bones
and skeletons, 64, 227, 456-7, 506,
509, 524.

Gray, Robert, F.R.S.E., Notes on
Relics of Alex. Wilson, Poet and
Ornithologist, 291-2; Ornithologi-
cal Notes, 365-8; Notes on the
Effects of recent Winter Storms on
Birds and other Animals, 498-503.

Greatmoor, 115.

Green, Rev. J. 8., Obituary Notice of,
55.

Green Camps, 474.

Geeenknowe Tower, its history, 282.

Greenlaw Church and Meeting at,
48-9; lands, 162.

Greenwell, Rev. Wm., F.R.S.,
F.S A., Address on the History of
Durham Cathedral, 57.

Greenwood Wood, 16; Moss, 17;
Caldron and Brass Pots found at,
17, 18.

Greystocks, Lords of Morpeth, 258.

Grieston Lead Mine, 481.

Grymslow, John, 21.

Hadrian, coin of at Bremenuim, 471.

Hall, Miss Isobell, 9.

Hall, Henry of Haugh-head, House
of, 22: his Banner and History,
23, 293-4.

Halls of Newbiggin, 224.

Hall, Hobbie, of Haugh-head, his
monument, 23.

Hall, Dr Robert [not Richard], 23,
56, 224.

Hall, Mrs, her Writings, 224.

Halls woods, 220.

Halonia from Swinton, 243,

Hamilton’s (Lady Mary Nisbet)
Prayer Book at Biel, its history
with record of Royal Marriages,
etc., 431-2. :

Hamilton and Nisbet family, vault of
and monument at Stenton, 439.

Hammer-stone, 53, 243.

Hanging Stone at Gordon, 231.

Haras or Stud of the Umfravilles in
Redesdale Forest 448.

Harbottle, Winter 1879-80, at, 327.

Hardy, James, Reports of Meetings
of the Club, 6-56; 214-290; 425-
493; On ancient Interments in a

597

Tumulus near Stenton, E.L., 101,
etc. ; Effects of Winters 1878-9 and
1879-80, at Oldcambus, etc., 122,
etc. ; 304, etc. ; at Hexham, 335-6;
Obituary Notices, 184-195; 288-
290; 494-497; List of Chalcidide,
Proctotrupide and Mymaride from
Berwickshire and Newcastle-on-
Tyne, 296, etc.; Ona Silver Coin
of the Emperor Charles V,, 352 ;
On the Occurrence of certain In-
sects in 1880, 369, etc.; The Great
Oak at the Oaks near Dalston, 381;
Records of the Migration, etc., of
Birds, 1880, 387-409; and 1881,
549-563 ; On a Sculptured Stone at
Innerleithen, 545-7.

Harle, Rev. Jonathan, M.D., some of
his Writings, 301-2.

Harlow Hill, its fossils, 80.

Harryburn, Winter 1878-9, at, 141.

Hatfield, Thos. de, Bp. of Durham,
70, 76.

Hatfield Hall, 76.

Haughhead Kip,
Haugbhead, 23.

Hay- making in Redesdale, 463.

Hebburn, Estate, Castle, Village, and
Wood, 184-5.

Hector’s Peel at Lilliesleaf, 465.

Hedgeley and Dunston Hill, Winter
1878-9, at, 150, etc.

Henwood, 112.

Herb Robert on Roman Stations, 274.

Hepburn, Archibald, Birds found in
the neighbourhood of Presmennan
Lake, 503-506.

Hersell, lands of, 162.

Hetchester camp on Coquet, 541.

Hevenfield, battle of, 38.

Hewitt, James, Winter 1879-80 at
Hexham, 224.

Hexham, Winter 1879-80, at, 333-
336.

Hieracium pallidum, 187.

High Rochester, sce Bremenium.

Highland Invasion of 1745, 217.

Hillend, Anecdote about a field of,
10; Woods, 15.

Hilson, John, Winter 1879-80 at Jed-
burgh, 345.

Hirsell, Winter 1878-9, 1879-80, at,
138, etc., 311, etc.

Holland, Major F., on Winter 1879-
80 at Alnwick, 325.

Hollies, 11, 36, 218, 322, 341, 380,
568.

Hollow-wood, 271.

23; grave at

598

Hollybush farm, 109, 110.

Holy Island Slakes, 354.

Holylee, 480.

Holy-water vat, 247.

Home Castle, 162.

Home, Cospatrick, 11th Earl of, Obit-
tuary Notice of, 494-5.

Home, David Milne, LL.D., etc.;
Notice of Stone Balls found in the
Parish of Swinton, 159, etc. ; Win-
ter 1879-80, 311.

Home, David of Wedderburn, 161.

John, 222.

Home, Major, J. H. F., of Bassen-
dean, Obituary Notice of, 494.

Patrick, of Fastcastle, 162.

Hornspoon from Fans Moss, 478.

Horses, half-wild, 79; horse-heads
on skeletons of at Elsdon, 457, 510-
524; Alexander I’s gift of an Ara-
bian horse to St. Andrews, 457;
Neville, Lord of Raby’s mortuary
gift of a horse, 457; the Umfra-
villes’ breeding stock of horses in
Elsdon Parish, 458; horse sacrifice
by the Scythians, 465 ; horses thrice
victorious at Olympus, buried, 465 ;
horses led to shrine of Ippolyt’s
church, 465 ; horse’s-head at Lillies-
leaf, 465-6; horse-sacrifice, 512,
5138, 523, etc.; horse a sacred ani-
mal, ib.; veneration for among
Germans, Northmen and Franks,
in Asia Minor, Zealand, and among
Anglo-Saxons, 514-5; Emblem of
the sun, 515: of victory, 524; in
Etruscan and British tombs, 516 ;
symbol of on coffinsin Japan, 516 ;
on British coins, 516-520; ‘‘ Great
White Horse’’ of Berks, 518 ; horse
in the Welsh Triads, 520.

Horsley, Rev John, some of his Writ-
ings, 301-2.

Hoscoat, 112.

Hoton, prior of Durham, 70.

Houndwood House, Meeting at, 11-14;
Inn, 15; Free Church, 15; Mill,
15 ; Urn found near, 15, 56.

Howard, Lord William, Vindication
of, 282-8; traces of his work at
Naworth, 280-1; his death, 284.

Howards of Overacres in Redesdale,
456.

Howick Woods, 35, etc. ; Church and
Hail, 39.

Hugh de Pudsey, Bp. of Durham, 68,
Own Ue

Hughes, G. P., Obituary Notice of

INDEX.

Mr George Shield, Wooler, 181 ;
on Winter 1879-80 at Middleton
Hall, 332.

Humble-bees, 17, 571.

Hume, Sir Patrick, (afterwards Earl
of Marchmont) and his Countess,
44-5.

Humshaugh, Winter 1879-80 at, 338,
etc.

Huntlywood, 242.

Hutton Hall, Notice of, 194.

Hutchison, Robert, measurements of
trees, 426.

Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, 187, 542.

Ichneumons, minute, from Newcastle
district, 299.

Inchbrakie’s Ring, 35.

Indra, Indian Sun-god, 515, 517.

Ingeniatores, William & Richard, 68.

Innerleithen, Meeting at, 478: Lead
in churchyard, 481; Sculptured
Stone at, 545-6; Old Church, 546;
Sanctuary at, 546.

Innerwick Castle, 221.

Inscription on Stone at Biel, 434.

Insects, on the occurrence of certain,
369.

Iona, centre of Christianity to North-
umberland, 58.

Treland, as a centre of Missionary
Work and Art, 59-60.

Tron Scorie in Redesdale, 466.

Irthing river, 271 ; Plants and Bridge
on, 284.

Jack, David, on Winter 1879-80, 310,

James I. and II. of Aragon, 7-8.

James VI. at Spott House, 216.

Jarrow, 62, 65.

Jasmine, old, at Naworth, 281.

Jasper, Native, at Ramshope, 466,
536.

Jedborough, 117.

Jedburgh, Abbot of, his land at
Troughend, 474.

Jedburgh, Winter 1879-80 at, 345.

Jeffrey, Alex., on the Catrail, 107-
108.

Jet necklace at West Morriston, 49 ;
Ring, 96.

Johnston, Dr George, 2, 416,",417,
420, 421.

Johnstones of Hutton Hall, 194.

Jones, Rev. A., on Effects of Winter
1878-9, 149.

Jones, Rev. Robert, 420.

Jougs at Spott, 217.

Jupiter, Altars to, 271, 273, 278; and
Hercules, 277.

INDEX.

Kelly, Andrew, on some of the rarer
Lepidoptera, 383.

Kelso and Morebattle Meeting, 20;
Kelso Meeting, 474; Abbey,
peateries of, at Gordon, 231;
Monks of, their tithes in Redes-
dale Forest, 458 ; Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, at, 153, 342.

Ker, George of Samuelston and
Hutton Hall, 194; Charter of,
222.

Ker, John of Morriston, Tomb of,
237-8.

Ker, Sir Robert, 161, 162, 164.
Kerr, James B., on Unpublished
Verses by Sir Walter Scott, 171.

Kestern, Patrick de, 259.

Key of Cowdenknowes’ Dungeon,
244,

Keyheugh and its Wishing Well,
302.

Kimmerghame, Winters
1879-80, at, 136, 310,

Kinnear, William, 496.

King’s Peace, 546.

King’s Stables, 269.

Kirkhill, 237.

Knife Dagger from Flodden, 244.

Knight, Henry, on Winter, 1879-80,
343.

Knights of St. John, 218.

Knockhill, 233, 234, 236, 242.

Knocker at Traquair, 485.

Ladykirk Church, Skeletons at, 524.

—— House, Winter 1878-9, at,

1878-9,

138.

Lady’s Walk, 255.

Lakenby, Hugh de, 259.

Lamberton Moor, Whetstone found
on, 543.

Lamington dean, 10.

Lammermoors above Spott, 218.

Landslip at Marchmont, 81.

Lanercost, 275, 378-9; Bridge, 276 ;
Priory, 277; Monuments, 277;
Roman Remains at, 277; History
of, 278-9; Chronicle and Register
of, 279.

Langley, Cardinal, Bishop of Dur-
ham, 70.

Lapis Lazuli, 35.

Lawrence, Prior of Durham, 79.

Lead Ore and Mines, 481.

Lead Pipe of Kelso Abbey, 478.

Lebour, Professor, G.A., F.G.S.,
Fossils in Calcareous Shale at
Foxton Hall, 79; on the Geology
of the country round Elsdon,

599

525-30; the named Stones of
Northumberland, 531-36.

Lee-Pen, 481 ; Castle, ib.

Lees, Thomas, on Winter 1879-80,
315.

Leet, Stone Balls found in, 158-9,
162.

Legerwood, Church, Churchyard,
and Ministers, 237, 240; Farm,
241, 242.

Leonard S8t., Hospital and Chapel,
261.

Leper Window, 456 ; Hospital, 469,
470.

Lepidoptera, 21, 32, 178, 231, 280,
287, 294-6, 353-4, 368, 371, 374,
379, 383.

Lepidoptera on some of the rarer,
383.

Lepidoptera taken near Gordon,
294-6.

Lesbury, 33.

Lesmahago, Sanctuary at, 546.

Lesser Whitethroat, 400, 562.

Letheme (Leitholm) Lands, 162.

Leuchie Gardens, Winter 1878-9, at
316.

Lewis Burn Dyke, 530.

Liddesdale Kiln Pots, 121.

Lilburn Tower, Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, at, 147, 324; Rainfall at,
207, 413, 571.

Lindisfarne Gospels, 60.

Lindisfarne, Notice of, 60-63.

Linglee Hill, 110.

Linnea borealis, 229. 242, 294.

Linton and its Ministers,
Font, 29.

Linton-Rotheric, 29.

Lithostrotion junceum, 528.

Lochend, 214.

Locusts, 275, 378-9.

Loney, Peter, on Winter 1878-9,
140; Trees and Shrubs, killed in
Berwickshire in 1878 and 1879-80,
314; Measurements of the Dunse
Castle Araucarias, 380; Measure-
ments of Conifere at Rowchester,
548; Weather Notes at March-
mont from 1879 to 1881, 572-3.

Long-barrows at Birdhope Craig and
Cottenshope Burnfoot, 473.

Longhoughton, 33.

Longstaffe, W. H. D., F.S.A., on
Durham Castle, 73-77.

Lorbottle, Cuckoo Story, at, 228,

Lover’s Walk, 255.

Lucker Chapel, 246.

28-9 ;

oA

600 INDEX.

Lysimachia vulgaris, 271, 275, 468.

Maiden Castle, 73.

Maiden Loup, 216.

Maiden Paps, 115.

Maiden Way, 118.

Maidment, James, Obituary Notice
of, 54, 191, etc.; Publications of,
196,. ete.

Makerston and Corbie Crags, 476.

Malcolm Canmore, Defeat of, 74.

Malcolm the Maiden and Inner-
leithen, 545-6.

Marchmont, Meeting at, 40;
Grounds and House, 41-5; Win-
ter, 1878-9 at, 140; Weather from
1870-81 at, 572-3.

Margaret, daughter of Henry VII.,
at Newminster, 260.

Marlefield, 24, 26.

Marsh Titmouse, 563.

Mary, Queen, her Bedroom at
Houndwood, 4; Letter of, 45.

Maserfield, battle of, 59. :

Mathison, Robert, on Stations for
Woodsia Ilvensis, 542; on a
Scultured Stone at Innerleithen,
545.

Maturnues, 459, 460, 541.

McLean, Allan, on Winter 1879-80,
318.

Medals, Silver, 275.

Meeting Places, 53, 287, 413, 571.

Meiklerig, Urn at, 439.

Mellerstane Woods, 228-9.

Melsanby, Thomas de, Prior of
Durham, 69.

Members, New, 208, 414, 442, 450,
474, 478, 491, 492.

Merley de, Lords of Morpeth,
buried at Newminster, 257-8.

Mertoun House Gardens, Winter
1879-80 at, 312.

Mice, Long-tailed Field, in storm,
126.

Middleton, Sir Gilbert de, 263.

Middleton Hall, Belford, Club at,
251.

Middleton Hall, Wooler, Winter
1879-80 at, 332.

Midsummer Fires, 454-541.

Migration of Birds on the Borders,
387-409, 490-410 ; 549-563.

Mildred, the Saxon Lord of Redes-
dale, 455.

Milne-Graden, Winter 1879-80 at,311

Minchmoor, 111; Road, 485.

Minto House, Winter 1879-80, at
348 ; Remarkable Trees, 381.

Mitford Village, 262; Castle, its
history and associations, 263;
Church, 263; Bells, 264; Hall
and Gardens, 264-5; Miraculous
Well, 266.

Mithras, Worship of, 516, 517.

Mnium affine, 243.

Mollusca, killed by frost, 500, 501.

Monks of Durham, early arrange-
ment, 64-5; Benedictine, 65.

Mons Meg, her Balls and History,
158-164.

Montague, Hon, Charles, of Belford,
246; James of, 246.

Montgomery, William, of Mackbie-
hill, Peebleshire and Whitslaid
Tower, Tomb of, 236.

Monteviot, Winters 1879-80, 1880-1
at, 345, 567.

Montrose at Traquair, 485.

Moor Gravels, 526.

Moraine Heaps, 526.

Morebattle, 28; Celt at, 275.

Morel, Edible, 441.

Morpeth, Meeting at, 254; Town,
254; Bridges, 254-5; Inns, 254-5;
Church of St. James, 255; Lords
of, 257-8 ; Authors, rare books by,
300 ; Winter 1879-80 at, 330.

Morriston or Moristoun, Ker of,
237-8 ; Cranstoun of, 241.

Morwick, Winter 1879-80 at, 329.

Mosilee, 109.

Moss Maw, 444.

Mote Hills, see Elsdon.

Mountain ash or Rowan tree, virtues
of, 520.

Mountain Limestone, 527-8.

Muirhead, George, Winter 1878-9,
at Paxton House, 136.

Mumps Ha’at Gilsland, 268-9.

Mungo Park and Sir Walter Scott,
parting of, 111.

Mycetobia Persice, 372.

Mymaride, List of, 299.

Nag’s Head Inn, Morpeth, and Lord
Eildon, 255.

Natural History, pleasures of the
study of, 3, 4.

Natural History of North Northum-
umberland, Scraps on, 353.

Naturalists’ Clubs, on the Co-oper-
tion of, 563.

Naworth Castle, 276; Woods, 279;
Castle, 280-282.

Necklace, Jet, at West Morriston,
49; from Q. Elizabeth at Biel
House, 4381.

i,

INDEX.

Nelson’s Order of Battle at Trafalgar,
287.

Nest, The, 479.

Newbigging, Lairds, Folks and the
Moon, 224.

Newminster Abbey, Site of, remains
of its Buildings, History, Excava-
tions at, 255-261; Burials at, 257-9;

. Possessions of, 259; Royal Visit-
ants, 259, 260; Osieries for basket-
making, 260; water conduits and
canals, 260-2.

Nicholas, Chaplain at Belford, 245.

Nicol, Rev. James, Notice of his
Writings, 486; Professor James,
486.

Norham Castle, 5, 74, 75; Balls and
Siege of, 159-164.

Norham, Winters 1878-9, 1879-80,
at, 143, 320.

North Berwick, Winter 1879-80, at,
315.

Northumbrians attack Durham and
Gateshead, 74.

Nostell Priory, 245-6.

Notre Dame, heathen symbols beneath
altar of, 524.

Nudd Hael of Strathclyde, 440.

Nuremberg Chronicle, 483-4.

Oak, Bog, 244; Oaks at Naworth
Castle, 276; Great, near Dalston,
and other Oaks at Rose-Castle,
381-2.

Obituary Notices, 54, 55, 181-195,
288-290, 494-497.

Oldcambus, Winters 1878-79, 1879-80,
at, 122, 304.

Oliver, Anthony, Winter 1879-80,
327.

Oliver, Joseph, Winter 1879-80, 326.

Orange trees at Mitford, 179.

Orchard Mains, 487.

Ord, John, Obituary Notice of, 289.

Ormiston House, Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, at, 154, 344.

Ornithological Notices, see Birds, etc.,
and Index of Birds.

Ornsby, Canon, on Durham Castle,
77-79.

Oswald, king of Northumbria, 58-60.

Otterburn, Tower, 462; Church and
Village, 463; Battlefield, 463; its
sylvan attributes, 464; Plants and
Birds in dean, 468-9; great Cairn
at, 469; Dead in the Battle, 509.

Ottercaps, 452.

Padon’s or Peden’s Pike, 452.

Pagan customs, survivals of, 510, 511.

601

Page, John, Winters 1879-80-81,
345, 567.

Paintings-at Marchmont, 44; Bel-
ford Hall, 247; Middleton Hall,
251; Naworth Castle, 280-1;
Biel House, 432-3.

Pallinsburn, Winter 1879-80, at, 337.

Park, Mungo, relics of, 491.

Parkend, Walwick and Chesters,
Winter 1879-80, at, 337.

Pass of Pease and Cromwell. 13.

Patten, John, Winter 1878-9, 148.

Paxton, Dr John, Anniversary Ad-
dress, 1-5

Paxton House, Winters 1878-9, 1879-
80, at, 136, 311.

Paulinus, 57, 58.

Paul, Rev. David, Fungi in the im-
mediate vicinity of Roxburgh,
537-8.

Pease Bridge, 445-8; Pease-dean,
447-8.

Peat and Peat Marls, 526.

Peden, Alex., the Covenanter, 452;
his Pulpit, ib.

Peel-fell, 116.

Penchrise-pen, 114.

Penmanshiel wood, visit to, 443.

Petrified Toad, 478.

Pheasant, food of, 563.

Phial, Glass, found at Kelso, 33, 100.

Phoenicians, Sun-worship by, 465.

Phytomyza Ilicis, 12.

Phytopus, (Plant Mite), of Birch
Knots, 444.

Pickie Moss and its Gulls, 241.

Picts House at Broomhouse, 88.

Picts-Work Ditch, 105.

Pike Hill, 114.

Pilgrimages to Gilsland Well, 285.

Pillory and Cucking Stool at Morpeth,
254.

Pinkerton (Little), Chapel at, 216;
Edward I., at, 216.

Pirn Craig and Pirn, 481.

Pitt’s (William) Gold Chain, 431.

Place or Palace Green, Durham, 75.

Plague, traditions of, 253.

Plants, List of found near Gordon,
293-4: see Botanical Notices.

Plora Glen, 480.

Plum Scale, 370.

Plusia Gamma; ravages of its Cater-
pillars, 21, 374.

Polecat, 276.

Poltross Burn, 267-8, 271; Roman
Bridge at, 269.

Polworth Church and Ministers 45-6

602

Bell, 46; Vault and Font, 46.
Polygonal Grinding Stone of Quart-
_ aite from Lamberton Moor, 543.
Poore, Bp. of Durham, 69.

Pope Tree, 381.

Popping Stone, 285.

Porpoises, Round-headed, 39.
Porteus, Capt., Notice of, 489.
Potamogeton Ziezii, 49.

Potentilla alpestris, 187.
Presmennan Lake, Birds found near,

503, etc.

Priests, married and hereditary, 64.
Priesthope Burn, 480,

Primroses, varieties of, 16, 17.
Pringle, Walter, of Greenknowe, 2382,

242.

Procotrupide, List of, 299.
Productus giganteus, 528.

Psamma Baltica, 188, 190.

Psylla Pyri, 377.

Purves Hall Terraces, 480-1.

Pyot’s Nest Camp, 113. .
Quarryford, E.L., urn at, 450.
Queensferry Paper, 22.

Quercus Tex, 39, 247, 265.

Querns, 97, 117, 247; at Innerleithen,

482; two-handed at Wolfelee, 490.
Rabbits in Severe Winters, 128, 133,

134, 329, 499, 500-502.

Ralph lay-brother of Newminster,260.

Rainfall, 207, 418, 571, 572-3.

Rain-wash, 525.

Rampy-wood, 479.

Ramsay, Allan, 24, 26.

Ramsay, Wm. of Templehall, 25.

Ramshope Jasper, 466, 536.

Rattenraw, saying about, 470.

Ravenscleugh near Elsdon, 453.

Ravensheugh near Selkirk, Winter
1880-1, at, 567.

Raylees, 453.

Redbraes House, 42.

Rede, Parcy, of Troughend slain, 462.

Redesdale, Meeting in, 451; its

aspect, 452-3; forest, harasin, 458;

tithes of foals in belonged to Kelso,

458; ancient state of, 511-12;

Unmfravilles, Lords of, 258, 455, 458,

461.

Redewater Minstrel, 466.

Redpath pond and its Gulls, 241.

Redpath or Reidpeth of Foulfuird-
leyes, 13, 14; Mr Thomas and

Major John, ib.

Reeds of Troughend, monument of,

456.

Reid, Mr, .Great Frost of January,

INDEX.

’ 1881, at Blackadder, 301; Plants
killed or injured by Frost, 309.

Reid, Samuel, Winter 1879-80, 434.

Renton House and Gardens, 445.

Renton, Robert, Lepidoptera near
Gordon Moss, 294.

Reston, Meeting at, 9.

Richardson, William, Obituary No-
tice of, 54, 184, etc.

Ridley, J. M., on Winter 1879-80,
337.

Rings, antique, at Houndwood, 14;
Dunbar and Flodden, 19; Swar-
land and Norham, 34; Garchory,
Chichester, Inchbrackie, Wedder-
lie, 35; Bishop’s at Durham, 64;
Selkirkshire, 275, 302; Cairncross,
288.

Rings and Wheels applied to places,
118, 244.

Rink Hill and Camp, 106, 110.

Robert, St, abbot of Newminster, 257.

Robert with the Beard, 455.

Roberts-linn, 114-5.

Robertson, Dr E. C., on Skeletons
exhumed at Elsdon, etc.,506-9 ; on
a Discovery of Horses’ Heads in
ie belfry of Elsdon Church, 510-

24,

Robertson, Wm., Effects of Winter
at Ayton Castle Garden, 309.

Robin-mend-the-Market, 258.

Robin of Risingham, 466.

Robson and Son, on Winter 1879-80,
334.

Robson-Scott, J., M.D., Time of Ar-
rival of Migratory Birds at Belford,
Bowmont water, 409-410.

Rock, Winter 1878-9, 1879-80, at, 147,
324.

Roe-deer, 453-4.

Roger, rector of Elsdon, claim for
tithes of Haras, 458.

Roman Cippi, 471; Monuments at
Elsdon, etc., 456, 459, 460, 461.
Roman Wall at Gilsland, &c., 268,

etc.

Roman Camp at Lyne, 490 ; at Candy
Castle, 491.

Lanne Robert, on Winter 1878-9,

41.

Rood Well at Stenton and the Holy
Rood, 488.

Rookeries, 11, 26, 216, 221, 382, 428.

Rooks planting Acorns, 382.

Rosa systyla, micrantha, Forsteri and
sarmentacea, 188, 233.

Rose-leaf Saw-fly, 378.

INDEX.

Rose- Castle, Cumberland, Oaks at,
382.

Rose-Noble, 267.

Rothbury Grits, 529.

Rottenrow at Berwick, 286.

Rowchester, Coniferz at, 548-9.

Rubi, species of, 188.

Ruins, preservation of 5, 440.

Russell, Miss H. J. M., on Winter
1879, 351; on Antiquities at Ashie-
steel, 386.

Russell, Francis, on the lateness of
the Spawning of Salmon, Salmon
Disease, etc , 154.

Ruthall, Bp. of Durham, 78.

Salar Genus, arrangement of, 180.

Salmo Genus, arrangement of, 180.

Salmon Disease, 155.

Late Spawning of, 154.
Sanctuary at Innerleithen, etc., 546.
Sapphire set in Rings, 34, 35, 64.
Saxifraga Hirculus, 49.

Scarth, Miss A. M. E., on the
Countess Wolkousky (The Prin-
cess Zenaide Walkouski), 174-5.

Scott, Alex., on Winter 1878-9, 138.

Scott, Andrew, Obituary Notice of,
496.

Scott, John, Winter 1879-80, 318.

Scott, Sir Walter, at Durham, 50;
last Verses written by, and Docu-
ments relating to, 32, 171, etc.;
and the Catrail, 107; at War-
drew, 285; his Courtship, 285;
his Mumps Ha’, 268; his errone-
ous view of Lord William How-
ard, 282-3; his Oak, 479; Anec-
dote of, 485; Letters of, 491.

Scrophularia nodosa, Uses of, 267.

Sculptured Stone at Innerleithen,
545.

Seaton, 32, 38.

Selkirkshire, Winters 1879-9, 1879-
80, 1880-1, in, 155, 349, 565.

Setons of Greenknowe, 232.

Shankend Hill, 114.

Shawdon, Winter 1879-80, at, 325.

“‘Shawdon Hollies,” 325-6.

Shawes Farm, 285.

Shearer, Alex., Winter 1879-80, 317;
Trees at Yester House, 380-1.

shield, George, Obituary Notice of,
181.

Shields of Arms at Naworth, 281.

Silvanus, Altar to, 277.

Silver Ornaments, 242; Rings, 19;
and Brooches, 303.

Sirex Gigas, 32, 478.

603

Skaithmuir, battle at, 8.

Slates at Thornilee, 479, and Gries-
ton, 481.

Smail, James, F.S.A., The Catrail
or Picts-Work-Ditch, in 1880, 105;
Gooseberries in October, 157.

Snarisdelf, 466.

Snaw Storms of 1880-1, 498-503.

Solomon’s Seal, Use of, 264.

Spear-head of Flint, 53; of Iron,
244 ; Spear-Silver, a tax, 160-1.

Spence, Rev. Adam, Obituary
Notice of, 496.

Spergula arvensis, provision for
seed-ripening, 444.

Sphinx Galii, 32; Convolvuli, 437,
478.

Spignel, 12, 30.

Spindle Whorles, 30, 53, 96, 244, 288.

Spital Hill, 261.

Spott, Dean, House, etc., 214-8;
Laird of, Proverb of, 215; Battle
at, 216 ; Spottmoor, battle at, 217.

Springwood Park, Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 155, 349; Gardens and
Grounds, 477.

Squirrels, 100, 435.

St. Andrews, Gift of Boar’s Chase
by Alexander I., and Arabian
Steed as seisin, 457.

St. David’s Cairn, hollowed Slab at,
444,

St. Hippolytus, Shrine of, at Ippo-
lyts, Herts, 465.

St. Paul’s Chair at Biel, 434.

St. Ronan’s Well, 489.

Stags, bones of, 74.

Stamfordham, Winter 1878-9, at,149.

Stanegate on Roman Wall, 269.

Stanners, The, 255.

Stannington, Winter 1878-9, 149.

Stenton, Ancient Interments near,
100; Font, 434; Market, 438;
Rood-well, ib.; Church, new and
old, 489; Biel Vault and Monu-
ment at, 439.

Stevenson, John, Antiquarian
Bookseller, 193.
—— , Thomas G., Biblio-

graphical List of the Publications
of James Maidment, 193, 196-204.
Stevenson Gardens, Winter 1789-80,
318.
Stitchel,
242-3.
Stoat Weasel, 427.
Stobbs, Rev. William, Plants near
Gordon, 294.
3B

Baron-Court Book of,

604

Stobshiel, E.L., Urn at, 450.

Stockdove, 18, 165, 562.

Stomoxys calcitrans, 374.

Stone Bead, 53; Implements, 243 ;
466-8; Cannon Balls found in
Swinton parish, 158; Standing,
915; Vessel, 444.

Stones, the named of Northumber-
land, 531-6.

Storks, their mythology, 519.

Strait-loup, 99.

Straw-bonds, 180.

Stuart, Charles, M.D., on Winters,
1878-9, 1879-80, 133, 305 ; Frost in
November, 1880, 307; Frost at

. Blackadder, 307.

Stuart, Charles, M.D., and Sadler,
John, List of Plants from the
neighbourhood of Gordon, 293-4.

Stuart, Hon. Lady Louisa, 485-6.

Sun Emblems and Worship, 515-6.

Sunderland Hall, 110.

Superstitions common to India and
Britain, 520-1.

Swallow-holes, 121-2, 528.

Swastica in Japan, 516.

Swinton House, Balls at, 158.

Swinton, A. Campbell, LL.D., on
Winters 1878-9, 1879-80, 136, 310.

Sycamores, 426.

Symeon of Durham, 66.

Tapestry, 14, 281.

Tate, George, F.G.N8., 37, 38, 420.

Tate, John, on Winters 1878-9-80,
329.

Taylor, Rev.
1879-80, 338.

Teindside, 113.

Templar Lands and Spott, 215, 218.

Templehall, 25.

Tenant-right, old Claims of, 224,
286.

Teuchets, The, 217.

Thalictrum flexuosum, 187, 475.

Thirlstane Castle, Lauder, Winters
1878-9, 1879-80, 140, 313.

Thirlwall township, 269.

Thompson, G. H., on Straw Bonds,
180.

Thomson, James, author of the
Seasons, 24.

Thomson, James, on Winter 1879-
80, 325; on native Jasper, 536.
Thornilee Crags, Slates and Fossils,

479-80.

Thorp, Rev.
Notice of, 55.

Three Brethren Hill, 111.

Hugh, on Winter

Charles, Obituary

INDEX.

Thurston Woods, 221.

Tinkler’s loup, 220.

Topley, Wm., F.G.S., on the Geo-
logical Survey of Northumber-
land, 40.

Torwoodlee Rings, 105, 109.

Traquair House, and antiquities
there, Notice of, 482-486 ; Family
of Stuart, Earls of Traquair, 485-
6; Village, 486; Bush, 487.

Treasure-Trove at Langhope, Sel-
kirkshire, 303.

Trees, Native, 218.

Trees, Notable, 11, 12, 25, 26, 27, 28,
40, 41, 216, 247, 249, 256, 276, 282,
325, 327, 380-2, 425, 426, 427, 428,
430, 435-6, 474, 548-9.

Trilobites, 482.

Trochilium Myopeforme, 371;
Tipuliforme and exitiosa, 372.

Trotter, Henry, Winters, 1878-9,
1879-80, 143, 321.

Trotter, William, Winter 1879-80,
335.

Trotter-roofing, 281.

Troughend, 474; Dyke, 530.

Trout, Common versus Sea-Trout,
179; 429.

Trout of great age at Earlstoun, 547.

Trows, derivation of, 475.

Tuedian series of Rocks, 527.

Tughall Chapel, 240.

Tumuli and Cairns,
Barrows and Cairns.

Tunstal, Bishop of Durham, 76, 77,
78.

Turnbull, John W. S., on Edin’s
Hall, 81 ete. ,

Turner, Dr William, his Writings
300.

Turret, Roman, remains of, 274.

Tweedhill, 194.

Tyningham Church, Sanctuary at,

546.

Tyningham House, Winters !878-9-
1879-80, at, 142, 318.

Ulex Galii, 288.

Umfravilles, buried at Newminster,
258; Notices of the, 452, 455, 458,
461.

Underheugh, Roman Altar at, 271.

Upsetlington, 162.

Urns, British, 15, 56, 102, 242, 250,
252, 265, 439, 450, 472, 480.

Utricularia minor in Flower, 493.

Vaux, Sir Roland de, Lord of Tryer-
mayne, 277; Sir Robert de, Lord
of Gilsland, 278.

101, 242, see

INDEX.

Vernon, J. J., F.S.A., Notice of ;
Treasure Trove, Feb. 1880, 303. |

Verses written by the Countess of
Wollenluss Request, 173; see
Wolkousky, and Scarth.

Viper, Common, 231, 250, 429, 443,
473-4, see Adder.

Visé Limestone, 528.

Walcher, Bishop of Durham, 65, 74,
es

Walker, Rev. J. H., Obituary Notice
of, 495.

Walkerburn, Notice of, 480.

Wallace’s Hill and Camp, 482.

Wallace’s Mill, 219.

Wallace’s Trench, 111.

Wallace, Sir W., Battle at Spott,
217 ; at Lanercost, 279.

Walnut Trees, 425-6.

Walwick, Winter 1879-80, at, 337.

Wansbeck River, 261-2.

Wardenlaw, 73.

Wardrew Spa, 284-5; House, 284.

Wasps, 17, 347-8, 568, 571.

Watling Street, 453, 470, 471.

Watson, Charles, F.S.A., Anniversary
Address, 211.

Wearmouth Church, 65.

Weather at Marchmont 1870-1881,
572-3.

Wedale or Stow, Sanctuary and Image
of the Virgin at, 546.

Wedderburn Castle, 162.

Wells; dishes at by King Edwin,
266; Pilgrimage to Gilsland Wells,
286; Wishing Well at Keyheugh,
302; St. John's Well at Spott, 218;
‘Verter Well in Garden Moss, 231 ;
St. Mary’s Well at Belford, 250 ;
Rood Well at Stenton, 488 ; Well-
worship, 510-, 511.

Wells, Remarkable Trees at, 381.

Wemyss, George, On Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 151, 340.

Wheel-Causeway, 107, 108, 116.

Wheel-rig and Wheel Church 116,
WI (s

PE venes: 96, 97, 102, 108, 468,

43.

White, Robert, his History of the
Battle of Otterburn, 464,

Whitehope, 111.

605

White Horse of Berks, Kent, Old
Saxons and Hanover, 518.

Whitton, James, on Winters 1878-9,
1879-80, 140, 318.

Wicht of Gordon Mill, Slaughter by,
240-1.

Wild Boar, Tradition of, 220.

Wild Cat, and Wul-Cat-Brae, 15.

William de St. Barbara, Bp. of Dur-
ham, 68, 75.

Willoby, Edward, Winter 1878-9,
143.

Willowford Farm and Peel-house,
270 ; Roman Bridge at, 270.

Wilson Alex., His Visit to Dunbar
and Relics of, 222, 291-2.

Wilson, Robert, M.D.,
Notice of, 496.

Winters’ Effects of, 9, 10, 11, 24, 29,
37, 128, etc., 228, 234, 251, 252,
261, 262, 268, 265, 280, 433-5, 463,
469, 477, 488, 565, 566, 567, 567-
571,

Winter, Moth, Caterpillar, Injury to
Gooseberries by, 30, 287.

Witch Knots, Cause of, 443-4.

Witch Stone, 288.

Witches, 216.

Wolf-Crag and the Wolves of Redes-
fae 452, 461; Wolvesat Durham,

Sh

Wolkousky, Countess (Princess Zen-
aide Walkouski), and Sir Walter
Scott, 174-5.

Wood, James, On Winter 1878-9,
157; Ona Trout of great Age, 547.

Wooden’s Hall, 82.

Woodhall, E. L., Winter 1878-9, 128,
131 ; Woods, 219.

Woodpeckers, 562.

Woods, aboriginal, 15, 219, ete.

Woodsia Ilvensis, Stations for, 542.

Wreighill or Werrihill, 258-9.

Wright, Rev. Adam, on the Roman
Wall near Gilsland, 268, etc.

Yarrow, Inscribed stone in Vale of,
440.

Yester Gardens, Winter 1879-80, at,
317 ; House, Trees at, 380-1.

Yirding of a live Cock, 511.

Yoredale Rocks, 527.

Yule, 611.

Obituary

ERRATA AND ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

Pace, 468, 14th line from top, for breath, read breadth.

5. 24720; “9th” |; Pr Sor Sheet, read Street.

. yy Oth; » jor Breedless, vead Breadless.

5, 488,36th ,, » for Grey, read Gray.

» 495, 19th ,, Ps for Yarrel read Yarrell.

» 962,29th ,, » . for Mirlin read Merlin.

DOT ord wre » for covered read put up the couples of.

% at, 24th... » for it read the slating.

» 288, 22nd ,, » forthe Montgomeries of Mackbiehill, etc.,

read William Montgomery of Mackbiehill,
Peebleshire, proprietor of Whiteslaid
Tower in the Parish.

» 401, 25th ,, e for GREY-LAG (Anser ferus) read GREY
GEESE.

Paczs 237 and 439. Acs or Cuurcues.—According to Muir’s Ecclesiologi-
cal Notes, Legerwood is an exampleof the pure Norman Church, of the age
of St. Helen’s, Oldcambus, St. Andrew, Gullane, Chirnside, Linton, Rox,
Morebattle, Edrom, Ayton, Tyningham, and partofColdingham. In the
first-pointed period, or as doubtfully Norman, he places Stow, Cockburns-
path, St. Martin, Haddington, Prestonkirk; but considers the following
as scarcely claiming this age; Pencaitland, Stenton, Oldhamstocks, Pol-
warth, and Edrom. A segmental-headed doorway at Stenton, he thinks,
may belong to the second-pointed period. Of this later age he gives as
examples, St. Giles, Edinburgh, St. Matthew, Roslin, Dunglass, Crich-
_ ton, Borthwick, St. Mary, Haddington, St. Cuthbert, Yester House, St.

Mary, Whitekirk, Seton, St. Mary, Ladykirk, and the Chapel in Tantallon
Castle.

22 DEG 1487

a
UDADODISUE NOES hope,
ia

t tittapsstas

sepese
>

' TR .
*
HH ENP aP lee

CPI Tap ein Te es
DEBE eehe
in

Fibeaswieee”
PO Fiesrenemiaiene
Asoo
veer nH
dopeRiiteyn

rea;

asia i
ane +H

+
2erehe pipe pay
ore

adislalat of)
REREREUPIB Co bi eae
ee)

Senn
TDs bebe Rereponatie:

faite

aera
iu

©
vOOnieees

degriteh
Leial Ab th ewer ene:
movsristeuaiaeautie

ees

.
Wawerercss

ol er ee
baba tie satae tes

i}
eesp
tee

AFR Omanee
Siete

SENTVB er ceeragart
aiatiieertss
Wereereorte
seen
LAL Ia tt
me peeewe

Dacomire
POVUhOe meee anes
tee

.
aneeR Werte.

es i8 Py rae eerewspeens

+ Sitters

eeviememiesries

VAP e pterstene

CAPER eae

Mitte Vemaeweservsenee
1ieeien

o
Ferree eenwerer
eee nee le eR a ree:

Somnreners

Weereeycueteerers .
ue WeeP revere lee aieresiererrenres EUPUPE TERE VOM Near as
TOR ENO POR ee ’ ireeeserieee

Tree
WUE eens
ain ear ee rire

’ '

rar an

FR OEr ESS
MP es ne Bey Set Satay Th
‘ tthe iret ar

Tien
we reveneenes
Pe beaee
cirri ater

aren enary
frese

Pemeeereniny
petrtrrrartrey

*
HeePenraserenay
FVne eens

weterime

ea taee
tbe enee POeVPIB te eave
eDeR aera

PoP aries pas

Semler reer eerie
vee Tots
oPaneRege

Seeteeememee ‘pe
. SER meee

’
Wap eiimiere

tier ay
we
r

Mie
ess

on

+ Poste OwREOE ORE DE ewes
° Pee iraterrest at

Peavepaae ne penersieeennre
ante

Feereunen
OAReP alee ewe

desswerinnt

ieriotes
samreenny
reatmiee ie
nent

eveseoesienan,