DR CLARKE'S ADDRESS. 163 



little else worthy of notice. A Wheat-ear, which Mr Selby remarked 

 was tin- second only he had seen this season, a Solan Goose, a 

 green Cormorant in his spring plumage, and an Eider Duck, were, 

 amongst others, of common occurrence. Mr Selby captured a few in- 

 sects, whose names he will communicate at another meeting. On the 

 shore nothing novel occurred, excepting a Planaria, picked up by Mr 

 Riddell, allied to the PI. Arethusa of Dalyell, but differing in being a 

 denizen of salt- water. 



" In Botany nothing new was seen. The banks, in many places, were 

 covered with the Cochlearia officinal is, now in full flower ; and about 

 mid-way between Eyemouth and Coldingham, the Primrose, Cowslip, 

 awl Oxlip, were observed ; the Primrose and Oxlip growing intermixed, 

 and shewing too many features of a common resemblance, to be consi- 

 dered descendants of distinct and separate stocks. Wherever the Prim- 

 rose grew, the bank was, as usual, enamelled with its never-failing con- 

 sorts the Pile-wort, (the lesser Celandine of Wordsworth) the Dog- 

 violet the barren Strawberry and the Field-Rush, now all in flower 

 and beauty. 



" After dinner the minutes of last meeting were read and approved of. 

 The Rev. Thomas Riddell, Fellow of Trin. Coll. Cambridge, on the no- 

 mination of Dr Johnston, seconded by Dr Clarke, was admitted a 

 member. 



" Mr Milne exhibited part of the stock of an Anchor, which, after having 

 been sunk in the entrance of Eyemouth Harbour for about eight years, 

 had been taken up and removed, in consequence of being rendered use- 

 less by the decay of the stock. It was very satisfactorily proved that 

 this decay was the effect of the Limnoria terebrans the first instance 

 of the occurrence of this noxious insect on the Berwickshire coast. 



" The Rev. Andrew Baird was instructed to draw up a Report for next 

 meeting, on the effects of the past winter, as shewn in plants and shrubs, 

 Ac. as well as on animals ; and members were invited to communicate 

 any facts that might assist him in this work. 



" It will be observed, then, that at this meeting of the Club there 

 was no paper read no discovery made no business prepared and 

 none to leave behind it a permanent trace and yet your Secretaries 

 would instance it as a proof of the utility and rationality of your So- 

 ciety. It led, let it be remarked, to the detection of an insect in Eye- 

 mouth harbour, which may be of advantage ; for knowing, as they now 

 do, its existence and nature, the managers of that port will need to keep 

 a careful eye on its wood-works ; and it will prevent disappointment and 

 useless expenditure of money, if, in future, they adopt means to protect 

 whatever wood is used from its ravages. Kyanized wood may probably 

 be unsuitable to its taste ; and, we believe, that to cover the wood with 

 broad-hoaded nails, has been found a good remedy or preventive. 



