132 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Geological sketch of Annandale (p. 36.), by George Johnstone, 

 is of local interest. Notes on Local Ornithology (pp. 45-46.), 

 by W. Hastings, mentions a young Barn-owl {Alucojlammeus), found in 

 December, still in the down, and not more than three weeks old, a 

 white crow and a blue crow (species not stated), a domestic hen with 

 spurs and plumage of a cock, a pure white partridge, and a grey 

 plover (Squatarola helvetica). Remarks on the recent Addi- 

 tions to the Flora of Dumfriesshire and Galloway (pp. 47-50.), 

 by F. R. Coles, includes additions to the lists in Mr. M'Andrew's 

 *' Flora " of these counties, which was compiled in 1882. These ad- 

 ditions are. of much interest ; but have already been included in the 

 Scottish Naturalist in Mr. Bennett's "Additional Records," with the 

 exception of certain varieties. Notes on the Flora of Upper 

 Nithsdale, and Additions to the Flora of Dumfriesshire 

 (pp. 50-56.), by A. Davidson M.B., are valuable contributions to the 

 botany of the South-west of Scotland ; the more important additions 

 have also been mentioned by Dr. Davidson in a paper in this Journal. 

 Dates of Blossoming of Plants in Tynrou (p. 56.), by J. Shaw, 

 continues observations made during the previous year, and states that 

 April 1884 was about a week in advance of April 1883, but in June 

 the roses were a week behind 1883, and in the beginning of July the 

 heather was about a fortnight behind ; but the flowers in the end 

 of July were almost abreast of those of 1883. 



The papers read in 1885 were as follows : 

 Notes on some Trichoptera from the Stewartry (pp. 57-58), by 

 J. J. King ; in this paper 47 species are enumerated and localities are 

 given. The Broads and Fens of East Anglia (p. 72), by A. 

 Bennett, F.L.S. The Influence of Trees on Rainfall and 

 Climate (pp. 72-74), by P. Gray. The Rocks of the Moffat District 

 and their Fossil Remains (pp. 75-82), by James Dairon, F. G. S., is an 

 interesting sketch of this district, so well known for the curious fossils, 

 Graptolites, that occur in its Silurian shales. A Leaflet from the 

 Book of Nature (pp. 87-93), by F. R. Coles, is an excellent popular 

 account of what is to be found in any good locality by the seeker for 

 shells and mosses ; though the impossibility of giving popular names 

 to minute objects, and the necessary use of numerous "lang-nebbit '.' 

 scientific names, may, perhaps, rather frighten the tyros. The Arctic 

 Shell-beds of the Clyde (pp. 93-94), by R. W. Macfadzean, describes 

 the post-tertiary deposits at Garvel Park, Greenock, and mentions the 

 species of fossils found in them. Ancient Lake Dwelling's of 

 Scotland (pp. 94-95), by G. F. Black, mentions eight Dumfriesshire 

 localities where these dwellings have been discovered. 



A List of Kircudbright Land and Freshwater Molluscs 

 fpp. 103-108.), by F. R. Coles, V.P., enumerates all known to the 



