MBETINQ AT BEAL. 357 



cult to say, but I do not think we are justified in at once 

 asserting, as is often done, that the plant must have been 

 planted, as it is so near a village. It is flourishing in a habi- 

 tat where we would naturally look for it, and it is not a plant 

 that the cottager was likely to cultivate for its beauty ; nor 

 am I aware of its being invested with any miraculous power. 

 The different species of Ferns and Lycopodiums were all 

 gathered. 



In my own neighbourhood, two phanogamous plants and 

 one Fern have been added to those previously observed. In 

 the Foss at Dunstanbro' Castle, Fotamogeton plantagineus 

 and pusillus, var. tenuissimus, were discovered by Mr. Storey, 

 of Newcastle ; and Lastrsea foenischii has been observed by 

 myself in several spots around Erableton. 



On the Occurrence of the Wild Cat in Berwickshire, 

 By Mr. James Hardy. 



The Wild Cat is probably by this time considered as an ex* 

 tinct animal in Berwickshire. According to my informant, 

 it has not been noticed in this part of the county for at 

 least forty years. I have, however, recently ascertained, that 

 one at least yet survives, having hitherto been secured amidst 

 the fastnesses of our rocky coast, from the unremitting persecu- 

 tion waged in modern times against our indigenous wild car- 

 nivora. On the 17th of March, 1849, while on a visit to the 

 coast immediately to the east of St. Helen's Chapel, I had 

 the pleasure of seeing an individual still frequenting the an- 

 cient haunts of its race. The banks here are elevated and steep, 

 little removed from the perpendicular, with alternations of 

 massive rocky cliffs, scarcely more abrupt. I first remarked 

 it on the top of one of these precipices, named the Swallow 

 Craig ; and before I obtained another glance, it had cast itself 

 down an intervening grassy declivity, and was seen hurrying 

 at full speed, over the broken rocks far below at the base, to 

 its place of refuge, situated among some rough projecting crags, 

 washed at full sea and difficult of access. I had sufficient 

 time to observe its deep grey colour, and superior size ; and 



2e 



