36 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Sodalite. Ilerr Giesecke applied for the restoration of his collection, but was 

 unable to recover them. In compensation he was made Professor of Geology 

 in the University of Dublin. 



A meeting was held in the evening for the reading of papers. After a short 

 address by Major Fraser, the President of the Nairn Literary Institute, the 

 following papers were read : — 



The Botany of Croy> by Rev. Mr. Fraser. The district of Croy lies 

 chiefly in the basin of the Nairn river, between 100 and 300 feet above the sea- 

 level, with the higher grounds to the north and to the south, the highest point 

 in it being Ben Buidh-mor, 1797 feet in height. The area is about ten miles, 

 long, and from three to six miles wide. Its whole surface consists of boulder 

 clay, gravel, and sand, with some peat, and rests on sandstone or gneiss- 

 Three small lochs occur in the area, but are not known to present any aquatic 

 plants of special interest. Mr. Fraser submitted a list of the Flowering Plants 

 and Ferns of Croy (360 species), which is printed in full in a pamphlet report 

 of the proceedings. It will doubtless yet be added to considerably in the 

 more difficult groups, but forms a good commencement to the working out of 

 the local flora. We note, as local or rare in the north-east of Scotland : — ■ 

 Trollins Europaeus, Papaver Argemone, P. Rhoeas, Sisymbrium Sophia, Stellaria 

 nemorum, Arenaria trinervia, Geranium lucidum, Potentilla reptans, Peplis- 

 Porlula, Senecio viscosus, Hypochoeris glabra, Monotropa Hypopitys, Polygonum 

 Bislorta, Rhynehospora alba. 



Cup-Marked Stones, by Dr. Grigor, Nairn, gave an account of the 

 numerous markings in stones in Nairnshire, in which county they are specially 

 common ; and the author mentioned the explanations for their origin that have 

 been suggested, and the superstitions attached to them in Nairnshire. Rev. W„ 

 Grigor, Pitsligo, followed with a paper on Children's Games ; and Rev. Dr. 

 Joass with one on The Bronzes of Sutherland, illustrated by the exhibition 

 of specimens of various weapons, ornaments, and other articles from Suther- 

 land and other parts of Scotland. 



The next paper, entitled, The Geology of Nairnshire, was written by Mr- 

 John Home of II. M. Geological Survey, and was of much interest; but a 

 summary would fail to give any but a very imperfect idea of this paper. 



Mr. William Docherty, Thurso, gave some notes on Marine Zoology, 

 as the result of his personal experiences with an aquarium. Mr. Milne, King, 

 Edward, concluded the meeting with a paper on Nitrate of Soda. 



The members immediately thereafter were entertained to supper by the 

 Nairn Literary Institute, and passed a very enjoyable evening. 



On Saturday an excursion occupied the day fully. About ninetygentlemen and 

 a few ladies started, and all went well with the party, the weather (that most im- 

 portant factor in a day's enjoyment out of doors in Scotland) having been all 

 that could be wished. The route chosen was full of interest, alike antiquarian 

 and historical in connection with the downfall of the Stuart cause at Culloden,. 

 artistic from its natural beauty, and scientific. Among the places of most interest 

 visited were Cawdor woods and burn, the old Kirk of Barivan, and the curious 

 old castle of Cawdor, with its traditions of old times. Here they were hospi- 

 tably received by Lord Cawdor. Beside the road to Clava was seen a con- 

 glomerate boulder, named Tomriach. This is one of the largest in Scotland 



