REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 341 



" The streams have worn channels deep down into ravines, 

 showing fine examples of river erosion, and affording, now on 

 one side and again on the other, grand sections of the strata 

 thus cut through. The most extensive section is a splendid 

 cliff, variously estimated at 150 to 200 feet in height, in 

 Auchenreoch Glen, a little above the point where that stream 

 literally falls — over a little waterfall — into the main stream. 

 Standing in the middle of the glen near this point is a column, 

 known as ' Lot's Wife/ consisting of hardened rock, apparently 

 altered by the action of heated water passing through the strata, 

 long after they were formed. Evidence of the action of ice was 

 pointed out in the rounded boulders of Highland rocks strewed 

 in the glens, carried from the North during the glacial period. 



" Botanically, many of the spring flowers were seen, but 

 nothing of special interest was found. 



" Among the summer birds observed (by Mr. W. A. Donnelly) 

 were the Common Sandpiper, the Willow-wren, the Cuckoo, and 

 the Ring-ouzel; and the Corn-crake was heard. The resident 

 birds included trie Carrion Crow and the Bullfinch. 



" It may be of interest to mention that King Alexander II., 

 in 1223 or 1224, 'gave and granted to the said burgh (of 

 Dumbartane), and burgesses thereof and their successors, two 

 parts of the lands of Murvaich (Murroch), for the common 

 good of the burgh that may be made therefrom, as the said 

 charter, granted the 13th day of the month of December and 

 the tenth year of the reign of the said king, proports.' In 

 1240 the same king granted a charter 'to the said burgh and 

 burgesses thereof of the third part of the lands of Murvaich, 

 for the yearly payment of ten merks in name of feu farm.' — 

 (Charter of James VI. and I., 1609, quoted by Joseph Irving, 

 Book of Dumbartonshire). 



" The burgh and burgesses of Dumbarton were rather fond 

 of litigation, and it is to be feared that they have had at 

 various times to dispose of most, or all, of their Murroch lands." 



Neilston Pad and Harelaw Dam, 3rd May, 1902. — About 

 thirty members and friends took part in this excursion, which 

 was carried out, under the leadership of Mr. John Robertson, 

 in fine weather. 



The route taken was over Neilston Pad to Harelaw Dam. 



