±satural History and Antiquarian Society. 9 



Sir W. JARDINE, Bart., in tlie Chair. 



Present — Sir Wm. Broun, Dr Gilchrist, Mr Carlisle, M, 

 Robert Murray, Major Bowden, Mr Corrie, Mr A. D. Murray, 

 It was agreed that the first field meeting should be held at 

 Auldgirth on the 9th May ; that the June Excursion should 

 be to Moffat ; that for July to Parton and Dairy ; August, 

 to Lochmaben ; September, Auchencairn and Dalbeattie ; 

 and October, to Carlaverock or Torthoonvald. 



May 5th, 186.S. 



The Society held the Seventh Meeting of the Session in 

 the Assembly Street Club Rooms. 



De GILCHRIST in the Chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved of. 



Dr Menzies, Wanlockhead, was enrolled ortZijiary member. 



In the absence of Mr Jas. Starke, F.S.A. Scot., the 

 Secretary read a paper by him on " St, Querdon's Well," * 

 on the farm of Barbusli of Cargen, which contained some in- 

 teresting speculations on the origin of the name. 



Mr James Shaw, Tynron, read a paper on " The Influence 

 of the Human Period on the Sagacity of Animals," in which 

 he cited numerous illustrations in support of the theory that 

 association with man or warfare against him had gradually 

 educated certain species of animals to a higher degree of in- 

 telligence and brain power, the quality being transmitted 

 hereditarily through successive generations. 



Dr Gilchrist read a paper on " The History of a Crichton 

 Boulder," which, taken as a test or typical boulder dug up in 

 the gi'ounds of the Crichton Royal Institution, described the 

 various agencies which had }:een at work in its formation. 



A beautiful stuffed fox was presented to the Society by 

 Mr Heron of Duncow. 



* See Paper in last Transactions, p. 44. 



