Scientific, Natural History, and Antiquarian Society. 



15 



Jamtary Hh, 1878. 



The Fourth Meeting of the Session was held in the 

 Town Hall — Dr Gilchrist in the Chair. 



Messrs Robb, English Master of the Academy ; Callan- 

 der, High Street ; Thomson, Irish Street ; Geddes, Hannah- 

 field ; Matthewson, Dalbeattie ; Malcolm M'L. Harper, 

 Castle-Douglas ; and Charles Black, Arbigland, were elected 

 Ordinary Members. 



Mr Gibson exhibited the Pictograph, a new instrument 

 for copying pictures ; Dr Grierson, a specimen of the Short- 

 tailed Vole and the Water Rail, Eallus acquaticus ; the 

 Chairman some false Cat's Eye Gems from India, with which 

 Mr Starke contrasted the real article ; Mr Rutherford, a 

 pair of Telephones ; Mr Service, twenty-four species of Plants 

 in bloom in the open air, a result of the remarkably mild 

 winter, as follows : — Prlmida veris, Reseda odorata, 

 Garrya ellvptica, Myosotis arvensis, Arhutus unedo, Poly- 

 anthus, Hepatica, Berheris Darivini, Mahonia aquifolium, 

 Lamium 'niacnlatura, L.amplexicauU, ErysiTnum sp.,Cheir- 

 anthns cheiri, Alsine media, Senecio vulgaHs, Bellis 

 perennis, Alopecuvus pratensis, Laurustinus, Charlock, 

 Lilac Primrose, Cowslip, Viola tricolor maxima, V. odorata, 

 and Auhrietia purpurea. 



The Committee appointed at last Meeting reported that 

 they had addressed a letter to Captain Maxwell, " drawing 

 bis attention to the present unsatisfactory condition of the 

 ruins of Lincluden Abbey, and stating that a general wish 

 had been expressed by the Society that some steps should be 

 taken to protect it from further decay, and preserve it as an 

 interesting and instructive monument of the past," and that 

 no answer had yet been received. After some conversation 

 it was agreed to request ilr M'Dowall and Mr J. Gibson 

 Starke to wait on Captain Maxwell, a course which it was 

 thought would sooner lead to a good result. 



In the absence of Mr Thomson, Gatelawbridge, Mr Hart 

 read that gentleman's communication on " A new Glacial 

 Deposit near Thornhill." (See Transactions.) 



