16 Proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway 



Mr Service read a short paper giving an account of the 

 history and habits of " A Hothouse Pest" which had appeared 

 in the district a few years ago, and had since spread from 

 one glass-house to another with great rapidity. The insect 

 — the mealy winged Aleurodes — was also shown. 



The Chairman then gave an address on " Clouds," illus- 

 trated by a number of beautiful diagrams. 



February 1st, 1878. 



The Fifth Meeting of the Session was held in the Town 

 Hall — Dr Gilchrist in the chair. 



Rev. W. Graham, Maxwelltown ; Mr George Armstrong, 

 Corberry Cottage ; and Mr James Hogg, Saughtree, were 

 elected Ordinary Members. 



The Chairman exhibited a number of rare minerals, 

 including Bituminous Shales from Brazil, Carbonate of 

 Nickel, Carbonate of Cobalt, and others, and some Lichens 

 from the north of Scotland ; Mr J. G. Anderson, a number of 

 measured drawings of the windows of Lincluden Abbey as 

 they appeared when perfect. 



Mr Service brought under the notice of the Society the 

 appearance of large numbers of Bullfinches in the district 

 during the last two years, which were proving most destruc- 

 tive to the fruit trees. — Dr Sharpe remarked that the same 

 thing had happened in Eccles ; these birds had been very 

 scarce for many years, but were now met with commonly, 



Mr W. G. Gibson stated that a number of Bullfinches' 

 Nests had been seen in the grounds of the Crichton 

 Institution, in the summer of 1877, for the first time. 



A letter was read from Mr Thomson, Gatelawbridge, in 

 reply to objections which had been stated to his paper, read 

 at last meeting. The glacial origin of the deposit in question 

 was re-affirmed, and further proofs and arguments advanced 

 in support of that statement. 



The Deputation appointed at last meeting reported that " they had held 

 an interview with Capt. Maxwell of Teneglea on the 16th ultimo, regarding 

 the present condition of Lincluden Abbey. Capt. Maxwell explained that ho 

 had delayed answering the letter addressed to him by the Society on the 



