Scicnfijic, Xalurul History, and Antinuuriun Socitiif. 17 



subject, because be found that to do all be considered necessary for the 

 protection o' tbe ruins would, in addition to excavations for the purpose of 

 opening up tbe old foundations of the edifice, entail a great amount of 

 money, and he did not feel certain, from the terms of the letter, ho-,v far tha 

 Society expected him to proceed in this expenditure. Mr Starke expressed 

 his opinion that the more urgent remedy required was one to prevent further 

 desecration and destruction of the Ruius by daily wanton mischief on the part 

 of roughs, and also means to prevent cattle from entering the Chancel. To 

 meet these it was suggested that a gate should be placed at the entrance of the 

 Chancel, and a notice put up requesting visitors to report to him, as proprietor, 

 all such wanton mischief as might come under their observation. Captain 

 Maxwell mentioned that he has at present no cottage on the ground where 

 tbe key of a locked gate might be kept ; but it was stated that in tlie opinion 

 of the Deputation a gate, although not locked but simply fastened with a 

 notice to visitors to close it after them, would go a great way to remedy the 

 evil in question, and the Deputation were glad to be able to report that Capt. 

 Maxwell agreed to carry out these suggestions."' 



The meeting received the report witii much pleasure 

 and satisfaction, and it was ordered to be engrossed in the 

 minutes. The thanks of the meeting was unanimously 

 awarded to Messrs Starke and M'Dowall for the trou'ole they 

 had taken in the matter. 



After some discussion, it was then unanimously agreed 

 that the Society petition the House of Commons in favour of 

 Su- John Lubbock's Ancient Monuments Protection Bill. 



Mr Lennon, being unable to. attend the meeting, the 

 Secretary read that gentleman's paper on "The Rarer 

 Coleoptera of the District." (See Transactions.) 



Dr Sharp made some remarks on the Geographical 

 Distribution of Animals, with special reference to Mr 

 Lenuon's paper, and which were so much appreciated that 

 Dr Shai-p was requested to continue the subject on a future 

 occasion. 



March 1st, 1878. 



The Sixth Meeting of the Session was held in the Town 

 Hall— Dr Gilchrist in the Chafr. 



Messrs Stewart and Hal. Gordon, Moatbrae ; J. H. 

 Maxwell, editor of Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser; and 

 William Copland, Nithsdale Mills, were elected Ordinary 

 Members. Mr Starforth, architect, Edinburgh, wa3 elected a 

 Corresponding Member, 



