Field Meelings, 23 



above Cluny was next visited, and there the direction of the 

 Silurian strata was well seen, and on some parts the action 

 of the waves of ancient seas was very clearly marked. A 

 number of Geological specimens were here secured, but dur- 

 ing this meeting the Botanists and Entomologists of the party 

 were unsuccessful in getting any but common species. The 

 long-continued cold and drought of Spring had retarded the 

 growth of even the common wild flowers — the common yellow 

 Primrose, some Violets, and a few other common Plants, 

 were almost the only ones yet in bloom, and, as a natural 

 sequence, insects were also scarce. A large number of that 

 pretty little fern, the Moonwort ( Botrychium lunaria) was, 

 however, secured in its general habitat, an old pasture field. 

 The Second Meeting was held at A.misfield on 2d June. 

 There was an attendance of 21, the party leaving Dumfries 

 by the 1.45 p.m. train for Amisfield Station, where they were 

 met by Mr Jackson and conducted to the Mansion-House, 

 On reaching the entrance gate a splendid Weeping Elm 

 attracted much attention ; its long trailing branches would 

 have effectually barred the way, but they had been trained 

 to stout poles, thus forming a beautiful green arch. The 

 lower side of the avenue was very gay with the wild flowers 

 of Spring — the blue wood Hyacinth, the yellow PrimroBe, 

 and the crimson Lychnis forming bright masses of colour. 

 Passing round the Mansion-House, Mr Jackson pointed out 

 some remains of arches, traces of an older building, with which 

 the present one has been incorporated. The old Tower wag 

 then inspected, Mr Jaokson pointing out the more interesting 

 features of this ancient building. Several of the lower floors 

 are still in use, and seem fitted to stand for many years to 

 come, but the upper ones, with the exception of the great 

 oaken rafters, are all gone. A narrow spiral stair of stone 

 leads up to the highest part of the Tower, an oblong apart- 

 ment, loopholed on all sides, and in which a watchman was 

 constantly kept in the brave days of old to give notice of 

 approaching danger, or of signals from the beacon fires on 

 distant hills. Several of the more adventurous and least 



