Field Meetings. 25 



handwriting, the names of persons mentioned in the poems, 

 which had been left blank, being all filled in. Mr Jackson 

 also exhibited a fine mahogany model of the Sarcophagus in 

 the Great Pyramid of Ghizeh, and stated that, according to 

 the measurement of the model, which was guaranteed to be 

 correct, Professor Piazzi Smith's theoiy, that the Sarcophagus 

 was a measure of capacity, was found to be dispi'oved. 



A visit to the large Camp on the svr-ii-.u'.t of Barshell 

 Hill still remained to complete the programme for the day, 

 so, under the guidance of Mr Jackson's gardener, the party 

 set off and reached the hill top to find the rain descending in 

 drenching showers. Under these circumstances the exami- 

 nation of the Camp was made as brief as possible. Some 

 doubt was expressed as to its makers, and it may perhaps 

 have been occupied successively by Britons, Romans, and 

 Norsemen. However, it is in a very complete state of pre- 

 servation, is of very large extent, quite circular, encompassed 

 with two deep and wide trenches, and at one period must 

 have been a place of no small strength and importance. 

 Much regret was expi-essed at the state of the weather, as 

 the greater part of Dumfriesshire and Galloway can be seen 

 from the Camp on a clear day. 



The Third Meeting was held at Colvend on the 7tli of 

 July, when a party numbering 17 left Dumfries by the 8.32 

 a.m. train to Dalbeattie, whence a 'bus conveyed them to 

 Colvend Manse. Here they were met by the Rev. Mr Fraser 

 and some other members, thus augmenting the party to the 

 number of 20. A -sisit was first made to Mr Eraser's Garden, 

 which was then in full beauty. For hardy plants the Manse 

 Garden is probably unequalled in Galloway ; a numerous 

 assemblage of the choice.st and rarest Alp'ne and herbaceous 

 plants have been gathered together, and ai'e as luxuriantly 

 healthy as if still in their native habitats. The party next 

 proceeded to Douglas Hall, where, leaving the 'bus, a general 

 scramble along the shore and the rocks began. The Sam- 

 phire, Crithmum maritivium, was noticed high up on the 

 cliffy, but no cue cared to risk life aud limb for its po.ssession, 



