Field Meetings. 27 



railway to New-Galloway Station, picking up several plants and a 

 few insects by the way. One of the plants was Gnaplialium 

 diocum, which was gi'owing abundantly on the ledges of the rock 

 cuttings ; and the most remarkable insect was Kitdorea atomalis, 

 which has hitherto been foinid in Perthshire only. The party 

 arrived at Dumfries at 6.30 p.m., having spent a most enjoyable 

 and instructive day. 



The Fourth Meeting was held on August 2nd, the place chosen 

 on this occasion, through the kind permission of the agents, 

 Messrs Walker & Sharpe, being the estate of Mabie. Few estates 

 in the Society's district can boast of greater attractions for the 

 naturalist, for whether he be devoted to Geology, Botany, or 

 Zoology, he will never fail to find something to gi-atify his tastes. 

 Through the extensive copses the Eoe Deer still wanders unre- 

 strained ; and the Buzzard breeds amongst the rocks on the hill 

 tops. The ledges of the Blackcraig once held the eyrie of the 

 lordly Peregrine, where also not many years ago a Golden Eagle was 

 seen sitting on each successive morning for about a week. A fact 

 of great interest also for the ornithologist is that the Woodcock 

 has been known to breed here in former yeai-s. This season is no 

 exception, for only a few days ago a brood of four young Wood- 

 cocks was seen there by the Secretary and another Member of the 

 Society. 



The party, having travelled by train to Lochanhead Station 

 proceeded first to Lochaber, where an hour or two was pleasantly 

 spent in collecting botanical and entomological specimens. Fore- 

 most of course in interest were the various "insect-eating" plants, 

 the Droseras and Pinguiculas. Of the foi-mer genus the scarce 

 D. anglicum was growing along the loch margin in comparative 

 aVtundance. A somewhat unusual but extremely pretty sight was 

 the numerous groups of small Dragon Flies (Agrion elegans), of 

 a pulverulent blue colour, which were glancing about in the bright 

 sunshine literally " seeking whom they could devour," for more 

 voracious creatures it would be difficult to find. Near Ci-aigbUl 

 the party passed amongst a number of ice-borne granite boulders, 

 each or all of which would have furnished Dr Gilchrist with a text 

 for a geological discourse had he been present. Many regrets 

 were expressed at the Doctor's absence, and much sympathy with 



