Field Meellngs. 41 



famous trout so well known to local anglers. However, on a 

 previous visit of the Sowety to Loch Kindar (in May, 1867) these 

 islands were examined, and in a report of the meeting it is stated 

 that " on one of the islands stand the remains of one of the few 

 pre-Reformation churches, while the other may have been a lake 

 dwelling." A number of the Members, on returning to the 

 village, visited the magnificent ruins of Sweetheart Abbey. We 

 are glad to say that these ruins are now being cared for in a 

 manner which we would be glad to see imitated by the pro- 

 prietors of all the other ancient buildings in the district. A little 

 past five o'clock all the Members had again assembled at the 

 Commercial Hotel, where they sat down to tea, and it is needless 

 to say that after the exertions of the afternoon the repast was 

 done ample justice to. The return journey was made by way of 

 Lotus, where the old canoe was inspected. It was discovered in 

 the loch there about twelve years ago, when the water was 

 unusually low. The bow was taken ofi" and sent to the National 

 Institution in Edinburgh, and it is a matter for regret that the 

 remaining portion is fast disappearing — partly owing to the 

 weather, and partly to the vandalism of visitors, who have been 

 chipping pieces of it away. [Mrs Hysloj) of Lotus, a few days 

 after the meeting, kindly presented the canoe to the Society.] 

 The crannoge on the north end of the loch was to have been 

 visited, but owing to the lateness of the hour it was agi-eed to 

 defer its examination till a future opportunity. We understand 

 that on one side the oak piles on which it was built ai'e quite 

 visible. It is of lai-ge extent and some large timber is gi-owing 

 upon it. It can be reached from the side when the water is low 

 by means of a row of stepping stones. Quite close to it a bronze 

 pot and some other things were fished out lately. It is desirable 

 that these articles should be seen and reported on by some com- 

 petent antiquary. We believe that Loch Arthur, and in fact 

 nearly all the Stewartry lochs, would well repay systematic 

 explorations. Crannoges can be detected in a great many of 

 them ; and if they wei-e carefully examined, much light would be 

 thrown on the pre-historic inhabitants of the distiict. On the 

 way home the party were mvich interested in watching the frequent 

 discharges of lightning from a cloud which was just visible over 

 the Mabie hills. From this point it is very probable the widely 

 extended thunderstorms of Sabbath morning and Saturday night 

 originated. The party reached Dumfries about half-past eight 



