64 Field Meetings. 



elevation they had scarcely a moment to glance at the 

 wonderful panorama of mountain peaks around and below 

 when the cloud enveloped them, and they were driven 

 down the hill in a perfect storm of wind and rain and hail. 

 At the " farmer's ingle " they met, literally soaked. Here they 

 managed to dry some of their garments, and listened to recitals of 

 the Covenanting and other traditions of the Harkness family. 

 The Harknesses of Locherben and Mitchell slacks have played a 

 prominent and honoiirable part in Scottish histoi-y. James and 

 Thomas, who were tenants of Locherben, were suspected, and, 

 therefore, found guilty and condemned, in connection with the 

 rescue of captive Covenanters effected in Enterkin Pass in 1684 ; 

 and William, tenant of Mitchellslacks, had already been denounced 

 by royal proclamation as a resetter of fugitives. The two former 

 were conveyed to Edinburgh, where Thomas was executed, but 

 James managed to escape from the Calton to the Continent, 

 whence he returned under the Revolution Settlement. A com- 

 fortable repast having been partaken of at the hospitable table of 

 Mrs Harkness, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to her and 

 her son for the kindness shewn to the storm-smitten naturalists. 

 The homeward journey lay by Auldgirth. Rain continued to fall, 

 but the drive was made enjoyable by social contiguity, and by fits 

 of recurriiig hilariousness, which kept the company from lapsing 

 into mute and miserable melancholy. 



During the day Mr Lennou captured the following among other 

 beetles : — Harpalus tardus ; Berosus sphiosus ; Myrmedonia 

 collaris (rare), in ant's nest ; Silpha opaci ; Moryiichus ceneus ; 

 Pannes prolificornus ; Corymhetes jjectinicornus (rare) ; Otior- 

 hynchus rugifrons. The Cloudberry (Eubus Chamcemonios ), an 

 Alpine plant, was picked up on Queensberry in flower. 



Cairnsmore. — 2n(l July, 1881. 



The third field meeting of the Summer Session was held to-day, 

 the solitary event of the programme being the ascent of Cairns- 

 more-of-Fleet ; but as that is a mountain 2331 feet in height, it 

 afforded exercise suflicient to satisfy the strongest ; and the very 

 imperfect train service at the moorland station of Dromore, from 

 which the walk was begun, rendei-ed it necessary to give up to it 



