76 Field Meetings. 



that abounds along the shore were picked up. A substantial and 

 welcome tea was provided in the Steam Packet Inn ; and thus 

 refreshed the party began the homeward journey, time unfor- 

 tunately not permitting of a visit to Arbigland. A halt was made 

 at Newabbey, to allow of an inspection of the ruined fane of the 

 Lady Devorgilla. We were pleased to see continued indications 

 of the watchful care which has so well preserved this noble relic 

 of past magnificence, while so many equally interesting edifices 

 have been suffered to crumble and decay. Many of the weaker 

 parts of the masonry were recently strengthened by pointing and 

 the replacing of fallen stones, and material was lying at hand for 

 further work of the same kind. The drive back to town in the 

 early evening formed a very pleasant finish to what had been to 

 all a most enjoyable day. 



At the Business Meeting referred to above, Mr Wilson, one of 

 the vice-presidents, presided. Three new members were admitted, 

 viz., Miss Kirkpatrick, Mr Henry Sawyer, and Mr Mitchell Kerr. 

 Mr Wilson, at the request of the Seci-etary (Mr Rutherford of 

 Jardington) shortly explained the distinctive characteristics of the 

 difierent orders to which the plants which had been collected 

 belonged. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to him for this 

 service, and a hope was expressed that the practice would be 

 continued at future field meetings. 



Mr Wilson furnishes the following list of plants obtained : — 

 Anemone nemorosa, oxalis acetosella, Adoxia inoscliatellina, Chry- 

 sospleniitm oj^positifoliiton, and Mercurialis j^erennis, abundant in 

 the glens and roadsides near Kirkbean. Cardamine j)'>'ci'tensis, 

 C. hirsuta, Myrrhis odorata, Tussilago farfara, Petasites vulgaris, 

 and EquisetuTU arvense, along the roadside near Kirkbean. £ar- 

 barea vulgaris, at Whinnyhill and Carsethorn. Ranunculus 

 hederacetts and Ajuga reptans, near Ladyland farm. Anchusa 

 sempervirens, at Ladyland and Newabbey. Viola sylvatica, Liczula 

 pilosa, L. sylvatica, L. Campestris, in the woods along the banks 

 of the Kirkbean burn. Orchis inascula and Listera Ovata, near 

 Kirkbean, the former being very abundant, but only one plant of 

 the latter. Of the Ferns there may be mentioned Scolopendrium 

 vulgare (almost exterminated), in the Preston Burn; Asp>leniu,m 

 Rutamuraria, growing on the walls of the old Abbey ; and Hymeno- 

 phyllum Wilsoni or H. Unilaterale (very rare), found only in one 

 place during the day's excursion, and now recorded for the first 

 time from this district. 



