Natural History and Antiquarian Society. 7 



Anthoceros punctatus, a rare cryptogamus plant found by Mr. 

 Croall at Marykirk, Kincardineshire. It occurred in two locali- 

 ties ; one in a barley-field, on the naked spots between the grain 

 and other vegetation. The other was in a pasture-field, where it 

 also occurred upon the naked spots. In both localities the plant 

 was noticed in the month of October ; in a week or two after, and 

 in November, the fructification appeared. " It was generally about 

 an inch, occasionally nearly two inches, in height, and when mature, 

 split abnost to the base, displaying the central columella, to which 

 the bright yellow spores were attached." Specimens were ex- 

 hibited. 



On the Habits of the Pomarine Skua. By Mr. Hastings, 

 Dumfries. 



A specimen was exhibited, shot near Glencaple Quay. 



He remarked that the only specimens killed in Dumfriesshire 

 or Galloway which had come under his notice as a preserver of 

 birds for the last thirty years, was that now exhibited, and another 

 which was killed about the same time by a lad, who struck it with 

 a stick while fighting with a common gull in a field in the parish 

 of Earkmahoe. 



On the Antiquities of the Stone, Br'onze and Iron Periods, 

 found in Dumfriesshire, by Mr. Gibson, Treasurer. Illus- 

 trated by specimens and drawings. 



Dr. Grierson, Thornhill, after some remarks on the origin 

 of species, with a special reference to the theories of Lamarck 

 and Darwin, exhibited some varieties of the Eat, Mole and 

 Weasel, illustrating the modification of colour, and the im- 

 portance of attending to such modification in reference to its 

 value as a specific character. 



Dr. Gilchrist read a few notes communicated by Dr. 

 Moffat, Millriggs, on a discovery made by him of what ap- 

 peared to be the remains, or rather the debris, of old armour, 

 found in a drain near the source of the Corrie Water. Dr. 

 Grierson and Mr. Gibson were requested to examine and 

 report upon Dr. Moffat's communication at a future meeting 

 of the Society. 



