10 Proceedings of the Dimifriesshire and Galloway Society. 



AVith reference to this paper the president remarked, that from 

 the mass of fiction and fable with which the older writings on 

 Natural History were surcharged, we were apt to overlook many- 

 valuable hints and suggestions, and much information which we 

 might otherwise obtain from them. It was curious to remark that 

 in the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland, many of the 

 superstitious feelings and behefs of the present people bore a close re- 

 semblance to the stories related by the older naturalists. Many of 

 the lochs, for instance, were still the objects of superstitious fears 

 to the ignorant minds of the natives, as the abodes of monsters and 

 strange creatures resembling those described by Boethius. 



Dr. Grierson remarked that the wild horses mentioned by 

 Boethius as inhabiting Scotland might probably be Highland ponies. 

 He thought that the statement regarding the rejection by foxes of 

 their natural prey, when fed upon the flesh of the fox, was not 

 improbable, and certainly derived support from observations made 

 by himself upon his own dog. 



Extracts from the old Borough Eecords of Dumfries. By 

 Mr. M'Diarmid. 



On Circular Markings upon Eocks and Stones, with 

 special reference to some recently discovered near Lochgilp- 

 head in Argyleshire. By Dr. Dickson, Secretary. 



Dr. Grierson exhibited a pair of Jougs which were removed 

 from the cross of Minnyhive, Glencaim, in 1812, when it was 

 undergoing repair. 



Dr. Dickson laid upon the table a collection of coins 

 which had been found from time to time in trenching the 

 ground of the Crichton Institution. 



(French) 3 Gold pieces of Francis. 



1 Silver „ of Edward IV. 

 15 „ „ of Henry VIII. 

 5 „ „ of James V. 

 1 ? 



