Address of the President. 5 



and will be better understood by referring to the papers in 

 our Transactions for this year. Antiquarian details would be 

 unsuited for such observations as those I have now to make. 

 The geology is interesting, but this you have well described 

 m the papers by Professor Harkness, which are possessed by 

 the Society. The botany of the upper valley of the Mth, and 

 of the rich country passed through in approaching Durisdeer, 

 will repay a closer examination. Several rare plants are 

 known to occur. The juniper is abundant on many of the 

 hills in Tynron. 3Ieio7n athamantimm was gathered in the 

 upper part of the Durisdeer valley, and it is not uncommon 

 in many of the Nithsdale valleys, while in Annandale I do 

 not know of any habitat. The entomology of the district 

 passed through should be rich and varied, but although the 

 after part of the day was warm and brilliant, it was particu- 

 larly remarked that the Lepidoptera observed durmg the very 

 varied walk were comparatively few. 



Tlie second excursion of the Society was to Dundrennan 

 Abbey, and afterwards to examine the coast-line towards 

 Auchencairn. The starting-point may be said to be the sta- 

 tion at Dalbeatie, where various parties joined, and proceeded 

 by vehicles of different descriptions. A short detour enabled 

 them to visit the old tower of Orchardton, remarkable for its 

 circular form. It is a building of very considerable strength. 

 The walls are 5i feet thick, and are grouted together, like 

 many of the castles in this district, with sea-sand mixed with 

 shells. 



MaruUum vulgare, Verhasmm thapsus, and Myrrliis odorata 

 grew by the walls or near the building— the two first per- 

 haps introduced of old. A few plants of Scolopendrium vul- 

 gare grew inside; but the rare plant of the locality was the 

 Aqjlcnium cetcrach, which grew abundantly on tlie outside of 

 the tower, the greater part of it fortunately out of the reach 

 of wanton collectors. We were favoured with a bright day, 



