6 Address of the President. 



aud from Orchardton had a beautiful drive, with fine views of 

 Auchencairn Bay, Heston Island, and the distant English 

 hills. The hedges Avere now covered with honeysuckle in full 

 flower. 



The approach to Dundrennan, and first view of the grey 

 old abbey, is very fine ; but, for the reasons before mentioned, 

 we shall not now enter into its history. There is a good 

 description printed in a 4to volimie, with engravings of the 

 principal carvings and tombs, entitled " Memorials of Dun- 

 drennan Abbey, by the Eev. A. B. Hutchinson, B.D." A 

 copy of this is kept at the village for the use of visitors, A 

 review of this work, with copious extracts, also appeared in 

 the " Dumfries and Galloway Courier," of 29th June 1858. 

 It is a great satisfaction to see this fine ruin cared for and 

 protected by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. 



In the joints of the walls, and among loose stones, several 

 specimens of Clcmsilia nigricans were picked up. Asjjlenium 

 trichomancs grew abundantly on the inside walls. 



The shore was struck at Port St. Mary. In the garden 

 there, several plants indicated a mild winter and spring. 

 There are fine specimens of Laurus ndbilis, or sweet bay. 

 Budlea gldbosa was a large plant ; and a Camellia had stood 

 out without protection in winter. 



The coast here is very rugged and precipitous, in some 

 places rising into cliffs ; but from the tide not coming up to 

 their base, sea-fowl do not breed at any part, but various 

 hawks nestle among the rocks — a great portion is clothed with 

 natural vegetation, which yields a rich treat to the botanist. 

 In some of the caves and hollow parts of the rocks, where a 

 little stream trickles over, are beautiful fern houses. Scolopen- 

 drium rnilgai-e and Asplcnium marinum cover the roof and 

 sides in the greatest profusion and luxuriance, and may be 

 studied from the earliest state to their highest development. 

 A list of the principal plants observed is given, but the whole 

 district has to be carefully botanised. Among the plants 



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