ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 



Sir W. JARDINE. Bart., LL.D., F.R.S., F.L.S, 



ETC. ETC. ETC. 



8th December, 1865. 



Gentlemen, — I have the honor again to address you, 

 and for the third time to report the proceedings of our last 

 Summer Session and Excursions. 



The first summer excursion for the past year was fixed to 

 meet at Ecclefechan Station, to examine Birrens Werk Hill, 

 but from some cause that meeting was not well attended, 

 and no report was sent in. 



On the second excursion (6th June), the party met at 

 Dalbeattie Station, with the more special purpose of ex- 

 amining some lochs in Colvend in which the remains of 

 crannogs were said to be found, and proceeded at once by 

 omnibus to a loch near Clonyard. 



Barean Loch, of considerable extent and very irregular 

 form, has now a small island situate near its south end. 

 The surface of this had been recently laid bare, the water of 

 the loch having been lowered by draining ; previous to ihat, 

 and only in dry summers, a stone or two could be seen above 

 water. At the time this island was examined by the mem- 

 bers of the Society it was 23 feet 6 inches in diameter from 

 E. to W., 24 feet from N. to S. It has a peaty soil, but 

 upon this there is a flooring of oak slabs, which are laid in 



