36 Transactions. 



depth of the incised letters. The " a " i-ead in the old form, 

 giving- " chea," I also assume as an "r," giving " cher " ; the 

 part suggesting the cross bar of the a Jj} may have been more 

 distinct formerly, but at present it looks too indefinite for 

 decision, and may also have been improved upon in the drawing. 

 If you compare the enclosed tracing from my sketch with the 

 drawing in the " Proceedings of the Dumfries and Galloway 

 Society, 1863-8," I think you will see that there is an inaccuracy 

 in the shape of the stone with " chea." If this is so, the drawing 

 may be otherwise inaccurate — a stone could'nt grow. 



In their present position the lines of the figure fit in quite 

 correctly with the upper and lower stones. If they would do so 

 reversed could, of course, only be ascertained by comparing a 

 rubbing with the stone. 



As to the word " quondam," is it not rather out of place to 

 read it between " prioressa " and " qui obiit ? " 



My object, of course, is not to overturn any theory, but while 

 looking at the stone it struck me that the lady might be associ- 

 ated with the locality as a probable benefactress to the Abbey, 

 else why find a prioress (?) buried in such a place. 



lltli January, 189 If. 



The Eev. William Andson, Vice-President, in the chair. 



New Members. — Mr George Campion, Sheriff-Substitute ; 

 the Rev. John R. Denham, St. John's. 



Donationc. — The Transactions of the Stirling Natural History 

 and ArchaBological Society, 1892-3 ; Annals of the New York 

 Academy of Sciences, 1893 ; Transactions of ditto, 1862-3 ; Pro- 

 ceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, 1885-9 ; 

 Four Communion Tokens, presented by Mr R. Rogerson — 

 "Moniaive, 1776; Dumfries, 1766; Sanquhar, 1750; Thornhill, 



1828." 



Communications. 



i. — Botanical Notes for the Moffat District for iSg2-gs. 

 By Mr John Thorburn Johnstone. 



During the summer of 1892 I had very little time to spare 

 for botanical pursuits, and as a result have not much to record for 

 the season. 



