UEPORTS ON EXCUnSlONS. 291 



district. A visit was made to the remains of the Abbey 

 buildings, where some interesting features of the ancient 

 structure were pointed out by the custodier, Mr. James Gibson. 

 The clock-tower was afterwards ascended, and some time wae 

 spent in enjoying the magnificent view obtainable from its 

 summit. On the arrival of the majority of the party by the 

 next train, the excursionists proceeded by way of Fergushill to 

 Montgreenan, where they were met by Mr. Bogie, laud steward, 

 who conducted them to various places of interest in the policies. 

 Sir James Bell of Montgreenan, himself a life-member of the 

 Society, showed his sympathy with the pursuits of the visitors 

 by kindly granting liberty of access to the beautiful woods on 

 his estate, and entertaining the company to tea at Montgreenan 

 House. The foliage of many of the trees in the park was already 

 glowing with brilliant autumnal tints, while the garden presented 

 a rich and varied floral display. By no means the least attractive 

 feature of the excursion was a walk along the banks of the 

 Lugton, where the winding path, passing between lines of stately 

 beeches, afforded delightful vistas of woodland and river scenery, 

 over which the shades of twilight had already begun to fall. 

 The estate of Montgreenan has been much improved by its later 

 proprietors, and especially by its present owner. Sir James Bell. 

 Although the woods afford conditions favourable to the growth 

 of fungi, there was not sufficient time available for making a 

 careful search, and those observed were mostly common species. 

 Erysiphe Martii, Lev., occurred on living leaves of Trifolium 

 medium, and produced in abundance its white mycelium, dotted 

 over with tiny black perithecia. Marsonia jJopuH (Lib.), Sacc, 

 was detected on fading leaves of poplar, and does not appear to 

 have been hitherto recorded for the West of Scotland. A Silver 

 Fir {Picea pectinata, Loudoun) on the side of the Lugton, which 

 was measured, had a girth of 8 ft. 10 ins. at 4 ft. on high side, 

 7 ft. 7 ins. on low side. 



Ardrossan, 8th April, 1905. — Joint with the West Kilbride 

 Natural History and Archaeological Society. Mr. D. A. Boyd, 

 Conductor. — There was an attendance of thirty. On arrival at 

 South Beach Station a visit was made to the garden, plant- 

 houses, and conservatories at Kilmeuy, which were made acces- 



