Cist AND Urn FounpD aT CREETOWN. 79 
clay, is five inches in diameter at the top, six inches in depth, 
and about half-an-inch thick. It is composed of three layers, 
the outer and inner being brown and the centre quite black. 
The urn contained small bones and dust, which appeared to have 
been put in after cremation, and one little bit of skull was quite 
easily detected.’’ 
Ist February, 1907. 
Chairman—Mr R. SErvicE, V.P. 
REPTILIA AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE CAIRN District. By Dr 
J. W. Martin. 
I now conclude the third and last group of the Fauna of 
Glencairn, which deals with the reptiles and amphibians. This 
is not an extensive or numerous group, as the divisions will show, 
probably owing to the extensive cultivation of the land during 
Jast century, and the drainage of the soil, thus driving out the 
inhabitants of the marshes and more secluded parts of the dis- 
trict. ‘The members as represented are for the most part small, 
and seemingly unimportant, but, no doubt, they fulfil a useful 
purpose in the general economy of Nature, and on that account 
commend themselves to our closest study and attention. We 
have no fossil remains such as exist in other parts of Scotland, 
though traces are to be found in the eastern parts of Dumfries- 
shire of saurians or amphibians, as recorded by Sir William 
Jardine, a past president of this society. Might I recommend 
to those who have the time and opportunity to spend part of the 
summer in the examination and dredging of inland ponds and 
marshes, and the search of secluded areas such as abound in 
woods and hill districts, for what may be found of the obscure 
animals we are dealing with to-night? I have to apologise for 
the absence of specimens at present. 
1. Lizard (Lacerta vivipara), called newts, asks, and 
mankeepers in the country.—I have often seen specimens of this 
harmless little animal, especially during the month of Augnst, 
when out on the hills. It is very quick in its movements, and, 
like other members of its family, readily parts with its tail, 
