60 Dr Akohibald's "Curiosities of Dumfries." 



I went and viewed that well at Castledykes within a mile of 

 this town, and saw it yet running. But it's contirmed by all who 

 kuow it, and particularly one to be believed who dwelt there 

 long, told for confirmation that he knew it these 40 years and 

 never knew it run or spring in the winter, though never so rainy, 

 and in the summer never dry up in the greatest drought. It is a 

 pleasant and plentiful spring in summer, as I have observed. 



And within half a mile (or less) of it upon the other side of a 

 little height is anotlier well which dryes up for three or four 

 mouths in the latter end of winter. But I am not so certain of 

 this last. 



SERPENTS. 



Here I was told that the slow worm was found at Closeburn 

 House, near the gate, and at the castle meadow at Cockpool. 



Near this and within 20 miles was a young gentleman who 

 in a hot summer's day did readily slip into a moss and catch an 

 adder, which he presently thrust into his bosom, and kept it there 

 for a while without any hurt and then dismissed it, 



I saw a country woman here out of whose inferior propen- 

 dant ear lob did spring such a flow of blood that she was almost 

 gone, and thereafter when I saw her I could not perceive the 

 least vestige of any aperture. 



I have some pieces of a growing stone which I carried from 

 the bulk of a fi-agment (but not found here). I was persuaded of 

 the growing of it by many worthy persons and eye witnesses, 

 and handled and saw it myself. 



I saw and felt those horns (whereof I did give account in my 

 tirst) issuing out of all a boy's extremities, and resembling young 

 goat's horns till they acquire a due bigness and then fall off and 

 others succeed. 



Within 24 miles at a place within a mile and a half of the sea 

 did fall a shower of herrings which covered near an half acre of 

 ground. They were alive and eaten by gentlemen who told me 

 when I came there (which was a little thereafter) concerning 

 them. They soon dyed and quickly spoyled. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr Barbour, architect, said he rose not to make any remarks 

 about the paper but to thank Mr Macdonaid for bringing it before 

 the society. It was, he thought, the last work his father proposed 



