1882-83 ] Edinbttrgh Naturalists Field Club. 1 1 5 



With February, along with the Snowdrops, the Crocus pokes up 

 his smihng face. The yellow Jessamine is also bursting into 

 beauty, sprays of which I cut freely, as I find they bloom perfectly 

 well in water, clean out to the tip, if the buds are anything like 

 matured. Garrya elliptica, now due, cannot fulfil its obligations in 

 whole, having been nearly burned out. Daphne Mezereon presents 

 itself beforehand, along with Rhododendron dahuricum ; while we 

 are further comforted by dozens of Violets putting in an appearance. 

 Leucojum vernum, being in sympathy with Galanthus plicatus, 

 hangs its graceful bells ; while the Scilla upheaves the soil and 

 bursts its little folds. Erica herbacea is well forward. Pips of 

 Polyanthus and Primroses are quite plentiful, as are also charm- 

 ing blooms of always welcome purple, red, and white Hepatica. 

 Altogether a more delightful February I never remember, and in 

 a fit of exuberance I roll and cut the grass ! (The lowest reading 

 for the month was on the 19th : 28°.) 



Now that March has come, we think our different coloured 

 "regiments on the line" in fine form, and look grand as we march 

 past them, the sun beaming on their shining coats ! Further than 

 this foretaste we do not get, however, as from catching midges, 

 rolling on a sunny slope, we are engaged, a few days later on, 

 shovelling snow, more or less of which we have hardly been without 

 since. However, if there be any comfort in affliction, we have it in 

 the fact that a distinguished Edinburgh professor, writing from 

 Cannes to his family, states that, as regards weather, he might as 

 well be in Morningside ! On the rockery we notice Arabis lucida 

 looming forth, as if in mockery to the snow ; while red and white 

 Daisies are to be got flowering bravely, and whispering lovingly to 

 their companion, Aubrietia, to wake up, and with its purple rays 

 dissolve the snow. The Sedum, too, is putting on its spring coat ; 

 while the Sisyrinchium shakes out its purple bells. Primula den- 

 ticulata we behold tucked up in bed, and under the depressing cir- 

 cumstances we cannot expect him to rise just yet, but meantime 

 draw the curtain over him, and all our dear little ones, without a 

 doubting heart. May they smile upon us soon again ! 



XIX.— GEOLOGICAL NOTES ON A FEW OF THE EXCURSIONS. 



By Miss CRAIGIE. 



ST BAYIBS—May 27, 1882. 



On Saturday, May 27th, the Geological section of the Club examined 

 the rocks exposed on the shore between Inverkeithing and St 

 Davids. The crater-shaped cavity of Inverkeithing Bay is enclosed 



