1896-97-] Notes on the Summer Excursions of 1896. 293 



ists, teeming as it does with varied forms of animal and vegetable life ; 

 whilst in the landlocked lochs collecting may be pursued on shore, or by 

 dredge in from 60 to 100 fathoms, and in weather which would render it 



impossible to work on a more exposed coast. 



The late David Robertson, LL.D., for many years strongly advocated 

 Millport us a centre for a permanent station for the study of Marine 

 Zoology and Botany, and in the autumn of 1893 he and Mr George M'Crie 

 of Glasgow got a committee formed who took the matter up, and appealed 

 to the public for funds to enable them to erect a station at Millport. 

 Having collected £800, building was commenced in August 1896, when 

 Dr Robertson cut the first sod. The foundation-stone was laid on October 

 17 in the same year, but Dr Robertson was unable to be present, being con- 

 fined to bed by serious illness, from which he died on November 20, 

 within eight days of completing his ninetieth year. 



The new station is situated near Keppel Pier, and is of two stories. 

 On the ground-flour is the caretaker's house, with the laboratory, which 

 can be converted into ten separate workrooms if necessary. The top flat 

 is, with the exception of a small private room, entirely devoted to the pur- 

 pose of a museum, lighted from the roof and by one large window facing 

 south. 



NOTES ON THE SUMMER EXCURSIONS OF 1896. 



By Dr DAVIES, President. 



I. — Linlithgow. 



The summer meetings commenced on Saturday, May 2, when 

 an excursion was made to Linlithgow, with the object of visit- 

 ing the Palace and exploring the loch and the surrounding 

 district. The party spent some time in the town, and, under 

 the guidance of Mr T. A. D. Wood, inspected the Palace and 

 the adjoining Church of St Michael. 



The burgh of Linlithgow is of very ancient origin. Sibbald says that it 

 was founded by King Achaius, and that there was once here a stone cross 

 bearing the name of King Cay's Stone, which he regarded as a corruption 

 of King Achaius's Stone. In 1298 Edward I. passed through the town on 

 his way to Falkirk, and in 1301 he took up his winter quarters there and 

 erected a castle, part of which still exists at the north-east comer of the 

 Palace. The town at one time contained a number of houses belonging to 

 the Knights of St John, all of which have long since been removed. The 

 Cross Well, built in 1S07, occupies the site of the Market Cross, originally 

 erected in 1620. The house from which Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh shot 



