1 8 9 r>- 9 7 . ] Notes on the Summer Excursions of 1 896. 297 



the curator, Captain Turbayne ; and here and in botanising on 

 the shore a very interesting day was spent, 

 ^ Amongst the plants gathered on the shore, mostly near 

 Keppel Pier, were Lobelia Dortmanna, Cotyledon Umbilicus 

 CEnanthe Lachenalii, Ligusticum (Haloscias) scoticum, &c. 



X. — Crichton and Borthwick. 



On Saturday, June 27, under the leadership of the Secre- 

 tary, there was an excursion to Crichton and Borthwick 

 Beaching Tynehead Station soon after two o'clock, the party 

 proceeded at once to Crichton Castle, noticing the limestone 

 quarries and the church on the way. 



The massive ruins of the once magnificent castle of Crich- 

 ton stand above the right bank of the Tyne, and a little to 

 the south of the ancient church. This church, originally col- 

 legiate, for a provost and eight . prebendaries, was founded in 

 1449, and dedicated to SS. Mary and Kentigern. The ori- 

 ginal plan was cruciform, but the nave was never built, and it 

 now comprises a chancel with transepts and a massive ' square 

 saddle-backed tower. 



After exploring the castle, the party botanisecl through the 

 glen to Borthwick, where the castle, built by Sir William 

 (afterwards Lord) Borthwick, and which still remains in per- 

 fect preservation, one of the finest examples of the peel 

 towers of Scotland, was visited. It measures 74 feet by 69 

 feet, the height to the battlements being 90 feet, and the walls 

 at the lower part 15 feet in thickness. 



^ Amongst the plants gathered during this excursion were 

 Carex stellulata, C. fiava, C. arenaria, C. glauca, and C. palu- 

 dosa ; Filago germanica, Leontodon hispidus, Hieracium 

 aurantiacum, Sambucus Ebulus (a new station), and Lycopsis 

 arvensis. 



XL — Ravelston. 



On Wednesday, July 1, there was an evening excursion to 

 Ravelston, where the party was most kindly received by Miss 

 Murray Gartshore and Mr Keith Murray, by whom they were 

 shown over the policies and gardens. 



