—1899-1900.] Notes on the Excursions of 1900. 109 
_ attempt to visit the district, as rain was falling heavily, and 
this continued till about 4 pw. When those members who 
_ travelled by the afternoon train reached Stirling, they were 
| met by the morning party, and an informal meeting was held 
| to determine what should be done. Some resolved to return 
home by the first train, and others to proceed to Howietoun, 
despite the inclemency of the weather. A ’bus was ulti- 
mately hired, and the party set out for the Hatchery. 
_ A separate account of the visit then paid, and of the 
interesting processes witnessed and described, has been 
drawn up, and will be found farther on (see p. 114). 
Despite the dismal weather and the damp grass, our visit 
was most thoroughly enjoyed, and a cordial vote of thanks 
was given to Mr Thomson, the manager, for the trouble 
he had taken and for the amount of interesting informa- 
tion he had imparted to the members. 
IX—LOWER ELF LOCH. 
On the evening of Wednesday, June 13, a small party 
visited the loch in the Mortonhall grounds, through the 
courtesy of Mr Mackenzie, factor on the estate. The resources 
_ of this loch—the “Elf Loch” proper—have repeatedly been 
brought under the notice of the members of the Society, in 
- connection with the labours of .our members, Mr Thos. Scott, 
F.LS., and Mr J. Lindsay, on the “Upper Elf Loch,” as 
_ they have named the neighbouring sheet of water, On 
the occasion of this visit a number of interesting specimens 
_ were collected. 
X.—LIBERTON NURSERIES. 
_ A large party met at Newington station at 3 P.M. on 
Saturday, June 16. Before proceeding to Bridgend, a visit 
__was paid to the grounds of the Royal Blind Asylum. Mr 
_ Murray opened one of his frame hives to allow of a close 
_ inspection of the bees at work, and at the same time showed 
