1906-1907.] Cup-Marked Stones. 415 



These are some of the subjects recommended to the atten- 

 tion of the Corresponding Societies : at the York Conferences 

 the making of meteorological records, chiefly as to rainfall, 

 was shown to be desirable in many districts, — not in Edinburgh, 

 where public records are kept. Another subject discussed was 

 the desirability of promoting county photographic surveys. In 

 this we could do a good deal. 



Lastly, the matter which interests us most was discussed at 

 the Cambridge meeting, and the Committee recommended it 

 strongly to Corresponding Societies — viz., to 'promote, as far as 

 they could, Natiore Study. Nature Study is the raison d'etre 

 of the Edinburgh Field Naturalists, 



One remark made by Principal Griffiths at Cambridge 

 cannot be too often repeated to societies like ours. " There 

 can be no doubt," he said, " that the best work done by the 

 smaller societies is that of instruction in the current progress 

 of science, and the presentation of the matter in such a form 

 as to rouse interest in scientific pursuits." In fact, our chief 

 function, and that of societies like ours, is to act as a current 

 events club for the science or sciences we represent ; and by 

 conversational demonstrations, rather than by formal lectures, 

 to aid each other to follow the great advances that are being 

 made, particularly now, in our knowledge of nature. 



Xil.— CUP-MARKED STONES. 



By Colonel JAMES SCONCE. 



{Read Jan. 23,1907.) 



Befoke asking your attention for a short time to those obscure 

 relics of antiquity, cup-marked stones, I beg to be allowed 

 to make my acknowledgments to our President for the favour 

 he has shown to me in permitting me to read a paper on this 

 subject, which has become of personal interest to me, while it 

 can hardly be said to be one such as is ordinarily included 

 among the researches of Field Naturalists, 



