RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS IN AYRSHIRE. 25 



under a heap of 1500 cart loads of stones. When it was at first 

 laid bare several skeletons, placed in a sitting position, were got 

 inside of it. 



Before leaving Largs the Skelmorlie Aisle, erected in 1636, one 

 of the most magnificent sepulchral monuments in Scotland, was 

 visited. Near to it stands the old "Court Hill" of Largs, a 

 monument of a more primitive type. 



A second excursion to the Portincross and Fairlie districts was 

 made on 4th April, 1892, the route taken being the same as the 

 previous one, but in the reverse order. 



A number of spring flowers were noted, but none of special 

 rarity. The Old Rock Shelter, near to the Wishing Well, was 

 inspected. When it was explored several years ago a number of 

 archaeological relics were discovered, an account of which will be 

 found in the Archaeological and Historical Collections relating to 

 the Counties of Ayr and Wigton; vol. ii., page 89. Near to this 

 place— at Hawking Craig— was found the very interesting relic 

 known as the Hunterston Brooch, thought to be about 1000 

 years old. It is now in the National Museum at Edinburgh. 

 At Portincross Castle Mr. John Stewart read a few interesting 

 notes on the castle and its surroundings. Near it there is a 

 Spanish Armada cannon. 



Fourteen species of mosses were gathered, among which was 

 Rhyncostcgium tenellum—a moss not noted in the list of the 

 Fauna and Flora of Clydesdale (1876). 

 } J Nine specimens of lichens were seen, but none of these were 

 of uncommon occurrence. 



Among birds the wheatear (Saxicola cenanthe) was the only 

 summer visitant noted. 



The excursion from West Kilbride to Ardrossan took place 

 on 28th April, 1894, thirty members turning out to it. Law 

 Castle was first visited, and then the lower reaches of the West 

 Kilbride Burn were followed, and near the mouth of it, on the 

 left bank, was seen the remnant of an old fort which was explored 

 some years ago— an account of which will be found in the 

 Archaeological and Historical Collections above referred to, where 

 some of the antiquities found have been figured. The locality is 

 further interesting from the fact that a number of urns containing 



