Transactions. 143 



clasp knife, to detach those growing on trees, &c., a geological 

 hammer and well tempered chisel to split ofl' pieces of rocks. 

 The specimens should be wrapped in soft paper, labelled with 

 locality and date, and might be carried home in a satchel. He 

 gave instructions for the drying and examination, and recom- 

 mended Lindsay's Popular History of Lichens as a useful book 

 to beginners. 



mh March, 1886. 

 Dr Grikrson presiding. Twenty-six members present. 



Deceased Member. — On the motion of tlie Secretary, it was 

 agreed to record the loss sustained by tlie death of Mr W. 

 Adamson, who had taken an active part in the Society since its 

 foundation, and who had for several years acted as Honorary 

 Treasurer. 



ISleiv Members.— Dy 3 . Callander, Dunscore, and Mr J. M'Veigh, 

 Dumfries. 



Doncdions. — The Secretary laid on the table thirteen parts of 

 the Linnean Society's Proceedings, as a donation from W. D. 

 Robinson-Douglas, Esq. ; the Annual Report of the Bureau of 

 Ethnology 1882-83, from the Smithsonian Institution. Mr S. 

 Chrystie presented a collection of birds' eggs from the district. 



Exhibits. — Tlie Chairman exhibited a bronze spear-head found 

 at Bowhouse, Carlaverock, and an old engraving of "The Pillars " 

 a shop which stood in the corner of Bank Street and High Street. 

 Mr Starke exhibited a number of engravings of Sir Walter Scott, 

 some of which he remarked were very rare. 



Communications. 

 I. A Stoic Philosopher's Fieir of the Deity. By Rector Chinnock. 

 The author gave an interesting iucount of the old Stoic school 

 of philosophers, and submitted a reswiU of the teachings of 

 Epictetus in reference to the Deity. 



II. An Hotir with the Old Scottish Balladists. 

 By Mr W. M'Dowall. 



