180 Field Meetings. 



they resumed their seats in the waggonettes for the homeward 

 journey by way of St. Quern's Well, Cargen, reaching Dumfries 

 shortly before eight o'clock. 



LocHMABEN AND Bruck's Castle. — btlt Jtme, 1886. 



The second Field Meeting was held on the 5th June, when, 

 according to arrangements, it was made a joint excursion with 

 the Scottish Natural History Club, Edinburgh. About forty 

 Dumfries members left by the 11.15 train for Lochmaben, and 

 on arrival they were joined by others from that district. As the 

 Edinburgh Club was not expected until 1.30, the party decided 

 to visit Wood Castle, an old Roman camp about a mile distant, 

 and the botanists could have an opportunity of exploring the 

 adjoining marsh, and the two small lochs near the station. 

 Having met the Edinburgh Club, and being re-inforced by 

 fifteen other members who came by a later train, the party 

 proceeded to the Town Hall, where several interesting antiquities 

 were exliibited by Mr Rae, S.S.C., including the town's records, 

 and some old instruments of torture. From here they went to 

 the schoolhouse, where Mr Clark showed some fine geological 

 specimens, a spear head, and several relics of the lake dwelling 

 which he had " fished up " in the Castle Loch. Arriving at the 

 Castle Loch, the majority crossed it in five boats, while the 

 timorous members preferred walking around it to Bruce's Castle. 

 Having assembled in the centre of that old and noble ruin, a 

 short business meeting was held, when Dr Grierson presided, and 

 welcomed the members of the Edinburgh Club to this district. 

 Mr Craig Christie, r.L.S., secretary of the Edinburgh Club, read 

 letters of apology for absence from the President and Vice-Presi- 

 dent of that Society, and expressed the pleasure on behalf of the 

 members present, which they had in visiting that interesting and 

 historical district. The local secretary read a letter from the 

 Rev. W. Graham, expressing regret at not being able through 

 indisposition to conduct the party as he had kindly promised to 

 do. Mr Graham, however, contributed important details i-espect- 

 ing the excursion, and with the assistance of Messrs Rae and 

 Clarke, it was in every respect successful. 



Having spent two hours in examining the ruins, botanizing on 

 the island, and dragging the loch for water plants, they again 



