60 Field Meetings. 



line, "An honest man is tlie noblest work of God;" and under- 

 neath this, on the same pane, is the name Jean Lorimer, also 

 written by him. From Ellisland the walk was continued to 

 Friars' Carse, and on arriving at the Hermitage there, they were 

 met by Mr Nelson's keeper, who conducted them to see a number 

 of sculptured stones and old stone crosses which a former pro- 

 prietor had collected. A megalithic circle in a wood about a 

 mile from the mansion-house was next visited. This consists of 

 about fifty stones, varying from three to five feet in height, 

 arranged around a larger one in the centre. All the stones 

 appear to be quarried and of a recent date. The lacustrine 

 dwelling in the loch was next visited, a footway having been 

 made to it with branches of trees and brushwood. The outline 

 may still l)e discerned from the number of upright oaken beams 

 protruding through the mud and abpve the water. 



Owing to the lateness of the season, very few botanical 

 specimens were collected, Cardamine amara and the butter-bur, 

 Petasites vulgaris, along the banks of the Nith, being the only 

 rarities. 



Orciiardton Tower and Orchardton. — 4</i June, 1887. 



The second Field Meeting of the session was held on Saturday, 

 4th June, when, on the invitation of Mr Robinson-Douglas, 

 Orchardton Old Tower and the district around Orchardton 

 mansion-house were visited. Owing to the heavy rains in the 

 early morning, and to the constant downpour at the hour of 

 starting (nine o'clock), only fourteen members assembled at the 

 Dumfries Station, and proceeded to Dalbeattie. On their arrival 

 at Dalbeattie, fortune seemed to smile upon the "earnest few," 

 for there was a break in the clouds, and by the time the pai-ty 

 had taken their seats in the waggonette which was in waiting, 

 the rain had ceased. From Dalbeattie to Orciiardton the drive 

 was most enjoyable, the beauty of the sceneiy being enhanced 

 by the refreshing rain ; and, as glimpses of the sun were occa- 

 sionally obtained, the pai-ty congratulated themselves on the 

 prospect of a pleasant day. The first halt was made at Orchard- 

 ton Old Tower, where an hour was spent in sketching the ruin 

 or botanising in the district. As the door of the building was 

 opened for the party, the majority ascended to the top by the 

 spiral staircase, where a good view of the surrounding district 



