2 Transnctioiiti. 



of the Holmesdale Natural History Club ; tbe United States' 

 Geological Survey Report for 1887 ; a photograph of the Urns 

 found in a cist at High Banks, Kirkcudbright, presented by Mr 

 John M'Kie ; five botanical papers presented by the author, Mr 

 G. F. Scott-Elliot. 



Secretary's Report. 



The Secretary (Dr Edward J. Chinnock) read his' annual 

 report : — There are now \^f) members on the roll of our Society, 

 of whom 23 are honorary members, 7 life members, and 105 

 ordinary members. Four new honorary members were elected 

 during the session — Mr J. G. Baker, F.R.S., of Kew, and our 

 own townsmen, Messrs William Hastings, Walter Lennon, and 

 Robert Barbour, the late secretary. A considerable number of 

 members resigned on account of the subscription being increased, 

 but 1 7 new members have been elected. If this rate of increase 

 is maintained, we shall soon regain our former numbers, and 

 thei-e will be little difficulty in even rising beyond them, if the 

 same interest is taken in the work of the Society as has been 

 shown during the past session. The removal from the district of 

 Drs Anstruther Davidson and John Cunningham has been a loss 

 to the Society. Among the members who have been removed by 

 death may be mentioned Mr Walter Grierson of Chapelmount ; 

 Dr W. S. Kerr ; Rev. James M'Farlan, of Ruthwell ; Captain 

 Constable Maxwell of Terregles ; and Mr J. H. Maxwell, of . 

 Crtstle-Douglas — all men of mark. 



Eight evening meetings and three field meetings have been 

 held. At the former 17 papers were read, some of them of 

 considerable value and interest. Without detracting from ths 

 merit of other contributors, the communications of Messrs 

 Dudgeon, Andson, Scott-Elliot, J. R. Wilson, and G. F. Black 

 may be mentioned as particularly worthy of notice. The field 

 meetings were well attended and enthusiastic. It is hoped that 

 the excursion to the Border, planned for September, which was 

 omitted on account of unsettled weather, may be made next June. 



The thanks of the Society are due to Messrs Andson, 

 M Andrew, and Scott- Elliot for their valuable scientific 

 researches during the past session. Mr Scott-Elliot especially 

 has been actively employed in collecting materials for our her- 

 barium, which under his indefatigable management promises to 



