Traimaclions. 83 



person is speaking well of one, but should tlie sensation be in 

 the left ear then the opposite is the case. The itching of 

 the foot, again, is supposed to indicate that the person ex- 

 periencing it will shortly walk on strange ground; while an 

 itching palm is appropriately associated with the coming of 

 money. When anyone happens to sneeze he is asked, " Wha's 

 kirn hae ye been at ] " A hiccough is also looked upon as an 

 evidence of theft, but not necessarily of the same specific 

 character. The dock leaf is still popular as a cure for nettle- 

 sting, and children continue to interrogate the feathery seed 

 heads of the dandelion as to the time of day, carefully regulating, 

 no doubt, the force of the respective puffs so as to ensure an 

 approximately correct answer. The luck of a sprig of four-leaved 

 clover is, of course, proverbial ; but it may not be so generally 

 known that equal importance was at one time attached to the 

 finding of a Saint John nut, or a nut with two kernels. There 

 are a number of minor superstitions more or less intimately 

 connected with the home, which we may here briefly summarise. 

 A " flichen " on the grate or the tongs falling foretells the coming 

 of visitors. The kettle " sobbing " on the fire is an intimation 

 that some long-absent friend will shortly return. If the kettle is 

 allowed to boil longer than is desirable it is said "to boil a' the lads 

 away." A speck on the flame of a candle heralds the coming of 

 a letter, and if the letter is already on the way the speck is 

 expected to fall when the candlestick has been given a sharp rap 

 on the table. Froth forming on the top of a cup of tea indicates 

 riches, while the grounds at the bottom reveal the secrets of 

 futurity. 



6th March, 1S91. 

 Mr Robert Murray in the Cliair. 



New Member. — Dr Anstruther Davidson, of Los Angeles, 

 California, formerly of Sanquhar, was elected an honorary 

 member. 



Donations. — The United States Geological Survey Report for 

 1887-8 ; the Transactions of the Canadian Institute, Toronto, 

 October, 1890; Transactions of the Banffshire Field Club, 1887-8 ; 



