86 Transactions. 



and what is probably I'otaiuogetou ')dtens, a species that years ago 

 passed as the P. lanceolatus Smith in Britain. I liave seen 

 specimens so named tliat are unquestionably nitens. Search 

 should be made for these this season ; the first is very likely to 

 occur, and additional counties are recorded for it nearly every 

 year. Last year I received it from the Shetland Isles and the 

 Outer Hebrides, and it has occurred in Kirkcudbright. 



II. »S'o??ie of the Military PrejMrations in Dumfriesshire during 



the last ivar with France. 



By the Rev. Robert W. Weir, M.A. 



In Feliruary, 1793, the French Republic declared war against 

 Great Britain. With the exception of an interval of about a 

 twelvemonth after the peace of Amiens, and a shorter interval 

 after Bonaparte's retreat to Elba, this war lasted till the Battle 

 of Waterloo in 1815 caused the final overthrow of the great 

 soldier who for so long disturbed the peace of Europe. During 

 these 21 years our nation had to make great naval and military 

 preparations not only for foreign, but for home service. The 

 fear of invasion from France was never altogether absent, and 

 there were times when the people lived in constant dread of the 

 arrival of a French fleet, and the landing of a French army on 

 some part of the coast. During this period the patriotic spirit 

 of the nation was thoroughly roused, and there is evidence that 

 every preparation was made to resist an invading army. My 

 object in Avriting this paper is to describe the part which the 

 people of Dumfriesshire played in making preparation for the 

 defence of the County. 



When war was declared the Government had to be prepared 

 to resist not only invasion from abroad, but a spirit of rebellion 

 and dissatisfaction caused by some who were imbued with the 

 principles of the leaders of the French Revolution. Accordingly 

 the earliest measures taken for military preparations were 

 designed to resist both foes. In July, 1793, the ministers of 

 Dumfries read in both parish churches this declaration, and 

 intimated that all would have an opportunity of signing it : — 

 " We whose names are here subscribed do most solemnly declare 

 that we are firmly attached to the present happy Constitution as 

 established in King, Lords, and Commons ; that we detest all 



