168 Field Meetings. 
from that gentleman’s Guide Book to the Stewartry, giving the 
traditionary account of Bruce’s combat with Sir Walter Selby, 
and of Bruce conferring these lands on the Sprottes of Urr. 
It was remarked that plants were in blossom about three 
weeks earlier than last year, and the following among others 
were found during the day :—Cardamine hirsuta, Draba verna, 
Sisymbrium Alliaria, Viola sylvatica, var. Riviniana, Lychnus diurna, 
Geranium lucidum (a new locality), Gewm rivale, Bunium flexuosum, 
Adoxa moschatellina (very fine specimen), and Aspidiwm acaleatum, 
var. lobutum. About 40 specimens of mosses were picked up, 
including hypnum alopecurum in fruit. 
Parton AND Locnu Ken.—6th June, 1885. 
The second excursion of the session was held under most 
favourable auspices, for the weather for three or four days prior 
was warm and summer-like, and the district to be visited had 
every attraction that the members could wish. Accordingly, a 
larger party than usual left by the early train for Parton Station, 
and on reaching Castle-Douglas their number was increased by a 
few members from Kirkcudbright. On arriving at Parton they 
were met by Mr M‘Andrew, of New-Galloway; the Rev. Mr 
Pattullo, Mr Pattullo, jr., and others. Mr Pattullo having 
kindly invited the Society to luncheon, now offered to guide the 
party to places of interest in the district. The first place visited 
was the Slate Quarries, but as these had not been worked for 
several years the loose debris only could be examined, although 
the geologists had a good opportunity of inspecting the various 
cuttings. A halt was made for about an hour here, when the 
president, Dr Gilchrist, described the various details of splitting 
the slate, and mentioned the various characteristics of this rock. 
The botanists explored the adjoining woods and fields until 
1 p.m., whew it was arranged that the party should assemble at 
the Old Church. The modern church was erected in 1824, but 
in the churchyard adjoining are the remains of its predecessor, 
which had been built in 1592. 
Mr Barbour, V.-P. (architect), described the old building, and 
now supplies the following note :— 
The Church of Parton is situated on the banks of the Dee, and near it 
within the churchyard are the remains of an older church, said to have 
