Field Meetings. 183 
Morton Caste, GATELAW Bripce, AND CricHope Linn. 
3d July, 1886. 
The third Field Meeting was held in the Thornhill District on 
the above date, when a party numbering thirty-six left Dumfries 
station by the morning train. On arriving at Thornhill they 
were joined by Dr Grierson and eight other members, and pro- 
ceeded immediately in waggonettes to Morton Castle. From the 
Castle they walked to the ruins of Morton old church, and this 
interesting building was described by Rev. Mr Oswald, who also 
gave a short account of its history. 
Resuming their seats in the conveyances they proceeded to 
Crichope Linn, without calling at Gatelaw Bridge Quarries. 
Several hours were here spent in rambling through the woods 
and enjoying the scenery of that romantic glen, but very few 
botanical “finds” were made. The party returned to Dumfries 
by the 7.30 p.m. train from Closeburn. In the unavoidable 
absence of the Secretary, Mr T. Brown conducted the party. 
KIRKCONNELL Lea AND Birrens Camp.—7th August, 1886. 
The fourth Field Meeting was held in the Annandale district, 
when a party numbering 22 left Dumfries by 9.15 a.m. train for 
Lockerbie. On arrival, they were joined by two other members, 
and proceeded in conveyances to Ecclefechan, where a halt was 
made for a short time to permit those who had not seen Carlyle’s 
house to visit it. After duly examining all that could be seen, 
the drive was continued to Kirtlebridge, and from there the 
party proceeded on foot up the beautiful and romantic glen 
through which the Kirtle Water flows, as far as “ Fair Ellen’s 
Bower.” An obliging forester conducted the party thence to the 
spot at which “ Fair Ellen of Kirkconnell Lea” was shot, and 
also to her grave. Having botanized for a couple of hours in the 
glen, the old Churchyard of Kirkconnell was next visited, where 
there are several old and curious tombstones. Returning to. 
Kirtlebridge, the drive was continued to Merkland Cross, which 
_ Stands near the roadside, not far from the village of that name. 
This cross is octagonal at the base, tapering to the top, and 
measures 9 feet high. It is supposed to have been erected in 
