60 Field Meetings. 
line, ‘‘ An honest man is the noblest work of God ;” and under- 
neath this, on the same pane, is the name Jean Lorimer, also 
written by him. From Ellisland the walk was continued to 
Friars’ Carse, and on arriving at the Hermitage there, they were 
met by Mr Nelson’s keeper, who conducted them to see a number 
of sculptured stones and old stone crosses which a former pro- 
prietor had collected. A megalithic circle in a wood about a 
mile from the mansion-house was next visited. This consists of 
about fifty stones, varying from three to five feet in height, 
arranged around a larger one in the centre. All the stones 
appear to be quarried and of a recent date. The lacustrine 
dwelling in the loch was next visited, a footway having been 
made to it with branches of trees and brushwood. The outline 
may still be discerned from the number of upright oaken beams 
protruding through the mud and above the water. 
Owing to the lateness of the season, very few botanical 
specimens were collected, Curdamine amara and the butter-bur, 
Petasites vulgaris, along the banks of the Nith, being the only 
rarities. 
ORcCHARDTON TowER AND OrcHARDTON.—4th June, 1887. 
The second Field Meeting of the session was held on Saturday, 
4th June, when, on the invitation of Mr Robinson-Douglas, 
Orchardton Old Tower and the district around Orchardton 
mansion-house were visited. Owing to the heavy rains in the 
early morning, and to the constant downpour at the hour of 
starting (nine o’clock), only fourteen members assembled at the 
Dumfries Station, and proceeded to Dalbeattie. On their arrival 
at Dalbeattie, fortune seemed to smile upon the “earnest few,” 
for there was a break in the clouds, and by the time the party 
had taken their seats in the waggonette which was in waiting, 
the rain had ceased. From Dalbeattie to Orchardton the drive 
was most enjoyable, the beauty of the scenery being enhanced 
by the refreshing rain; and, as glimpses of the sun were occa- 
sionally obtained, the party congratulated themselves on the 
prospect of a pleasant day. The first halt was made at Orchard- 
ton Old Tower, where an hour was spent in sketching the ruin 
or botanising in the district. As the door of the building was 
opened for the party, the majority ascended to the top by the 
spiral staircase, where a good view of the surrounding district 
