214 REV. THOMAS RIDDELL's ADDRESS. 



as Myosotis sylvatica, and several of the willow tribe, which beautified 

 the banks of the river with their rich inflorescence and fresh-coloured 

 foliage. During the months of March and April, the season had been 

 remarkably forward ; little more than the hundi'edth part of an inch 

 of rain had fallen during those months, and for several weeks the heat 

 of the sun was fully equal to that in high summer weather. In con- 

 sequence, vegetation had correspondingly advanced : many trees were 

 in full foliage, the hawthorn had expanded its beautiful and fragrant 

 blossoms, and the clear musical note of the thrush brought delight to 

 the ear of the attentive natural observer. While on the subject of the 

 earliness of the season, it may not be uninteresting to remark, that, 

 while the cuckoo's plaintive note was not heard last year till the 10th 

 of May, in the present year it was observed as early as the middle of 

 April. After leaving the river, the members walked to Learmouth 

 Bog, an extensive morass, containing a number of wild fowl, and a 

 very considerable quantity of rare plants ; but, at the present season 

 of the year, vegetation had not there made much progress. A few 

 shells (Helix, Planorbis, &c.) were collected, but none new to the 

 district occurred ; and no insects were obtained. In consequence of 

 the prevalence of an easterly wind, accompanied with occasional 

 showers, none of those beautifully delicate inhabitants of the upper 

 regions were on the wing. 



After the minutes of the last meeting had been read, Dr F. Douglas 

 proposed Mr Collingwood of Glanton Pyke, and Mr Jonathan Melrose 

 of Coldstream, and Dr Clarke proposed Mr John B. Langhorne, as 

 members of the Club. These gentlemen were elected unanimously. 



Mr Selby presented a list of insects taken by Mr Hardy in the 

 neighbourhood of the Pease Bridge. 



Dr Johnston announced the occurrence of the Arvicola riparia at 

 Mayfield in Berwickshire ; and of the Tusk in Berwick Bay. 



Our June meeting (Wednesday, 17th) was at Head Chesters, in the 

 parish of Cockburnspath. Present, Eev. T. Eiddell, Eev. A. Baird, 

 Dr Clarke, Mr Selby, Mr Melrose, Dr Johnston ; and Mr Tancred, a 

 visitor. 



After breakfast, we proceeded southward in the direction of DoR^law. 

 A few beetles were found sheltering under stones, but a very strong 

 westerly gale, which blew all day, attended with smart showers pre- 

 vented almost every other insect from appearing. 



From the farm at Dowlaw we walked down to the Dean, and entered 

 it near a small rough plantation, just opposite to a tiny waterfall, 

 which trickled down in front of a perpendicular rock. Leaving the 

 higher part of the Dean unvisited, we scrambled downwards to the 

 sea, through a very rude and desolate region, with more stones than 

 plants in it. Here, however, we met with the Eose-root, Ehodiola 



