248 DR Douglas's address. 



colours puttiug to the blusli many of our highly prized exotics. The 

 route homewards from Abhoy 8t Bathaus was somewhat varied ; but 

 nothing worthy of notice occurred. Tlic members, however, enjoyed 

 the delight of respiring the fresh air of the hills, and carried on an 

 unceasing conversation, on a variety of subjects, until their return to 

 the inn. 



After dinner, Dr Johnston communicated to the Club that he had 

 received the interesting notice of the discovery of Linnaa horealis in 

 Berwickshire, specimens of which were laid on the table. It was dis- 

 covered seven years ago by Mr Dunn, gardener at Mellerstain ; but 

 for the notice, the Club is indebted to Mr Hislop, "teacher in the Normal 

 (Schools of Grlasgow. "The Linntca occupies a space of about 150 

 yards in a lir-wood near Lightfield Farm, Mellerstain." It was, when 

 Mr Hislop visited the spot, in the middle of July, just going out of 

 flower ; but several specimens in that state were gathered. The time 

 of flowering is stated in our British Floras to be in May and June, but 

 this period would appear to be too early for our district ; "and as a 

 pilgrimage to the habitat of a plant which commemorates the immortal 

 name of Linnaius," says our worthy Secretary, "seems to be almost a 

 sacred duty on the part of our Club, I would respectfully suggest the 

 propriety of fixing our next year's June meeting at the village nighest 

 to it." 



Such, gentlemen, is an account of the proceedings of the Club during 

 the eleventh year of its existence, derived chiefly from the minutes kept 

 by the Secretary. From the preceding report, it would appear that 

 the past year has not been very prolific in discovery ; yet enough has 

 been done to shew that even on ground previously and carefully 

 searched, objects have escaped observation which another and more 

 scrutinizing visit might bring to light ; and as there are yet many 

 localities within the limits of the Club unvisited, it may not unreason- 

 ably be expected that new and important discoveries may be made in 

 the Flora and Fauna of Berwickshire. One very interesting addition 

 to the former has been very recently made by Mr Marshall, gardener 

 at Cheek-Law, near Danse, who has drawn from its lurking place in 

 Dowlaw Dean the Herniaria glahra, a small procumbent plant, not only 

 new to Berwickshire, but to the Scottish Flora, and equally remarkable 

 for its occurrence in one solitary spot in England. The fact that two 

 very interesting additions to the phenogamic Flora of the district have 

 been made during the last year, is an additional incentive, were any 

 such wanting, for continued exertion, which will doubtless not go 

 unrewarded. 



That, as a branch of education, Natural History should not be more 

 taught in our Schools and Academies, is a subject of great regret. 



