48 ADDER BEADS. 
I think this may originaily have been with a deeper motive than 
that of enjoying the fragrance of the *‘ Sidderwood.” 
One superstition, almost, if not quite, obsolete, was that it was 
unlucky to meet a “cross-eyed” person the first thing in the 
morning. Another, with which I shall conclude, was that if 
people quarrelled about fish or fishing the fish would be sure to 
leave the place. 
14th February, 1896. 
Mr PHILIP SULLEY, Vice-President, in the chair. 
New Members.—Mrs Johnstone, Victoria Terrace ; Rev. Roger 
Kirkpatrick, Dalbeattie; Col. J. Maxwell Witham, Kirkconnel ; 
Benjamin Rigby Murray, Parton; Robert A. Yerburgh, M.P., 
Chester. 
Donations.—A Treatise on Education, by Dr George Chapman, 
rector of Dumfries Grammar School, 1778, presented by the 
committee of the Mechanics’ Institute; Transactions of Edinburgh 
Geological Society, 1895; Annals of the Andersonian Naturalists’ 
Society ; Transactions of New York Academy of Sciences; Pro- 
ceeding of the Rochester (New York) Academy of Sciences; 
Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences ; 
Proceeding of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 
Exhibits._-Mr Shaw exhibited a pack of Indian cards and 
some Indian hand pictures, done at Madras. Mr Sulley exhibited a 
deed engrossed in the reign of Charles I., and two remarkable jewel 
cases made in the 10th century; also an old seal of one of the 
Jameses. 
The Rev. William Andson was elected joint-librarian with Mr 
Lennox. 
COMMUNICATIONS. 
1.—Adder Beads and Children’s Rhymes. By the late Mr 
JAMES SHAW, of Tynron. 
About a week ago I visited an old lady who is between 80 
and 90 years of age, resident in Tynron, and from whom I pro- 
cured the adder bead which I now produce. It was an heir-loom 
