236 [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



narrow street leading to the abbey is another somewhat similar 

 in character, but with curious carvings on the stonework of its 

 church-like windows. The Tholsel, which still stands over one 

 of the gates of the town, was long used as a prison. Restoration 

 was perhaps necessary here to preserve this quaint relic of 

 byegone times, but much regret was expressed that the ancient 

 bowed roof that had once graced it had been replaced with a 

 new one of Welsh slates, which, with the ''pointing" of its 

 weathered stonework, has entirely destroyed its ancient appear- 

 ance. The Dominican abbey or monastery, though having 

 suffered much both from the destroyer and restorer, demands 

 attention. It was most probably erected about the end of the 

 fourteenth century, but has suffered much, its large window 

 being gone as well as its entire roof and central tower. In 

 comparatively recent times it has served, like most such build- 

 ings, as a quarry for more modern builders. At present the nave 

 gives evidence of having been recently "restored" to fit it for 

 a racket court. The western front is still in fair preservation, 

 and shows some peculiarities in structure, belonging more to 

 military than to sacred buildings. A hurried visit was paid to 

 the extensive quarries in the Carboniferous Limestone close at 

 hand. Little work is at present going on. The quarry is, 

 however, a remarkable one, owing to the numerous basaltic 

 dykes with which the limestone is traversed. Specimens can be 

 readily obtained showing the igneous and sedimentary rocks in 

 actual contact. The picturesque old pile known as King John's 

 Castle was next visited. The date of the erection of this strong- 

 hold is given in ancient history as 1 210. It suffered many 

 vicissitudes in its early history, and we find it recorded that in 

 1 501, in consequence of the town having been repeatedly burnt 

 by the Scots and Irish, the King granted to its provost, bailiffs, 

 and commonalty certain tolls and customs towards the enclosing 

 of it with a stone wall. This venerable pile, after its chequered 

 history, is much respected, and is being preserved from further 

 decay. The botanist gathered among the ancient walls the 

 red valerian {Centranthus ruber)^ which has become quite 



