208 MR. B. AMSDEN'S REPORT OF 



with large pike and eels, the latter of which are preyed upon 

 by the otters which are still found in the neighbourhood and 

 long ago gave its name to Otterburn. These lakes are 

 gradually diminishing in size by the growth of vegetation 

 round tbe edges, which, however, affords fine shelter to the 

 moorhen and coot, and also to wild duck, of which some 

 fifteen were flushed in one flight. The swamps at the foot 

 afforded many specimens of the beautiful Grass of Parnassus, 

 red rattle and valerian, but the sundew, though carefully 

 sought for, was not found. 



After partaking of a bountiful tea at Hot Bank, subsequent 

 to which a letter was read from Mr. R. Adamson, recording 

 the discovery of Orobanche minor, the lesser broom-rape, at 

 Blaydon Burn, and a vote of thanks to Sir Hugh Blackett and 

 Mrs. Clayton for their permission to visit the lakes, the party 

 returned by way of the burn to Bardon Mill. 



The Sixth Field Meeting was held on Wednesday, 

 the 5th October, in the shape of an excursion to the coast 

 between Dunstanborough and Alnmouth, and was favoured 

 with fine weather and brilliant sunshine. Leaving the train 

 at Christon Bank the party passed through the village of 

 Embleton, with its interesting church with battlemented tower, 

 and vicarage whose nucleus is an old pele tower, dating back 

 to the days of the church militant, and once the residence of 

 the late Bishop Creighton during his vicarate from 1874 to 

 1884. In the winding lane from the village to the sea shore 

 a flock of newly washed sheep of snow-like whiteness was 

 met, and a chat with their custodian elicited the interesting 

 fact that a few days of the sea breezes would cause their 

 fleeces to return to a sombre dull brown hue. The tide being 

 out afforded a welcome opportunity of examining at leisure the 

 rock pools and their imprisoned inhabitants, notably several 

 species of the marine bristle-worms ; and many of the sea- 

 weeds were in full fructification. Owing to the rocks being 

 bared, the geologists of the party were able to observe to the 

 best advantage the junction of the igneous rock forming the 



