Mr. J. C. Langlands on Old Bewick. 261 



ophyllum Ji(^wi/7c?;9'e??5e, "has been lately found. The Osmunda 

 regalis and the Polypodium Drijopteris flourished for a few 

 seasons after being introduced, but they have disappeared, 

 having, it is supposed, been pilfered. The Nuphar lutea 

 grows in the Kimmer Lough. In 1854, the rhizomes or 

 submerged stems were exposed when a deep drain was cut 

 to lessen the lough, and they were seen extending through 

 the mud in every direction and interlacing with each other, 

 resembling in appearance the Stigmaria Jicoides of the old 

 carboniferous era. Ancylus lacustris, Pisidium pulchellum, 

 and Physa fontalis also occur. 



On the hill sides near the Harehope Burn are considerable 

 quantities of iron slag, the refuse of ancient smeltings. The 

 iron ore might have been originally smelted by the primeval 

 metallurgists, much in the same way as was done in late 

 years by the Hottentots, in holes cut in raised ground, which 

 after being thoroughly heated received the ore, over which a 

 large fire was made and supplied with fuel, from time to time, 

 till the ironstone was melted. 



In concluding this paper, I must beg to express my ac- 

 knowledgements for much valuable information which I have 

 derived from Mr. Sidney Gibson's beautiful work on Tyne- 

 muuth Priory ; also, to Mr. John Stuart, of Edinburgh, and 

 Mr. Dickson, of Alnwick, for their kind assistance ; and 

 especially to Mr. Tate, for placing his valuable notes at my 

 disposal, as well as for his readiness to afford information at 

 all times. 



EAELSTOUN. 



By James Tait, Falcon Hall, Kelso. 



At the present day the village of Earlstoun is not of great 

 importance. Its population according to the last census was 

 980, that of the whole parish was 1825. The superior of the 

 village is Lord Haddington who owns two-thirds of the rental; 

 and it is governed by a baron bailie appointed by his lord- 

 ship. There is also a court consisting of two bourlawmen 

 appointed by the bailie — a remnant of an ancient institution 

 that has prevailed extensively in this district — as " Birley 

 Coorts," ate among the traditions of the Borders as a name 

 for any particularly stormy meeting. The court of bourlaw- 



