228 Anniversary Address. 



sculptured stones, let into the walls of the by no means 

 modern house, one of which, along with armorial bearings, 

 had the names Ralph Kerr and Marion Haliburton — the 

 date 1532. Linthill was next visited, where we were most 

 hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Currie. The situa- 

 tion of the mansion house was much admired, overlooking 

 the beautifully wooded banks of the Ale, with its closely 

 shaven lawn and terraces in front, In the garden, on the 

 other side of the Ale water, stands a magnificent Spanish 

 Chestnut, which was 14J feet in circumference some four 

 feet from the ground. An Apricot tree, in the N.E. corner 

 of the garden, covered the wall to the length of about G2 

 feet, and was said to be very productive. Epipactis latifolia 

 was picked up at Linthill. 



The party then, resuming their carriages, proceeded to 

 Riddell, by way of Lillieslief, visiting in passing the old 

 Churchyard there, and also in the village an interesting col- 

 lection of objects of Natural History and antiquity, made by 

 Mr Turnbull, the post-master. The carriage in which Mr 

 Hardy was made a detour to Clerklands, to view the im- 

 mense Beech tree by the side of the road there ; it was found 

 to measure, about six feet from the ground, 16| feet in cir- 

 cumference ; at about fifteen feet high it has four large arms, 

 each fitted to be a tree, and a fifth, still larger, has been 

 broken off. The fine woods about Riddell were much ad- 

 mired, but time pressing, the conveyances were again put in 

 requisition, and the return was made to our starting point 

 through the villages of Midlem and Bowden, having the 

 Eildon hills on our left. Near the road quantities of the 

 Geranium lucidum were seen growing on the dykes, and 

 Sanguisorba officinalis was also seen in abundance. After 

 dinner, the following gentlemen were proposed for member- 

 ship — Colonel Edmund Palmer, R.A., Alnwick ; Messrs Wm. 

 Lang Blackie, Holydean ; Andrew E. Scougal, Inspector of 

 Schools, Melrose ; Dr James Denham, Dunse ; Rev. John 

 Donaldson Currie ; Rev. George J. Young, Newtown ; Rev. 

 J. M. Allardyce, D.D., Bowden ; Dr Ed. Chas. Robertson, 



