Meetings of Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, by J. Hardy. 415 



Growing on the wall was a great profusion of Parietaria 

 officinalis. After a much needed rest, the footpath was taken for 

 Cullernose Point. On the way the little fishing village of 

 Craster was passed. Here the herring-curing establishment of 

 Messrs Cormack & Son was visited, and the boats having had a 

 full complement of this useful fish that morning, the members 

 had a first-rate opportunity of seeing the whole process of curing 

 in its various stages. The boats were all in the little harbour at 

 the time we passed, and many of the fishermen were lying about. 

 We were informed that the people of the village, with few 

 exceptions, bore the names of Archbold, Smailes, and Simpson. 

 From this place it was only a quarter of an hour's walk to Culler- 

 nose Point, and it was soon reached. Here it is that the coast 

 section of basalt ends, and the rock rises sheer out of the water 

 to a great height. Here may be seen columnar basalt, sand- 

 stone both regularly bedded and in a displaced state, and shale, 

 mixed together in a very peculiar manner. At the end of the 

 coast section, where the basalt stops and the limestone begins, 

 the sea has formed a considerable bay, and here sporting about 

 was a shoal of porpoises, which were clearly seen. On the cliffs 

 a considerable quantity of Asplenium marinum was noticed, and 

 several specimens were secured. The walk was continued along 

 the coast as far as the Howick bathing-house, from which a fine 

 view of the coast from Bamborough to Alnmouth was seen. The 

 surface of the ocean was studded by many vessels, both sailing 

 and steamers, while the fleet of fishing vessels put out to sea at 

 the same time. The herring shoal being close to the shore, the 

 boats did not require to go far out, and there being little wind 

 they were in view for the rest of the day. The members then 

 walked back to Embleton by Craster Tower. 



Shortly after four o'clock the company, numbering 21, sat 

 down to dinner in the Hare and Hounds Inn, Embleton. 



The chief subject of conversation was the alleged birthplace of 

 John Duns Scotus at Dunstan Steads, and his connection with 

 Merton College, Oxford. The names of William Hurb Sitwell 

 of Barmoor, and of Edward Dornan Hodgson, Barrister at Law, 

 2, Plowden Buildings, Temple, London, were submitted for 

 membership. After dinner many of the members went back on 

 invitation to the vicarage, and enjoyed a cup of tea before the train 

 time arrived to separate them for their respective destinations. 



lz 



