Meetings ofBei wickshire Naturalists' Club, by J . Hardy. 421 



boulder of greywacke, " about the size of a large barrel," 

 estimated at 4 tons weight ; which from being well rounded, and 

 having a number of cup-like cavities in it, has all the appearance 

 of having been long exposed to the action of waves. It is called 

 "Wallace's Putting stone," and it is fabled that the Scottish 

 patriot cast it here, from Caddon Law, a high hill situated a 

 great way off. " Magill Pots" are mentioned in 1688, and 

 belonged then to Eobert Pringle of Blindlee. 



Arriving at Clovenford, or Clovenfords, the company were 

 kindly received by Mr William Thomson of the Tweed Vinery, 

 who, in the most obliging manner shewed everything of interest. 

 Having requested some information about the details and capa- 

 bilities of this establishment, Mr Thomson informs me, that it 

 was started in 1870. " We have used 24,000 feet of 4-inch iron 

 pipes to heat 70,000 feet and upwards of glass. We have 4 

 vineries each 200 feet loDg, 24 feet wide, and 16 feet high, and 

 groined roofed ; also 1 vinery 145 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 16 

 feet high, which is likewise groined. We have 4 lean-to vineries, 

 each 200 feet long ; besides one 70 feet long. We produce 

 15,000 lbs. of grapes annually. Of vines we grow about 1,000 

 rods. The kinds chiefly cultivated are Gross Colmar, Lady 

 Downe, Black Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria, Barbarossa, and 

 Duke of Buccleuch. We have 500 feet run of houses for supply 

 of plants and cut flowers for our shop in Castle-street, Edinburgh. 

 These we send to town by rail daily." The grapes are chiefly 

 grown for the London market, to meet the early demand in the 

 beginning of the season ; and again at Christmas, when fresh 

 well-grown grapes are scarce. In one house was an immense 

 selection of Chrysanthemums. The ferns, orchids, and foliage 

 plants were well grown, and healthy. Unfortunately time was 

 far too limited to see the quarter of the vegetable treasures here 

 accumulated. 



In a white-washed house near the road, formerly the inn, Sir 

 Walter Scott used to stay, when called from Edinburgh, to 

 execute the duties that devolved upon him, when first appointed 

 to the shrievalty of Selkirkshire ; and he was " an old friend of 

 the house," when on fishing excursions. Professor Wilson also 

 occasionally made it his fishing quarters when out here ; but his 

 favourite fishing resorts on the Borders were Innerleithen, 

 Eutherford, and St. Mary's Loch. At tiiis quiet little inn, 



