^50 Atmicersary Address. 



suggested was, that they were formed, when the land was in 

 the act of being elevated, the rush of waters which resulted, 

 removing the detritus in most places, and leaving elongated 

 banks in others. But the general opinion was adverse to this 

 view. It was thought more probable, that they had been 

 formed by the action of currents and tides before the land 

 emerged, just as submarine banks or spits are now forming 

 in our existing seas. The Kaims of Dunse Castle and Green- 

 law, are at a height of about 750 feet above the sea. 



Before concluding these comments suggested by our meet- 

 ing at Cockburnlaw, I cannot forbear mentioning, how much 

 the party enjoyed the ride over the moors, rough and jolting 

 though it was. By the courtesy of farmers in the neighbour- 

 hood, two long carts had been provided, well padded with 

 bags of clean straw, — each of which was drawn by a pair of 

 beautiful horses, gaily caparisoned, and driven by steady well 

 dressed ploughmen. Though our equipages were homely in 

 character, they suited well the moorland roads, and they 

 allowed us to have a better view of the landscape with its 

 varied attractions. The heather was at the time in full bloom, 

 diffusing its pleasant fragrance over the hills. Ivy clustered 

 on the trees and precipices, sometimes hanging from them in 

 graceful drapery. Lichens and mosses of various tribes, 

 coated the grey boulders of whinstone. Ferns also were in 

 profusion ; — some of minute and delicate forms pushing out 

 from the crevices of old walls ; — others, more showy, with 

 long arching fronds ; — and lastly the tall brachens, clothing 

 the sandy knolls with their shining yellow stems and glossy 

 foliage. What all of us admired most were the fox-gloves,* 

 — ^both the white and the purple species, with their finger- 

 shaped flowers, strung in rows as regularly as the beads of 

 a necklace. In the shaded and sheltered dells, the slender 

 stalks stood erect, and motionless : — in spots more exposed, 



* Mr. Carr of Hedgeley, so well known to our members for his acquaintance 

 with Saxon literature, informs me, that the true name of this plant, is Folks- 

 Glove, — from the Saxon " folcs-glovas," meaning the gloves of the good folks, 

 or fairies. 



