Report of Meetings. By James Hardy. 245 



for preserving them. At the roots of old willow trees at the pond 

 for the thrashing-mill, Mr Andrew Brotherston gathered Leshea 

 polycarpa, a moss not on our lists, but also got elsewhere in the 

 district by other members. There are no primroses or cowslips 

 in the strips of wood here, nor did I observe any on the banks 

 of the Tweed parallel to the course of our returning drive. In 

 the wood that bounds the farm on the north, and separates it 

 from Harlaw, there is a considerable patch of Pyrola minor and 

 a good deal of Listera ovata. Tortula Icevipila is sprinkled over 

 some of the older trees. Wild gooseberries, strawberries, red 

 currants, and geans grow among the underwood. The only 

 . shell-slug visible is Helix nemoralis. The marshy soil near the 

 ditches is full of the runs of Arvicola glareola, the Bank Yole ; 

 and the certainty of this being the species was ascertained by 

 one being detected at an opening in its burrow. Wild ducks 

 and teals breed in the ditches, and the remainder of the old lake 

 which is almost drained away. Magpies are numerous, no fewer 

 than sixteen having been seen on one occasion. Lapwings fre- 

 quent some of the fields ; jackdaws build in the trees near the 

 house ; and there are a few starlings. The red-start is a sum- 

 mer visitant ; and willow- wrens are numerous. Thrushes and 

 wrens are much diminished in number. Yellow-hammers are 

 very plentiful all over this district. Large collections of wood- 

 pigeons harbour in the woods, and spread out over the fields to 

 eat the clover, especially in November. 



In 1771 Harpertoun did not occupy its present position, but 

 stood not far from Harlaw loch, near the N.W. end of the farm. 

 This was the place of which the Dawsons were occupants. James 

 Dawson, senior, tenant here, died about the close of the year 

 1696, and being an elder in Ednam, the session cast their eyes 

 on his son, James, to supply his place ; and there is an entry in 

 the Session book of date January 13th, 1697, to this effect. 



" The Session considering that their wants an elder in Harpertoun 

 through the deceise of James Dauson who was elder their and being 

 satisfied with James Dauson his son anent his qualifications appoint the 

 minister to dwell wt him in order to he an elder and reporte." Feb. 7. 

 *' The minister reports that he did speake with James Dauson and with 

 difficulty prevailed with him, the Session ordaines the minister to serve 

 his edict the next Lord's day." Feb. 29. " The Session considering that 

 James Dauson's edict was served the last Lord's day, caused the beddall 

 to call thrice at the church door if any had ought to object to come in 

 and they should be heard, none compeared, the Session appoints the 



