Report of Meetings. By the President. 447 



Statements and adages regarding the Common Ash should be 

 received with caution ; for there are, perhaps, a greater number 

 of superstitions connected with it than, with any other tree. 



The summer of 1884, however, will be adduced in support of 

 the truth of the old saying ; and also of the popular belief that 

 when the oak leafs before the ash, there will be fine weather in 

 harvest, and an abundant crop. 



After dinner, to which 60 did justice, in addition to the usual 

 toasts, the health of The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-on- 

 Tyne was drunk, coupled with the name of the Vice-chairman, 

 the Eev. E. H. Adamson, who suitably responded. The 

 President read a Paper on "Embedded Eeptiles," which was 

 called forth by the recent discovery of a live frog in the 

 Scremerston Limestone. 



Two photographs of three small urns and a cranium recently 

 found at Amble, were handed round by Mr G. H. Thompson, 

 Alnwick, who will give a notice of the discovery. 



Mr Muirhead exhibited a large number of flowers grown in 

 his garden at Paxton. Mr Peter Loney showed a collection of 

 Ozone papers — slips of paper, which when prepared with 

 hydrate of potassium and starch, and exposed in a wire cage 

 for 24 hours, show, by their difference in colouring, the amount 

 of ozone in the air — the darker the colour, the more ozone. Thus 

 it was pointed out that on a certain day, when a very heavy gale 

 occurred, very dark paper resulted, much more air having been 

 brought into contact with the paper in a given time, than would 

 have been during a light wind or a calm. 



Mr Thomson showed two silver coins, one of James VI. of 

 Scotland and the other of Elizabeth, found many years ago near 

 Milfield ; a Eose and Thistle plack ; and a copper abbey-piece or 

 counter. This last was found a short time before beneath a large 

 stone four and a half feet below the surface of the ground while 

 the labourers were digging the foundation of a wall for the 

 school playground at Kelso, close to the Abbey. 



Several new members were proposed at this meeting, who will 

 be enumerated at the close. 



THE FARNE ISLANDS. 



The second meeting was held at the Fame Islands, on Wed- 

 nesday 25th June, and was numerously attended. 

 The Leith passenger, steamer '' Fiery Cross" had been char- 



