480 Report of Meetings. By the President. 



double Peel. Tlie grounds are well wooded, and in beautiful 

 order, but there are no old, or large, or notable trees — all having 

 been planted not more than 60 or 70 years ago. In the garden 

 two fine beds of Hyacinthiis candicans attracted attention. The 

 origin of the name Thirle-stane, has reference to the ancient 

 custom of ' thirlage ' or jurisdiction attached to a particular mill 

 to which all tenants were bound to bring their grain to be 

 ground. Our drive back was devoid of particular interest, but 

 all were delighted with the beauty of the scenery, which was 

 altogether much greener, and less rugged than most of us, 

 who were strangers to the district, had expected. On many of 

 the hill sides was a glorious flush of heather. 



Dinner took place at the County Hotel at five o'clock, the 

 President in the chair, to which forty-four members and their 

 friends did justice. 



Among the local members who joined the excursion, were the 

 Eev. J. Farquharson, ex-President ; Dr H. S. Anderson ; Dr 

 Anderson of Shaws ; Messrs J. B. Brown, Thos. Craig-Brown, 

 John TurnbuU, Michael Muir, and Sheriff Spittal as a guest. 

 Mr T. Craig-Brown very kindly and opportunely supplemented 

 the rather too limited conveyance accomodation, by sending 

 his own carriage for the use of the party. 



NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. 



The fifth meeting took place at Newcastle-on-Tyne on Wed- 

 nesday 24th September, when the President and Secretaries, 

 accompanied by above 30 members, assembled in the hall of the 

 Museum, Barras Bridge, at 10 o'clock, where they were received 

 and formally welcomed by Dr Philipson, president of the Tyne- 

 side Naturalists' Club, Mr Eichard Howse, curator of the museum, 

 and other officials, with several members of the Antiquarian 

 Society. The scientific and learned Societies in Newcastle who 

 extended their welcome to us were : 



1 . The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle, formed 

 January 24th 1793. 



2. The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, founded 

 in 1813. President the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eavensworth. 



3. The Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, 

 and Newcastle, founded in 1828, President, the Bishop of Dur- 

 ham. The Museum belongs to this Society, and it publishes 



