Miscellanea. By James Hardy. 607 



siderable unoccupied space. A small extent of old cultivated 

 ground adjoins, wliioh would scarcely grow sufficient provender 

 for the horses and cattle, let alone grain for the human occupants. 



It was a rude iron key and not a hammer that was found 14 

 or 15 years ago among the ruins of Cockburn's Castle ; see p. 418. 



I was much impressed with the solemnity and wild grandeur 

 of the vale of the Megget, and its steep green sides and dark 

 heathy hill-crowns ; the impetuosity of its dashing waters within 

 their blue gravel margins ; the noisy rush of its distant rapids ; 

 and the whisperings of the breezes wandering among the 

 brackens that somewhat densely overspread the lower and drier 

 hill-slopes. The voice of inanimate nature aloae broke the pro- 

 found quietude. 



The common yellow Mimulus so luxuriant below the Registrar's 

 cottage is a garden escape. 



I had merely a spare quarter of an hour to ascend to St Mary's 

 Churchyard, and copy some of the inscriptions on the tomb- 

 stones. Some of the stones are merely blank greywacke slabs. 



Having recently visited the museum of the Chambers' Institu- 

 tion, Peebles, I took a note of the following water-fowl preserved 

 there, that had come from St Maiy's Loch: — 



Birds pkom St Mary's Loch. — Black Scoter ( Oidemia nigra), 

 Nov. 1875, Mr William Richardson, St Mary's Cottage. Tufted 

 Duck {Fdigula cristata), Feb. 19, 1870, by the same. Pochard 

 Buck {Fdigula ferina), 1868. Scaup Duck {Fuligula marila), 

 March, 1876, Mr Wm. Richardson. 



Miscellanea. By James Hardy. 



Three-Bearded Eookling. During the week ending May 

 Slst, two of the Three-bearded Rockling {Motella tricirrata), 

 were taken in the crab-creels of the fishermen at the Cockburns- 

 path Cove. These are only the second and third examples of the 

 fish observed on the Berwickshire coast. The first was obtained 

 on 8th April, 1875, and was recorded in the Club's Proceedings, 

 vol. VII. p. 470. 



Coccus Fagi in the Eavensworth "Woods. When walking in 

 the end of August 1884, with the Rev. R. H. Williamson of 

 WhdciJiain, ia the woods near the Whickham Washing -well dean, 



