40 Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 



two very tall full-leafed trees of Quercus Ilex. Leaving tlie 

 grounds, the greater number of tbe members went by train to 

 Alnwick, wbile others drove there direct, reaching it in time to 

 allow such of the members as wished, to visit Alnwick Castle. 



After dinner in the White Swan Inn, it was stated that 

 additional reports regarding the effects of the past winter on 

 vegetation had been received. Mr Topley, F.G.S., then gave a 

 very able sketch of the progress and results of the Greologieal 

 Survey of Northumberland, now in course of completion. Mr 

 Topley's paper was deemed exceedingly valuable, and the 

 coloured geological charts and diagrams on the walls tended to 

 enable members to understand it more easily. Professor Lebour 

 proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Topley for his excellent paper, 

 which he said embodied startling and important discoveries, that 

 had caused much talk among geologists. Mr Topley undertook 

 to extend his paper, and prepare it for the " Proceedings." Mr 

 Topley had with him, for exhibition, a broad wedge-shaped 

 polished stone-axe, found on Alnwick Moor. It appeared to be 

 of decomj)osed syenite ; both quartz and mica were visible on the 

 exterior. It was mentioned and regarded as a rare occurrence 

 that a pair of yellow-hammers had built their nest, about six feet 

 from the ground, in Mr L. C. Chrisp's garden at Hawkhill. The 

 interior of the nest was the same as in other nests of this bird, 

 but the outside was formed of strong coarse wheat straws, with 

 several ears of corn hanging from the nest. 



At this meeting the following were proposed for membership — 

 Eev. Charles Kinnear Greenhill, Eoberton by Hawick ; William 

 Layton, M.A., High School, Kelso ; Mr John Grunn, Greologieal 

 Survey, Berwick ; Eev. F. B. Nunneley, M.D., Eennington, 

 Chathill ; Eev. Thomas Calvert, 92, Lansdowne Place, Brighton ; 

 Eev. Donald McLeod, B.D., Jedburgh. 



The fourth meeting was held at Marchmont, on Wednesdaj'-, 

 August 27th. There were present — Dr Paxton, President ; Mr 

 Hardy, Secretary ; Sheriff Eussell ; Eevs. W. Dobie, Ladykirk ; 

 J. S. Green, Wooler ; P. Gr. McDouall, Cosgrove Eectory, Stony 

 Stratford ; E. F. Proudf oot, Fogo ; Evan Eutter, Spittal ; J. A. 

 Sharrock, St. Nicholas Church, Newcastle ; Adam Spence, 

 Houndwood ; W. Stobbs, Gordon ; John H. Walker, Greenlaw ; 

 Drs Henry Eichardson, E.N., Berwick ; Charles Stuart, Chirn- 

 side ; Messrs Archibald Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame ; 



