236 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



the decrease in the numher of larks was discussed, and the 

 general opinion seemed to be that the ' bird of the wilderness ' 

 was most plentiful in the wilderness, and receded before 

 cultivation. The rain was still falling, rendering the prospect 

 anything save an 'Eden scene,' and it was determined to return 

 homewards by Knock Hill. Following the side of the plantation 

 of Scotch and spruce firs, it was evident that unless they were 

 quickly thinned the whole plantation would die. The trees were 

 so close that in parts it was impossible to pass through it. It 

 was a hard climb to reach the summit of Knock Hill, but the 

 view from it was an abundant reward. There is a quarry near 

 the top, and a capital section of basalt was there exposed. In 

 an oat field near two men were mowing the tops from the wild 

 radish {Raphanus Raphanistrum), which was growing very abund- 

 antly. Daisies and buttercups were growing very plentifully in 

 the grass fields. A walk of about two miles under a downpour 

 of rain brought us to Gordon once more, and in good time." 



Those who were in the conveyance felt less the discomfort of 

 the rain, and they were well rewarded by the views from the 

 rising ground, as they passed onward to Legerwood. Above the 

 undulating surface, the abrupt prominences of East Gordon, 

 Mellerstain, Hume Castle, and the Knock, were boldly marked 

 out. Before us, dark strips of fir crowned the ridges, or swept 

 down in long lines on each side of the pass towards Birkenside. 

 We got glimpses far away of the Cowdenknows and the Eildons, 

 and more to the north, of the summit of Black Andrew in Sel- 

 kirkshire. On the left hand the dusky Lammermoors rose like a 

 waU, with streaks of green bog radiating from their sides. The 

 soil on Corsbie, Kirkhill, and Legerwood is of a dark colour, and 

 is well adapted for turnips. It is liable to be infested with 

 quickens, which the rapidity with which the turnip crop is now 

 apt to be put in, does not tend to keep under. The colouring of 

 the lamb's fleeces probably responds to the blackness of the soil ; 

 as they were seen to have been recently dipped in a solution of 

 heel or red ochre ; a practice followed also that the price may be 

 enhanced in the market. Corsbie Moss, which lay considerably 

 below the public road, was once a haunt of the black-headed 

 gull {Larus ridibundus), but has been deserted since it was 

 drained. There are a few scattered birches in the moss, and 

 some native sallows on its outskirts. This bog or mossy hollow 



