252 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



was also a bronze celt. The cover of a cist — a sandstone flag 

 with rounded edges, about 4 feet long and more than 2 broad — 

 found at Holburn, on the estate, was lying outside. It had con- 

 tained an urn, which is in Canon Greenwell's collection. I am 

 informed that the badger has found a place of security in Det- 

 chant wood ; Mr Leather having given directions for its preser- 

 vation. 



Only eight dined. A letter to the Secretary was read from 

 Miss -Eussell of Ashiesteel, which accompanied two photographs 

 on a large scale, of portions of the Catrail, that she had been at 

 the expense of getting taken by an Aberdeen artist, to present 

 to the Club ; and for these and the interest she has taken in the 

 Club's welfare, a vote of thanks was directed to be sent to Miss 

 Eussell. 



Notices of the hurtful Effects of the past Winter on Vegeta- 

 tion were read from correspondents. Mr Culley of Fowberry 

 spoke of the sad disaster that had befallen the shrubs and trees 

 in his grounds and round his mansion ; and he had brought 

 some extraordinary oak-leaves both for size and shape, which 

 the death-stricken trees had pushed out to retrieve their con- 

 dition. One of these measured 10|- inches long by 6^^ broad; 

 another 7|- long by 7. They snapped off at the junction with 

 the stem, with a bulb attached, and were cast to the ground like 

 decayed branches ; a form of vegetable irritation. The oaks and 

 yews had suffered most at Fowberry. 



A paper containing extracts from old Inquisitions about Bel- 

 ford manor, and its subdivision among heirs and heiresses, was 

 read. 



On the previous evening the late Eev. William Procter's MS. 

 History of Doddington was examined, and a portion relating to 

 Earle, Ewart, Humbleton, and Nisbet, was selected for the Club's 

 use, which Miss Procter has since been so kind as to transcribe. 



A letter was read of date July 10th, from Mr Gr. H. Thompson, 

 Alnwick, containing the information that he had purchased, some 

 three years ago, from a countryman, an old brass pot, of the 

 short three legged type. It differed from modern pots in the 

 junction of the casting being oblique, and not upright. The 

 width at the top was 7^ inches ; the height 8 inches, and it was 

 very heavy. It had two ears for suspending it on the crook. It 

 had been either ploughed or dug up in the vicinity of Newham. 



