272 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



witnessed. Eeynard was killed in full view. Foxes are numer- 

 ous in the vicinity. The *' Eoman hunters of Banna" have still 

 their representatives here. There was an immense depth of 

 boulder clay in the scarp. The perforations of the sand-martins 

 were visible in the sandy deposits. 



On arriving at Birdoswald the companies were combined. Dr 

 Bruce now took the guidance, and pointed out the peculiarities 

 of the station, and described most minutely the economy of the 

 Eoman garrisons, who occupied the strongholds on the Wall, 

 and pointed out the various sculptured remains accumulated 

 about the farm-house, all of which are described in the Dr's 

 various works on the great barrier of the middle isthmus, for 

 which he is the greatest living authority. Of this portion of the 

 days proceedings, Mr J. J. Vernon of Hawick, has favoured me 

 with a report : — 



** Calling attention to the extent of the Wall of Hadrian, 

 which extends a distance of 70 miles from Wallsend on the Tyne, 

 to Bowness on the Solway, Dr Bruce proceeded to state that this 

 great fortification consisted of three parts : — 1 st, a stone wall or 

 Murus, with a ditch on its northern side ; 2nd, an earthen ram- 

 part or Vallum, south of the stone wall ; and 3rd, stations, watch 

 towers, and military roads. Originally the wall had a total ele- 

 vation of eighteen feet, with a width averaging eight feet. On 

 the north side was a fosse the average size of which was thirty- 

 six feet wide and fifteen feet deep. There were eighteen stations 

 along the wall at a distance between them of four miles. These 

 camps were military cities, providing secure lodgement for a 

 powerful body of soldiery. Birdoswald was the 12th station on 

 the line, and during the Eoman occupation was known by the 

 name Amboglanna, derived, Dr Bruce suggested, from the Latin 

 amho, and the British glan — meaning the circling glen. The 

 position of this station is remarkably strong, and it is the largest 

 station on the line, having an area of five and a half acres. 

 With one other station, it possesses the peculiarity of having two 

 gates, both in its eastern and western ramparts. A very great 

 number of inscribed stones have been found in the station, most 

 of which confirm the statement that the first cohort of the Dacians 

 was quartered here. By means of extensive excavations the 

 gateways of the station have been displayed, and some of the in- 

 terior buildings. The walls of the station are in a good state of 



