Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 437 



and tlie result had been that mucli valuable knowledge, which, 

 might have remained unknown save to a few but for those re- 

 searches, was now being brought before the public. He thought 

 the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, although it was not strictly 

 in their field of work, should take the matter up, and if success- 

 ful, the fact that such researches had been made by the Club 

 would add to its popularity. The Club had been highly honoured 

 by the kindness of the two ladies, and had felt great delight in 

 visiting the place. He would ask Mr Marjoribanks to convey to 

 them the best thanks of the Club. The sentiment was cordially 

 responded to, and the Eev. Greorge Marjoribanks, Stenton, who 

 had acted as guide to the Club when the pictures were examined, 

 stated that from what he knew of Miss Nisbet Hamilton, he was 

 sure she would be most willing to allow the Club to make the 

 researches to which Canon Greenwell had referred. He wa s sure, 

 further, that the visit of the Club that day had given Lady Mary, 

 even though on a sick bed, and Miss Nisbet Hamilton as much 

 pleasure as the members had felt in visiting their beautiful home 

 and its many treasures. He formally thanked the Club for the 

 sentiment which had been so touchingly proposed and so cordi- 

 ally responded to. 



Leaving the hospitable mansion, the members walked by the 

 side of the wood to the ford, where the carriages were joined. 

 The sweet and picturesque view of the narrow green haughs was 

 much enjoyed. The stream, which the rain had caused to rise a 

 little, flowed down the middle, and over its waters the swallows 

 skimmed lightly. The banks on either side were finely wooded, 

 and in the distance, where the trees closed up the view, were two 

 rustic bridges, while in the immediate foreground a herd of Chan- 

 nel Islands and Ayrshire cattle were leisurely browsing. The 

 lower branches of the thorn and some other shrubs in the woods 

 showed, from their being denuded of their bark, that the rabbits 

 had been in sore straits during the late storm. In the cottage 

 garden at the bridge was a great show of apple blossom, and 

 this appeared to be quite the rule this year. 



Before leaving, it may be mentioned that Sphinx ComolvuU had 

 been captured at Biel Lint-Mill. Pheasants of a white colour are 

 occasionally hatched ; bullfinches appear in all the woods. Weissia 

 verticillata, in cushions and large masses, covers a dripping rock 

 of petrified moss and calcareous tufa, on the way to Biel Grange. 

 Saponaria oflcinaUs, Mr Hepburn informs me, used to grow a 

 little above the Lint-mill. 



