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



as those occuring among the Cheviots near Wooler. A hut-circle 

 fifteen feet in diameter was still traceable. Mr Arkle has draw- 

 ings and measurements of this camp. There is a far view from 

 it. A wide extent of grazing ground lay to the north, and upon 

 it on a lower height another similar camp, called Fawdon Camp, 

 was visible, which Mr James Ellis of Otterburn was of opinion 

 was that occupied by the Scots on the evening previous to the 

 battle of Otterburn ; and he also held that the scene of conflict lay 

 along the slopes and unequal ground between these two ancient 

 camps. Lower than the last, but more distant, and nearer the 

 Otter burn, the farm place of Gersonfield, marked "Grasing 

 Field " by Armstrong, was pointed out— modern — but carrying 

 the name of another steading once in the occupancy of the "fause- 

 hearted Ha's " (Halls) who betrayed Percy or Farcy (Fercival) 

 Eeed of Troughend, a keeper of Eedesdale, to a band of moss- 

 troopers of the name of Crosier, who slew him at Batinghope, 

 near the sources of Eede-water. The plants gathered in the des- 

 cent were chiefly such as grow in moory soils. Myosotis repens 

 appeared in the pools. After crossing a ravine some deserted coal- 

 pits and lime-kilns were passed. There was not time to attend 

 to the geological features of the district, but Professor Lebour's 

 paper on the subject makes ample amends for what was gone 

 over in a rapid tramp. Gaining the Newcastle road, the wild 

 burnet and betony appeared by the way-side, and likewise a 

 plant of the figwort (Scrophulana nodosa). Celandine and Solo- 

 mon's seal were cultivated alongside the houses that we passed. 

 "White and red foxgloves of the wild sorts are great favourites in 

 the vicinity, and at Otterburn the throatwort bell-flower and the 

 French willow contributed to the stock of cultivated flowers. A 

 single purplish rocket [Hesperis matronalis) some fine coloured 

 phloxes, and a variety of Mimuli, were frequent ornaments of the 

 front gardens in the village. 



The party which preceded visited Otterburn Tower, which those 

 coming later did not see till next morning. This is an imposing 

 and handsome modern mansion, but it includes within its waUs 

 the old peel tower, that withstood all the efforts of Earl Douglas 

 and the Scots to capture. It was then " tolerably strong, and 

 situated among marshes." In the entrance hall are three very 

 interesting Eoman altars, as well as a fine collection of stufied 

 birds, which besides hawks and moorland species, include a vari- 

 ety of waterfowl shot by Mr James ; among others the Pintail 



