542 Stations for Woodsia Hvensis. By Mr Kobt. Mathison. 



considered that so many hills throughout ihe country, not moated 

 but simple in construction compared to the one here, bear the 

 same appellation, we must conclude that the name is indicative 

 of the circumstance that such places were in Saxon times used 

 for the administration of justice, and that our Moot Halls are 

 their legitimate successors. Under any circumstances, the situa- 

 tion of Elsdon renders it well adapted for the capital of an exten- 

 sive, if not highly-populated district. 



In 1281, the town was thought of sufficient importance to be 

 granted the privilege of holding a weekly market and an 

 annual fair. The Court Leet of the extensive Manor of Eedes- 

 dale was held here tiU 1868, when this last vestige of departing 

 baronial greatness ceased to exist. 



Note on Stations for Woodsia Ilvensis. By Mr Kobeet 

 Mathison, Innerleithen. 



The following observations I am in a position to offer regarding 

 this rare and interesting fern. It seems to be its chief character- 

 istic to prefer an altitude of about 2000 feet. It is to be found 

 in several localities, in the ravines among the mountains, forming 

 the boundary between the shires of Dumfries and Peebles. One 

 of the habitats well known to me is in proximity to Loch Skene. 

 There it grows on crumbling Silurian rocks having a southern 

 aspect. It may also be interesting to know that in the immedi- 

 ate neighbourhood, we find the beautiful Eymenophyllum Wihonii; 

 also Cystopteris fragilis, Botrychium Lunana, Polypodium Phegop- 

 teris, Lycopodium Selago, and Selaginoides. Another station of the 

 Woodsia is the waterfall of Corriffren (Corrie fruan). The plants 

 here have a western exposure, and grow upon the debris of highly 

 laminated Silurian shales. There is another station of the 

 Woodsia near Hartf ell, wild, weird, and grand. Here the plants 

 grow upon Silurian grits, with a western exposure, like the last. 

 In all the stations the Woodsias shew evident signs of sparseness. 

 I have visited these stations personally, and give the substance 

 of my observations. I may also mention here that the Asplenium 

 sepfentrionale is found in Peebleshire rather abundantly. 



