Report of Meetings for 1886. By J. Hardy. 359 



An old wall crossing the hill top, N. and S. was reached, and 

 alongside and attached to it were several oblong or square com- 

 partments reputed to be old folds. This is on the top of Blaeberry 

 Hill. At another spot on the Common, foundations are traceable, 

 traditionally reputed to be the site of ancient Lauder. Crossing 

 by a stile we held on by a foot-path beneath a steep heathery 

 and rather barren hill-back, till we reached the Lauder Burn ; 

 we then crossed to the opposite side below Muircleugh farm 

 where the pasture is greener, aud reached the object of our quest 

 after surmounting two hillocks profusely arrayed, at this season, 

 with wild flowers. Here is a short deep ravine, thinly wooded 

 with oak, hazel, mountain-ash, birch, etc. On an irregular plat- 

 form at the top was old Muircleugh, with little more than the 

 foundations left. There was a square dwelling, and near it an 

 oblong one, both built with stone and lime ; and at the west end 

 overlooking a contracted branch of the main cleugh, there were 

 the remains of three or four humble square hovels, of stone and 

 clay, one of them having a dilapidated arch. 



In returning we followed the Lauder Burn till we crossed the 

 high stone dike into the pasture where Ophioglossumvulgatumh.?iH 

 gained a footing. The Sedge Warbler appeared here. We then 

 passed the Rifle range, where dwarf Helianthemum vulgare clung 

 to the craggy protrusions of the slopes above the road-sides. 

 Opposite was Blaeberry hill with its blue stone glitters, and the 

 valuable town quarries. Over the precipitous face were thinly 

 scattered a few bushes of mountain-ash and juniper. The trees 

 at the lower end were reported to be birches. Woodbine luxur- 

 iated among the fissures, blooming richly ; and here no doubt is 

 the locality for Allosorus criapus. The quarries supply excellent 

 material for squared building stones — much to the improvement 

 of the exterior of new houses here. Wild roses flourished farther 

 down, and Galeopsi's versicolor, avowing its preference for the free 

 air of the hills, had sprung up in the potato-plots and even 

 intruded into the town gardens. 



Twenty-eight assembled at dinner. The following were nom- 

 inated for membership ; Eev. Thomas Martin, Manse, Lauder ; 

 Dr. David Skinner, Lauder; Arthur Edward Bernays, Bailey, 

 Durham. 



There were exhibited by Mr Eomanes (1.) The snuff-box of the 

 Corporation of Lauder — a silver mounted, finely wreathed horn a 



