472 Report of Meetings for 1889. By Dr. J. Hardy. 



What was said about flint weapons fonnd near the battle-field, I did not 

 heai'. Perhaps these were the examples to which Mr Murray alluded. 



Before leaving, we were shown on a mound overlooking a syke, to the 

 west of the cottages, a good hut circle among the boggy and grassy bent. 

 It had a well marked raised outer ring : there was a lunate compartment in 

 it at one side. Frank had dug out another of these summer residences of the 

 ancient dwellers.without result. Carey ovalis grew among the rough pasture. 



July 25. I was out early in the morning to have a look round. Although 

 liable to become misty, apparently the atmosphere is comparatively dry, 

 as the stone walls are not much lichened. Lecanora parella was the most 

 prevalent species. Draba verna was frequent on the bare spaces ; and 

 Cardamine hirsuta on the wall-tops. In the wood encircling Sanghtree 

 llouse there grow much Valeriana Pyrenaica, either planted or a garden 

 escape, and the familiar Herb Gerard {Mgopodium Podagraria), indicating 

 old settlement. In the garden were cnltivated Cistopteris fragilis, Poly- 

 podium Dnjopteris, and P. Phegopteris, Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, and 

 Polystichum aculeatwm, all originally from the hills. In the house was 

 preserved a flourishing plant of Asplenium viride, reckoned also to be 

 native ; and on Sanghtree Bridge, across the Dawston Burn, Cistopteris 

 fragilis, and Asplenium Trichomanes grew in the chinks. The Parsley Fern 

 was reported from several places on the Fells. Tussilago Petasites (Butter 

 Bur) was in magnificent foliage, by the water side. Frank Turnbull, who 

 had joined me, said that this plant was unknown in the hill district, and 

 that a shepherd lad who had " flitted " to the Liddel side, on seeing this 

 patch, was astonished, and called to his father : " Father come here and 

 see what strong rhubarb I " I noticed some " runch " (Sinapis arvensis) 

 as a turnip weed here. Frank pointed out, neai'ly in a line with the bridge 

 a little "up the green brae" on Thorlieshope ground, the site of Kid's 

 Wa's, which are now down, the original holding of the founder of the 

 family of Eliott of Stobs. The story of " Helen Kid's Curse " connected 

 with this habitation, may be found in a note to Jeffrey's Hist, of Roxburgh- 

 shire, iv., pp. 234-237. At present this was the "clipping" season here. 

 The neighbouring shepherds are still annually invited, and are supplied 

 with food for the day, wholesome Scotch porridge, evening and morning, 

 and other substantial fare, familiar to those acquainted with pastoral life. 

 The sheep are of the Cheviot breed. Many washing pools are met with 

 at this period among the hill burns, and the reign of general cleanliness 

 may be discerned in the improved whiteness of the fleeces. 



An old squared stone for a cheese-press, and an old quern and creeing 

 trough in the rockery, were the only antiques preserved. 



Outside at dawn the Larks were still in full song ; the universal Sparrow 

 was chirping ; the Cocks crowing ; the Blackbird and the Pied Wagtails 

 were racing on the lawn, which is bounded by the Dawston Burn, and an 

 outer line of willows and planted trees. The Willow Wren nestles in the 

 plantation. Farther afield the Curlews were calling, and the Wheat-ears, 

 a migratory baud, occupied the cope stones of the stone-walls, which here 

 are of sandstone. Midges are a great annoyance both in the morning and 

 evening ; and in the summer Clegs .abound. 



