20 REPORTS OF MEETINGS EOR 1909 



Coldstream, founded on the banks of the Tweed in 1165 by 

 Gospati'ick, 3rd Earl of Dunbar, and dedicated to the Virgin ; 

 but thereafter it assumed the dignity of the church of the 

 parish of the same name, which it retained till 1716, when 

 it was superseded by the church at Coldstream. Among many 

 tombstones which impart intei'est to the churchyard are those 

 of Rev. Adam Thomson, Coldstream, who strenuously laboured 

 for the abolition of the monopoly of Bible printing in Scotland, 

 and of Patrick Brydone, F.R.S., born 1736 and died 1818, 

 who presented to Coldstream its present clock and bell. On 

 the steep bank of the Tweed below Lactuca virosa has been 

 reported. 



Proceeding Westward past Lennel New Town, members 

 caught a glimpse of Lennel House, for many years associated 

 with the honourable name of Baillie-Hamiltou, and recently pur- 

 chased by Captain Waring, M.P., who has improved the means 

 of access by constructing a new carriage drive from a gateway 

 at the North end of the bridge over the Tweed at Coldstream. 

 Further improvements were manifest in picturesquely disposed 

 clumps of Birch and hard wood. The route was continued 

 through the Border burgh, on the main street of which was 

 noticed a vigorous plant of Wistaria sinensis in flower, covering 

 the front wall of a two-storeyed dwelling. Ariiving at the 



entrance gate of the Hirsel shortly after noon, 

 The Hirsel. the party was met by Mr George Ferguson, 



forester, to whom had been committed the task 

 of conducting them over the gardens and grounds. On the 

 East side of the approach stood a fine plantation of Picea 

 grandis and Cedrus Atlantica, which had weathered the gales 

 of forty seasons. The drive is lined with forest trees, which 

 by the absence of injured limbs bespoke the diligent care and 

 observation of the woodman. The gardens had not yet 

 attained their perfect glory, but in the abundance of Rose 

 bushes in plots and upon arches gave promise of the profusion 

 of colour with which summer's advent would invest them. Chief 

 among the objects of botanical interest was the remarkable 

 specimen of the Tulip Tree ( Liriodendron tulijnfera), a native 

 of California, whose bark contains a valuable medicinal property 

 which has been employed as a substitute for quinine (Plate II.). 



