66 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1896 



Saxon Boga or Boha-bale, i.e., a blazing pile or bale-fire 

 of boughs) kindled on the vigil, or evening before. In the 

 centre of the green three trees were set up on end, meeting 

 in tent fashion at the top, the space within and around these 

 was built up with whins and rossity faggots, and when a 

 light was applied at the bottom the blaze that rose was glorious. 

 The bougha-bale was a very ancient custom, and there is reason 

 to believe that it dated back to the days of Saxon pagauism. 

 Denholm was one of the earliest seats of the stocking trade 

 in this district, and the firm of Dickson & Beattie, who 

 commenced business here in 1793, transferred their works 

 to Hawick in 1809, where it has grown into the extensive 

 factory of Dicksons & Laings. In connection with this 

 subject it may be noticed that the house in which Dr John 

 Leyden was born was used as the scouring-house of the 

 firm of Dickson & Beattie. 



Dinner was partaken of in the Tower Hotel, Hawick. 

 The chair was occupied by Rev. George Gunn, and Mr D. 

 McB. Watson officiated as croupier. A letter from the 

 President expressing regret that he >was unable to be present 

 was read by Mr Guan. The company consisted of the follow- 

 ing members : — Rev. G. Gunn, Stichill ; Mr Alex. Bowie, 

 Canonbie ; Mr James Thomson, Shawdon, Alnwick ; Rev. 

 Thomas Martin, Lauder; Rev. Hon. S. S. W. Maitland, 

 Thirlestane Castle, Lauder ; Mr David Skinner, Lauder ; Mr 

 Andrew Waugh, Hawick ; Mr John Turnbull, Galashiels ; 

 Mr Adam Laing, Hawick ; Georji^e Wood, Jedburgh ; Mr 

 A. M. Dunlop, Ashkirk ; Mr W. Shaw, Galashiels ; Mr 

 W. G. Guthrie, Hawick; Mr W. B. Boyd, Faldonside ; Mr 

 P. Loney, Edinburgh ; Dr Stevenson Macadam ; Mr R. I. 

 Rutherford, Fairnington ; Mr D. McB. Watson, Hawick. The 

 following visitors were also present: — Messrs A. D. Murray, 

 Newcastle - on - Tyne ; William Barton, Woodhead ; Robert 

 Murray, Hawick ; Frank Wood, Hawick. 



Mr Gunn stated, on behalf of the botanical section, that the 

 plants found in Denholm Dean were rather common. They 

 included : — Nasturtium amphibium, Br., Sedum acre, L., S. 

 Anglicum, L., Stellaria holostea, L., S. nemorum, L., S. aquafica, 

 Scop., Sanicula europoea, L., Arenaria trinervis, L., Allium 

 ursinum, L., Vicia sylvatica, L., Geum urbanum, L., 6. rivale, 

 L., O. intermedium, Ehrh., Circaea lutetiana, L., Chrysosplenium 



