262 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1902 



cultivation of "hill-parts" for a rotation of years, and for 

 the apportionment of these amon^ the burgesses by lot. These 

 burgesses form a community to which no one can be admitted 

 unless he is a possessor of a burgess acre, and the Council 

 possess the right of fixing the terms on which the possessor 

 of an acre may be admitted to this community. A person 

 may be a burgess, but he cannot participate in the rights 

 of the common unless he resides within the Burgh, as these 

 are given for "watching and warding." A burgess may possess 

 more than one burgess acre ; but no matter how many, he 

 can enjoy only one right in the common. Fuller details cannot 

 be given at present, but this imperfect outline shows how 

 unique this burghal system is, and how ancient its origin 



must be. 



^ ■» -ir it- 

 Mr Martin has, in addition, communicated a more detailed 

 account of Lauder Burgh and its Common, which, at his 

 request, is withheld, as he intends to make it the subject 

 of his Address at the Annual Meeting in 1903. 



After assembling at the Black Bull Hotel, the company 

 first of all drove to Blythe farm, for the purpose of inspecting 

 the Harefaulds,* a pre-historic encampment situated about a 

 mile to the north-west of the farm steading, on an eminence 

 overlooking the Blythe Water. On the west side the steep 

 bank formed a natural protection, and it was defended by 

 low crags on the south. There are traces of moats on the 

 remaining sides. The remains, which are in a very dilapidated 

 condition, consist of a large circle of stones, enclosing what 

 appears to have been a series of hut dwellings, also of stone. 

 Several cells of a circular or elliptical form are traceable in 

 the outer circle. Mr Macdougal, the tenant of Blythe, most 

 kindly acted as guide, and showed the party the more interesting 

 features, and also a couple of coins — one of Elizabeth, and 

 the other Spanish — which had been picked up on the ground. 

 The party then drove to Thirlestane Castle, which the Earl 



* Mr Francis Lynn gives an account of this on page 272. He 

 adopts the spelling " Haerfaulds." 



