REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1905 265 



Boyd was fortunate enough to re-discover it in perfect flower. 

 It will be of further interest to note that on 3rd July 1903, 

 in the North Plantation, Ayton, near the Ale Water, the 

 same ardent botanist identified the plant growing on the 

 opposite side of the road from its original station discovered 

 by Mr Wm. Shaw. la the course of their examination of 

 the woods and policies of Whitmuir Hall, the party on the 

 present occasion reported Ranunculus lingua; Drosera rotundi' 

 folia ; Carex curta ; G. paniculata ; and C. disticha. 



Owing to the interest recently aroused by the Society of 

 Antiquaries of Scotland in Newstead, already notable in our 

 annals by the discovery in 1827 of a meteoric stone, weighing 

 32lbs., the invitation by Mr James Curie of Priorwood, to whom 

 had been intrusted the superintendence of the excavations, to 

 inspect the work already undertaken, was cordially accepted by 

 the President, who conducted a party, which was augmented 

 by other members from Galashiels, to the site of this Eoman 



Fort, extending over 14 acres, where their 

 Newstead host supplied a historical account of the Eed 

 Fort. Abbeystead field in which it is situated, and an 



interesting narrative of the progress of the 

 work of excavation. In the course of his address he explained 

 that the ground now occupied by the members was a Roman 

 station, which had been absolutely forgotten, its name having 

 disappeared, and no mark of its existence having been trace- 

 able above the ground. In 1743 Eev. Adam Milne, in 

 his description of the parish of Melrose, had written thus 

 regarding the site: — "About a mile to the West on the 

 Tweed stands Newstead, a place noted for an antient lodge 

 of masons, but more remarkable for another Abbacy on the 

 East side of it, called Eed Abbeystead. Whether it got 

 this name from the colour of the stones wherewith it was 

 built, or because it was an house belonging to the Templars, 

 they wearing a red cross for their distinguishing badge, I 

 cannot determine ; but it is certain, when the ground here 

 is plowed or ditched, the foundations of several houses are 

 discovered, a great deal of lead got, and some curious seals." 

 Then came General Roy, who inspected the roads in North 

 Britain in 1769-71, and was of opinion that the only signs of a 

 Roman station were some entrenchments near the village of 

 II 



