1909-1910-] An Account of the Excursions (1910). 265 



structure, and to the eye at least might easily be mistaken 

 for an igneous rock. The party then proceeded to the next 

 section (Plate XVII., fig. 2), at the back of Hawk Craig, 

 where the effect of the molten intrusive rock on the overlying 

 sandstones may be well observed. The sandstones at this 

 point have been converted by contact metamorphism into very 

 beautiful quartzites. The section shows on its upper surface 

 very distinct ripple -marks. Although early in the season, 

 several plants were found in flower, — Sisymbrium Thaliamcm, 

 Myrrhis odorata, Cochlear ia officinalis and G. clanica, Viola 

 palustris, and Nepeta glechoma. 



The next Saturday, under the same leader, a visit was made 

 to the prehistoric burial-ground and shrimp band at GuUane. 

 Owing to the inclemency of the weather only 17 mem- 

 bers joined the excursion. Some ancient burial-grounds had 

 lately been brought to light by the shifting of the sand-dunes 

 under the influence of the wind. These burial-grounds are in 

 hollows in the sandhills, some of them being of considerable 

 extent. The one where most of the " finds " were secured 

 was about 300 yards long and 50 yards wide. Many graves 

 occur at this spot, their position being marked by irregularly 

 scattered boulders of black basalt. A number of skeletons 

 have been unearthed, and many flint implements and arrow- 

 heads, &c., have been collected from time to time. A search 

 was made, but only one or two flint implements were found, 

 one very perfect arrow-head and two stone skin-scrapers. A 

 little tern's nest was discovered, with four eggs neatly hidden 

 in the warm sand, the heat of which keeps them incubating 

 during the day, as the parent only sits upon them through 

 the night. The shrimp band was afterwards visited by some 

 of the members. It is found in the shales about two miles 

 to the east of the burial-ground. The band itself is about 

 6 inches thick (Plate XVIII., fig. 1), and very hard, and 

 abounds in fossil shrimps (Tealiocaris Londonensis). A small 

 but good specimen was secured after a short search. 



The excursion to Dalkeith grounds on the following 

 Saturday was the best attended one of the season. Up- 

 wards of 50 members, under the leadership of Mr James 

 L. Gray, visited the Palace gardens, where they were met 



