268 An A ccoiint of the Excu rsions ( 1 9 1 o). [Sess. 



noticed. A young golden plover, newly hatched, was found, 

 and its beautiful particoloured down of bright yellow and 

 brown was greatly admired. The best find botanically was 

 Cerastium arvense ; but one of the largest agarics, Clitocyhe 

 maximum, was found growing in a good- sized group in front 

 of the castle. A visit was then made to the aisle of the old 

 church, founded in 1424 by Sir Thomas Somerville of Cow- 

 thally. On entering the village of Carnwath from the north 

 the leader pointed out a large earthen mound, and said that 

 this was the only piece of ground in Scotland now owned by 

 the Earl of Carnwath. After visiting some of the old build- 

 ings in Carnwath and partaking of a substantial tea at the 

 inn, some of the members went to botanise the banks of the 

 Medwyn ; and the Glasgow members, accompanied by a 

 number of those from Edinburgh, walked to join the train at 

 Carstairs. 



On Saturday, the 11th June, the excursion was to Pen- 

 caitland and Saltoun. The leader, Mr Laidlaw, conducted the 

 party through Saltoun woods. On the way to the woods he 

 pointed out the first pot-barley mill in Scotland, and the green 

 first used by the British Linen Company — now the British 

 Linen Bank — for bleachiug purposes. In the woods Luznla 

 sylvatica and Scirpus sylvaticus were found in profusion ; Carex 

 remota and other sedges were gathered and the extremely 

 pretty little orange - coloured fungus, Mitrula pahtdosa, was 

 found growing on leaves in the ditches in great abundance. 

 The leader conducted the party to the large heronry in the 

 pine wood. Several herons were observed, and at the foot 

 of one of the trees a ball, apparently of fir - needles, was 

 picked up by one of the members, and when cut through 

 was found to contain the skin of a small mammal. It was 

 likely to be the casting of a heron. On returning to Peii- 

 caitland the party were entertained to an al fresco tea, after 

 which Mr Laidlaw was thanked for his kindness in originat- 

 ing and carrying out such an interesting excursion. It was 

 a locality never previously visited by the Society, and it was 

 as beautiful a spot as they had ever seen. The factor of 

 the estate and Mr Elliot, farmer, Duncanhill, who were with 

 us during the ramble, were also thanked for their kindness ; 



