president's address. 415 



flight or their song : — Cuckoo, Stone- chat (these birds were seen 

 at the blast furnaces, Seaham: about twelve specimens at the 

 lime quarry), "Whinchat, Wheatear, Chiff-chaff, Willow-wren, 

 Eeed-sparrow or Sedge-warbler. 



After dinner five new members were elected, and the following 

 papers read : — 



1. " On a species of Gymnetrus, cast ashore at Seaton Snook, 

 by John Hogg, Esq., M.A., F.R.S." 



2. "On the Fossils of the Marl-slate and Lower Magnesian 

 Limestone of Durham {No. 2), by James "W. Kirkby." 



3. " On the Chemical Composition of various beds of 'Magnesian 

 Limestone, by Messrs. E. J. J. Browell and J. W. Kirkby." 



4. "Meteorological Rep or t for 1865, by Geo. Clayton Atkin- 

 son, Esq." 



The Third Meeting of the year led us to a district of North- 

 umberland seldom visited by towns-people. Notwithstanding 

 the early hour (6*35 a.m.) required for the start, a goodly com- 

 pany (thirty-seven in number, and including several ladies,) 

 assembled at the Central Station. The day was fine but not 

 hot, a gentle breeze rendered exertion agreeable, and occasional 

 clouds, casting their shadows on the hills, gave increased charm 

 to the landscape. Leaving the Border Counties train at Reeds- 

 mouth the party, under the guidance of Dr. Charlton and the 

 Rev. John H. Newton, of Cambo, proceeded in the direction of 

 Swine Hill, on the summit of which is a large Roman camp. 

 This was carefully examined, its ramparts being in an excellent 

 state of preservation ; the semi-circular traverses attached to 

 its gateways were noticed, a peculiarity of construction which 

 General Ray considers to be peculiar to the encampments of the 

 ninth legion. The line of the Watling Street is close to this 

 camp ; along it Agricola doubtless marched on his way into Scot- 

 land about the year 80. Passing from these traces of the occupa- 

 tion of Britain by the Romans eighteen hundred years ago, we 

 next approached the spot where, in 1715, Lord Derwentwater 

 appeared in open arms against the house of Hanover. The minds 



