The Scottish Naturalist. 



375 



Bridge were next reached, and then the party proceeded to Glenrid- 

 dell and Jarbruck Butts. This remarkable elevation was mounted 

 and carefully examined. There are four theories of the origin of this 

 mound — first, that it was a Roman encampment ; second, that it 

 was an ancient British burial-place for chiefs or priests ; third, 

 that it was erected as a moat or place of judgment ; and fourth, 

 that it was a British encampment. The visitors, after a discussion, 

 in which Messrs. Barbour and Watt took the principal part, came 

 to the conclusion that the only artificial part of the hill is the 

 western knoll, the rest being due to the natural action of water in 

 bygone ages. Probably the place was used as a moat, and subse 

 quently as a place for the exercise of archery. Here a meeting of 

 the Society was held, under the presidency of Mr. James Shaw, 

 and, on the motion of the Secretary, Mr. Thomas MacKie of the 

 Moat was elected a member. Dr. Chinnock also intimated that 

 the council had recommended the election of Messrs. W. Lennon 

 and W. Hastings as honorary members on account of their merit 

 as scientists and their services to the Society ; and on the motion 

 of Mr. J. Barbour and Mr. J. Moodie respectively, the election of 

 these gentlemen was agreed to. Mr. John Corrie, Moniaive, then 

 conducted the visitors to various objects of interest in the village 

 and its vicinity. After partaking of refreshment, and passing a 

 vote of thanks to Mr. Corrie for his services, the party drove to 

 Glencairn Church, where the Rev. Patrick Playfair was waiting 

 to point out objects of interest. The remains of the old pre- 

 Reformation Church were visited, Mr. Playfair supplying as much 

 information as he has been able at present to acquire about the 

 old Church, the gable ends of which alone remain. He then 

 showed the visitors through his garden, pointing out various rare 

 and beautiful plants and flowers. After the Secretary had conveyed 

 the thanks of the Society to Mr. Playfair the party drove back 

 to Dumfries through Dunscore and Holywood villages. 



PAISLEY PEAOTIOAL BOTANY CLASS. 



THIS class, conducted by Mr. J. M. B. Taylor in the hall, 

 109 Causeyside Street, Paisley, had recently some very 

 interesting matter brought up. The object of this class is the 

 study of our wild plants in a practical way j and a thorough course 



