X PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OP NATURAL SCIENCE. 
Mr. Lorimer said, ought to be specially interesting to visitors from 
Perth, as it was built, at some Unknown date, by one of the Oliphants 
of Aberdalgie, to which family the estate then belonged. It passed 
into the hands of a younger branch of the same family, and from them 
was purchased by the Earl of Kellie about the beginning of the 17th 
century. The more modem portion, which dates from about 1670, 
was erected chiefly by the third Earl. The beautiful plaster work of 
the ceilings of this portion was greatly admired. It is supposed to 
have been executed by Italian workmen. After a short stroll through 
the fine old-fashioned garden, and a few minutes spent in surveying 
the splendid view from the open ground in front of the castle, the 
party proceeded to St. Monance to inspect the fine old church. This 
building is said to have been built by David II. and his Queen in 
1369, in testimony of their gratitude for having escaped safely 
from shipwreck on the adjoining coast. Messrs. Macgibbon and 
Ross, however, say that, judging from the architectural features 
of the building and the spire, the present structure probably 
belongs to the beginning of the 16th century. In that case, it 
probably replaced an older building. One section of the party 
now drove on by road to Elie, while the others enjoyed a pleasant 
walk along the coast, stopping on the way to visit the ruins of 
Newark House, which belonged to the famous David Leslie, after¬ 
wards Lord Newark, the conqueror of Montrose at Philiphaugh, and 
the only leader whom Cromwell found very much trouble in beating. 
There was not much time for botanizing. Only a glance could be 
given to the plants on each side of the footpath. Close to St. Monance 
Church were large patches of Senebiera coronopus , a sort of casual 
among rubbish, and which has been very seldom found in Perthshire. 
Arrived at Elie, the party were again united in the house presently 
occupied by Dr. Urquhart, where they were received by Mrs. Urquhart 
and very kindly entertained to tea and other refreshments. Here, also, 
they were met and welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Rufus D. Pullar, and 
it should be mentioned that the latter gentleman very generously 
defrayed the expense of the drive from Crail. On the way home, it 
was unanimously agreed that the excursion was one of the finest and 
most enjoyable which the Societies have ever had.” 
8. August 25, from Newburgh, by Ballinbreich, to Balmerino. 
This, the concluding excursion for the season, which was partly 
botanical, partly antiquarian, and partly photographic, was under the 
excellent leadership of Col. Campbell, who has furnished the following 
particulars :—“ Leaving Perth by the 9.50 train, the party, numbering 
ten ladies and gentlemen, went to Newburgh, where they found a brake 
awaiting them in which they drove through—literally “ through,” for 
the road intersects them—the fine old ruins of Lindores, which, 
though now merely a wreck, show in their decay what a magni¬ 
ficent pile the Abbey must have been. They then proceeded four 
miles to the old Castle of Ballinbreich, where a halt was called, and 
the party proceeded to visit the ruins. It is built on an eminence 
overlooking the Tay, and about a hundred yards from the river. It 
consists of a big square, protected on the south by a semi-circular 
