Vol 5 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

Transactions. 13and tlie place of growth must, however, affect tlieir development,density, and size. The colour must be tlie result ofvital action. These colours perceptibly fade when the plantsare dry. Almost all species have a tendency to run into twoforms—one a dense compact variety caused by the shorteningof the internodes, and the other variety having the branches andleaves bent down or squarrose. In the true determination of thespecies of Sphagna almost every point in their structure must betaken into account, and these points are so many that it isdifficult to name many of the species, not to speak of thenumerous varieties.II. A Visit to Birniingham with the British Association.By Mr J. Shaw.In this paper Mr Shaw gave a brief description of the numerousplaces of interest visited by the Association, and a sketch of thelectures given during the meeting.7th Jaoiuary, 1887.Major BowDEN, Vice-President, in the chair.members jJi'esent.Twenty-eightN&w Member.—Rev. J. M'Farlan, The Manse, Ruthwell.The Ruthwell Cross.—The Secretary intimated that thecommitteehad adopted the following resolution, and moved itsadoption by the Society, viz. :— " That this Society is pleased tolearn that the Ruthwell Cross is at last to be protected from theweather, and cordially approves of the action taken by the Rev.Mr M'Farlan and the heritors of Ruthwell Parish, and recommendsthat the Society contribute three guineas as a donationtowards the expense."This was seconded by Mr W. M'Dowall,and unanimously agreed to. The Rev. Mr M'Farlan exhibitedand described the plans of the proposed erection, and stated thatthey had already been approved by the Commisssioners of Woodsand Forests, and that the Government through the Commissionerscontributed £50 towards the expense ; one of the conditions beingthat the Cross should be always accessible to the public free ofcharge. On the motion of the Chairman, the thanks of the