Vol 6 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

Transactions. 3tliat members who live in different parts of Dumfriesshire andGalloway had the opportunity of attending one or more of them,and the Society had the pleasure of carrying on its investigationsin different directions. With regard to the field meetings somegood work has been done, but there is yet room for improvement,for the entomological department does not receive the attention itdeserves, except by one member—Mr Lennon.The members areto be complimented for their endeavours in preventing the extirpationof the rarer flowering plants and ferns as well as forrecording the lists of " finds." The kindness and hospitality theSociety received from Mr J. Gillon-Fergusson of Isle, Mr W. D.Kobinson-Douglas of Orchardton,Mr J. R. Wilson, of Sanquhar,and Mr Hamilton, Kirkcudbright, deserve special mention.The excursion to Moffat in July was again held as a jointexcursion with the Scottish Natural History Club, Edinburgh,Avhen the two Societies renewed their acquaintance and wererewarded by the finding of Rubus Leesii (Bab.), a plant not hithertorecorded for Scotland.The average attendance at the winter meetings was 34 andat the summer meetings 2 7 '6, the former being larger than lastsession, but the latter slightly under and no doubt due to theunfavourable weather for the June and September excursions.There were 15 committee meetings, all of which were fairlywell attended.In January last a sub-committee was appointed to memorialisethe Town Council of Dumfries in reference to the converting ofthe basement of the Midsteeple into a shop. The Town Councildid not acquiesce in the petition, but carried out their jjlans andmaterially altered the stability and security of that historicbuilding.This Society approved of the action taken by the Eev. J.M'Farlan and the Heritors of Ruthwell in protecting the EunicCross from the detrimental agencies of the weather and exposure,and contributed towards the expense.The donation of specimens to the Society's collection hasbeen progressing favourably, and those chiefly added were geolologicaland botanical.The Society purchasedtwo additional maps of Font's series,and now possesses the parts for Dumfriesshire and Galloway.The additions to the Library have been both numerous andimportant, and specialmention should be made of Mr Eobinson-