Dr DUNCAN on the Footmarks of Quadrupeds in Sandstone. 195 



equal thickness. It lies in the direction of the greater part of 

 the sandstone of the district, which is from west-north-west to 

 east-south-east, with its dip southerly at an angle of 38. 



The remarkable phenomenon which I am now about to de- 

 scribe as existing in this quarry, is that of numerous impressions, 

 frequently distinct and well defined, bearing, both in their shape 

 and in their position with relation to each other, so close a re- 

 semblance to the foot-prints of quadrupeds, as to leave no doubt 

 respecting their identity, which have been found by the workmen 

 on the surface of certain strata, when the superincumbent layers 

 have been removed in the progress of quarrying. This fact, so 

 extraordinary, and I believe unique, has not hitherto attracted 

 the share of public attention which it deserves, and indeed has 

 not as yet been noticed in any scientific work, though it is fif- 

 teen or sixteen years since the discovery was first made. 



The casts and specimens which accompany this will convey 

 an accurate idea of the nature of the impressions ; but it may be 

 necessary to mention, that considerably greater variety than I 

 have yet been able to procure, has been observed, not only in 

 their dimensions, but shape, the magnitude varying from the 

 size of a hare's paw to that of a foal's hoof. 



Description of the accompanying Casts. 



No. I. represents part of a slab *, formerly in the possession of 

 Mr CARRUTHERS of Dormont, who procured it about four years 

 ago from the quarry, and is now built into a summer-house in the 

 garden belonging to the manse of Ruthwell. On the slab, which 

 is 5 feet 2 inches in length, there are twenty-four continuous 



* The accompanying engraving (Plate VIII.) is taken from the cast No. 1, 

 and is on a reduced scale. 



Bb2 



