84 Transactions. 



ridge. A iSue example of contorted strata in this system 

 was recently detected in a Itroken cliff immediately west of 

 the Beacon Hill. Oa •■('ticliing Lochmaijen the members had 

 ai> opportunity of seeing the extensive remains of glacial 

 and post-glacial periods, covering the surface in its neigh- 

 hourhood, and the numerous lochs surrounding it, most 

 interesting from a geological jioint of view. 



The last excursion included a visit to Hills Tower, Loch- 

 ruttou, Lochaher, &c. The train Avas taken advantage of to 

 Lochanhead Station, and gave the members another oppor- 

 tunity of seeing the gravel mounds at Maxwelltown, the deep 

 cutting thiougli the Permian breccia at schoolhouse, and the 

 sucicossive cuttings through the Silurian shale in the vicinity 

 of the Goldielea Viaduct. The character of the rock, its dip 

 and strike, were still better seen in two quarries near to the 

 station ; in the oiie nearest some specimens of dentritic 

 manganese were obtained. On leaving the Station the Silu- 

 rian hills were crossed towards Hills Tower. In the lower 

 ground before reaching the To-wer, in an artificial cutting for 

 drainage, were found glaciated till and glaciated boulders. 

 After visiting the Tower the members proceeded to walk 

 along the eastern side of Lochrutton Loch. The Avater was 

 unusually low, and gave the members an opportunity of wit- 

 nessing numerous indications of a belt of wood having gi'own 

 along its margin, several of the trees being of considerable 

 size, some prostrate, some broken off, but the roots apparently 

 in their natural position of growth. As some doubts were 

 expressed as to whether their position was a natural or arti- 

 ficial one, we would leave the question for further considera- 

 tion. On nearing the south-east end of the Locli it was 

 declared that its waters must at one time have covered a 

 larger surface, if not occupied a higher level ; this is indi- 

 cated by the existence of a small morass now covering a 

 number of acres, and standing at some height above the pre- 

 sent surface of the water. Lochaber was next visited. 

 Here again we had proofs of change of level, the existence of 

 wood along the margin now covered by the water. On 

 returning to the Station ridges of Porphorites and Silurians 

 were crossed, indicating, as they usually do in the positions 

 they occupied relative to the surrounding hills, glacial action. 



