TRANSACTIONS. 



Tlie authors of the follovnng papers are alone responsible for the 

 opinions expressed. 



LOCAL ANTHROPOLOGY. By William M'Ilwraith. 



Read November 7th, 1879. 



****** 



From this brief historic sketch it will be apparent, we think, 

 that the archaaological remains of this district should possess more 

 than ordinary interest. Eskdale and Annandale, for instance, 

 were on the higliway between the southern and northern parts of 

 the kingdom. Through their dales the successive invading races 

 would advance northwards ; and then, as their power waned and 

 they retired, the more ancient tribes would stream southwards. 

 Nithsdale, stretcliing more westwards than northwards, was 

 debateable ground forming the eastern boundary of Galloway; 

 and the latter district, though always Celtic in the main, and 

 preserving a kind of individuality and independence, was fre- 

 quently invaded. Of all this, interesting evidence should be found 

 in the character of the people, in their language and customs, and 

 in the archaeological remains to be found in the district. So it 

 has ; but much remains to be gathered, and sifted, and utilised 

 by this and kindred local societies. Let us look for a little at the 

 evidence we now possess. In the course of time the races of men 

 in the south-west counties have become amalgamated, but the 

 close observer cannot fail to notice that there is a general 

 difference between the people of Dumfriesshire and Galloway. 

 The former possess more of the Anglo-Saxon elements in their 

 constitutions. Tliis is especially noticeable in the common people, 

 among whom wide changes of residence have not been frequent. 

 Red-haired, fair haired, fair-skinned, blue -eyed, tall men and 

 women are more frequently to be met with in Eskdale and 

 Annandale than in Galloway; and we have a majority of the 

 people in the latter district dark-haired, swarthy, black-eyed. 

 In theii- temperaments also a difference may be discerned. And 



