Address of the President. 25 



furrowed in the direct line of the valley ; while the stones in 

 the drift above are not rounded, but are smoothed, and planed, 

 and scratched in the direction of their axis. This sandstone 

 is now considered by the most competent geologists as the 

 equivalent of the permian rocks of other districts. 



Some ancient works in an adjoining moss — the " Spcdlings 

 Flow" — were next visited. Attention had been directed to 

 these about two years since by the discovery of what was 

 thought to be a fireplace, by parties casting peats. It was a 

 circular platform of flat stones, bordered in front with rudely 

 formed wood, placed in the moss about six or seven feet 

 below the surface. Quantities of charcoal were found around, 

 and of bones, chipped or smashed, but so small that they 

 could not be identified. On farther examination the stones 

 were supported upon rude beams of wood (oak), covered over 

 with a layer of (" rice ") brushwood, birch and hazel, which 

 was again covered with a layer of bracken {Pier is aqicilina). 

 Upon uncovering some part of this structure before the 

 Society inspected it, a continuance of transverse beams regu- 

 larly laid was displayed, covered by their brushwood and 

 fern. The beams were morticed and cut by metal tools. 

 Beyond a few large flat stones, no relics of any kind, either 

 of metal or of pottery, have yet been found. 



The attention is naturally directed to the Lake Dwell- 

 ings, now creating so much interest ; but whatever this struc- 

 ture may have been, the beams and brushwood were laid 

 upon the moss ten feet deep below. It may have been softer 

 than at present, or the access may have been more marshy, 

 but when they were placed it could not have been in the 

 condition of a loch. I will not aUow peat to be cast from 

 this part, and in spring, when the weather dries, will have it 

 farther uncovered ; and the members may think it worth 

 their while to revisit it. 



I last week visited Dowalton Loch, in Wigtonshire, perhaps 

 the most remarkable and interesting discovery in Scotland in 



