2 Address of the President. 



E.N.E. and W-S-W. directions. Upon this flooring a covering 

 of decayed vegetable matter has gradually accumulated and 

 formed a soil, which supports bushes of alder, willow, thorn, 

 &c., with an undergrowth of marsh plants. Around the 

 island were perceived oak piles, and on examination these 

 were found to have been sharpened by a metal tool, and 

 were driven from 3| to 4 feet into the peaty bottom of the 

 loch. The portions below or in the peat soil were very little 

 changed, and shewed distinctly the tool markings where they 

 had been sharpened or chipped ; but the parts above the 

 peat, though submerged and in the water, were very 

 much decomposed, the outside, or " whitewood," rotting and 

 crumbling away. None of those piles were visible above 

 the water. On this oak piling beams had been laid horizon- 

 tally, some of oak, some of fir still retaining the bark on the 

 under sides. Between the oak piling and the island there is 

 an area, varying from about 5 to 8 feet wide, filled with 

 angular blocks of granite, apparently, with the piles, to assist 

 in protecting the slab flooring. No remains of any kind 

 were seen, but, before the loch was lowered, two copper pots 

 were found upon the margin of what is now the island. One 

 has been lost sight of, but the other is now in the possession 

 of Mr Lowden of Clonyard, who obligingly lent it, and the 

 accompanying figure, reduced to one-half the size, will shew 

 the form and proportions. 



From Clonyard the party crossed the country to White 

 Loch. The water of this has lately been much lowered, and 

 has exposed many parts of the bottom, covered with debris 

 of granite of considerable size, and comprising also some 

 large boulders, which rendered it very rugged. There ap- 

 peared to be no traces whatever of crannogs or artificial 

 buildings in or upon the shores of this loch. 



The Society was hospitably entertained at Colvend Manse, 

 which adjoins White Loch, by the Rev. Mr. Fraser, a very 

 efficient member ; and, in returning to the train, a party 

 stopped to examine the large granite quarries opened on the 

 Munches estate, close by the Water of XJrr, by the contractor for 



