4 Address of the President. 



tation of grasses, carices, &c., mixed witli a few plants of 

 Epilohium augiistifolium, and there are also a few stunted 

 trees of Scotch fir and birch. At the north or north-east end 

 there is a natural outlet from the loch through the moss, which 

 could be easily deepened. Some years since a man had been 

 drowned, and, the body not being recovered, advantage was 

 taken of this outlet to lower the water, which, while it dis- 

 covered the body of the man, at the same time revealed 

 indications of a passage to the island, and some beams and 

 driven piles, together with a large wooden canoe. These 

 facts being mentioned to some of the members of the Society 

 induced them to propose this excursion to the Sanquhar loch, 

 and to endeavour to examine the island. 



The Rev. Dr. Simpson, with the sanction of the authori- 

 ties, the day before the meeting employed labourers to open 

 and deepen the outfall formerly used, which was done so 

 successfully that the loch was drained except a small pool, 

 and the bottom laid bare all around the i-sland. The extent 

 of the surface of the island available above water was 49 

 feet from E. to W. by 40 feet from N. to S. It would stand 

 from 6 or 8 feet above the exposed bottom of the loch, and 

 the sides being sloped, the base was considerably wider than 

 the dimensions above given. When first seen after the 

 bottom was laid dry, a few upright piles were observed, and 

 the curving narrow passage from the mainland appeared 

 somewhat raised, and was hard below the immediate mud 

 deposit, as if a sort of rough causeway had been formed ; 

 and when the water was at its height, or nearly level with 

 the surface of the island, persons acquainted with the turn 

 or winding of the passage could wade to it. The base of the 

 slope of the island was laid or strengthened with stones, some 

 of considerable size, so placed as to protect the wooden 

 structure. Round the island could be seen driven piles, to 

 which were attached strong transverse beams, and upon 

 making a cut six or seven feet wide into the side of the 

 island to ascertain its structure, we found a platform of about 

 four feet in depth raised by transverse beams placed alter- 



