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more come under the category of artificial handiwork than do the 

 cup hollows on stone D. They are either pure weatherings, or 

 possibly, relics of some footmarks of Pre- Adamite beast. 



Stone F is the only stone in all the Twelve Apostles that bears 

 undoubtedly human toolmai'ks on it. These occur on its per- 

 pendicular long side facing N.-E., and consist of three deep narrow 

 wedge-shaped holes in one row about 16 inches apart, and another 

 similar hole higher up, near the right hand of the stone. These 

 holes were, T believe, boretl by some vandal who had set his heart 

 upon splitting up the block to build a dyke ; but the thundei's 

 of Thorr broke on his head, and the stone was left. 



Concerning the other two localities, as I think quite wrongly 

 and unjustifiably raised to the distinction of possessing human 

 handiwork, it is worthy of note that to each of them there is 

 appended a tradition. Which is the more ridiculous it would be 

 hard to say. (2) The " Cow Cloot " in the parish of Parton is the 

 more heinous offender. Here again, but indirectly, Sir James 

 Simpson's monograph has to bear the brunt of a critical examina- 

 tion. He refers to observations made by the Rev. Mr Greenwell. 

 " Appearances of artifical stone-cutting which he believes to be 

 referable to the class described in this memoir. They consist of 

 three or four Cup Hollows of the usual form and size, and a 

 slanting ovoid circle, not unlike that which a cow's foot produces 

 in softish soil." These marks which, I submit, are nothing but 

 weatherings, and, even as such, not of any markedly peculiar 

 form, or depth, or mimicry of artificial work — have been unduly 

 honoured by a page of illustration by my friend Mr Harper in 

 his excellent " Rambles in Galloway " ; but, I am glad to state 

 that in conversation he admits that the whole matter was not worth 

 the time and trouble given to it. The legend ascribed to this most 

 inconspicuous and disappointing rock-site is as follows :— " The 

 proprietor [of Upper Arvie], in order to get up arrears of rent 

 ' drove the pun," or, in other words, carried off the hypothecated 

 stock, wliile a fierce resistance was made by the people, and that 

 over this stone, on which a man had just been praying for relief 

 against liis enemies, the cattle passed, followed by an oflicer on 

 horseback, and that it remains as a memorial to posterity of the 

 cruel deed." The writer of the above could, in his day, i-ecognise 

 not only the four nails on each side of the horse-shoe impression, 

 but the knot of the garter made by the kneeling man ! (3) In 



