98 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
13 ft. 3 in. at 4 ft. 10 in, the other 12 ft. 6} in. at 3 ft. 6 in., 
and showing respectively an increase of 3 in. and 2} in. since 
measured on 24th March, 1888, exactly five years ago. 
On wails in this locality were observed Hrophila vulgaris, DC., 
in flower, and last year’s stems of Lepidiwm Smithw, Hook., 
while early flowers of Ranunculus Ficaria, Linn., were seen both 
here and at Dougalston. 
Some of the party returned hence to Milngavie, but the greater 
number proceeded to the “Auld Wives’ Lifts” on Craigmaddie 
Moor. 
In several places on the moor, the surface of the sandstone was 
observed to be beautifullysmoothed and grooved, the striz pointing 
E. 5°S. magnetic. This indicates that the ice-sheet which caused 
them had come from the vast feeding-ground on the mountains 
round the head of Loch Lomond, passing down the loch-basin, up the 
Endrick-Blane valley, through the gap of the Lennox, moving 
eastward along the face of the Campsie Hills, and bringing with 
it those West Highland boulders which are found in almost every 
excavation made in this neighbourhood. Whether the “ Lifts” 
are a result of the ice-sheet or not is a disputed point, as is also 
the question of their use as a sacrificial altar by the Celtic, or more 
probably pre-Celtic, inhabitants of this country. Legend affirms 
that they are Druidical, and that the name of the parish has been 
derived from Bal-druinich, ‘the Druids’ town.” It also attributes 
their origin, as is indicated by the popular name, to three auld 
wives or witches. These ancient dames, who represented the 
neighbouring parishes of Baldernock, Campsie, and Strathblane 
having entered into an athletic competition as te who should carry 
the largest stone, are said to have brought these here, planting 
two on the ground beside each other, and the third and largest on 
the top.* (Verily there were giants and giantesses in those days !) 
The stones are composed of the same rock as that of which the 
surrounding amphitheatre is formed—a white, silicious, pebbly 
sandstone. Farther to the north-west the pebbles are more 
abundant, and the rock becomes a conglomerate, more easily 
broken into gravel for use on paths, &c. No fragments of whin- 
* The topmost stone measured, on March 24, 1888, 20 ft. long, 10 ft. 
8 in, average width, and 7 ft. 5 in. high ; and weighed about 120 tons. 
