Dr Archibald's "Curiosities op Dumfries." 59 



FOSSILS. 



The earth called Bleck digged out of a pit an ell and a half 

 long and neai- as broad and the depth of a pike. The country 

 people boil alder or oak tree bark in water, making a strong 

 ligive, and therein they boyl this also together with their cloth, 

 which thence receives a black colour. Traditionally they report 

 here a ship laden with iron to have sunk. The lake smells exactly 

 as Moffat well, the sea sometimes overflowing it. The earth 

 when taken from the place quickly spoyls and losing its black 

 colour turneth into a clay colour unless the vessel be covered 

 with iron or iron put into it. 



I have not yet gotten that lithargick-like earth, neither the 

 white peit (peat), but shall send them as soon as possible. 



I have sent the Tibia efformata fossilis, which I desire you 

 be pleased to send me back again as soon as you may. 



I could send you that stone, which is like the Bristol stone, 

 and another which is cornu servi fossile with signatures. I hope 

 you will send them back again to me. 



AVELLS. 



Here are many superstitiously used, but physical I know none 

 save Moffat "Wells in Annandale. A well in Closeburn Parish, in 

 a moss belonging to the Laird of Closeburn ; another at Torthor- 

 wald, belonging to the Duke of Queensberry ; a third at Kirkbean 

 in Galloway within a mile of the black lake in a meadow. These 

 are used after the same manner, have the same colour, taste, and 

 smell, but the ill-luck of a lesser fame. 



Many run superstitiously to other wells, and obtain (as thuy 

 imagine) health oi' advantage. But I know of no physical influ- 

 ence. Only from the deceits of that viiisiotechnes they are de- 

 cei\ed, and there they offer bread and cheese or money by 

 throwing them into the well. 



.And lately being called four miles hence to a gentleman's 

 first child troul^led with vomitings and faintiugs, I told him that 

 I suspected the smallpocks and desired him not to fear. Then he 

 told me regrettingly that some of his servants had given the child 

 a draught of a well within a mile of his house which the sick 

 parties' friends fetch there to the sick, and having given them of 

 it to drink they reckon that they shall live if they do not vomit 

 it, but if they vomit they must dy. 



