218 Geology of Dumfries Basin. 



so fine that it goes bj the name of " Flower of rocks ; " good for 

 mortar, and in this case highly appreciated by the builder. With 

 regard to the striking gap in the hills through which the 

 Dalbeattie road and line of railway is carried, Mr Watt said that 

 he had been informed by a well-known Scottish geologist who 

 knows this district well, but who does not allow his name to be 

 given, that there is strong presumptive evidence for believing 

 that this gap or gorge had been sculptured out by a pre -glacial 

 stream, which had been dammed up and diverted by a great rdass 

 of boulder clay behind the hills, particularly at the part which is 

 now the top of the gap. More might be said of examples of 

 glaciation not far off, but it would be out of proportion to dwell 

 longer on the subject, and we pass on to 



RAISED BEACHES. 



On the Stewattry side, following- the road to Newabbey for a 

 couple of miles, two strips of low-lying ground are noticeable for 

 their strikingly level character. These are raised beaches, 

 indicating former sea levels ; their present position being due to 

 a gradual elevation of the land. The whole of that strip of land 

 extending from Troqueer Holm to Kirkconnell Moss is of this 

 character. The oldest of these beaches, extending from Park to 

 Cargenholm, has an average height of 50 feet above sea level. 

 The lower beach — the Flats of Cargen — at a height of about 25 

 feet, indicates the more recent beach, and extends to the mouth of 

 the Nith, but sloping gradually up to the 50 feet level. It may 

 seem hardly necessary to mention that the 25 feet beach is a strik- 

 ing feature of many parts of the Scottish coast. The late Mr P. 

 Dudgeon of Cargen made an important discovery indicating 

 " previous oscillations of sea level, as well as probably affording 

 traces of neolithic man. During the sinking of a well through 

 the raised beach at Islesteps the following section was passed 

 through: — Sand, silt, &c., 15 feet; peat, 18 inches; stiff clay, 

 14 feet; while underneath the clay gravel was pierced. In 

 the peaty layer the remains of a fir tree were found with its 

 roots penetrating the underlying clay, and close by were dis- 

 covered many bits of charred wood, bundles of moss, and traces 

 of phosphate of iron. ... In this section the clay (in which 

 marine shells were found) evidently proves the presence of the 

 sea ; while the layer of peat, with remains of trees and charred 



