74 MR DAVID B. MORRIS ON 
as manifested in geological structure, vegetation, and im 
other ways; to study the effect of geological structure and 
climate on the plants and animals of the district; and, not 
least, to consider how far the physical conditions of the 
Forth Valley, past and present, have had a direct bearing 
upon its human inhabitants. 
It may be useful to consider to-night certain leading 
features of the district, to note what has been done by 
some previous observers, and to enquire in what directions 
our knowledge might with advantage be widened. 
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FORTH VALLEY. 
We may state four special characteristics of the Forth 
Valley :— 
(1) It occupies the narrowest portion of the island of 
Great Britain, connecting large land areas to north and to: 
south. 
(2) In this unique position it includes the dividing line 
between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. EKm- 
bracing portions of both of these regions, the Forth Valley 
exhibits the characteristics of both in its geological and 
physical structure, in its vegetation, people, language, place 
names, and industries. 
(3) The great variety of geological structure developed in 
its area, with corresponding effects on vegetation and human 
industries and population. 
(4) The fact that in the Forth Valley the western type 
of climate is carried further east than elsewhere. 
Let us examine these characteristics in more detail. 
POSITION AND AREA, 
The Forth Valley is situated at the narrowest part of 
Scotland. The breadth between Peterhead and Ardna- 
murchan Point is 170 miles; between Berwick-on-Tweed 
and Portpatrick, 135 miles; while from Queensferry to 
