NATURE AND MAN IN THE FORTH VALLEY. 9 
Now, if we look at a geological map of the district with 
these figures in our hand, a most interesting fact is brought 
out. We find that without exception the Industrial District 
with the dense population occupies the area of the Carbonif- 
erous formation; the Highland District with the sparse 
population is the region of the Pre-Cambrian rocks ; and the 
Agricultural District, with a population of intermediate 
density, is comprised in the Old Red Sandstone and volcanic 
areas. The figures also show the gradual depopulation of 
rural districts and the growth of population in towns. 
Race, LANGUAGE, PLAcE NAMES. 
The people who inhabit the Forth Valley are, like the 
rest of the people of Scotland, of mixed Celtic, Teutonic, and 
Saxon race. At one time, there can be little doubt, the 
whole district was occupied by a Celtic people, and Gaelic 
place names are still abundant all over the district, The 
great Saxon influx from the south came as far as the 
Lowland area of the district, but did not penetrate into the 
purely Highland parts. Again, the Firth and River Forth 
afforded a most convenient access for the sea-faring Norse 
and Danish peoples who, after the period of the Roman 
occupation, swarmed to our shores. The three races met 
and fought, and ultimately blended. Still, a distinct line of 
demarcation remained between the Celtic and the mixed 
race, namely, the line dividing the Highlands from the 
Lowlands, already defined—a line clearly marked to the 
present day, not only by differences of physical features and 
geological formation, but also of race and language. North 
and west of this line the people remained pure Celts or 
nearly so, and the Gaelic language is spoken to this day, 
South and east of the line the people are of mixed Saxon, 
Norse, and Celtic blood, and their language has for centuries 
been Lowland Scotch, a branch of the Anglo-Saxon tongue, 
In this matter, we find one of the greatest influences which 
the physical formation of the country has had upon its 
people. The Firth of Forth let in the Viking colonists, and 
the low ground to the south gave easy access to the 
