Transactioois. 39 



understood, I beg to submit the following measurements : — The 

 existing Bridge consists of six arches, and beginning at the Max- 

 welltown side the dimensions are— 1st arch, 32 feet 4 inches wide ; 

 1st pier, 15 feet 2 inches wide; 2d arch, 27 feet wide; 2d pier, 14 feet 

 6 inches wide ; 3d arch, 28 feet 2 inches wide ; 3d pier, 1 5 feet 2 inches 

 wide ; 4th arch, 27 feet 9 inches wide ; 4th pier, 15 feet 2 inches 

 wide; 5th arch, 27 feet 7 inches wide; 5th pier, 15 feet 1 inch 

 wide ; 6th arch, 35 feet 5 inches wide. Total between the abut- 

 ments, 253 feet 4 inches. The distance between the face of 

 the east abutment now found and the west side of the sixth pier, 

 which now forms the east abutment, measures 113 feet 2 inches, 

 and deducting the width of three piers, 68 feet remains, which 

 would give three arches of 22 feet 8 inches span each. 



It follows that the old water channel of the Nith in the 13th 

 century measured 366 feet 6 inches across, between the abut- 

 ments of the bridge ; that the bridge, including its abutments, 

 extended to at least 457 feet, and it was a 9-arched structure. 

 The remains also show that provision had been made in the east 

 abutment for a mill lade in connection with the old Sandbed 

 Mill, which was bounded on the north by the bridge, and was 

 not above the bridge, for the culvert is at too high a level to have 

 been the tail race. 



On the motion of Dr Gilchrist, a vote of thanks was heartily 

 awarded to Mr Barbour and also to Messrs M'Dowall and Starke 

 for the trouble which tliey Iiad taken in connection with the 

 Bridge and the Abbey. 



