Transactions. 167 



and Physgill, brought them to Kidsdale House. There they left 

 the vehicles ; and, following first a shady footpath through a wind- 

 ing glen, and then a more open road-way, a mile's walk brought 

 them to the shore of Luce Bay, at the little inlet known as Port 

 Castle, from the scanty relics of an old fortalice that crowned one 

 of the headlands. From this point the cave, which faces to the 

 mouth of the bay, and is just above the tidal line, is plainly visible ; 

 and only a short further walk over shingle and small boulders is 

 necessary to reach it. The entrance is now closed by a stout 

 metal screen, placed over it by Mr Stewart of Physgill, proprietor 

 of the adjacent estate. The key is kept at Kidsdale House, and is 

 readily given to responsible persons, as it was on Saturday. But 

 the cave is so small that it can be fully surveyed from the outside. 

 It might more appropriately indeed be termed a grotto. The 

 rocks, which at this point are bold and precipitous, converge 

 slightly in front of it, and probably a greater space was at one time 

 under the natural arch. "NAlien the work of excavation was in 

 progress a large piece of rock was lifted, which had obviously been 

 detached from the cliff above ; and beneath it was discovered a 

 human skeleton — possibly the victim of rome forgotten tragedy, 

 most likely one whom the falling rock had buried. The rough 

 natural walls of the cell are coated witli oxide of iron, and present 

 a damp appearance, suggesting anything but a luxurious or whole- 

 some retreat. It was known by immemorial tradition in the 

 district as St. Ninian's or St. Ringan's Cave ; but it was only a 

 comparatively few years ago that positive evidence of its monastic 

 associations was discovered. The late Dean Stanley and Dr John 

 Stuart of Edinburgh (author of " The Sculptured Stones of Scot- 

 land ") were on a visit to the district, and one of their party 

 traced upon the rock near to the cave the faint outline of a small 

 cross. Further search has revealed the existence of four of these 

 sacred emblems, both the Greek and Latin form being used. 

 Excavations were thereafter undertaken, at the instance of Mr 

 Stewart of Physgill, and carried out with great care under the per- 

 sonal superintendence of Dr Douglas, of Whithorn. A low wall 

 in front of the cave was taken down (but afterwards re-built), and 

 several small stones with crosses incised on them were found in it. 

 Debris was removed, which had accumulated at some points to a 

 depth of six feet, and a rough flag pavement exposed in part of the 

 cave, the rest of it being paved with hard beaten earth. In the 



