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 sereen, 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. When 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 some forgotten tragedy, 
most likely one whom the falling rock had buried. The rough 
natural walls of the cell are coated with 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 
