94 REPORT—1840, 
pillars being at right angles to the plane of stratification, not to the 
horizontal level, clearly showing that they were elevated into their 
present position at an epoch subsequent to their formation. Between 
this cliff also, and the sea, are numerous boulders of granite, which rest 
not on the broadest and most solid parts, but on their apices, as if the 
action of the advancing and retiring waves while they were within high 
water-mark, had washed away the lower portions of the rock and left 
them in their present position. A regular series of these forms may 
be observed on the shore, and the further they are removed from ebb- 
tide, the more do they assume the form of inverted cones. 
Another evidence of a still more recent elevation is this, that near 
the coal on the east coast, is a bed of red limestone; and six or eight 
feet above the level of the sea the surface is entirely honey-combed 
with the perforations of a species of Pholas. 
With regard to the phenomena of the quartz veins in the slate and 
schist, Mr. Ramsay said, that in part they appeared to owe their origin 
to the influence of electric currents; but as, where this occurs, the 
slate or schist is generally much contorted, it is perhaps probable that 
these currents have been materially aided in their operations by heat ; 
and the process of separating the particles and arranging them in 
laminz, would be much assisted if the slate were so far heated and 
expanded as to allow its component particles liberty of motion. That 
it was heated to a great extent, is evident from the fact, that at the 
distance of a mile and a half from the granite the slate exhibits the 
most marked contortions; and where in immediate contact with the 
granite, it has in some instances been partially fused. 
During the Commonwealth, when Cromwell's soldiers were in Arran, 
a number of the refractory natives retired into the woods. To gain 
access to their retreat it was found necessary to cut down many of the 
trees. These trees were lately found perfectly fresh under 64 feet 
of moss. 
On another occasion a number of ancient weapons of war were found 
under three feet of peat moss. These weapons are supposed to be as 
old as one of the Danish invasions, a battle between the natives and 
the Danes having taken place where they were found. 
Observations on the Superficial Beds in the Neighbourhood of Glasgow. 
By James Situ, F.G.S. 
The uppermost bed is a sand ; the next a brick clay, interlaminated 
with sand, containing marine shells; and then a bed, called in Scotland 
“till”, and containing boulder stones. These are evidently post-tertiary. 
Between these and the sandstone are three other beds. Mr. Smith has 
discovered, in elevations, often forty feet above the present shores, beds 
of shells, containing about eighty-five per cent. of species now existing. 
Those of extinct species resemble shells from Canada, and indicate a 
colder climate at the time the animals existed. In the till, shells are of 
very rare occurrence, although it sometimes contains large bones. The 
a So 
