80 REPORT — 1855. 



reaching the entrance of Cardigan Strait, in 16° 38' N., where they only occur in 

 boulders on the beach ; and the next position southerly is Cape Eden, in 75° 30', 

 where the 'Assistance' wintered in 1853-54. 



On the Glacial Phcenomena of the Lake District of England. 

 By James Bryce, F.G.S. 



Mr. Bryce pointed out the peculiar geological structure of the district, illustrated 

 by a coloured map. There are three granitic districts, encircled by slate of three 

 different ages, the granites and slates being all very distinct and easily recognized 

 when found in remote places. These rocks are found to be transported to great 

 distances, in various directions, across valleys and over high ridges, and the cause 

 adequate to produce the phsenomena is a matter still in dispute among geologists. 

 In order to elucidate, if possible, this obscure subject, Mr. Bryce had carefully 

 examined the many mountain valleys radiating in all directions from the high 

 mountain mass of the Great Gabel, and found various evidences of the former action 

 of glaciers in all these valleys. They seem to have descended from a nucleus in the 

 higher bosoms of the mountains, to have filled the valleys, and spread out over the 

 low country at the base, all round the lake district. In confirmation of this view, 

 various arguments were stated, and the directions of the strise pointed out on a map 

 on which they had been laid down by the compass. 



On a lately discovered Tract of Granite in Arran. 

 By James Bryce, F.G.S. 



On sections of Fossils from the Coal Formation of Mid-Lothian. 

 By Alexander Bryson. 



Ancient Canoes found at Glasgow. By John Buchanan, Glasgow. 



The very considerable number of these primitive vessels, discovered from time to 

 time at Glasgow, belonging to the wild people who inhabited this part of Scotland 

 at a period long antecedent to the dawn of British history, is not a little remarkable, 

 and seems fairly entitled to some consideration, not merely as raising curious moot 

 points in archaeology, but as tending to reflect glimmerings of light, feeble though 

 these may be, on the physical condition of the locality in which a great city now 

 stands, at an epoch so deep in the dark night of Time, as to be, to us, utterly 

 unknown. 



Without, however, entering at present upon archaeological topics, I shall confine 

 myself to a narrative of the facts connected with the canoe discoveries. And here I 

 may observe that I happened to possess favourable opportunities for personally 

 inspecting the greater number of these ancient boats, through the courtesy of the late 

 Mr. David Bremner, the talented engineer on the river Clyde, who sent me timely 

 notice of each discovery, and thus enabled me to see them while in situ. 



Within the last eighty years, no less than seventeen canoes have been revealed at 

 Glasgow. This little ancient fleet was of the most primitive kind. Each boat was 

 formed out of a single oak-tree. Some were more rudely shaped than others, and 

 had evidently been hollowed out principally by the action of fire, assisted by blunt 

 tools, probably of stone. All had the aspect of great antiquity. 



The physical position of Glasgow is in a valley, several miles wide, through 

 which the Clyde pursues its course from east to west, expanding into an estuary 

 about twenty-five miles distant. The more ancient portion of the city is built on a 

 ridge of considerable elevation, about a mile north from, and nearly parallel with, 

 the river. From this stony ridge descend several successive terraces, or deserted 

 sea-beaches, having a general direction the same as the ridge. A number of the 

 streets of the more modern part of Glasgow have been formed along, and the houses 

 face these terraces. When dug into, either in the construction of common sewers, 

 or otherwise, they are found to be composed of finely laminated sand, as if it had 

 been deposited in tranquil, and probably deep water. 



