300 ]\Ir Cliauibors on (he cxistcucc of raised Beaches 



dry land. It is observable to every eye, that scarcely any 

 stones occur throughout this tract : the fields everywhere seem 

 composed of a light powdery earth, and the site of the town 

 itself is so sandy, that rain never rests on the streets for any 

 length of time. 



The second plateau is a comparatively narrow terrace, trace- 

 able on the hither face of Scooniehill, and for a considerable 

 waj' to the eastward, generally about a hundred feet above the 

 level of the first plateau. I have chiefly observed it opposite 

 to the town, but I learn from Mr Duncan, land-surveyor, that 

 it is clearly traceable along by Brownhills farm, and as far 

 eastward as his own house at Thornbank, three miles from St 

 Andrews. Its western extremity melts into the slope of 

 Scooniehill, at a point a little to the westward of Pipeland 

 farm-house, which is situated upon it. 



What I think may prove to be a third plateau is the gene- 

 rally level piece of ground on which Ballone and Lumbo 

 farm-houses are situated, and which extends a little to the 

 eastward of Cairnsmill, overlapping (so to speak) the western 

 termination of the second terrace. Cairnsmill is situated in 

 a hollow of this plateau, wrought by the rivulet which passes 

 it on its way to join the Kinness Burn. I have paid less at- 

 tention to the fourth plateau, but deem it also tolerably distinct. 

 As mentioned before. Mount Melville House and Feddinch 

 Mains farm-house are situated upon it. It seems to be less 

 elevated above the third than the third is elevated above the 

 second, or the second above the first ; but, on this point, I 

 only speak by the vague information of the eye. 



From what I had previously seen of the ancient beach along 

 the Firth of Forth, I had, of course, no doubt as to the origi- 

 nal character of, at least, the first and second plateau at St 

 Andrews ; but, as many here, from unacquaintance with the 

 subject, might be unprepared to see the matter as I saw it, 

 and for the sake of accurate information for myself, 1 re- 

 solved to have the levels along these beaches taken by an 

 unprejudiced and professional hand. Mr Duncan has done 

 me this service in a highly satisfactory manner. It must 

 here be remarked, that to take these levels is a very deli- 

 cate matter, for the plateau is in so many places cut down. 



