86 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
Stirling; and on the north, Fife, Kinross, Clackmannan, and 
a portion ‘of Perth.» Through the centre—from west to east 
—winds the Forth with its estuary and broad firth, into 
which innumerable tributary streams from secondary valleys | 
empty their waters. Fresh-water lochs and ponds also 
abound. The upper part of the main valley, penetrating 
as it does the south-western section of the Perthshire 
Grampians, is thoroughly wild and alpine in character. 
From the rugged mountains of this north-west corner, a 
series of sub-alpine ranges—the Campsie Fells, the Pent- 
lands, the Moorfoots, and the Lammermoors—with their 
connecting moorlands, constitute the watershed on the 
south ; while the almost alpine Ochils, the Cleish Hills and 
the Lomonds, mark it on the north. Between this rampart 
of hills and the shores of the Forth, every variety of lowland 
country is to be found—fertile lands and barren commons, 
green meadows and furze-clad hills, breezy heights and 
secluded dells, with woods and plantations of deciduous 
trees and pines on every side. The part of the Tweed area 
of which we take cognisance lies largely in the pastoral 
county of Peebles, and consists for the most part of grassy 
and heather-clad hills, intersected by a multitude of glens 
dear to the angler. The section of the Tay area falling 
within our limits is mainly lowland towards the east, and 
highland in the west. It will thus be seen that the district, 
whether we contemplate it as in the natural garb of former 
times, or as now changed in outward aspect by the hand of 
man, is well fitted to be the home of a mammalian fauna 
rich both in species and in individuals. Reference to 
occurrences beyond the limits indicated above will be made 
when thought desirable. 
From the earliest times man has ever exercised a modify- 
ing influence on mammalian-faunas, adversely affecting some 
species either by direct persecution or by rendering the 
country unsuitable to their habits, and directly or indirectly 
fostering the increase of others. He has, moreover, long 
been in the habit of importing certain species from one 
country or district to another, so that it is not always easy 
to separate the indigenous from the introduced. The more 
