250 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN SCOTLAND CHAP, vn 



' I wish I were where Helen lies, 

 Night and day on me she cries ; 

 O that I were where Helen lies, 

 On fair Kirkconnel Lea ! 



'Another theme of interest in these parts to 

 human mortals is the aforesaid wide dreary mosses, 

 where in old times the steadfast covenanting hill-folk 

 used to bide the weather with Bibles in their bosoms 

 when fleeing from Claverhouse, Dalzell, and the 

 rampaging dragoons. Many a spot where after 

 ''testifying" they were shot and buried in the moss 

 has been pointed out to me in my geological rambles, 

 for even geologists have human interests.' 



Until the year 1867, when the Geological Survey 

 of Great Britain was divided into two, and a separate 

 establishment was given to Scotland, Ramsay used to 

 visit his staff in the north each year, inspecting the 

 field-work, and enjoying a renewal of his acquaintance 

 with his native country. After that year his visits 

 were few, and ceased to have any inspecting duty 

 connected with them. 



with a decayed trunk of an ancient thorn rising above it, from the roots of which 

 a young sapling has sprung up. 



