CHAP. xvii. CONTENTS OF BOYNDIE MOUND. 361 



thus selected the edible and the adult, and left be- 

 hind the noxious and the young. They must have 

 been gathered by man, and for the purpose of sup- 

 plying his wants. Many other arguments have been 

 brought forward to prove this, so that no doubt is 

 now entertained about the matter. One strong proof 

 is, that the periwinkle and the oyster are never found 

 living and mingled together in the same part of the 

 sea. x The former exists between tide-marks, the other 

 in deep water. The cockle delights in sand ; the 

 mussel must be moored to a rock or hard bottom. 

 In different parts of the masses of shells at Brigzes, 

 there are to be seen many stones that have been sub- 

 jected to considerable heat. They probably have been 

 used in this state for cooking, as is known to be the 

 case among people of primitive habits to this day." 



The shells found by Edward in the kitchen-mid- 

 den at Boyndie corresponded in a great measure with 

 those found by the Eev. Mr. Gordon at Brigzes. 

 Thus, he found the Periwinkle, the highly-esteemed 

 Buckie, the Limpet, the Horse Buckie (in some places 

 called the Dog Periwinkle), the Mussel ; bones of vari- 

 ous kinds of wild animals, such as the Deer, the Hare, 

 and the Eabbit ; the remains of several species of 

 fish, such as bones of the Skate ; a few of the Crab 

 family; fragments of Pottery, and small bits of 

 charred wood and ashes. The ashes are just like 

 those left from a wood or peat fire. Small stones, 

 also, were got, partially blackened, as if they had 



