viii Preface. 



authorities in their respective spheres. Among these 

 I would specially mention Mr Thomas Ross, who 

 has supplied me with valuable information regarding 

 the architectural features of the ancient ruin. To 

 several of my fellow-members of the Edinburgh Field 

 Naturalists' Society I am also indebted — especially to 

 Mr A. Moffat, Mr M. King, and Mr John Lindsay, 

 for information regarding the botanical aspects of the 

 district; and to Mr John A. Johnston for the geologi- 

 cal features. To the librarians of the University and 

 Signet Libraries and their courteous assistants I also 

 owe my best thanks for the facilities afforded me in 

 consulting old and rare books. 



T. S. 



The Inch, Edinburgh, 

 August 1892. 



