326 RESEARCHES AMONG THE ROCKS. CHAP, xix 



now, when I am writing about Coccosteus, it comes 

 back to my memory. I do not remember the size 

 of the specimen, but it would be a great favour if 

 you could lend it to me for a few days. I do not know 

 if you ever do such a thing, but it is a common practice 

 among us working men." 



" Can you tell me anything new about Coccosteus ? 

 All information would be most thankfully received at 

 present. The next set I mean to take up is Astero- 

 lepis." 



Encouraged by this letter, Dick proceeded with his 

 researches among the Thurso rocks. After the lapse of 

 a month, his sister wrote to him to inquire what new 

 fossils he had found; and he thus (March 10, 1863) 

 described the results of his labours : 



"When I promised," he said, "to look out for speci- 

 mens for Professor Thomson, I had faint hopes of 

 finding anything. I had overhauled almost every 

 accessible rock from Portskerra to John o' Groat's 

 House ; and that too so very patiently, that I knew, or 

 thought I knew, that very little presented itself on the 

 external surface worthy of the toil of digging. I 

 resolved, however, to try the sea-shore. I there noted 

 all the changes that had occurred since the date of my 

 last visit. 



"A furious storm had been hammering upon the 

 rocks since then. Storms make havoc of stronger 

 things than ships. What power a stormy sea has ! Its 

 incessant- thunderings upon the shores often make a 

 new section of the land. It washes away the bitumen. 



