XX11 PREFACE. 



tion which this formation holds, and the relation which it beara 

 to those by which it is bounded. On the N. and NE., as al- 

 ready mentioned, it is bounded by the rocks of the transition 

 series; and on the S., a short way beyond the Tweed, by 

 those of the coal formation. It thus occupies a great hollow 

 or basin between these two formations, lying above coal on the 

 south, and apparently resting immediately on greywacke on 

 the north. On the west it is bounded by rocks belonging to 

 the Old Red Sandstone. 



" The second remark regards the probable date or era of 

 this formation. Lying above the coal formation, it is natural 

 to suppose that it must have been formed at a period subse- 

 quent to that formation, and this conclusion will be strength, 

 ened by an examination of the rocks themselves their more 

 simple, rude and mechanical aspect their greater softness and 

 looseness the similarity of many of them to deposits still 

 forming, together with the difference of contained organic re- 

 mains all tending to show that they are newer than the coal 

 formation that they have been formed more rapidly than 

 the rocks of that series, and when the energies of nature do 

 not appear to have been so high. 



" Our last remark regards the probability of coal being 

 found in Berwickshire. Various attempts have been made in 

 different parts of the county to discover this important mine- 

 ral, but hitherto without success, although the bores in several 

 places, we believe, have exceeded sixty fathoms. Nor is this 

 surprising. Coal, or at least coal fit for use, is not a member 

 of the New Red Sandstone Formation ; and although it is a 

 fact, that, in many parts of England, coal is apparently wrought 

 to a great extent in this formation, yet it is not in any part of 



