Mr Harvie-Brovm on the Squirrel in Great Britain. 125 



Peebles — Selkirk. 



Northward and north-westward, we find that they rapidly- 

 pushed as far as Galashiels.* 



Lanark. 



More westward, we find them stretching to the confines of 

 Lanarkshire at the Culter Plantations, on the eastern borders 

 of Lamington parish, prior to or about 184:l,-f- and Biggar, J 

 and also reaching Crawfordjohn parish at the same time, 

 where, however, it was " seldom " seen ; § Walston parish || — 

 " seen occasionally," and included in Douglas parish, IF in 

 the west of the county. By 1868, we find they had be- 

 come plentiful at this locality,** but it was not till 1870 

 that they were observed in the adjoining parts of South Ayr- 

 shire (q.v.). If Ayrshire was indebted to the overflow from 

 this centre, I believe this to have been a likely avenue of 

 advance into Ayr Water. But if due to a more southern 

 centre — as Cumberland,-f--|* then we must look for it from 

 Dumfriesshire. But again I will show that it is more than 



* As we have seen under Dalkeith Centre {antea, p. 118). In further 

 support of this, Mr James Small has favoured me with the following : 

 ' * From a little below Selkirk there are almost continuous woods on the 

 south side of the Ettrick, and thereafter on the Tweed, down to below Abbots- 

 ford, opposite to Galashiels, and about a mile from that town. All these 

 woods would be excellent harbours for squirrels at that time (between 1827 

 and 1841). The country between Selkirk and Minto is much better wooded 

 now than formerly, but between 1827 and 1841, there were very consider- 

 able woods here and there between the two places, which would afford 

 suitable refuge for squirrels. The woods in the Lilliesleaf district on Ale 

 Water, between Selkirk and Minto, were large and great in growth at the 

 time between the years named, and like the fine woods at that time at 

 Minto — in first-rate order for the abode of squirrels. I may mention that 

 the old woods below Abbotsford lead, more or less, to Melrose Bridge, by 

 which squirrels could cross into the woods between this (Galashiels) and 

 Melrose." 



t "New Stat. Acct.," Lanark, p. 811. 



X Op. cit, p. 358. § Op. cit., p. 500. 



II Op. cit., p. 851. H Op. cit., p. 480. 



** In a letter before quoted, written about that time (1868) by the Earl of 

 Home to Mr Tate [vide Proc. Benv. Nat. Soc, ut sup.). 



++ Infra, p. 126. 



