1024 REPORT—1885. 
ridge at Findrassie, and he also knew that at least one Old Red fish had keen got 
at its southern base at Laverock Loch, so that it was the most probable explanation 
to indicate the presence of a fault. And indeed, at the east end of the ridge near 
Bishopmill, there is evidence of disturbance, though it in no way affects the quarry 
at Cutties Hillock. After the quarry (Cutties Hillock) was opened, the lessees, 
for the purpose of finding out the building qualities of the stone, sank a pit through 
the bed of conglomerate, mentioned above, a distance of about 22 feet, and in this 
pit was found a Holoptychius. The pit was subsequently filled up, as the stone was 
not found suitable for building purposes. This necessitated the cutting of a trench 
again into the Holoptychian sandstone, to see if the overlying beds are conform- 
able or unconformable, which is now being proceeded with.1. In the quarry there 
is also a sand dyke dividing it, but reptilian remains have been found on both sides. 
What these reptiles are has not yet been determined, though Huxley is understood 
to have said that he believed one of them to be Dinosawrian. All these reptilian 
remains, with the exception of one, were found about the same level in the quarry, 
indeed so much is this the case that the workmen call it ‘the fossil joint.’ The 
texture of the Holoptychian sandstones and the reptiliferous sandstones is different. 
The former is fine, and the laminz are well marked, while in the other it is more 
rough and angular, but they appear to have been both drawn from the same sources 
of granite waste. We have not made microscopic sections, but have examined the 
sand of which the two deposits are formed, and there is little apparent difference. 
They are composed of quartz, felspar, and mica, the reptiliferous being, if anything, 
a little more felspathic in character. Such a case, so far as we know, is unique. 
Reptile-bearing beds have never before been found lying on the Old Red and 
apparently conformable. The question is, are the reptiliferous beds Triassic or 
Upper Old Red? Looking at the matter from an Old Red point of view, it is diffi- 
cult to understand why reptiles could not have existed in the Upper Old Red if the 
conditions of life were favourable, and we feel no assurance that the conditions af 
life should not have been favourable when the Elgin sandstones were deposited. 
If they are Triassic, what has become of the vast periods which lie between the 
two systems, and why should these reptiles be confined to a few miles of north- 
eastern Scotland in the vicinity of Elgin? The paleontologist would answer that 
some of these reptiles have been found in the Trias in other parts of the world 
(England, Africa, and India), and that Old Red fishes and reptiles had never been 
found associated together in the same beds. All that we ask is that the question 
may be kept open for a time, so that all possible evidence may be obtained. We 
acknowledge the full weight of paleontological evidence, and all that geologists 
owe to that great science, but it is possible that in some cases it may be stretched 
too far. All that we wish to ascertain is the truth, and with present light we 
cannot say that it has been reached. We want more proof. 
2. Preliminary Note on a new Fossil Reptile recently discovered at New 
Spynie, near Elgin. By Dr. R. H. Traquair, F.R.S. 
Of this most important fossil the author had as yet only seen a photograph, sub- 
mitted to him by Professor Judd, F.R.S., the President of the Section. This 
photograph represents pretty nearly a vertical longitudinal section of a reptilian 
skull, of which one very prominent feature is the presence in the upper jaw of a 
large conical tusk projecting downwards and forwards, immediately behind the pre- 
maxillary part ofthe cranium. This tusk is seen only in impression, but the cast of 
the internal cavity, which is well shown, indicates that it grew from a permanent 
pulp. No evidence of any other teeth is visible, and the whole appearance of the 
skull as seen in the photograph, with the position and shape of the tusk, indicate 
that the reptile here represented, if not actually belonging to the genus Dieynodon, 
’ This trench, when finished, was examined by Professor Bonney, Professor Judd, 
and myself. There was the appearance of a very slight unconformity in my opinion, 
but such appearances frequently occur in the Elgin Sandstones caused by false bedding. 
