132 report — 1878. 



and which may turn out to be of importance. This was made by Mr. Donald 

 Mackay (innkeeper at Portnacon, or the Dog's Port, at the western side of 

 the ferry over Loch Eribol), an intelligent man, with sharp eyes, which he 

 has used to some purpose. On making his discovery, Mr. Mackay com- 

 municated with Professor Nicol of Aberdeen, whose valuable paper on 

 these controverted rocks represents one of the two great solutions of the 

 problem of these north-west strata, the other being Sir Roderick 

 Murchison's. Mr. Mackay also sent to Professor Nicol specimens of the 

 new fossils, which are now in his possession. Since finding these first 

 fossils, the discoverer has also succeeded in obtaining others, which he 

 has sent to the Secretary. Unfortunately, the Secretary, who writes the 

 present report in the Outer Hebrides, had to leave home on official duties 

 before the fossils arrived, and has, therefore, had no opportunity of 

 examining them. He has, however, forwarded them to the present 

 meeting for inspection, that they may speak for themselves, Mr. Mackay 

 reserving the ownership of the largest slab for himself. It would be well 

 to have these fossils carefully examined and reported on for the Associa- 

 tion, before returning them to their discoverer, in order to determine 

 their nature, and ascertain their bearing on the general problem of the 

 place and succession of the rocks of the North-west Highlands. The 

 specimens in Professor Nicol's possession should also be examined along 

 with them. 



In view of the present loss of the fossils once in Dr. Bryce's 

 possession, of the successful search for fossils now being carried on at 

 Garveilan and at the new point already mentioned near Cape Wrath, and 

 of the importance of the discovery of new fossils in the Quartzite of Loch 

 Eribol • it would be most desirable that the Committee should be con- 

 tinued, with a grant at their disposal as hitherto, in order to prosecute 

 the search at Durness and Loch Eribol, and at other points along the 

 great limestone strike. The fact that fossils have been discovered in Loch 

 Assynt shows that diligent search maybe crowned with success, there and 

 elsewhere in these interesting rocks. 



It is also most desirable that all the fossils discovered in these regions 

 should be submitted to experts, in order that a full report may be obtained 

 in regard to them, so as to have as correct and decided a determination 

 of their character and age as is possible with the new discoveries placed 

 at our disposal. The materials available for this purpose are these : 



(1) The fossils from the Durness limestone reported on by Salter for Sir 

 Roderick Murchison, and since deposited in the Jermyn Street Museum ; 



(2) those in the hands of the Committee, obtained from Durness, Loch 

 Eribol, and Loch Assynt ; (3) those placed under Dr. Bryce's care, which 

 it is hoped may yet be found ; (4) a suite of Durness fossils in the Museum 

 of Aberdeen University, gathered for Professor Nicol, and those sent to 

 him from Eribol by Mr. Mackay; (5) others that future search may 

 reveal. 



Such a Report would sum up the labours of the Committee, and would, 

 no doubt, be a valuable contribution to Scotch geology. 



