550 REPORT— 1898. 



of over 9 feet. The first four excavations, being tlirougli ground which 

 had previously been disturbed, yielded no definite results, but at one point 

 a few bones were met with, among which were fragments of maxilla, the 

 sixth cervical vertebra, the second lumbar vertebra, and a fragment of a 

 rib. In association with these were remains of horse represented by a 

 radius and lowei- jaws of two individuals. Though the ground had been 

 disturbed the horse bones probably ijelonged to the same age as the elk. 

 A fragment of a metatarsal, )net with in digging the trench, had an arti- 

 ficial perforation. 



The result of all the excavations, allowing for the disturbed state of 

 the ground, showed the following beds : — 



Ft. In. 



A. Disturbcil soil and peat, an average cf about ... 3 



B. In one place a blue clay or silt was observed resting on 



tlie white marl 



C. M''hite marl containing the Elk remains .... 

 *D. Blue mail 



E. Red sand with gravel ....... 



r. Brown c lay ......... 



G. Sand ana gravel ] „ ,~i, ■ , , t. f 



H. Clay . . J • ^'"'^^^l ^'''^^ I . . . . 



As stated above, the whole surface had been lowered about 3 feet in 

 digging for marl ; the peat had for the, most part been removed, and a 

 great deal of the marl also ; indeed, we were fortunate in finding this one 

 spot in which the marl itself had not been disturbed. 



The finding of detached bones shows that other individuals had perished 

 here, and is consistent with what we were told, that a specimen had been 

 seen when digging for marl, and that the antlers of another had been 

 taken out. We were told also that two skulls without antlers had been 

 seen on the other side of our trench. 



Samples of the marl and other beds were forwarded to Mr. James 

 Bennie, of Edinburgh, who again most kindly undertook the laborious task 

 of washing and sifting the material. The organic remains thus obtained 

 were examined by Mr. Clement Eeid, who has determined the following 

 plants : — 



From Peat B. 



Ranunculus fl;immula, L. 

 Vio'a pahistris. L. 

 Rubus fruticosuR, L. (very small). 

 Potentilla tonnentilla, I^'eck. 

 „ comarum, Nestl. 



Also beetles, 3 sp., and caddis cases. 



Carduus crispus, L. 

 Menj'anthes trifoliata, L. 

 Empetrum nigrum, L. 

 Potamogeton, sp. 

 Carex, 4 sp. 



From Marl C. 



Ranunculus repens, L. 

 Viola palustri.-;, L. 

 Potentilla comarum, Kesfl. 

 Myriophyllum spicatum, L. 

 Rumcx obtu.--ifolius, L. 



Empetrum nigrum, L. 



Potamogeton. 



Carex, 4 sp. 



Chara. 



Umbelliferous plant (unripe), 



* This was noticed below the skeleton, and may have been discoloured by the 

 decay of the body. 



