Jukes-Broivne ^ Milne — Cretaceous Fossils in Aberdeenshire. 21 



the valley. On the right bank of the Val Bedretto we can trace 

 this terrace-like configuration for a long way below the opening 

 of the Val Piora, and opposite to that gap I estimated its height as 

 much the same as that of the pass north of Fongio, i.e. not far from 

 6,700 feet,^ On the left bank, it will be remembered that, at the 

 opening of the Val Tremola, the slope markedly changes, perhaps 

 a thousand feet lower down.^ I have observed this structure in 

 many of the uppermost portions of the Alpine valleys, often some 

 couple of thousand feet, perhaps occasionally rather more, above 

 the present floor. It must indicate some very marked change in 

 the erosive agents, probably an increase in the velocity of the 

 toi'rents, since the valley becomes much. more steep-sided. Can it 

 possibly indicate the results of the Pre-Pliocene set of disturbances ? 

 But this is venturing into the realm of speculation ; my present 

 purpose is to show that, although doubtless many tarns and lakelets 

 have no real claim to be called occupants of rock-basins, a few such 

 do really exist.^ 



V. — On the Cretaceous Fossils found at Moreseat, 

 Aberdeenshire.* 



By A. J. Jukes-Browne and John Milne. 



1. General Eeport by Mr. John Milne. 



MORESEAT is in the parish of Cruden, in the east of Aberdeen- 

 shire. It lies at an elevation of 300 feet above sea-level, and 

 the surface of the ground slopes to the sea at Cruden Bay, distant 

 five miles to the south. On the north the ground rises gradually, 

 reaching the height of 450 feet above sea in Torhendry Eidge, 

 which is strewn with chalk-flints in great abundance. 



Previous Investigations. — Geologists are indebted to Dr. William 

 Ferguson, of Kinmundy, for the earliest notices of Greensand at 

 Moreseat. In 1839 an excavation 14 feet deep was made for the 

 water-wheel of a mill, and a drain away from it, on the south side 

 of the farm steading, a little below the 300-feet leveL The 

 excavation was made in clay, and in it were found layers of sand- 

 stone containing many fossils. The Eev. J. Johnstone, Belhelvie, 

 who lived at Moreseat at the time, says that the discovery excited 

 great interest, and that Moreseat was visited by scientific men, 

 amongst others by Professor Knight, of Marischal College and 

 University, Aberdeen, who communicated with Dr. Thomson, of 

 Glasgow University, on the subject, and informed his class 



^ The slope, above Fiesso, begins of course just below the Lago Tremorgio, or 

 nearly at 6,000 feet. 



- No doubt this has been subsequently cut down below the original level, the 

 valley being a large one ; the Val Canaria has been cut yet lower. 



^ I believe I know of others than those mentioned in this paper, but, as I have 

 not examined them since Mr. Marr's paper was published, will not refer to them. 



* Eeport of the Committee, consisting of T. F. Jamieson (Chairman), A. J. 

 Jukes-Browne, and John Milne (Secretary), appointed to ascertain the Age and 

 Eelation of the Eocks in which Secondary Fossils have been found near Moreseat, 

 Aberdeenshire. 



