The (ii:or.()G\ of Lochrutton. 15 



belonged to it rest directly upon g^lacial mounds. The Lade, 

 which is the Loch's outlet, is steadily removing the glacial 

 boulder clay lying in its path. These two facts, along with 

 others which will be considered in detail, prove conclusively 

 that the Loch was originated at the close of the Ice Age. 



PKii-Gi.AciAL Contour. 



There has been considerable controversy among glacio- 

 logists regarding the actual amount of work accomplished 

 by glacial agency. Without advocating any extreme theory, 

 it must be evident to an impartial mind that there will still 

 be found some remnants of the hills and valleys that existed 

 previous to glaciation. No amount of ice-work could 

 remove all the evidence of the contour of the old land surface. 

 An easy theory by which the Loch may be accounted for is 

 that it existed in pre-glacial times, but underwent modification 

 by the ice. This view would seem to derive support from the 

 fact that a barrier of rock stretches across the outlet and 

 through the village. From that it might be argued that 

 there was a pre-glacial hollow surrounded by a rock rim, 

 forming a true rock basin. Such a basin would have been 

 formed by the removal of a patch of softer rock, or by a 

 fault or dislocation of the strata, but there is no indication of 

 either of these having taken place. On the other hand, the 

 arrangement of the glacial drift points to a free passage for 

 the ice flow, incompatible with the idea of a rock basin. 

 There is also an entire absence of those peculiarly-shaped 

 hummocks generally found in enclosed areas where the ice 

 has been hampered in its progress. 



River Rutton. 



The alternative theory to a rock basin is that of a river 

 valley. While the former has no evidence to support it, 

 the latter has all the facts necessary in full detail. From 

 the watershed at Riggfoot down to the Merkland there is 

 still a very large remnant of an old valley. The form is 

 V'-shaped, with a flat bottom. The sides are steep and 

 slightly concave. It is a pre-glacial valley beyond dispute. 

 Its steep sides show that it had not fallen into disuefude. 



