142 
the remarkable fossil called by that naturalist Coccosteus; the 
Gamrie species of Acanthodes, M. Agassiz likewise recognised 
among the Cromarty specimens. Mr. Murchison has given further 
proof of the age of the Caithness beds by showing that the Dipterus 
macrolepidotus so common in them, is found also in the tilestone or 
lowest member of the old red sandstone of England. 
Dr. Malcolmson then proceeds to describe the discoveries recently 
made by himself, the Rev. G. Gordon, and Mr. Staples, of fossil 
fishes in a district of old red sandstone, extending from the village 
of Buckie, near Cullen, to Culloden Moor, 6 miles south of Inver- 
ness. The southern parts of this tract are occupied by primary 
rocks, which send off spurs and transverse ridges into the sandstone 
country, and they are likewise exposed in different places within 
its area. Wherever the contact of the two classes of rocks is 
exhibited, the old red sandstone rests on the edges of the older 
formations, dipping 8° or 12° a little west of north. The granite 
series also terminate at the junction with the sandstones. The old 
red sandstone Dr. Malcolmson divides into three portions, the lowest 
of which he calls the Inferior or Great Conglomerate; the middle, 
the Central or Cornstone division; and the uppermost, the Fine 
Grain Sandstone and Quartzose Conglomerate. 
The lowest division is shown to belong to the great conglomerate 
at the base of the old red sandstone of Sutherland and Ross. The 
beds of which it consists are exposed in ravines on the right bank 
of the Nairn to the east of Inverness, also in the ravines above 
Cawdor Castle; but at Rait Castle they thin out, or were denu- 
dated, according to the author’s view, before the deposition of the 
upper beds. On the east side of the hill of Rait they reappear, 
and extend along the Burn of Lethen for several miles. They occur 
also at Binnie in the vale of Rothes, south of Elgin, and along the 
Spey. The division consists of partially-rounded fragments of the 
primary rocks of the neighbourhood, cemented by a calcareous and 
ferruginous sandstone. 
The Cornstone division consists of sandstones, calciferous concre- 
tions, conglomerates, and marls, and contains scales of the Holopty- 
chus Nobilissimus and other fishes; also teeth and ichthyodorulites 
of new genera. This fossilliferous rock is exposed for a short distance 
at Scot-craig near Elgin, resting on the great conglomerate, and it 
passes below the cornstone of Elgin. 
Resting on the Elgin cornstones is a series of very beautiful 
white and yellow siliceous sandstones, containing pebbles of quartz, 
gneiss, and granite. It may be traced from Quarry Hill near Elgin, 
to Burge, 34 miles east of Forres, extending over a considerable 
part of the north-eastern district of Murray. 
Dr. Malcolmson next describes, in detail, the cornstone series as 
it is displayed on the banks of the Findhorn, particularly where it 
is exposed between the gneiss and the Cothall limestone*, various 
* Dr. Malcolmson refers to Prof. Sedgwick and Mr. Murchison’s paper 
on this district for other information respecting the Cothall limestone, 
Geol. Trans., 2nd series., vol. III., p. 151. 
