Dr. Deane on the Discovery of Fossil Footmarks. 383 



Mr. H. replied, that the only authenticated instance of fossil 

 footprints was that of a tortoise upon the sandstone of Scotland, 

 but added, "I am not without strong suspicion however, that the 

 case you mention may be a very peculiar structure of certain 

 spots in the sandstone, which I have often seen in a red variety 

 of that rock. The layers of rock having this structure sometimes 

 present an appearance resembling the foot of a bird. But I am 

 satisfied that it is not the result of organization, although I confess 

 myself unable to say precisely from what principle it resulted. 

 But perhaps the case you mention is not of this sort," &.c. 



My belief was not shaken by the incredulity of this answer. 

 Conscious now that it was a genuine discovery, and that my con- 

 clusions were correct, I imtnediately despatched a second note to 

 Mr. H. in which I made a positive declaration, (in italics,) " that 

 in my mind there is not a doubt but they are real impressions of 

 the feet of some bird.'^ To rebut the supposition of accident, I 

 remarked that " there are more tracks to be seen in the lot, which 

 I suppose to be a continuation of the line. This fact would be 

 a strong argument against these appearances being formed from 

 accidental circumstances." As an additional fact I stated, that 

 " on examining the opposite side of the slab, I find that the 

 weight of the bird did perceptibly elevate that portion opposite 

 the tracks. This happens to them all." I likewise reiterated 

 my unchangeable conviction " that these impressions are genuine, 

 and if so they prove an interesting subject for the geologist." 

 This declaration shows that although I was not a practical geol- 

 ogist, I was nevertheless able to appreciate the results indicated 

 by these extraordinary relics. 



No reply was returned, but the subject grew more intensely 

 interesting as it was more intimately studied. In April, I address- 

 ed a third and elaborate communication to Mr. H. illustrated by 

 diagrams and by accurate models of the impressions. Unfortu- 

 nately I have no copy of this (to me) important essay, and the ori- 

 ginal is lost. I also addressed a duplicate to the senior editor of 

 this Journal, who replied, " the facts you state, illustrated by the 

 cast and by the diagram, are very striking, and appear to carry 

 considerable probability with them that these impressions are 

 real tracks. I know of no antecedent improbability, certainly of 

 no impossibility in the case. While turtles and other amphibige 

 were sporting in the shallows of islands, birds might flit or walk 



