1856.] 



HARKNESS PERMIAN ROCKS OF SCOTLAND. 



2bl 



matrix is of a softer nature. In the Ryecastle Burn, about two miles 

 from Nether Cleugh station, where the two formations come in con- 

 tact, the newer is found resting on the older, and consisting of sand- 

 stones, which dip toward the W.S.W. Here, at the junction of 

 the two formations, breccias do not make their appearance. 



At the north-eastern extremity of the Corncockle area the sand- 

 stones are well exposed. They occur in the course of the Annan at 

 Johnston Bridge, and have a south inclination ; and when we go west 

 from this, we find them well developed in the course of the Kinnel 

 Burn, about half a mile below St. Ann's Bridge. See Section, fig. 1. 

 In this neighbourhood the best section of the sandstones and breccias 

 is seen which this area affords. 



Fig. 1 . — Section in the course of the Kinnel Water, Parish of 

 Johnstone, Dumfriesshire. 



\\\V \A wk , \\A Vv. A\\ 



c. False-bedded sandstones. 



b. Breccias and sandstones. 



a 



a. Silurian rocks. 



A short distance above the foot-bridge over the Kinnel, near Eliza- 

 town, the Lower Silurians are seen with the sandstones almost in 

 contact. These latter consist of thin beds of red sandstone, false- 

 bedded, associated with breccias, the latter abounding to a greater 

 extent than the former. The total thickness of these strata exceeds 

 100 feet; and they have above them deposits of false-bedded red 

 sandstone, devoid of breccias ; the whole dipping south at an angle 

 of about 30°. Red sandstones of the same character occur in the course 

 of the Mollin Burn. They are seen also on the road leading from the 

 Moffat Road to Courance, and have a S.E. inclination. They also 

 present themselves in the Burrans Burn, with a S.S.E. dip. And at 

 the western extremity of this area the conglomerate occurs immedi- 

 ately under Kirkmichael Manse, abutting against the Lower Silu- 

 rians*. To the south-east of this locality, immediately below the 

 Water of Ae bridge, the sandstone likewise occurs ; it is flaggy, and 

 dips N.N.E. ; and near Trailflat, in the course of the Ae, it is also 

 seen. From this last locality, I am not aware that the sandstones or 

 breccias are anywhere exhibited until we reach Rammerscales ; and 

 here we have the strata dipping north ; and at Smallholm the sand- 

 stone was formerly worked to a small extent, but the quarry is now 

 filled up. Here likewise the northern dip obtained. 



In the interior of this area the sandstone is well seen at Corncockle 

 quarry, Templand Village quarry. Red Hall, and Lochbrow ; the two 

 latter quarries being now abandoned. In none of these four localities 

 are the breccias seen ; but the sandstones of the two quarries now 



* See Section, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. vol. xi. p. 469. 



