Anniversary Address. 107 



their utmost to extend this field of research, so ably opened 

 up by our excellent secretary. Let every one study the sub- 

 ject and bring forward to the test of discussion his theory, if 

 he has formed one, taking care that it is well and stoutly 

 supported by facts, and I have no doubt that this recondite 

 matter will soon yield to enlightened and unbiassed perse- 

 verance. 



Those remarkable ridges of sand and gravel known by the 

 appellation of " kaims," have again occupied the attention of 

 the club, and from the difference of opinion which still seems 

 to prevail regarding their formation, we may expect that they 

 will be a standing subject of enquiry and discussion for some 

 time to come. Since my paper upon the subject, read at the 

 Greenlaw meeting in May, was written, I have revisited and 

 re-examined Bedshiel Kaims and others in the district. 

 These appear to me to have been accurately and sufficiently 

 described in the various papers and notices regarding them, 

 which form part of the Transactions of the club. It only 

 therefore remains satisfactorily to account for the phenomena 

 presented by them. Every visit impresses me more and 

 more with the idea that the views I have stated as to their 

 formation are correct, but I shall not muoh regret if my 

 theory be swept away, provided that it is replaced by a better. 

 It must always, however, be borne in mind that the sea has 

 stood at a level relatively higher than that of the highest of 

 these kaims, and that during its recess it could not fail to lay 

 down and subsequently " lick into shape," deposits similar 

 to those in question. It has always done so and the same 

 processes are going on at this day. We find similar ridges 

 and mounds at all elevations, from at least 700 feet as at 

 Bedshiel, dow^n to below sea level as in the case of the Chesil 

 bank off the coast of Devonshire. Sandbanks, now con- 

 solidated into sandstone, are known to exist in the carbonifer- 

 ous system, and I should not be much astonished were a 

 fossil kaim to be discovered in the old red sandstone, though 

 it is probable that such a ridge, shaped between wind and 

 water by the action of tides and currents, and thereafter 



