Obsercations to be made in railway cuttings. 395 



or corals, or the stems and leaves of plants,) are of interest, 

 and should be as little injured as possible, — so as to allow 

 drawings to be made on the sj)ot. 



(2.) Superficial Deposits. 



1. Much interest attaches to the way in which the old 

 rocks are covered by beds of clay, gravel, and sand. 



Observe particularly whether these old rocks appear to 

 have been ground down and smoothed, by the passage over 

 them of some heavy and rough materials. 



Observe also whether the rocks when thus smoothed, are 

 scratched or rutted on their surface, — as if hard and sharp 

 stones had passed over them. 



Endeavour to ascertain, from what direction the smoothing 

 and scratching agent has come, — by noticing on which side 

 the rocks are most and least smoothed respectively. 



2. It is important to observe what are the materials com- 

 posing the different beds covering the old rocks, (^. e. whether 

 clay, sand, gravel, or great boulders.) 



3. If any fossils should be found in these beds, such as 

 bones or teeth of animals, shells, or plants, — these should be 

 carefully preserved, and their position marked. 



4. Take notice whether the clay beds consist exclusively 

 of clay, or whether they contain stones either large or small. 



5. Take notice whether the boulders are scratched ; — and 

 if so, mark in what direction the scratches point. 



6. If the boulders or other stones are not spherical or 

 square, but are much longer than they are broad, — observe 

 whether, generally speaking, they lie parallel — i. e. whether 

 their longer axes point in the same direction, and coincide 

 with the lines of scratches. 



II. ANTIQUITIES. 



1. Any coins, and weapons or other implements, whether 

 made of stone, wood, or metal, should be carefully preserved, 

 and a note taken of the place and stratum in which they 

 were found. 



2. Any sculptured stones or stones bearing inscriptions 

 should be taken care of. 



3. If any graves or skeletons are discovered, they should 

 remain undisturbed until they are properly examined, and 

 the greatest care should be taken to preserve skulls or urns 

 from being broken or injured. 



In the event of any discoveries being made under any of 

 the above heads, notice thereof to be sent to Mr. Stevenson, 

 Accountant, Dunse. 



