REPORT OP MEETINGS FOR 1903 33 



In advancing another, and as yet unpublished, explanation 

 of this geological curiosity, Mr Goodchild laid stress upon 

 the theory of disturbance, by which formations at first laid 

 down in horizontal sheets were tilted into a series of folds, 

 and afterwards found lying at various angles. He mentioned 

 that sometimes a disturbance affecting Carboniferous rocks 

 would take an extreme form and turn them even upside down ; 

 but that, in regard to the case of the Saddle Rock, recent 

 investigations at other portions of the East coast had led him 

 to a very different conclusion. The theory he now advanced, 

 and which he hoped to explain more fully at the forthcoming 

 meeting of the British Association at Southport, was based 

 on the fact that during the Age of Snow that part of the 

 world was enveloped with a sheet of ice of enormous weight 

 and thickness, moving seawards from the interior, but, on 

 reaching the coast, pursuing a course in large measure 

 parallel with it. This deflection Southward was occasioned 

 by the action of an opposing sheet of Scandinavian ice of 

 greater thickness, which, extending over the North Sea and 

 gaining thereby an increased momentum, forced the local ice 

 in the direction indicated. He was of opinion, therefore, 

 that the unusual appearance of the rock in question was 

 due, not to any disturbance such as was commonly sug- 

 gested, but to a displacement by a frozen mass pressing in 

 from the North, and crumpling the rock into the fantastic 

 shape in which it now appeared. On the motion of Captain 

 Norman, R.N., who spoke of Mr Goodchild as not only 

 an eminent geologist, but one always ready to impart to 

 others the results of his experience and research, a hearty 

 vote of thanks was accorded him for his instructive 

 addresses. 



The party now moved forward to the great gateway of 



the Castle, which, from its commanding position, 

 Duns forms a conspicuous landmark alike to mariner 



Scotus. and landsman. Here a descriptive paper was 



read by Captain Norman, E.N., who took 

 occasion, as he directed attention to the old tower and hamlet 

 of Dunstan, now known as Procter Steads, to revive the belief 

 of its being the birth-place of Duns Scotus, the celebrated 

 1 3th century Schouliuau, a stf\temcot t/O that effect being allege4 

 ? 



