VIII. Remarks on the Vitrified Forts of Scotland. 



By J. Mac Culloch, M.D. F.L.S. Chemist to the Ordnance, and Lecturer 



on Chemistry at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. 



V. Pr. Geol. Soc. 



JL HE contest about the vitrified forts of Scotland having for 

 some time ceased from an apparent want of new matter, it may be 

 deemed superfluous to revive it by the description of any more 

 of these extraordinary structures. But some appearances which 

 seemed to have been overlooked having occurred to me in ex- 

 amining these works, I thought it might yet be interesting to those 

 who took a part in the former discussion, to receive any additional 

 remarks which might assist in clearing up the points in dispute. 



As far as archseology is concerned In the question, I deem it 

 useless to enquire to what sera they are to be referred. That they 

 belong to a people who had not learned the Roman arts Is probable, 

 since they contain no calcareous cement. But that this Is a certain 

 conclusion I am not Inclined to admit, as the knowledge of a simple 

 fact among a savage people does not necessarily Imply the power to 

 direct It to use. The ability to detect calcareous stones, the means 

 of quarrying them In certain situations, and the power of trans- 

 porting them from great distances to places where they do not 

 naturally exist, must have been possessed by these people before 

 they could have directed to any useful purpose this naked truth de- 

 rived from their conquerors. To instance only those vitrified forts 

 which are found in Galloway. There Is no limestone to be pro- 



