276 Dr Hibbert on the Limestone of Burdiehouse 



Buckland, who compared very critically the section which I had given, with his 

 own observations made upon the spot. 



Dr Buckland likewise examined with the greatest attention the Roslin, or Haw- 

 thornden sandstone, in order to set himself right with regard to a notion entertained, 

 of its belonging to the new red sandstone, rather than to the coal-formation ; an ob- 

 jection, which it was supposed (though I could not myself see the force of it) would 

 materially affect the position which I had assigned to the limestone of Burdiehouse. 

 Accordingly, in conducting Dr Buckland to the grounds of Hawthornden, with the 

 view of examining the best natural section which could be afforded of the rock in 

 question, we were so fortunate as to meet with the outcrop of the Jewel-coal rest- 

 ing conformably upon the Hawthornden sandstone. The reference, therefore, of this 

 deposit to any other formation, except that of the carboniferous group, may be con- 

 sidered as set at rest. The opinion which I have myself expressed is, that the Roslin 

 sandstone may possibly be found to rank as one of the more ancient members of the 

 carboniferous group ; and if this geological position be confirmed, it would make the 

 Stoneyhill coal, in which the remains of large sauroid fish have been abundantly 

 found, an older bed than is usually supposed. But this suggestion I throw out, with 

 submission to another judgment of no little weight. No one is better acquainted 

 with the strata of the Scottish coal-fields than Lord Greenock, to whom the merit 

 of discovering the animal remains of the Stqneyhill coal is due. 



In the incidental allusion which I have made to this nobleman, I hope for indul- 

 gence in the opportunity thus afforded me, of rendering justice to my own feel- 

 ings, in acknowledging the very kind encouragement which I have uniformly receiv- 

 ed from his Lordship's hands, during the course of these researches. A zeal, such 

 as Lord Greenock evinces, in the science which he himself so successfully prose- 

 cutes, affords an example, when united with rank, too illustrious not to render it an 

 object of popular imitation. Nor can the example fail to render the most essential 

 services to the cause of geology in Scotland. 



CONCLUSION. 



In concluding this long memoir, I should be most ungrateful 

 not to acknowledge the very deep obligations which I have been 

 under to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, for their flattering at- 

 tention, as well as other marks of kindness. 



I also feel proud in the opportunity of having brought forward 

 these researches before a Society, whose earlier members, now no 

 more, are associated with the brightest period of the history of 

 Geology. The appearance of a Hutton in the field, gave token 

 of an emergence from the darkness which pervaded the geology, 



