138 Proceedings of Societies. 
vital, may be seated in minute particles, or molecules much smaller 
than cells, and that we must obtain a knowledge of such action in 
these molecules if we desire to comprehend the laws of organisation. 
To this end the author directed attention: 1st, To a description of the 
nature and mode of origin of organic molecules; 2d, To a demon- 
stration of the fact that these molecules possess inherent powers or 
forces, and are present in all those tissues which manifest vital force ; 
and 3d, To a law which governs the combination, arrangement, and 
behaviour of these molecules during the development of organised 
tissue. 
2. Notices of Early Scotch Planting. By Prof. Cosmo Innes. 
The common opinion that Scotland was at one time closely 
wooded, is at least questionable, and some circumstances lead to an 
opposite belief : as, the careful stipulations found in the most ancient 
deeds, about giving or withholding a limited use of wood for building 
and fuel. The use of foreign timber for our greater buildings, when 
to be had ; thus, Norway timber used for building the Abbey of Ar- 
broath, in the 15th century. The importation of bow-staves and 
spear-shafts, such long straight timber not being procurable at home. 
The trees found in peat-mosses, for the most part small and few, 
and confined to narrow spaces, by no means prove a general cover- 
ing of wood in ancient times. 
One reason of the common error is the change of meaning which 
the word forest has undergone. From its etymology, the word has 
no connection with wood, and-of old, and especially with old lawyers, 
it meant merely land privileged for the chase; but many people, 
meeting the word in old charters and descriptions of estates, suppose 
it to mean as at present, wood-land. It is clear, however, that there 
has always been some wood, even timber, in Scotland. 
The earliest Christian churches were of timber, probably in all 
countries; and the building of churches of stone was considered a 
novelty at the beginning of our acquaintance with church architec- 
ture in Scotland. 
The forts built in inland lakes and morasses, which the Trish 
have taught us to call cranogues, of great antiquity, perhaps the 
most ancient extant dwellings except caves and burrows, are found 
often built on piles of oak of moderate size, and sometimes with 
beams of birch for the cross timber. 
Sometimes beside these forts, but often apart, are found the shells 
of rude but large canoes, bespeaking a high antiquity, each hol- 
lowed out of a single oak. 
Within the period of history (a.p. 1249), the Earl of St Pol and 
Blois, preparing for the Crusades, had a wonderful ship (navis mi- 
randa) built at Inverness. 
vv 
