Vlll PREFACE. 



some of the principal sources where such previous work 

 may be found. ^ 



As we have said, great activity was displayed early 

 in the present century, not only in Moray, but all over 

 the northern parts of Scotland, in literary and scientific 

 pursuits. Sir Roderick Murchison and Professor Sedg- 

 wick worked at the geology of the Old Red Sandstone, 

 ably aided and seconded by Hugh Miller, during his 

 residence in Cromarty, and in 1838 Dr. Malcolmson dis- 

 covered remains of fossil animals [vide a paper to the 

 Geological Society, October 6th, 1838, the MS. of which 

 was in the possession of Rev. Dr. George Gordon]. This 

 was followed up by Dr. Gordon's own papers, and those 

 by Mr. Patrick Duff, and has been brought down to the 

 present day by the staff of the Geological Survey and 

 many other independent workers — Dr. Joass of Golspie, 



1 We desire to say that we are indebted to an extensive Chronological Biblio- 

 graphy — slips for which are in our possession, the result of assiduous collection ; 

 and which gives a long list of titles of books, pamphlets, magazine articles, 

 reviews, articles, and even newspaper cuttings relating to Natural History, most 

 of which — indeed, nearly all — are included in our library. We cannot in this place 

 give these innumerable items, but that is the less necessary, because a similar 

 work has been undertaken, and is in progress, by the New Spalding Club, at the 

 hands of Mr. Robertson of the Aberdeen Free Library. A preliminary list has 

 been already issued: — {Hand List of Bibliography of the Shires of Aberdeen, Banff ^ 

 and Kincardine^ by A. W. Robertson, M.A. Aberdeen : Printed for the New 

 Spalding Club, 1893.) As this title indicates, the whole area of our present 

 subject volume is not covered by this Bibliography ; therefore it may be possible, 

 before long, to add a supplementary volume which will supply the want. 



