PHYSICAL FEATURES. 



89 



We could instance many other phenomena occurring in this 

 abnormal summer, as observed by ourselves in Moray alone, but 

 already we have extended these remarks sufficiently to call 

 attention to the climate and climatal change of the abnormal 

 season of 1893, and have already, perhaps, exhausted the patience 

 of our readers.^ 



X. THE SANDS AND SHOEES OF NAIEN AND CULBIN, 

 AND THE BAY OF riNDHOEN.2 



Travelling north out of the Spey Valley towards Forres, and 

 soon after Dunphail is passed, a traveller who takes interest in the 

 surrounding scenery, looking forward from his seat in the window 

 of the train — say on a clear, fine day in spring or early summer 

 — sees a far-off gleam of yellow, bright in the strong sun and clear 



^ Further interesting data as regards the rainfall and climate of this area may 

 be gleamed by a perusal of the ' Twelfth Report of the Fishery Board of Scotland,' 

 which contains a good map of the Salmon districts and all the river watersheds, 

 and also a map of the Mean Annual Rainfall of Scotland for the twenty-four years 

 from 1860 to 1883, with much accompanying information of interest referring to 

 our district (o;>. cit. Appendices, pp. 10, 11). 



2 Concerning the Culbin sands (pronounced Coobin), there is quite a large 

 store of descriptive matter written, much of which, however, is repetition. 

 Their history, so far as known or recognised, has been pretty thoroughly threshed 

 out in the many volumes and pamphlets relating to the History and Topography 

 of the Province of Moray. Chief amongst these are the accounts given in Shaw's 

 History of Moray, and the later accounts compiled by Mr. John Martin, Mr. 

 Black, Provost of Nairn. We have avoided repetition as far as possible, and hope 

 to be able to confine our remarks to the results of personal tours of inspection, 

 only referring to previous accounts where it is desirable to illustrate or explain 

 natural phenomena, etc. But in this foot-note we may take occasion to mention, 

 among other accounts, that given in A Manual of the Antiquities, etc. etc., of 

 Moray, 2nd edition (Elgin, 1823), pp. 68-74, where the earliest accounts, 

 such as Dr. Trussler's Chronology, Boethius, Fordun, and early historians, are 

 referred to. 



Of later literature we may mention, ' Report on the Archaeological Examina- 

 tion of the Culbin Sands,' by Mr. George F. Black [Proc. Ant. Soc. of Scot., 

 vol. 1890-91, with Map). Also, ' Notes on a Visit to the Culbin Sands, Moray- 

 shire,' by James Barclay Murdoch, Hon. Sec. Geol. Soc. of Glasgow ( Transactions 

 Oeol. Soc. of Glasgow, vol. ix. p. 407). 



