On the Rise of the Shores of the Firth of Forth. 289 



feet of high-water mark, at the mouth of the Almond water, 

 where Cramond is situated, one single evidence of a raised 

 sea-beach. Again and again have we tried to find a trace of 

 marine shells higher up than those reached by storm w T aves. 

 The cause of the change of level we leave for further ex- 

 planation to the end of this paper. 



On one of our many journeys from Cramond through 

 Dalmeny Woods towards Carriden, the next point in Sir 

 Charles Lyeli's evidence, we were much struck and amused 

 by nearly stumbling over a rude canoe formed out of a 

 single willow tree. It was much ruder, indeed, than those 

 found below the foundations of some houses in Glasgow, 

 having no prow to cleave the waters, and except that it bore 

 evidence of having been cut by sharp implements, and having 

 an iron staple for its rudder, w T e might have formed some 

 new and fanciful theory other than the true one ; that it was 

 of pre-Koman origin, and not the work of the gardener's sons. 

 Mr Geikie goes on to say :* — " The next point westwards 

 where we meet with traces of the Eoman occupation is the 

 commencement of the Wall of Antonine at Carriden. 

 From this point the line of the wall runs on the summit of 

 the high bank that overlooks the Firth westwards beyond 

 the village of Polmont. Its position at the Kerse toll-bar 

 was pointed out to us by a farm labourer, who dug through 

 the soil in a level field on the upper edge of the great Carse, 

 and showed the position of the large flat stones which 

 formed the foundation of the wall. From this locality the 

 wall again ascended to the higher ground, passing west- 

 wards by Falkirk and Camelon, and then receding from the 

 shores of the Forth. From Falkirk seawards, the ground 

 forms a great expanse of flat alluvial land, called the 

 Carse. No one can doubt that this tract lias been gradually 

 gained from the sea, and that the tides must, at a compara- 

 tively recent period, have washed the heights on which Pol- 

 mont and Falkirk stand. One antiquary even asserts his 

 belief that this tract may have been formed since the days 

 of the Romans. He alleges, in support of this opinion, 

 that near Camelon, on the banks of the Carron, at the inner 



* Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, New Series, vol. xiv. p, 111, 



