ON THE BEAVERS OF SCOTLAND. 



207 



XII. — -Account of some Fossil Remains of the 

 Beaver, (Castor Fiber L.) found in Perthshire 

 and Berwickshire, proving that that animal 

 was formerly a native of Scotland. 



By the Secretary. 



(Read 1st May 1819 J 



It has generally been believed, that the beaver 

 was once indigenous to different parts of Britain, 

 particularly Wales and Scotland. I shall first no- 

 tice the evidence of the existence, in former times, 

 of the beaver in Wales ; for, in this way, as will 

 presently appear, some light may be thrown on the 

 question of its having likewise been one of the na- 

 tive quadrupeds of Scotland. * 



The earliest written authority on this subject, is 

 contained in a document of the 9th century, which 

 has been published in the Leges Wallicae of Dr 

 Wotton. In Book iii. § 11, 12. of the Laws of 



