216 ON THE BEAVERS OF SCOTLAND. 



much decayed, but among which Sphagnum latifo- 

 lium, S. capillifolium, and Hypnum cuspidatum can 

 be readily distinguished. The bones of the beaver 

 were imbedded partly in this loose and spongy mat- 

 ter, and partly in the marl below. Only the hard 

 bones of the cranium and face, and the jaw-bones, 

 retained enough of their firm texture to fit them 

 for being removed and preserved in a dry state. 

 Around these, however, dispersed in rather a pro- 

 miscuous manner, were many bones, which, from 

 their size and appearance, evidently belonged to the 

 same animal. Several of the long bones and ver- 

 tebrae, while they remained in situ, seemed perfect ; 

 but on being touched, they were found to be nearly 

 in a state of dissolution ; and though some were 

 carefully taken out, they speedily mouldered down 

 on being exposed to the air, and becoming dry. 

 The apparent dislocation of the skeleton is not to 

 be ascribed to violence, but to the gradual separa- 

 tion of the parts by unequal subsidence. The ap- 

 pearance of the marl, in which delicate shells, of 

 the genera Lymnea and Succinea, could be traced, 

 indicates a long continued state of tranquillity. 



Mr Bonar junior having carried the skull and 

 lower jaw-bone to Edinburgh, presented them to 

 Professor Jameson, for the College Museum ; and 

 at his request I have drawn up this notice. Mr 

 Bonar subsequently transmitted specimens of the 

 different layers of the peat-moss, and of the vege- 

 table remains which occur in it, and also of the 



