162 



The Scottish Naturalist. 



munication have suffered in even a much greater degree. The 

 longest road now traceable is one extending from the eastern 

 shore of Loch Kinnord, going eastward along the Moor of Dinnet, by 

 way of the Loch of Knockice, to a suburban quarter in that locality. 

 This road is about two miles in length, and about three yards in 

 breadth, and has been walled on each side ; the remains of the 

 walls assist the explorer to trace out the line. Other roads of a 

 similar character can also be traced northwards, and, also 

 leading from the ancient dwellings, previously described, west- 

 ward, along the piece of ground between the two lochs. The 

 appearance of those parallel remains of walls excite special 

 wonder ; their height in their original state can only be con- 

 jectured. Considering that they must have been more than iooo 

 years in ruins, and that many parts now to be seen show a raised 

 rim of from eighteen inches to two feet high, sloping to about two 

 yards broad ; and also taking into account the effect of frost and 

 rain over such a vast period, along with the operations of the law 

 of gravitation, which is ever ready to carry loosened particles to 

 lower points, we may confidently reason that they must have 

 been at least fully the height of a man ; and it is not overstep- 

 ping the mark to assert that it is very probable that large portions, 

 if not all, of these roads about the outskirts of the " town," and 

 those leading to places of defence, may have been covered over with 

 wooden logs and turf, forming long subterranean passages ; for, in 

 considering this, we must not forget that the whole country at 

 that time was one densely wooded jungle, containing various 

 beasts of prey, more or less voracious ; and that in winter, snow- 

 storms were severe, and frosts intense — indeed it is difficult to 

 account for the use of these walls unless we regard them as form- 

 ing effectively protected lines of communication. 



HILL FORTS. 



We are now to notice the remains of an extensive circle of 

 outer fortifications. It is well known that many of even our 

 highest hills have had forts constructed on their summits. On 

 the Tap o' Noth are the ruins of a vitrified fortress, with an ex- 

 tensive line of outlying entrenchments. On the Mither Tap of 

 Bennachie also are remains of fortification, while many of the 

 smaller hills and commanding points of eminence bear traces of 

 similar structures. 



