The Scottish Naturalist. 103 



Surrounding the Valley of Kinnord, on every point of rising 

 ground are to be traced the ruins of hill forts. The ancient 

 Celtic names by which these hills are still known establish pretty 

 clearly the nature and purpose of these remains. Several of the 

 old names, however, have been lost ; large cairns of stones, each 

 with its adjacent circular foundations, alone mark out their posi- 

 tion, and are known invariably by the name " Cairnmore," the 

 large cairn. To the north-west of the lochs is one of the most 

 commanding positions, known by the Celtic name of " Knock- 

 soul," meaning View Fort, and having extensive remains on its 

 summit. Further east we discern another principle summit called 

 " Knockargetty," the Treasure Hill. This had been a very for- 

 midable stronghold in its time, defended by three concentric lines 

 of circumvallation, flanked by strong forts. The Mulloch Hill, 

 north-east from the lochs, may also have been strongly fortified ; 

 but there is some reason to believe that the ancient forts of this 

 hill have been disturbed by other events than the slow hand of 

 time. To the south of Knockice, and to the east of Kinnord, 

 near the bank of the Dee, are numerous remains, known as the 

 " Tomachillach," signifying, the women's hill in times of danger. 

 Oil the south side of the Dee there are also to be seen the ruins 

 of hill forts, one on the summit of Balrory — a corruption of the 

 Celtic Bal ruadh ri, the king's red fort. The name Dinnet, by 

 which the parish quoad sacra is now called, is also the Celtic Dun 

 n'ath, signifying the fort of the ford. This indicates that at one 

 time there existed a line of communication leading southward 

 from Davan and crossing the river by a ford, which Avas strongly 

 defended. Many other cairns and ancient works might be 

 mentioned, and many more have been obliterated ; but sufficient 

 has been described to convey an idea how extensive and impor- 

 tant the whole system of communication and defence was, in and 

 around this ancient town. 



HISTORICAL RECORD. 



As we formerly mentioned, history merely notices in a vague 

 manner the name of Devana. When the hostile Roman legions 

 (probably those under Agricola, a.d. 84, or Severus, a.d. 208) 

 penetrated to the northern parts of Scotland, and demolished all 

 the principal centres of importance, we are not to suppose that 



