The Scottish Naturalist. 
3 
" The Brander Pass and River Awe are stated not to be the 
original outlet of the loch, and that Loch Awe is almost singular 
in this respect amongst Scottish lochs. An examination of the 
south-west extremity of the loch shows that the level at one time 
was higher and the overflow was into Crinan." To this account 
is also added, " the Brander Pass supposed to be caused by an 
earthquake." ("A Tour through Scotland." 1830, p. 218.) 
These old records or traditions are in great measure substantiated 
by more modern geological evidence. (Geikie, "Scenery of Scot- 
land.") Dr. John Duncan makes the remark in his letter, already 
quoted : — ''As to the old outlet of Loch Awe being at the other 
end, I have myself no doubt. It would suggest itself even to one 
ignorant of geology who has compared that and the present outlet. 
There is, indeed, but very fewfeet of differencebetween the twolevels." 
Although it is not considered necessary to quote at length all 
the evidence we have obtained in verification of the facts above 
stated, yet I may state that amongst those from whom I have 
received communications on the subject are the foUowiiig : — Mr. 
Muir of Innistrinich testifies to having seen one on 12th Nov., 
1888. Mr. R. M'Cloy, gamekeeper on Poltalloch, unsolicited, 
testifies to having seen seals several times in Loch Awe in 1879 : 
"and a pair are stated to be there at the present time — May 20, 
1888." Dr. John Duncan says, "they certainly come and go, are 
seen day after day, and then disappear for weeks." 
Whilst investigating these records, I also learned equally with- 
out doubt of the occasional occurrence of Phoca vitulina in an- 
other large sheet of water, viz., Loch Shiel. I first heard of this 
through my friend Mr. J. J. Dalgleish of Ardnamurchan. Mr. 
Duncan Cameron, at the Fishery at Dorlin, wrote to Mr. Dalgleish 
'' that one was seen about ten years previously (about 1878) about 
400 yards above the falls, at high water and spring-tide, when the 
tide was about half-a-mile up the River Shiel " ; and the same person 
believed that one was killed in the Bridge Pool about 60 years ago 
(about 1828). Following upon the above is a positive statement, at 
a later date, giving the details of the capture from the same 
person. A letter from Rev. Father Macdonald, Mingary, Loch 
Shiel, is also confirmatory. From these letters the following 
facts may be culled. Two cases only can be cited. One seen 
about 50 years ago ^ by a " truthful old man " — Archibald Mac- 
^ D. C. says 60 years ago. 
