164 
TUE GEOLOGIST. 
the same moment observe the smoke from one steamer entering the 
Frith of Clyde, and from another below Grangemorith, in the 
Forth." The view engraved by Dr. Wilson is from the south-east ; 
and, according to his measurement, the weight of the large sandstone, 
not basalt, capstone is 96 tons ; being 46 tons more than a different 
result of the measuring,. which makes the weight 50 tons. The two 
fragments of sandstone on which this large piece rests are prismatic 
in shape, lying side by side, forming a triangular opening, which 
enables any one to creep through. The sketch of the stones as 
seen from the south-west, gives the reader an idea of the size of this 
space. In the appendix, No. 4, to Mr. Smith's recently published 
' Researches in Newer Pliocene Geology,' Mr. Buchanan considers 
the Lifts " a very interesting and well-preserved memorial of the 
remote pagan people of the canoe period," and, like JS'ilsson, states 
pZv:-\ that " the uppermost is an enormous block of basalt." 
/Q^-Sj This mistake causes one to imagine that the stones 
f /'V^\/^^ been properly examined by the said anti- 
-^ -7 quaries. The Lifts are covered with the marks made 
Fig. 2.— End view by visitors and others. Their position according to 
of the " Lifts." ^he compass may be useful, and is consequently here 
^ S.E given, as taken from the capstone. 
I yf The science of geology enables the unprejudiced 
■N I observer to declare with boldness, and to prove be- 
^ 1 yond doubt, that the Auld Wives' Lifts wei e never 
^ I \ placed where they now are by demons, angels, 
n'.w witches, or mortals,' of any age. Although, to quote 
Fig. 3.— The bear- Kent's weli-known lines, — 
ings of the " Lifts." . . j^^^,^ ,^ ^ tj^^ ^^^^^ 
^Yhere Druids old have been, 
^\"here mantles grey have rustled by 
And swept the nettles green," 
yet science compels us to give to water and ice the honour of causing 
the three stones to remain where they now are. They are erratics. 
This fact, for the evidence is almost demonstrative, is asserted by one 
who has made frequent visits to the stones, and 
a careful examination of the strata in their 
neighbourhood. The former are angular ; " the 
erratic blocks," Agassiz asserts, " in ^Switzerland 
are always angular ;" the latter is composed of 
S.E. of the " Lifts." sandstone and conglomerate or pudding-stone. 
The sandstone is both polished and grooved, frequently cut and ex- 
cavated by some force, doubtless ice. The ice appears to have been 
aided by a current, which, sweeping along, made the sandstone yield. 
This ice current appears to have cut the sandstone fragment lying on 
the margin of the bog to the south-east of the Lifts. 
The stones have been floated to their present position by ice, at a 
time when the land was depressed by some earthquake movement. 
" AVe have," says Mr. Smith, of Jordanhill, in his most interesting 
' Ivesearclies,' " in the superficial beds in the basin of the Clyde, 
