On Brick-Clay Beds and their Fossil liemains. 125 
courage us, however, for by patient and continued observa- 
tion, combined with experimental research, it may be our 
privilege to trace and connect a series of phenomena where- 
by Almighty intelligence has thought fit to manifest His 
power and purpose. The highest aim of science is the 
discovery of a law, and every law that we discover becomes 
an additional manifestation of an intelligent and a supreme 
Lawgiver. 
On the motion of Mr David Page, a cordial vote of thanks 
was given to Dr M'Bain for his able and interesting address, 
and also for his valuable services while President of the 
Society. 
I. On the Strata discovered in making the East of Fife Extension 
Railway, with special reference to the Brick Clay Beds and their 
Fossil Remains. Bj the Rev. Walter Wood, Elie, Fife. Com- 
municated by James M'Bain, M.D., R.N. [Plans and Sections 
of the Railway were exhibited in illustration.] 
The East of File Extension Eailway commences at the 
Kilconquhar Station of the Leven and East of Fife Eailway, 
and terminates at Anstruther, a distance of about six miles. 
The cuttings are not heavy, and are almost entirely through 
the boulder-clay and more recent deposits ; the subjacent 
rock being reached only in one or two places. It is some- 
what singular, that although Elie House, a little distance to 
the north of the line, is built upon Trap Tufa, and though 
the same rock appears in several places on the shore to the 
south, it is never touched by the railway except at the farm 
of Ardross, where there is a pretty deep cutting through it. 
It presents there the same appearance as on the shore, being 
distinctly stratified, with many faults and slips, and inter- 
sected towards its junction with the neighbouring rocks by 
numerous veins of calcareous spar. The junction, however, 
does not appear in the cutting, as the Neptunian rocks on 
both sides have been removed by denudation. There is an 
instance within the cutting of a slip, where the contiguous 
surfaces have by friction been polished till they have ac- 
