On the Rise of the Shores of the Firth of Forth. 293 
present road leading westward from Queensferry. Similar 
effects have likewise been produced on the northern shores 
of the Firth, at Culross and eastwards by St Davids, Burnt- 
island, Kirkcaldy, and Dysart. The seaports along this 
coast have all suffered more or less from encroachments of 
the sea — roads, fences, gardens, fields, piers, and even dwel- 
ling-houses, having been from time to time carried away."* 
On evidence as to Carriden I have a few words to say. 
Carriden, where the Wall of Antonine terminated, is more 
than 100 feet above the mean level of the Forth. Any one 
reading either of Mr Geikie's papers — more especially the 
one read to the Geological Society of London — would most 
naturally infer that he had seen the termination of the cele- 
brated Eoman Wall. In the above quotation he is more 
modest and more accurate ; but for myself I did infer that a 
visit to Carriden would give me a long looked for pleasure 
to gaze on the works of men gathered to their fathers 1800 
years ago. 
Let me shortly detail my disappointment. On reaching 
Carriden, along with my friend Dr M'Bain, we announced 
our object to the factor on the estate, Mr Alexander 
Davidson. This gentleman has been on the property for 
upwards of fifty-five years, and is, indeed, the best authority 
on the subject. In answer to our queries regarding the 
Eoman Wall, he took us to a spot near the house of Carriden, 
the seat of the gallant Admiral Hope, and pointed out to us 
the position of a tree which he had assisted in removing 
fifty years ago. The tree was an ash, and, on counting the 
circular layers, it was found to be not less than 200 years 
old. Now, this tree had entwined its roots round masonry 
which had to be removed before these could be extirpated, 
and then they came on the remains of what was supposed 
the old Koman Wall. So here we find in this paper a state- 
's- For further confirmation of this statement, the late William S. Younpf, 
while resident at Fillieside House, Seafield, compelled the North British 
Railway to give an entrance from the road south of the railway to the sea. 
He gained his point by proving that there was a parish road between the 
bottle-works at Leith and Portobello. Golf was also played within a hundred 
years at Bathfield, between Leith and Newhaven. Mr Wliitten, in the 
Sheritf-Clerk's Office, can show the plans where the parish road is marked. 
