of Edinburgh, Session 1872-73. 147 
as possible regarding boulders on islands, especially if the boulders 
are composed of rocks not existing in the islands. 
IV. Preservation of Boulders. 
The Committee have not yet taken any special action towards 
the attainment of this object. 
Perhaps it may be premature to do so, till they have obtained all 
the information which they expect regarding the localities where 
the most interesting boulders are situated. 
Some doubt also is felt what would be the most judicious course 
of procedure. In Switzerland, as the Committee observe from the 
printed Reports which Professor Pavre kindly sends to them as 
they are issued, very many boulders have been purchased by or for 
natural history societies and museum managers ; and in one of the 
Reports, a form of the deed or conveyance is given, transferring a 
right of property in any particular boulder. 
From these Reports, it appears that the boulders sought to be 
preserved are — ls£, Those which have a traditional name. 2d, 
Those which have a legend attached to them. 3 d, Those which 
possess scientific value, — for some reason which geologists point 
out. 
Perhaps the Committee, in their selection of boulders to be pre- 
served in Scotland, could not do better than act on these principles. 
But whether, to secure preservation, they will endeavour to obtain 
a transference of the property of particular boulders in favour of 
any Society, or whether they will merely endeavour to obtain from 
the proprietor on whose lands they are situated, a promise to pre- 
serve them, the Committee have yet to decide. 
The Committee cannot conclude their Report without repeating 
the wish, which they expressed last year, that some of the many 
tourists who are likely to be, during the ensuing summer and 
autumn, in remote parts of Scotland, where large boulders still 
exist, may visit the boulders, with a view to report upon them to 
the Committee. The Committee, whilst desirous of obtaining 
additional information from all parts of the country, may be 
allowed to acid, that there are three classes of boulders, as regards 
position, information about which would be particularly accept- 
able : — 
