of Edinburgh, Session 1871 - 72 . 717 
But it is not they which have come to land, the land has come to 
them. 
In the parish of Crieff a boulder of whinstone is reported, with 
a vein of white quartz through and partially round it, in con- 
sequence of which the stone has from time immemorial been 
known as the Belted Stane. The prediction about it is, that the 
white belt will gradually increase in length till it envelopes the 
stone ; and that whenever the two ends meet, a great battle will be 
fought, on which occasion a king will be seen mounting his horse 
at the stone, — ■ 
‘ ‘ 'Twixt the Gartmore Gap and the Belted Stane 
The nobles blnid shall run like a stream.” 
Geologists, however, are of opinion that there is not much chance 
of the quartz vein extending. 
Perhaps some persons may think that the time of the Royal 
Society should not be taken up by any allusion to these absurd 
popular legends. There are, however, good reasons for referring 
to them. In the first place, they are evidence of the extraordinary 
ignorance and superstition which prevailed in former times in our 
own land, and even at no very distant date. In the second place, 
the archseological and even historical associations with which many 
of the boulders are invested, may induce many proprietors to take 
an interest in them and save them from destruction, if the com- 
mittee think them worthy of preservation. 
There is even yet among our fellow-countrymen a considerable 
amount of interest felt in these boulders, and particularly such as 
have traditionary names and legends ; and it is to this feeling that 
several are indebted for their preservation. Professor Geikie at 
the last meeting of the British Association told this anecdote of 
the Ayrshire boulder, known as the Killochan Stone of Judgment. 
An enterprizing tenant, a stranger to the district, finding this 
stone much in his way, was preparing to blow it up with gun- 
powder. His intention becoming known, some of the old residenters 
went to the laird’s factor and asked whether he knew what was 
intended. On his stating that he did not, he was entreated to pre- 
vent the stone from being destroyed. The proprietor was com- 
municated with, and the new tenant was interdicted from meddling 
5 c 
VOL. VII. 
