of Edinlurgh^ Session 1883 - 84 . 
897 
of Edinburgh, the Rev. Dr Fleming cites different localities where it 
clearly appears that the materials composing the boulder clay, had 
been by some extraneous agency pushed towards the east; and 
pushed so violently, that the strata of rock covered by the boulder 
clay had their edges broken off^ and carried towards the east [Litho- 
logy of Edinburgh^ pp. 52 to 60). 
In like manner. Professor Geikie says that “ the mass of the 
boulder clay (in the basin of the Firth of Forth for instance) con- 
sists of the comminuted debris of the Carboniferous and other rocks 
which form the framework of the district. We can also gather 
that this loose fragmentary matter has moved from west to east. In 
the upper part of the basin of the Firth of Forth the coal fields are 
covered with red boulder clay, abounding in fragments of the rocks 
that lie towards the N.W., and deriving its prevalent tint from the 
waste of the Old Red Sandstones, and stretches up to the foot of the 
Highland mountains” (Glacial drift, p. 805). 
5. If tlie foregoing data are sufficient to establish the general 
fact that the transporting and striating agent has moved in most 
parts of Scotland from the north-westward, the question arises, What 
was that agent ? 
In regard to boulders in Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire, it 
might be inferred that they were brought by glaciers from the 
Grampians and other mountainous districts there. But some of 
these boulders are at such heights as to suggest doubts whether 
any glacier could have been generated at such a level as to bring 
these boulders. Moreover, several of the Forfarshire boulders, if 
they came from the mountains to the west, must have crossed 
valleys and ridges of hills, which would have seriously obstructed 
the flow of a glacier (Abstract, p. 801). 
In some districts, however, there is undoubtedly evidence to 
establish glacier action ; — as in Glencoe (Abstract, p. 830). Professor 
Heddle and Mr Livingstone satisfied themselves of the existence 
of one or more glaciers on the west flanks of Ben Nevis, though 
Mr Livingstone sees difficulties which he cannot explain (Abstract, 
p. 824). Professor Duns seems also to recognise the probability of 
a Ben Nevis glacier (Abstract, p. 824). In Nairn Valley there are 
also appearances which suggest the agency of a local glacier 
(Abstract, p. 835). Loch Skene is another (Abstract, p. 796). 
