of Edinburgh, Session 1881 - 82 . 
781 
The labour of climbing these bills to examine the bonlders on 
them is much enhanced by proximity to the sea-level. Mountains 
in the interior of the country generally rise from an elevated plain, 
which, of course, lessens the ascent to their tops. 
The boulders in this Ben Nevis district are described in notes 
by Professor Duns and Professor Heddle, two members of the 
Committee, and by Mr. Colin Livingston, teacher of Fort-William 
Public School. 
Professor Heddle and Mr. Livingston having joined in the 
examination of the district, a map has been given to show the 
tracks followed by them ; it also includes the localities mentioned 
in the notes by Professor Duns. (See Plate subjoined to Report.) 
It will be seen from the notes by Professor Heddle and Mr. 
Livingston, that they think that most of the phenomena observed by 
them can best be explained by supposing that a glacier passed 
through Glen Nevis in a northerly and N.W. direction. It appears 
to the Convener that the facts most strongly favouring this view are 
the boulders, consisting of rocks (especially red syenite and quartz) 
identical in composition with rocks forming hills situated to the 
south of Ben Nevis, which reach to heights of about 3000 feet. 
Another fact relied on, is the occurrence in Glen Nevis of rocks 
smoothed and striated, which it is thought may be best accounted 
for by heavy bodies of ice passing down the glen. Some import- 
ance also is attached to “ a detrital bank at an altitude of 2904 feet,” 
forming “ for about 100 yards, and about 40 feet deep, a ridge or 
bank of loose material, broad enough for three persons to walk upon 
abreast, and containing much gravel and small rounded stones.” In 
regard to this “ detrital bank,” Professor Heddle remarks : — 
“Whether a glacier showered down the heaps of stones which 
form the ridge, or whether it had been deposited by aqueous agency, 
may be matter of opinion ” (“ Report,” p. 35). 
The Convener feels difficulty in accepting this glacier theory as 
being sufficient of itself to explain all the phenomena. 
Then, when it is said that on the summit of Mullach nctu Correan 
(at a height of 3077 feet) — which “forms a great round dome of 
red granite ” — “ there are several small angular blocks of pure white 
quartz rock, the nearest locality of which is the peak of Stob Bhanf 
at a height of 3274 feet above the sea, I ask, where could a glacier 
