6 75 
of Edinburgh, Session 1877—78. 
must have come in a direction from N. by E. If floating ice 
brought it — -and no other way is here conceivable— from the south, 
the boulder could not have reached its present position. It would 
have stuck on the south side of the hill. It could not have reached 
its position by a somersault over the hill top, for the impetus 
acquired by its fall would have projected it down the hill altogether. 
As bearing on the direction from which this boulder may have come, 
it is proper to add that towards the north-west there is a range of hills, 
apparently much higher than 300 feet, whilst towards the north and 
north-east it is open sea, and the island of Mull is in that direction. 
(3.) On the farm of Persibus (occupied by Mr Rounsfell), about 
three miles S.W. of Port Askaig, four or five boulders, well rounded, 
occur, and were seen. They are all of a hard porphyritic rock, 
differing from any of the Islay rocks. Their height above the sea 
was found to be about 228 feet. 
With regard to the probable line of transport to their positions, 
it may be noticed that towards 1ST. by E. there is an opening or 
depressed part of the country, through which the boulders might 
have been floated to their sites. 
Mr Rounsfell pointed out a very large boulder situated on a hill 
slope to the north, about two miles distant, which, however, the 
Convener was unable to visit. But Mr Ballingall, factor on the 
Islay estate, has had the kindness to examine the boulder, at the 
request of the Convener, and he reports as follows : — “Girth, 33-| feet; 
height, 11 feet ; length, 12 feet ; breadth, 18 feet. It lies on clay slate 
rocks, and is all exposed to view. Its thickest end faces S.W. Its 
height above the sea is 410 feet.” Mr Ballingall has sent with his 
letter a small chip of the boulder. It proves to be an igneous rock, 
with much hornblende. It has probably come from some northern 
region. The weight of the boulder Mr Ballingal estimates at 25 tons. 
(4.) On the south side of the high road between Bridgend and 
Port Helen a boulder rests at the foot of a low hill which faces 
about due north. The boulder is tolerably well rounded, and about 
7 feet in diameter. It is a stranger to this district. Most probably 
it came from the north like the rest, and was in its farther progress 
intercepted by the hill at the base of which it lies. Its height above 
the sea is about 50 feet. (See fig. 10, Plate III.) 
(5.) On the west coast of Islay, in the parish of Kilcheran, 
