416 Scientific In\ idUgen ce . - — Zoology . 
These are now forwarded to you, and from one of them, appa- 
rently a lumbar vertebra, an idea may be formed of the general 
state in which the bones are. They are found at the depth of 
about two feet from the surface. When first taken up, those 
of open structure are apt to separate into pieces, but upon ex- 
posure to the atmosphere, soon acquire considerable firmness ; 
and the gardener at Dunmore assured me that a large piece had 
been, some time ago, lifted, which was not only of a very white 
colour, but so hard that he used a plane in reducing it to a 
regular shape. The skeleton is undoubtedly that of a whale, 
and it has been traced to the distance of nearly 80 feet from the 
drain which borders the road ; although the bones may not be 
quite close together, yet it may be presumed that the animal 
measured from 85 to 90 feet. The tail lies in a north-easterly 
direction from the head, and just in such a situation as it may 
be supposed the animal would acquire, had it run aground in 
coming up the river. By a measurement, it has been ascertain- 
ed, that the place where the remains lie, is between 23 and 24 
feet higher than the highest tide of the Frith at present. The 
soil in which they occur is a stiff clay, which has been found 
near the spot to extend to a depth of 27 feet, resting on free- 
stone. Stags’ horns are occasionally found imbedded in the 
same clayey stratum. A fine pair, in a very perfect state, were 
got, many years ago, which I believe are still preserved at Car- 
ronhall. From the proximity of the situation of the skeleton 
to the river, no building or other artificial monument remains 
to determine, how long, within the bounded limits of historical 
record, the land has been deserted by the sea. Many years 
ago, an iron anchor was dug up a little to the south-east of it. 
The fleuks were much decayed, but the beam, which was of a 
rude square form, with an iron ring, was tolerably perfect. It 
hung many years in the old tower near Dunmore, but was at 
length stolen. Dunmore Moss extends a great way to the 
south-west, and in it, at about 300 yards from the skirts of the 
w r ood, are found the roots of large oaks. From all these facts, 
there seems but little doubt, that, under the same circumstan- 
ces as those attending the fossil remains at Airthrey (nearly the 
like height above high-water, and having the same soil for its 
matrix, See.) this animal was stranded where it now lies, about 
