719 
of Edinburgh, Session 1871 - 72 . 
the boulder called “Johnny Moat,” he asked the way. The hoy 
pointed it out at once. Three or four other persons in succession, 
two of them women, had to be asked the same question before the 
spot was reached. Every one knew “ Johnny Moat.” The last 
person accosted was a fisherman, and he volunteered to be guide. 
He seemed somewhat suspicious of the stranger’s intentions; for 
after reaching the stone, he remained beside him till he saw it 
was only to measure its dimensions and make a sketch of it, that 
he had come. From what was observed during this visit, it was 
evident that every inhabitant of Prestonpans, not only knew of the 
boulder, but took a personal interest in it, and would sternly resist 
any attempt to destroy it. 
It is satisfactory to find this popular feeling still prevailing to 
some extent. But the feeling is not of itself sufficient to prevent 
the wholesale destruction which is going on in many parts of Scot¬ 
land. Thus, the minister of Bendocliy reports to the committee, 
that “ on the rising ground behind his manse, there was a circle of 
large stones, boulders, standing on their ends (Druidical); but 
some years ago they were removed. The place is yet called ‘ The 
Nine Stanes .’” 
There was formerly a rocking stone in Aberdeenshire, estimated 
at about 50 tons weight; but it has now been converted into field 
dykes. 
Numberless cases of the same kind can be specified. 
It is therefore most necessary to take steps to preserve what re¬ 
main of these megalithic relics ; and it is especially gratifying to 
the committee to be able to state, that the movement towards 
this object, made by this Society, has met with general approval. 
The British Association, at its last meeting, so highly approved 
of the scheme, that it appointed a committee of some of its most 
influential geologists to carry out a similar scheme for England 
and Ireland. 
In the last number of the “ Geological Magazine,” there is a lauda¬ 
tory notice of the object and operations of the committee; and the 
readiness with which all parties applied to in Scotland have re¬ 
sponded to the circulars of the Committee, proves how much they 
also approve, to say nothing of express commendations contained 
in individual reports. Even in Switzerland notice has been taken 
