lxxiv PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
of Cordaites , and other plant remains not yet identified. Associated 
with these were abundant remains of fish in the form of scales, teeth, 
etc., and also of more or less perfect specimens of the entire fish. 
The commonest species is the Elonichthys Robisoni . The minute 
valves of entomostraca abound. 
These shales contain a large percentage of bituminoid compounds, 
and some, a little higher in the series, have been actually worked at 
Burntisland for oil. These, like those worked near Edinburgh, be¬ 
long to the Oil Shales Series, which lies between the Marine Series, 
known as the Yoredale Rocks, and the Burdiehouse Limestone. 
The oil shales and associated strata are chiefly of estuarine and 
lagoon origin. 
Soon after the commencement of this period in this part volcanic 
action commenced from a centre now represented by the Binn of 
Burntisland. This eminence represents an old volcanic “neck, :> 
or accumulation of volcanic material filling up the pipe, throat, or 
chimney of the volcano. From this volcanic centre a considerable 
thickness of lava, representing the results of the quieter outbreaks, 
flowed into parts of the old estuaries, and even into the sea, so that 
the lavas here are seen in places to be interstratified with rocks of 
purely sedimentary origin. During the more violent explosive out¬ 
bursts of the volcano great quantities of volcanic materials were 
ejected in a fragmentary state, and fell upon the cone and into 
the water around, where they were interstratified with the lavas and 
their associated sedimentary strata. 
It was to study this association of volcanic rocks with strata of 
purely sedimentary origin that the excursion was chiefly undertaken, 
and therefore the party devoted a considerable part of the day to the 
study of the evidence to be seen in the fine natural section exposed 
in that part of Fifeshire. 
Mr. Barclay has also supplied the following Botanical Note on 
this excursion :— 
This excursion was, of course, mainly Geological, and the 
route taken did not allow of much being done by the Botanists, 
the best ground in that quarter being along the coast. One 
member took a short walk along the coast to the east of 
Kinghorn and brought back a number of the common sea-side 
plants. He also fell in with Salvia verbenaca , and brought specimens 
to distribute. This is an old station for Salvia, which also occurs, or 
at least did occur at Burntisland, and one or two other places on the 
Fife coast. The plant is not found in Perthshire except as a casual. 
3. On 8th June a party of twelve drove from Perth to Buchanty, 
where they were met by Mr. Arthur S. Reid, F.G.S., of Trinity 
College, Glenalmond, and a number of his Science students. The 
day was one of the hottest of the season, and for this reason the 
shade of the trees along the bank of the river was much appreciated. 
The party divided into two sections, a Geological one, under Mr. 
Reid, and a Botanical, under Mr. Barclay. These two gentlemen 
report as follows :— 
