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8 IC I I N O L O G Y OF ANNANDALE.
To ¡Illustrate tlio jiositlon of the New Red Sandstone Rock in the Ammndale Basin more plainly, we have devoted
P L A T E XII.
to a view across the Valley from east to west, or from ridge to ridge, coloured, so as to show as nearly as
possible the parts now iillod np by the Sandstone, which at a former period was the sandy bed and shores of a
sea. The middle parts of the view, coloured red, exhibit the range of the now Sandstone as nearly as can be
ascertiiined from observation. On the right hand side it has been shaded into the grey colour given to the
Silurian Rocks, which appear there to run farther into the valley, from the Sandstone having been, stripped or
denuded away from the upper portion of the Ae Basin, and round the projecting spur of the Queensberry range,
wliich forms the eastern boundary of that basin at Elirkmichael. On the left of the view, the alluvial Basin
of Lochmaben is also coloured red, although the rock there may in some parts be wanting; we trace it upon
both sides, but it has not been reached in the centre. The hills in the background, coloured blue, are beyond
the Valley of the Nith, and are not connected with any part of the Annandale ranges of hills. That seen to
the left is Criffell, in Kirkcudbrightshire, composed of granite.
The section which accompanies this view is run also nearly from east to west, from the more elevated
points of the correspondmg ridges, it passes through Corneoclde Quarry, and will point out the exact position of
the two principal rocks. It has been made expressly for the purpose, and is laid down upon a scale of eight
iuches to one mile,*
The points of contact on eaeh side of the Valley are generally known, and are marked by difference
of colour. At these points along the line of section, where the Sandstone is brought to the surftice, it is seen
cither by Avorking or in river and brook courses, and the inclination of the beds is given. The marking indicated
on the section at A, is intended to represent what in the district is commonly and provincially called
TiU, a very stiff red clay, filled with boulders of various sizes, from 1 inch to 2 feet in diameter, always
liaving flattened, dragged or striated surfaces. This we term the glacial drift, to distinguish it from the more
recent or river drift, B, containing rolled or rounded stones and pebl)les, often distinctly deposited in layers
or beds. The curved line, marking the top of the rock at Corncockle Q.uarry, indicates the line of the upper
surface of the edges of the Sandstone beds when the glacial drift has been removed, smoothed and rounded
off: and where it presents a dragged-over surface, furrowed by deep and well marked stria?, running nearly
from north to south-south-west, e^^dently produced by the action of the stones and boulders which we find
imbedded in the superincumbent glacial drift.
• For the dran-ing of the cjiaracteristic view across the Valley, we are inclehtcd to the pencil of Dr. GKKVILI.K. The section was run by niy
son, ALiiXAKor.i: JAKDINE, now prosecuting liis profession of Ci^'il Engineer.
I C I Ï N O L O G Y OF ANNANDALE.
CÏÏELICHNUS GIGAS, Jard
PLATE I.
WE possess botli the slabs of this very interesting impression. That from wliich the Plate is litliograplied is
the mould or footprint, partially filled up where the two surfaces of the beds have not freely separated. The
moulds of these impressions when most free from the incumbent beds, represent a single oval raised pad or
sole, surrounded by a shallow ring, j^roduced probably by a projecting cushion, Avhich prevented the toes or
claws, if any, from indenting the soft surfiice. There is no appearance of toes or claws, and were it not
for the distinct pace and uniform alternate progression, each single impression would very nmch resemble tliat
left on a sandy sea beach by an exhausted medusa, where there ap])ears a hollow, surrounded by a gently
depressed ring. In the present slabs there are slight undulations on the forepart of the outer ring, as if
indicating the presence of blunt toes. These impressions also show the sand raised behind, indicating the
pushing back progressive motion.
These footprints are rather beyond the usual size of this impression. The footprint, to the anterior margin
of the outer ring, is from 5 to 5,5 in length, the outer less depressed ring occupying about 8, gradually
narrowino- off in breadth towards the heel. The breadtli across the centre is about 4 Î5 . 8 . Tlie pace has been
alternate, and the length of the stride considerable, from 15.5 to 16.5. The width between the corresponding
Hues of footprints is only about 4, but this, in the case of an animal possessing such length of stride, wonl.l
be no indication of its relative breadth or length.
This impression sometimes occurs as only two crescent-like lines, somewhat resemljHng the figures given
by Professor Hitchcock of the American genus Hoplichnus. These are seen upon the reverses or lower surface of
tlie beds, and are occasioned ' by the animal having pressed through the soft substance with the centre of the foot :
and when the bed is raised, this only is seen defined by the two crescent shaped hnes. In such instances, the
bed walked upon is generally comparatively thin, and when raised or separated, gives a cast of the impression
with its central pad and surrounding shallow ring.