2. Note on a New Fossil Foot-Print from the Permian Sandstone of Dumfriesshire

Abstract

What appears to be an entirely new foot-print has lately been found in the red sandstone of this district. I have seen many of the foot-prints from the various quarries in the neighbourhood, but have not before observed this one, nor is it like any figured in Sir William Jardine's splendid work on the “Ichnology of Annandale.” The foot-prints in question were found in a bed about 20 feet from the surface, at Locharbrigg's Quarry, three miles from Dumfries. They exhibit the usual large hind and smaller fore foot; the impression of the hind foot measures ′·5 × 2′·6, the fore foot 2′·3 × 1′·9; the stride of the animal appears to have been about 10′. The impression of the hind foot does not interfere with that of the fore foot, as is the case with several of the foot-prints figured in Sir William Jardine's work, the interval between them being 2′: the hind foot, therefore, must have been put down in the rear of the fore foot when the animal was walking. The impression of the foot shows five toes, the thumb being placed far back. The most characteristic features in these foot-prints are the well-developed claws, and the oblique position of the toes, i.e., they are placed to march one behind the other. In almost all the foot-prints I have seen, where the toes can be made out, the middle one appears the most prominent; this foot-print is markedly distinct in this respect.