XXVI. A Bed of Post-glacial Clay, exposed by Dredging in the Harbour of Girvan, Ayrshire

Abstract

General Description of the Girvan District. —This district lies nearly at the southern angle of the Ayrshire triangle, and is classic from the fossiliferous character of its Silurian strata. There are few districts in Scotland in which, within short distances, the geologist can enjoy such opportunities of studying different strata, and of practically testing so many interesting geological theories. To the south-east and east there is a large Silurian area that constitutes a part of the great tract forming the southern ridge, or axis of elevation across Scotland from S.W. to N.E. To the north-west of the Girvan Valley lies a smaller area of Silurian strata, yet including the famous Mulloch Hill, Drummuck Burn, Threave Glen, and Craighead Quarry. Between these two tracts lies the beautiful valley of the Girvan, which is composed of Carboniferous strata to within a mile or two of the town of Girvan. Three patches of Old Red Sandstone occur in the immediate vicinity—one to the south of the town, one on which the town is built, and one further north, where, near the shore, an old quarry still is occasionally worked. The last two are no doubt continuous, although the union is hidden by the diluvium of the valley. Glacial Phenomena. —The shore to the north of the river is strewn with boulders, many that lay on the south shore having been utilized for housebuilding. In dredging near the shore it is found that a fringe of boulders extends below low water-mark. The majority of these boulders This 250-word extract was created in the absence of an abstract