the principal town of Perthshire, and the most central in Scotland, is situated on the banks of the river Tay, about 25 miles above its confluence with the German Ocean, in Lat. 56.23.40. N., and Long. 3.26.20. W. The city, eminent for the beauty of its situation, occupies the centre of an amphitheatre, varied, pleasing, and highly picturesque. Encircled by richly wooded and highly cultivated heights, sloping more or less proximately, sits embedded the "Fair City," with its splendid and spacious parks, the Inches, extending their swardy expanses north and south, and its noble river flowing through its apparent confines.

From the rising grounds by which the city is surrounded, although none of them is of great altitude, some of the finest views in Scotland are to be obtained. Those from the summit of Moncrieff and Kinnoull Hills are of great extent, beauty, and variety. The prospect from Moncrieff Hill, described by Pennant as "the glory of Scotland," embraces on the west and south the vale of Strathearn; on the east the curve of the Tay to the ocean; and in the distant north a noble sweep of the Grampian Mountains, with much of the Alpine scenery of Perthshire and contiguous counties. From Kinnoull Hill the view is less extensive, but scarcely inferior in beauty, variety, and interest. The height of Moncrieff Hill is 766 feet, and the height of Kinnoull Hill is 632 feet above the river.

The site of the town is only a few feet above the level of the sea; and hence it is exposed to partial inundation when the Tay is very much flooded. The height of the low grounds along the bank of the river varies from only 20 to 30 feet above the mean level of the sea; and the plain on which the town is built is still lower. Inconveniences of this kind of much consequence, however, are of rare occurrence. Although lying low, the town is not by any means to be regarded as unhealthy; and though it is also closely surrounded by hills on all sides except towards the north, yet these being of moderate elevation, the hygrometric state of the incumbent atmosphere is little affected by their vicinity, and the air is accordingly more dry and clear than might have been expected. Fogs are not more frequent than in the open plains; and the diseases resulting from a damp soil and a humid atmosphere are of rare occurrence, or rather altogether unknown. The gravelly and sandy subsoil of the district, and the perpetual change of air occasioned by the current of the river in all states of the weather, contribute to render the climate of Perth more salubrious than that of many towns possessing a greater elevation. The mean hygrometric state of the air at Perth (as was ascertained, a good many years ago, by the late Professor Anderson) appears to be when the atmosphere is charged with about four-fifths of the entire quantity of moisture it is capable of holding in solution at the mean temperature. The hygrometrical means for 1857 were—mean of dry-bulb, 50°6; mean of wet bulb, 45°9. The quantity of rain observed to fall in the immediate neighbourhood of the town seems to correspond pretty nearly with the mean quantity for the latitude. In the year 1857 the fall was 30'464 inches, and the number of days in which it fell 164; so that against the number of wet or snowy days there were 201 fair days. The mean annual fall of rain, deduced from a period of six years—viz., from the year 1852 to 1857—was 30'30 inches. The mean height of the barometer, reduced to 32° for 1857, was 29'85 inches. The mean annual height, deduced from the same period of six years, as above in the case of the rain, was 29'67 inches. The mean temperature of 1857 was 51°1, and the annual mean deduced from the above period of six years, 46°5. The following are the observations of the wind for the year 1857, viz.:—N., 16 days; N.E., 21; E., 14; S.E., 59; S., 16½; S.W., 63; W., 62½; N.W., 20½; calm, 93 days; mean force of the wind, 2½. The mortality tables for the years 1855, 1856, and 1857, show respectively somewhat under 2½, 2, and 3 per cent. deaths to the population. The deaths registered in the burgh, exclusive of Kinnoull, in 1855, were

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1 The most remarkable inundations of which we have any record occurred in 1210, 1621, 1740, 1773, and 1814. The greatest of these appears to have been the first; in which, says Fordun in his Scotichronicon, "King William, his son Prince Alexander, and the Earl of Huntington, the king's brother, left the town in a small boat, and reached the dry land in safety. A few of the nobles who were present then to be at court accompanied them in other boats; others on the tops of houses, along with the townspeople of both sexes, with difficulty escaped a watery grave. The river rose to such a height, that not boats merely, but large vessels, could be impelled along the streets and broadways without any difficulty or impediment. Not only several houses, but the bridge over the Tay and an old chapel, were overthrown by the waters." Of the flood of 1621 it is preserved in the kirk-session records, "that therethrough the Brig of Tay was hally drowned, except only one bow thereof standing." Nose could be heard of it, nor yet came within it to make any relief thereto." It appears, however, when at its very height, not to have been so much as to have prevented the people repairing to church, for it is also recorded that "Mr John Malcolm, minister, powerfully endowed with God's Spirit, caused ring the preaching bell on Sunday between hours of the morning, and the hail inhabitants came to the kirk." Little is recorded of the inundation of 1740. That of 1775 was produced by the shutting up of the river by ice, and was the cause of much injury to property. Of a very similar character was the most recent flood of 1814. It attained the height of 231 feet, and caused much damage to property. Several families were removed from their houses by means of boats, and communication held with many others in the same way. The last considerable flood took place in October 1847, and was produced entirely by rain. The water on this occasion rose to within 2 feet of the height attained in 1814, and with serious injury to property, submerged all the lower lying parts of the town. he also made free with the records and documents of public value preserved at Perth; hence the absence of, in a great measure, such papers, as were to have been expected in a city so prominent in the nation's history. The records of the burgh are, however, of very considerable antiquity, but unfortunately the oldest cannot now be deciphered. The earliest legible date is 1512, Cant, in his History, however, produces a full and uninterrupted list of magistrates from 1465 to 1785. From the ancient importance of the city, its annals are replete with incidents and events of momentous interest and consequence. In 1298, after the battle of Falkirk, Edward I. reduced all the fortresses in Scotland, but fortified Perth, and rebuilt the walls in the strongest manner. Such defences proved in these and subsequent times exceedingly necessary. These rulers again it was commanded by the feudal castles of several powerful families, some of whom the inhabitants appear to have been frequently at feud, whilst with others, as Chartres of Kinfauns, the Earl of Gowrie, the Earl of Atholl, Lord Scoule, and Threipland of Fingask, they were on such friendly terms as to have had one of their number for chief magistrate. Amusing evidence is to be found in the records of the burgh, of these alternate feuds and fraternizations. The worthy burgesses seem to have been men of mettle in those days; and on various occasions, sallying forth from behind their walls, set fire to the castles of their neighbours, when the latter, probably in reprisal for some offence, had forbidden their vassals to carry provisions to the city. In the year 1311, Robert Bruce entered the town, but was obliged to withdraw his troops, after various unsuccessful attempts to take it. Not discouraged, however, the Scottish hero, having selected a band of determined men, and chosen a dark night, led them on in person, scaled the walls, and carried the town sword in hand; the king himself being the second man who entered the place. About the beginning of the fourteenth century, the famous combat between the Clan Chattan and the Clan Chulie or Clan Kay, took place on the North Inch, and was decided in favour of the former partly by the bravery of a citizen or burgess called Harry Wyll, whom the chief of Clan Chattan had engaged on the spot to supply the place of one of his men who had fallen to appear. This city has also been the scene of some of those social tragedies, in which the history of Scotland, in those rude times, was so prolific. In the year 1326, King Edward III. of England stabbed his brother the Duke of Cornwall, before the high altar of the church of St John; and in 1427, James I. was murdered in the monastery of Blackfriars, by Walter, Earl of Atholl, Robert Stewart, his lordship's grandson, and Robert Graham, their kinsman, with circumstances of the most savage barbarity. The murderers were executed in Perth, and the details of their punishment are of the most revolting character, reflecting but little honour on the good feeling and humanity of our forefathers. Perth appears to have been visited several times by the plague, particularly in 1512, 1585, 1608, and 1645. Its ravages during each of these visitations were severe, 3000 persons dying in its victims. In 1639, Margaret, queen consort of James IV., was interred in the Carthusian monastery, near the tomb of James I. Her Majesty died at Methven Castle. In 1617, James VI. honoured the ancient capital of Scotland with a visit, the details of which, as found in the burgh records, are not a little graphic and entertaining. And in 1623, one of those exhibitions, of which James was so fond, and which leave a stain upon the national annals, took place in Perth; we mean, the burning of three poor women for witchcraft. In 1633, Charles I., in his tour through Scotland, visited Perth; and in 1651, Oliver Cromwell took military possession of the city, and marched on the South Inch. The year 1690 was rendered memorable by the occurrence of the famous Gowrie conspiracy; one of those events on which ingenuity and research have exhausted themselves, and which, in its origin and circumstances, still remains enveloped in impenetrable mystery.

In the ecclesiastical history of Scotland, Perth occupies a somewhat prominent position. Here, it may be said, the work of reformation in Scotland was commenced by Knox. In 1544, Cardinal Bethune having obtained an act in favour of the bishops and clergy to persecute and punish heretics, came to Perth, when an accusation was forthwith lodged against certain persons for interrupting a friar of the name of Spence while preaching. The accused were found guilty, and condemned, and on the following day were executed—four men being hanged; and one woman whose offence was refusing to pray to the Virgin Mary, deprived. Other citizens were banished. Before the Cardinal left Perth, the Reformer, in his instigation, turned Lord Ruthven, the provost of the town, out of his office, and conferred it upon Chartres of Kinfauns. The citizens, however, resisted the attempt, and repulsed in a smart skirmish the cardinal's nominee, who came to enter upon his duties at the head of an armed force. The means adopted here and elsewhere to suppress the dawning Reformation only served to spread it. Executions became general, and the people became more and more alienated from the Church. The public exercise of the reformed religion having been introduced into Perth, the regent queen commanded all the Protestant preachers to be summoned to a court of justice to be held at Stirling the 10th of May 1559. The people refused to answer the summons along with their ministers, in such numbers as induced the queen to feign an abandonment of the trial. The affair displeased, and the sufferers, with a few leaders, remained at Perth. The dissimulations of her Majesty, however, were said 10th of May, in the banishment of the still refractory ministers; the day after which John Knox appeared in Perth, and preached the famous sermon against the idolatry of the Church of Rome, which proved indirectly the cause of the first great outbreak of the Reformation. The indiscretion of a priest, who, after the sermon, was preparing to celebrate mass, precipitated such of the congregation as remained into action with tumultuary but irresistible violence. They fell upon the churches, overturned the altars, defaced the pictures, broke in pieces the images, and proceeding next to the monasteries, in a few hours laid those presumptuous fabrics almost level with the ground. The fury of the mob, however, was in a great measure confined to the edifices; little personal insult was offered to any one, and not a single Roman Catholic was put to death. This riotous insurrection was in no wise the result of premeditation, was not joined by the more respectable citizens, and was publicly censured and condemned by the ministers and leaders of the Reformation. Her Majesty heard of the destruction of the religious houses at Perth with much concern, and determined to inflict the severest vengeance on the Reformers. Both parties took the field; negotiations ensued; Perth was thrown open to the queen, and occupied by a French garrison. But no sooner was peaceable admission gained, than all the previous stipulations were disregarded; the whole town was oppressed; swarms of priests were introduced into Perth by Ruthven and the bailies were superseded in their offices. Chartres was made provost; and the exercise of no other religion than the Roman catholic was permitted. Relief from the insolence and excessions of the garrison was only obtained after a regular siege by the Reformers. On the 25th of June Lord Ruthven attacked the town on the west, and Provost Halybarton of Dundee fired into it from the bridge, and speedily obliged the garrison to capitulate. From this resulted the destruction of the abbey and palace of Scone on the following day. After the loss of Perth, the Queen endeavoured to seize Stirling, Argyll, and Stewart, prior of St Andrews, having received intelligence of her design, marched out of Perth with three hundred citizens, resolved to prosecute the Reformation or perish in the attempt. That their determination might be the more apparent, they, instead of ribbons or ropes about their necks, wore hanging necklaces, lest a quarter of their number should die, their colours should be hanged by the ropes. Hence the origin of the proverb of "St Johnstone's Ribbons." The people joined them everywhere as they proceeded; and before they reached Stirling, their numbers had increased to five thousand. The gates of Stirling, and of every other town in their way, were thrown open to receive them. They, without violence, took possession of Edinburgh, cast the images out of its churches, and placed in them ministers of the Reformation.

Perth has long since been divested of almost every relic of antiquity, although at one time few places were so highly favoured in this respect. Hardly a trace is left of any of the numerous religious houses with which it abounded. The Parliament House and Gowrie Palace are also entirely removed. Two small portions of the ancient city wall, however, are still preserved; but the lade is the only work which has passed entire from ancient to modern Perth.

Claiming to be first noticed among the public buildings of Perth is the old church of St John. It is altogether unknown when and by whom this edifice was founded; but from such historical facts as can now be gathered, it must have been built about the middle of the fifth century. Stones were requested by King Robert Bruce in 1329 for its repair from "our beloved and faithful religious men, the abbot and convent of Scone." In the year 1410, the edifice was in good repair; all the old altars had been removed, and new ones erected. At the period of the Reformation, it is described as in a very high state of repair, containing rich altar pieces, images, decorations, and ornaments. But the fabric is of such very remote origin, and has undergone so many repairs, that it is difficult to say what or whether any of the original building now remains. There can be no doubt, however, that the tower and the pillars of the East and West churches are of very ancient date. When it was divided, as at present, into three places of worship, is not precisely known. That part of it which is now occupied as the West church must have been separated from the rest about the beginning of the seventeenth century, for it is recorded that a public meeting of the inhabitants was held in it in 1608. A variety of other public transactions are recorded as having taken place there. Prominent among them is the meeting of the General Assembly in August 1618, at which the famous Five Articles of Perth were passed. In 1716 it was fitted up as a place of worship; and in 1771 the eastern division, or choir, now the East church, was separated from the old or Middle church. The present fittings of the churches are all modern. One of the bells bears date 1400, and another 1506. The only other church possessing any particular interest is the South United Presbyterian church, having been erected in 1740 for Mr Wilson, one of the four original seceders from the Church of Scotland.

Of the other public buildings, the principal are the bridge over the Tay, completed in 1771, at an expense of £26,631, of which government contributed £11,000, the city of Perth £2,000, and the royal burghs £500; the County Buildings, erected in 1819-20, at a cost of £32,000; the General Prison; the military barracks, erected in 1793-4; the public seminaries, erected by public subscription in 1807, at a cost of about £7,000, of which the city contributed £1,050; Murray's Royal Lunatic Asylum, completed in 1827; and erected at an original cost of upwards of £40,000, bequeathed by Mr James Murray, a native of the parish of Perth, to which considerable additions have been made by the directors, including two contiguous properties; the monument erected to the memory of Provost Marshall, in which are accommodated the Perth Library and the library and museum of the Literary and Antiquarian Society; the water reservoir, erected in 1830; the infirmary, erected in 1836, at a cost of £6,000; and the general railway station, partially erected in 1848, and still uncompleted. The only other building of much note is the hospital, founded by James VI. in 1569, and which has two royal charters.

Perth abounds in religious, educational, and charitable institutions. There are twenty-four churches, comprising six places of worship belonging to the Established, six to the Free, and three to the United Presbyterian Churches; in addition to these, there are Original Secession, Wesleyan, Independent, Baptist, English Episcopalian, Scotch Episcopalian, and Roman Catholic Churches; there is also a Glassite meeting-house. There are eighteen public schools, besides a considerable number of private schools; also three ragged or industrial schools. In eleven of the public schools education is afforded to the poorer classes at fees more or less small; and in one, under the management of the incorporated trades, to the sons of members gratuitously. The charitable institutions are no less abundant. The principal of these are the infirmary, which contains accommodation for 68 patients, and is maintained at an annual cost of about £1,300; the Indigent Old Men's Society, which expended in provisions and clothing, in 1857, £1,165; the Indigent Old Women's Society, which similarly disbursed £1,170; the Destitute Sick Society, £52; and the Ladies' Clothing Society, £28. Besides these, there are the Lethendy Mortifications, the annuities of which amounted in 1857 to £723; and James VI.'s Hospital, affording outdoor relief to the extent of about £600 per annum. The incorporated trades also devote a large proportion of their funds to the assistance of their poorer members. In this way, in 1857, the trades expended the sum of £1,062, and the guildry £464. The poor's rates for the burgh amounted in 1857 to £6543.

Of the trade of the place a very vague estimate only can be formed. The exports and imports by the river afford no index to it whatever, the great bulk of the traffic being carried on by railway. Perth cannot be said now, as in former times, to be famous for any particular manufacture or branch of business. Cotton goods for foreign markets are made to a considerable extent; so are galas, wincies, and hosiery, for home trade. The number of weavers employed by the Perth manufacturers is variously estimated from 1500 and downwards. Linen is made to a small extent by power-looms. A very large traffic, however, is carried on in wood. In this trade, seven saw-mills, driven by steam, of, in the aggregate, seventy-six horse-power, are constantly employed in cutting up the timber for the various purposes for which it is employed. The value of the wood changing hands at Perth is estimated at about £50,000 per annum; and the larger proportion of it is the produce of the county. The purposes to which it is principally applied, besides house and ship building, are pit-props, barrel-staves, railway-sleepers, and fences. Ship-building is also vigorously prosecuted, giving employment to about 150 to 200 carpenters and others. Agricultural produce, and commodities connected with agriculture, form perhaps the most prominent feature in the commerce of the place. The salmon caught in the river are also an item of some importance in this respect, the great bulk of them being exported from Perth for the London market; the aggregate rent of the salmon-fishings in the Tay being, for the year 1858, £11,487. The tonnage of vessels visiting the port for the year ending 1st November 1857 was 25,877 tons register; and 57 vessels, measuring 5000 tons, are owned in Perth.

The government of the city is vested in a lord provost, who is also sheriff and coroner; four bailies; a treasurer; the dean of guild, who is ex officio a member of the council; and nineteen councillors. There are two city clerks, a procurator-fiscal, and a chamberlain. The city sends a member to Parliament. After Edinburgh was constituted the capital of the kingdom, Perth stood second on the roll of burghs of the Scottish Parliament, and is still entitled to hold that rank. Its chief magistrate has for centuries enjoyed the title of Lord Provost, which was confirmed by a judgment of the Court of Session, 12th March 1836. The Circuit Court of Justiciary is held here twice a year, when the more aggravated criminal offences committed in the counties of Perth, Fife, and Forfar are tried. There are, besides the magistrates and council, two popularly-elected public commissions, the water and police commissions. Under the former, the city is abundantly supplied with water filtered and raised from the Tay, the whole expense of which was defrayed in 1857 by assessments of 2d. and 8d. in the pound upon places of business and dwelling-houses respectively. In police, paving, lighting, and cleansing, the latter commission expended during the year 1856-7, £4,131. The general police assessment was 7d. per pound.

Although divested of much of their ancient political power, and shorn of much of their former state and dignity, the guildry incorporation and the incorporated trades still occupy a prominent and important place in the civic economy of the burgh. The incorporations are the hammermen, bakers, glovers, wrights, tailors, fleshers, shoemakers, and weavers. Several of the incorporations are possessed of considerable property. The dean of guild and the convener of the trades are ex officio members of most of the local boards. Most of the trades possess interesting relics of departed greatness. The principal of these is a very old flag, called "the blue blanket," in the keeping of the convener. This old banner, tradition saith, was borne in the Crusades by a body of burgesses from Perth. The glovers also have preserved in their repositories various interesting mementos; among the rest, a morris-dancer's dress, with cap and bells, in which some worthy follower of St Bartholomew exhibited for the diversion of Charles I. on the 8th of July 1633. This incorporation also possesses an antique flag, bearing the date 1604, said also to have been borne by some of the craft at the Crusades. The chief memorial preserved by the guildry is the Incorporation Record from 1452 to 1631—a venerable volume in a complete state of preservation, in which are inscribed the autographs of James R., 1601; Charles R., July 24, 1650; Victoria R., 1842; and Albert, 1842.

The burgh has a very large property and revenue, the former derived chiefly from the favour and munificence of several of the Scottish sovereigns. The property of the burgh consists of lands, fees, fishings, mills and waterfalls, dues, seats in the churches, houses, &c.; and its estimated value is £97,600. The debt of the city, after deducting assets, was, at the 30th September 1857, £16,518, 2s. 8d. The revenue for the year 1856-7 was £60,552, 13s. 9d., and the expenditure £38,091, 11s. 7d.

In 1856 the navigation and harbour commission was merged in the town council, and the financial affairs of the one conjoined to those of the other (the accounts, however, of the two concerns being kept separate and distinct), by act of Parliament. This, although originally contemplated, was latterly necessitated by the untoward condition of the finances of the commission. In 1854 the obligations of the harbour commission amounted, in round numbers, to £82,000; while the revenue, in consequence of the successful competition of the railways, had fallen to a trifle over £1,400, being about £2,300 short of its annual liability in the item of interest. The city, being by the Navigation Acts placed in the position of cautionary obligant for the commission, and the surplus revenue of the one not being equal to the deficiency of the other, an act of Parliament was obtained by the town council consolidating the two bodies, with their respective debts and revenues, and converting their conjoined obligations into bonds of annuity bearing a fixed annual interest of 3½ per cent., and also containing power to levy assessments upon the property within the ancient royalty not exceeding 4d. in the pound. The nett obligations on account of the navigation and harbour, at 30th September 1857, was £85,949, 8s. 2d. But so favourable a turn had the finances of the united bodies taken, that at the same date of the second year of the operation of the act the conjoined surplus revenue over expenditure amounted to £1,122, 9s. 9d.

The large obligations of the navigation and harbour commission were incurred in the construction of new quays, and in the deepening of the river. These works cost together about £65,000. Besides this, however, the sum of £31,500 was awarded to the proprietors for injury done by the operations to the salmon-fishings. There is now about 2000 feet of quay berthing at Perth; and ships of 300 tons register can easily ascend the river, the tide rising from 13 to 19 feet at the harbour. For several years the works of the commission fully realized the most sanguine expectations of their promoters; but, as already remarked, the trade of the place has of late been very much diverted from this channel.

The population of Perth, by the last census (1851), is 23,835; inhabited houses, 1991; parliamentary constituency, 963; municipal constituency (1856-7), 636; annual value of real property in 1855-6, £62,493.

PERTH-SHIRE, one of the most extensive and beautiful counties in Scotland, is almost circular in form, and occupying nearly the centre of the kingdom. Its extreme length from E. to W. is about 70 miles, and its greatest breadth from N. to S. is about 66 miles. Its area is given at 2835 square miles, of which more than 50 are of water. Of the 1,814,063 acres forming its superficial contents, 267,397 were returned in 1857 as under tillage. Many acres are under wood; and a vast extent of highland country affords grazing, pasture, and preserves for game; while only a small proportion of the county can be said to be wholly barren and unproductive. On the E. Perthshire is bounded by the counties of Forfar, Fife, and Kinross; on the N. by Inverness and Aberdeen; on the S. by Stirling and Clackmannan; and on the W. by the shires of Argyll and Dumbarton. Its ancient and still popularly-known divisions are,—Monteith, Athole, Strathearn, Breadalbane, Rannoch, Stormont, Perth proper, and Gowrie, to which some add Balquhidder and Glenorchy. It is under the jurisdiction of a sheriff and two substitutes, one of whom resides at Perth, and the other at Dunblane. There are within its boundaries seventy-eight parishes, or portions of parishes, some of them running into other adjacent counties.

Perthshire is distinguished amongst the counties of Scotland for the rich, varied, and picturesque beauty of its surface. From the commanding range of the Grampians, and numerous other secondary elevations, the country slopes gently down into extensive tracts of rich and fertile land, beautifully diversified, and adorned with wood and water, hill and dale, in every possible combination. Where the elevated ranges gradually disappear in the campaign country, nothing can exceed the rich and undulating character of the scenery, broken into noble and irregular valleys, or spreading out into extensive alluvial tracts, watered by streams of almost every size and character. The county of Perth is now generally divided into the Highland and Lowland divisions, the surface of the former being far more extensive than that of the latter. The fertile or Lowland districts lie chiefly, but by no means entirely, towards the eastern and the southern boundaries of the county. The fine valley of Strathearn, having the Grampian range on the N.W., with the Ochils and Sidlaw Hills on the E., traverses it from N.E. to S.W., and, including certain portions of the contiguous valleys of the Tay and the Almond, forms one the richest and most extensive tracts in the kingdom. Besides the extensive valley of Strathearn, there are others of considerable dimensions studded with lakes, and enlivened with streams of every variety of character. Perthshire is likewise distinguished for its noble ranges of mountains, some of which attain a considerable elevation. The highest is Ben Lawers, 3992 feet; Ben More is 3818; Cairn Gower, 3690; and Schallion, 3613. This last mountain is distinguished by its fine conoidal outline. Benledi rises to the height of 2381 feet; Ben Ardlanach to that of 3500; and Ben Venu to that of 3300; besides many others of considerable though inferior altitude.

The lakes and rivers of this county are numerous. The largest of the lakes are feeders to the Tay, the watershed of the Glen Tilt mountains bounding the county on the N., and that of the Moor of Rannoch on the W. The principal lakes that feed the Tay are Loch Tay, Erich, Rannoch, Tummel, Lydoch, Garry, Lyon, and Dochart, besides a great number of smaller lakes, the most part of which are situated in the district of Rannoch. The chief streams whose waters find their way into the Tay are the Tummel, the Garry, the Lyon, the Lochty, the Dochart, the Bruar, the Isla, the Erich, and the Almond. The highest of these lakes is Loch Erich, but only about a third of it is in Perthshire. The next highest in point of situation is Loch Lydoch; and the other lakes lying in the Moor of Rannoch. All these lakes and streams abound in fish, some of them containing trout of a very fine quality; and where no natural obstruction exists, salmon ascend almost to their source. The river Tay is the principal river, and is said to discharge more water into the ocean than any river in Britain. Another great drain of the water which falls in this county is the river Earn, which rises in Loch Earn, and falls into the estuary of the Tay a few miles above Newburgh. The streams that fall into this river are numerous, but none of them of any great size. The river Forth is the boundary of the county on the S., and the lakes and streams that empty themselves into it are numerous and of considerable size; the principal lochs are Voil, Lubaig, Katrine, Auchray, Venachar, Ard, and Monteith. Salmon are got in considerable numbers both in the Forth and Earn; but owing to the want of protection to the spawning fish, and the constant destruction of the young fish in the parr state, they are yearly decreasing, especially in the Forth and its tributaries.

The Tay is a noble river, and the beautiful scenery through which it flows, with its crystal waters running over its gravel bed, and the great volume of water which it is continually carrying to the sea, entitles it to be called the finest river in Scotland. Loch Tay is about 16 miles long, and fully a mile broad, and lies nearly E. and W.; the rivers Lochy and Dochart discharge their waters into it at its head, the village of Killin being between the two streams. The scenery here is of the finest description; and also for 8 miles up Glen Lochy. Salmon ascend the Lochy as far as the falls of Breadalbane; but for 10 miles farther up the glen the river is well stocked with native trout. The river Dochart is a sluggish stream, but a good angling river. Salmon may be taken in the spring months, and its pearl fishery is well known.

Loch Tay contains salmon, the common trout, and pike. The annual rental of the Marquis of Breadalbane for the salmon-fishery has been, since 1828, £50. Some very fine fish are taken with the net, during the months of February and March, at Kenmore, where the river Tay issues from the loch. The Lyon river, which joins the Tay a little above Weem, is one of the most inviting streams in the county both for the tourist and angler. It flows out of Loch Lyon, and after running for one-half of its length through heath and grazing country, it enters a finely wooded glen in the mountains, from which it emerges a little above Fortingall. There are some of the finest beech trees here to be seen in Scotland. This glen is almost unknown to tourists, as, like Glen Lochy, it has no outlet. Loch Lyon is full of very fine trout, and even salmon reach the loch, and have been caught in it. Loch Erich is the largest lake in the county, and is so deep that the greater part of it never freezes, notwithstanding its high situation; and during the heat of summer its water feels intensely cold, while in winter it is warm. During severe frosts its surface is covered in vapour, from the water giving out its colour. The lake is full of the finest trout, and is fished by S. ferox, when it is shallow. The only kinds of fish in its waters are S. ferox and S. ferox; the latter are more abundant than in any other lake in the county. The scenery is of the wildest and grandest description. Ben Alder rises up perpendicular from the lake to the height of nearly 4000 feet; and a cave overhanging the lake is pointed out where "Prince Charlie" hid himself for a season.

Loch Lomond, in Rannoch Moor, is a beautiful sheet of water about 6 miles long, and has an island covered with trees, upon which the sea eagle builds; in fact the only trees to be found in the moor are around this lake. It abounds with trout; and so does the river Garin, that flows from it into Loch Leven. The next lake, which receives also the waters of Loch Erich, is 114 miles long by 1½ broad, and has more the appearance of a Lowland than a Highland lake. On the N. side its shores are clothed with native birch; and on the S. side there are still many miles of the old black wood of Rannoch, which contains some of the finest natural Scotch fir trees in the country. The lake is well stored with an excellent kind of trout, not inferior to Loch Leven, which cut up as red as sea trout; besides ferox and S. salvelinus or charr. This is a fine lake for the angler, and liberty can easily be obtained to fish it. The river Tummel flows from this lake at Kinloch-Rannoch, and falls into Loch Tummel. Along this part of its course the country is strewed with rounded boulders an inch thick and hardly conceivable. The scenery around the lake is equal to any in the country; the view from Allan's of the lake, the strait, and Rannoch Mountains, is very fine. A few miles after leaving the lake the river rushes over the rocky barrier which forms the falls of Tummel. Salmon can ascend no higher than this, and a net is suspended to catch those that make the attempt; which fishing has been regularly let. If a few pounds were spent in blasting the rock, the breeding-ground of the salmon would be greatly enlarged, but this would subject the upper proprietors to close time, which many of them would not like. The Tummel is joined by the Garry near Faskally, at the mouth of the far-famed Pass of Killiecrankie, and by the River Garry, which joins the Tay near Perth. The Tummel contains fine large trout, although they are not numerous, as the lake is also stocked with pike, which have never found their way to any of the lakes farther up. The river Garry flows from the lake of the same name near Dalnaspidal. It is a picturesque, bounding stream, and has some salmon in its pools, but its native trout are small.

The Braan river, which enters the Tay at Inver, near Dunkeld, is for the greater part of its course rapid, and flows from Loch Freuchie, near Amulree. This lake is a favourite resort of the angler, but the trouts are not large. The river Isla empties itself into the Tay at Miclebour. It rises in Glen Isla in Forfarshire, and is a rapid-running stream until it enters Strathmore, when its current for miles is hardly perceptible. Trout are numerous in its waters, and salmon were once so; but pike and eel are very plentiful, and the want of sufficient protection to the breeding fish has rendered the salmon-fishing of little value. The Erich, a picturesque small stream which flows into the Isla a little below Blairgowrie, was not many years ago famous for its salmon; but its waters are so poisoned by public works, and the ascent of the salmon obstructed by dam-dykes, that very few fish are now to be found in it.

The Almond river enters the Tay a little above Perth, but so much of its volume of water is abstracted to supply the neighbouring printfields and mills, that very little of it enters the Tay by its natural channel. Salmon, however, find their way up when the water is in flood; and by the lowering of the fall at Inchanty in Glen Almond, the fish find a great amount of additional spawning-ground in the Sma' Glen.

The river Tay issues from Loch Tay as a large stream, and at once enters and runs through the fine grounds of the Marquis of Breadalbane. Having received the waters of the Lyon a little above Weem, it flows on smoothly until it reaches the rocky cliffs of Kenmore. Gradually, where there are some fine salmon pools, it lateralizes its stream and increased by the junctions of the Tummel, which river sends as much water to the ocean as the Tay; still, at the meeting of the waters the Tay appears to be very little increased in volume. A few miles above Dunkeld it enters the grounds of the Duke of Atholl; and no river scenery can be finer than what is met with here. The salmon-fishing is very good, but his grace reserves the whole to himself. The view from the bridge of Dunkeld arrests the attention of the tourist; and the scenery on the banks of the river, as it flows through Martly grounds, is inferior to none in its course. Having reached Miclebour, where it is joined by the Isla, it runs more swiftly, being confined between steep banks; until it runs into the Lion of Campsie at Stobhall. This fall, when the water is low, may be about 3 feet in height; but when the water is high, no fall is perceptible. The late Professor Anderson of St Andrews stated, in a paper which he read before the Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth, that after examining the ground with care, it was his opinion that, previous to the river bursting this barrier, its waters followed the course of the Isla through Strathmore, and entered the sea at Montrose or Lunan Bay. The old bed of the river can yet be distinctly traced in many places; and the numerous lakes still in existence along the old channel bear evidence to the professor's theory. It is a singular fact that a number of Stornoway salmon-ponds grills have been caught in Lunan Bay. After passing the lion, the river has to pass a third and second fall of its whole course, the fall being 28 feet in the distance of half a mile. This fall in the river has been taken advantage of for the purpose of driving the machinery of the large cotton-mills at Stanley, which were originally erected by the celebrated Arkwright. Opposite these mills, the falls that supplies the Stormontfield bleaching-works is taken off the river; and a little farther down, the falls that supplies the Lunarty bleachery is taken off. A little farther down a remarkable dyke of trap crosses the river, called the Trystle Bridge; this trap dyke is very similar to that at the Falls of Clyde. The whole of the rocks in this gorge, from the junction of the Isla with the Tay to this bridge, are of the same red sandstone formation. About a mile farther down the river are the Stormontfield salmon rearing-ponds, which have thrown so much light on the natural history of the salmon. (See article Fisheries.) At the junction of the Almond with the Tay, about 2 miles above Perth, the action of the tidal wave ends, rising at spring-tides little more than half an inch. At low-water there is a gentle current from Perth bridge to Newburgh, the fall being about 8 feet. The Tay below Perth is probably the best river by no river in the kingdom. Kinfauns Hill, and the castle and grounds of Kinfauns, are fine features in the landscape on the one side; while on the other are the venerable ruins of Elcho Castle, and Moncrieff Hill. Six miles below Dundee the Tay enters the Great Oceans.

Before closing the description of this fine river, a few words will be necessary upon its salmon-fisheries. The net-fishing for salmon and sea-trout on this river is of considerable importance in a national point of view, not only from the quantity, but from the quality of the fish. Until the year 1828, the net-fishing closed on the 26th August; but after that time a net was obtained, which altered the time for opening to the 14th of September. The whole assessed annual rental of the Tay in 1828, previous to the alteration, was £1,974, 19s.; last season (1858) it was £1,147, 2s. 6d.; although in 1832 it had fallen as low as £793, 5s. This state of matters having alarmed the proprietors of the fishing, a new salmon bill was carried through Parliament this last session, making the close time to last from the 26th August until the 1st February for net-fishing, and extending the rod-fishing until the 1st October. This measure has already had the effect of raising the rental nearly up to that of 1828, besides making the rod-fishing very valuable, which before had fallen so low that very little of the river was let for that purpose. Since the nets were taken off this season, on the 26th of August, the river is swarming with salmon, and anglers have had good sport. Salmon have been caught with the fly on Lord Gray stations, in the tideway, which the oldest fishermen acknowledge they have never heard of before. The protecting force during close time has also been increased; and there is little doubt that in a few years the Tay will become as famous for its salmon-fishing as it once was.

The river Earn, the second largest drain for the waters of the county, rises in Loch Earn, and flows through Strathearn until it reaches the Tay near Aberathy. The upper part of this strath is of considerable elevation, and consequently, until it is joined by the Machany river, a little above Trinity Gask, flows for the most part with a rapid current. Between this part of it and its junction with the Tay it is more like a canal than a river, and when flooded does much damage to the crops in the low grounds. After heavy floods, it generally finds, in various places of its course, a new channel for itself, which is very hurtful to the land upon its banks, although much money has been spent upon embankments. These old courses of the river are full of pike, some of which attain a great size; ducks and water-fowl also abound in them. A considerable quantity of salmon are annually caught in this river. The rental of that part of it near its junction with the Tay, belonging to the estate of Wemyss, was, for 1853, £121; for 1829, £65; the rental of the upper proprietors is not generally known. Salmon ascend as high as Loch Earn, and the best spawning-ground is situated between Crieff and that lake. Besides Salmo salar, this river is famous for S. trutta, or sea-trout. S. fario, or common trout, are abundant; and Esox lacustris, or common pike, are far too numerous for a large increase of the genus Salmo. The Machany is a beautiful little stream, flowing through the grounds of Lord Strathallan: it is well protected, and abounds in sea and common trout. Strathearn is second to no strath in the county for the beauty of its scenery, and in the lower part of it for the richness of its soil.

The third great drain is the Forth and its tributaries; but as for the greater part of its course it is the boundary of the shire, it will be sufficient to glance at those of its tributaries that are in Perthshire. Loch Katrine, which is about to become the reservoir for supplying the city of Glasgow with water, has been immortalized by Sir Walter Scott. In this lake there is good fishing; it contains S. trutta, common trout, and pike. The scenery is so well known that no description is required. Lochs Achray and Venachar are continuations of Katrine, but, in addition to the fish inhabiting the latter, a few salmon are found in their waters. The stream that flows from these lakes joins the river Teith near Callander. The Teith rises in Loch Lubnaig, a few miles farther up than the last-named village. Loch Lubnaig is a fine sheet of water, and abounds in S. trutta and small trout. The Teith contains a few salmon; but the salmon-fishing of the Forth and Teith has fallen off ever since Blair Drummond moss was sent in such quantities into the river; and no increase can ever be looked for until such time as the proprietors see fit to be their interest to afford more protection to the spawning fish and the fry. The water of Allan, which enters the Forth at the Bridge of Allan, not many years ago used to be highly esteemed by anglers for the multitude of its sea-trout, but owing to the wholesale destruction of the fry in the parr state that is carried on, it contains now very few. The Forth proper takes its rise from a large spring near the foot of Ben Lomond on the N. side. The spring is so large that from the first it is a considerable stream; but after flowing until it reaches Aberfoyle, it receives the waters that issue from the upper and lower Lochs Ard. Lochs Ard are the favourite fishing-ground of the anglers of the west, and contain trout of a very fine quality. The Forth on the whole is a sluggish-running river, and contains salmon, sea-trout, common trout, pike, perch, and eels.

In the more elevated districts of the county, where the mountain ranges slope down into the level country, and amongst the numerous glens which penetrate these in all directions, the climate is charged with moisture in a higher degree, the winters are longer and more severe, the snow frequently lies longer on the ground, and the spring is generally later than in the lower districts of the county. The highest summer temperature rarely exceeds 65°, and the mean temperature, in three different situations in the county (none of them, however, above 150 feet above the sea), has been found to be 47°. The cloudy character of the atmosphere in the mountainous districts, by intercepting the light of the sun, retards the ripening of the crops, and accumulates moisture, which tends to lower the average temperature. The district of Perth proper is said to be the least humid, the average rain-fall being only 23 inches; but in the Carse of Gowrie, on the shores of the Firth of Tay, the mean quantity of rain for twelve years was 24½ inches; at Perth, for a period of six years, it was 30½ inches; and at Belmont in Strathmore, for thirty years, it was as high as 30½ inches. The extensive drainage, executed by various proprietors, has no doubt tended considerably to ameliorate the climate.

As the county may, from its external configuration, so it may also from its geological structure, be divided essentially into Highland and Lowland divisions. The former consists mainly of mica-slate schists, clay, mica, chlorite, and hornblende slates, and gneiss; while the latter is made up of the old red sandstone series. The Lowland or southern division of the county is made up of a broad belt of the old red sandstone, which stretches right across Scotland from the Clyde, between Dumbarton and Helensburgh, to the E. coast between Stonehaven and Dundee. Over this belt lie the great valleys or plains of Strathmore, Strathearn, and the Carse of Gowrie. The old red sandstone is bounded on the N. by a very narrow belt, varying from half a mile to 3 miles in breadth, of clay and other slates—which belt stretches parallel to that last described; also from the Clyde southward Helensburgh to the E. coast between Stonehaven and Dundee. This belt is a broad belt of mica-slate likewise passing across Scotland from the W. to the E. of it. While extended farther N., still, in the Rannoch district, by quartz rock and gneiss; the latter forming the geological basis of the greater part of the north of Scotland. The sandstone forms level plains; the slates rise into the majestic range of the Grampians. Here and there the strata of sandstone or slate are penetrated by erupted hills of granite or trap,—the former chiefly in the Highland, the latter in Lowland districts.

The northern or Highland part of the county is made up chiefly of the broad range of the Grampians, which at the same time form a natural northern boundary. The slates of which they are chiefly composed, are very variable in structure, passing into each other by insensible gradations. Thus, the clay-slate passes frequently into the graywacke on the one hand, and mica-slate on the other, mica-slate gradually into gneiss, and the latter into quartz rock. One consequence of this is, unequal disintegration by exposure to the weather; and a result of this again is, the peaked or "algal-like" form of many of the Perthshire mountains. The clay-slate series may be well studied about Dunkeld. Near Birnam, and on both sides of the river, are extensive quarries of roofing slate of fine quality. The hills on both sides of the river, where the railway from Perth enters the pass or ravine at Birnam, are formed of clay-slate. The clay-slate may here be found passing into graywacke, mica, hornblende, talc, and chlorite slates. Garnets are common in the micaceous slates here; while pyroceous iron ore and crystallized chlorite are frequent in the Birnam quarries. The mica-slate about Dunkeld frequently also contains serpentine, metasiltite, etc.; and on the S. side of Craig-y-Barns there is a vein of copper pyrites. There are abundant evidences about Dunkeld of the depositary action of water in pre-Adamic ages. There are numerous hillocks and mounds of gravel and sand, excellent sections of which, as well as of the clay-slates, may be seen in the railway cuttings. McCalloch regards the valley above Dunkeld as having once been a lake. The clay and mica slate series may be easily and satisfactorily studied in the classic regions of the Trossachs and Loch Katrine, in the vicinity of Callander, to which there is now ready communication by railway with Edinburgh and Glasgow. The well-known Ben Ledi is formed, on its N.W. side, of mica-slate, and on its S.E. of chlorite-slate, as at Dunkeld and Birnam; whereas, on its N.E. passes into graywacke. Chlorite is carried on Ben Voilich, another hill in the same neighbourhood. Of the Breadalbane hills, Ben Lawers consists chiefly of mica-slate at its base, and skirting Loch Tay this is interstratified with beds of limestone. About Killin the mica-slate passes into chlorite slate, as in Craig Chaillich, which again is frequently penetrated by, or interstratified with, quartz rock. The latter, as well as the chlorite slate, abounds in beautiful needles of the rare mineral rutile. A micaceous slate, which occurs along with the chlorite slate on Craig Chaillich, contains hornblende and large cubical pyrites. At Tyndrum the mica-slate joins or passes into quartz rock, and the junction is marked by the occurrence of rich metalliferous veins, the base being argillaceous, with which, however, are also associated cretaceous cobalt, black cobalt ore, silver, copper, and other silic blends, sulphate of baryta, and calcareous rock. This vein is traceable for at least 10 miles; it has long been worked for its lead by the Marquis of Breadalbane, to whom it belongs. About Taymouth the slates have the talcose character, and sometimes contain asbestos. Schashillon in Rannoch may be regarded as classic ground, geologically speaking, since this mountain was selected by Drs. MacKeaney and Charles Hutton as a site for their experiments on the density of the earth. The upper portion of the hill consists of quartz rock, the lower of mica and hornblende slates. Passing from the Breadalbane to the Atholl mountains and valleys, Glen Tilt at once arrests our attention. It was here that the celebrated Dr James Hutton first obtained physical proof of the correctness of his views on the igneous origin of granite. The penetration of quartz rock, gneiss, limestone, and various schists, by granite, may be seen at various points in the glen. This glen is further famous for its marble; the greater part of which is white, but associated with steatite and serpentine; but a portion of it which is also of a beautiful flesh colour, with radiating masses of actinolite, asbestos, tremolite, and stilbite, occurs in the limestone of this district. Actinolite also occurs sometimes, interstratified with gneiss, in the valley of the Garry. Kyanite occurs in Cairn Lla; fluor spar, rutile, crystallized mica, and chlorite, in Ben-y-Gloe. This hill, as well as Ben Vrackie and Cairn Gower, consists of quartz rock, with micaceous and gneiss. Besides Glen Tilt and Loch Tay, limestone also occurs about the Pass of Leny and Aberfoyle, in the western part of the district, and here it is occasionally wrought for agricultural purposes.

We have already mentioned casually, that occasional outbursts, or erupted masses of gneiss occur throughout the district. At Comrie, in the Lochearn district, gneiss occurs both in isolated erupted masses, as in the form of a couple of long and large veins or dykes. There is no granitic centre in Perthshire at all. It does not distinctly appear whether there is any connection between this geological phenomenon and the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, for which Comrie is so famous; but the latter would seem traceable to causes acting at no great distance below the surface.

The Lowland or southern division of the district is partly bounded on the S., partly broken up by the ranges of the Ochils and Sidlaws. These may be regarded as branches of the same great trend. The Ochils are generally regarded as commencing about Stirling, at the Bridge of Allan, and as terminating near Perth. Here they may be considered as dividing into two main branches or continuations, one of which runs down the S. side of the Tay, and terminates at Fearnaig-Craig-Craig, constituting Norman Law, Clatchart Craig, and the other hills so prominent about Newburgh. The other stretches along the N. side of the Tay from Perth to Montrose, and divides the great valleys of Strathmore and the Carse of Gowrie; this is generally known by the name of the Sidlaw range. These hills, by whatever name known, are all trappean in their structure, consisting at various points of every gradation and intermediate of basalt, greenstones, amygdaloids, porphyries, compact felspar, tufas, and breccias. The variable appearance of these hills is very interesting. Moncrieff and Kinneil Hills, near Perth, are fine mural precipices of trap rising abruptly from the old red sandstone, and sloping gently towards the N. They run parallel to, and closely resemble each other. Moncrieff Hill consists of greenstones, basalt, porphyries, and tufas, passing into each other. In basalt and greenstones are sometimes obscurely columnar; a phenomenon not unfrequently observed in other hills of this range. Good specimens of the traps of Moncrieff Hill may be procured from the heaps of rubbish thrown up around the ventilating shaft of the tunnel of the Scottish Central Railway, which pierces the hill between the Friarton of Perth and the village of Craigend. These specimens are very variable in measure, of amygdaloids and tufas, frequently intermixed with much free earth (clay). Kinneil Hill is still more variable in its structure, consisting of basalts, greenstones, porphyries, amygdaloids, tufas, and breccias. Of these, the amygdaloid is perhaps the most interesting, from its abounding in agates and chalcedony calc spar, and drusy cavities lined with amethyst and other forms of quartz. Its basis varies from a basalt to a hardened clay. Kinneil Hill has long been celebrated for its agates, excellent specimens of which may be seen in the shops of the Perth lapidaries. Specimens are not readily found in situ, from the perpendicular and rugged character of the cliffs, but they are frequently to be found on the banks of the Tay between Barnhill and Kinneil. Chlorite is particularly abundant in all the traps north of Perth, frequently in veins of considerable size; sometimes filling what had been cavities, or diffused through a brecciated amygdaloid. In addition to the Ochils and Sidlaws, which form a sort of backbone of trap in the lowland district of Perthshire, the old red sandstone is pierced by numerous dykes or veins of trap, sometimes of such extent that they can be traced across the whole length or breadth of the district. Hutton speaks of one as running from little to the S. of Crieff, by Lynedoch and Campsie Linn, in a line N.E. through Strathmore, for about 3 miles. When it comes in contact with limestone the trap sometimes passes into serpentine. Limestone occurs but sparingly in the lowland district. It is, however, worked, however, at Meigle and Craigell. In connection with some recent discoveries, it has been above described, the mineral spring of Pitcallichy is supposed to occur. This, according to the analysis of the late Professor Thomas Thomson of Glasgow, contains chiefly the chlorides of calcium and sodium, and the sulphate of lime. Having probably some similar geological relation or origin is the mineral spring of Crieff, or more properly of Cowgask, near Crieff. It was only discovered some eight or ten years ago, and has yet become popular or fashionable as it undoubtedly deserves. The water is of the same character as that of Pitcallichy, Altnethy (Bridge of Allan), and Dunblane. According to the analysis of the late Professor Thomas Thomson of Glasgow, the Crieff or Cowgask mineral water contains chiefly the chlorides of calcium, sodium, and magnesium, and the sulphate of lime. According to Professor Christie it contains about 640 grains of saline matter per gallon,—that is, nearly 1 per cent. Great efforts have been made of late years, and are still being made, by the townspeople to render Crieff all that can be desired as a residence for invalids requiring the use of the waters. Before leaving the traps we must not omit to refer to Glen Farg, the amygdaloid of which abounds in zeolites, for which indeed this locality has long been famous. They consist chiefly of analcime, mesotype, stilbite, and prehnite.

The old red sandstone of the Carse of Gowrie and Strathmore consists essentially of the three following beds or divisions:—1. A coarse conglomerate, which may be well seen in some of the river gorges, as at Invermay and Craigall, Blairgowrie, both of which ravines or glens are celebrated for the beauty of their scenery—the former being the subject of Mallet's song of the "Birks of Invermay." At Blairgowrie the imbedded stones are chiefly purple amygdaloids, and other rocks of the trap series. The conglomerate may also be seen in the beddings of the Perth bridge. 2. A grey sandstone, which forms the basis of the old red sandstone of the Carse of Gowrie. It may be seen at Dudding and Dunning in Strathmore. 3. A bright red-spotted sandstone, which lies above the last named, and which is quarried at Inchture, Dunbarrie, Pitfour, and Clashbennie. The two latter quarries are celebrated for their fossil fish, by which this sandstone has been identified, as to its age and position, with the sandstones of the valley of the Eden in Eire. Clashbennie, in particular, is almost classic ground; it was here that the first and finest specimen of the Holotypus nodiferous was found, which specimen is now deposited in the British Museum. The quarry is about half a mile distant from the Glencairn station of the Perth and Dunbar Railway, on the right side of the road between St. Maddes and Errol; it is therefore easily accessible. But unfortunately it has not been worked for years, and few of the scales of the Holotypus are now to be had. The base of dark-red coarse sandstone, containing the scales as originally found, and as they were found by the writer several years ago, cannot now be got at, the section being vertical, or nearly so, with a deep, large pool of water below. Scales may, however, occasionally be picked up among the debris, or purchased from the children of neighbouring cottars for a trifle. On a recent visit, the writer found that a new part of the quarry had just been opened. The stone exposed was much lighter in colour, and coarser in texture than that in which the scales were first discovered. It was interbed with beds of what is locally called "heel"—a hardened ferruginous clay. These layers also had a conglomerate character, the imbedded modules consisting chiefly of the ferruginous slate-clay just mentioned. Among the conglomerate chiefly, scales and ichthyodurites of the Holotypus were not uncommon; but they were generally smaller, and with the groovings or sulci less distinctly marked than in those formerly found. The texture of the scales was generally replaced by carbonate of lime (calc spar). Carbonaceous impressions are comparatively common in some beds of the old red sandstone; they are generally by some authorities to be of vegetable origin, but their nature has not been satisfactorily determined. Another source of considerable doubt and discussion has been the origin of pale circular spots on the bright-red sandstone, as it occurs at Inchture and other quarries of the Carse of Gowrie. It is generally supposed that the presence of minute organisms of some kind, for they are not now visible, may have been the means of discharging the colour over limited spots or localities. The old red sandstone is somewhat of the character of marl, containing a considerable proportion of carbonate of lime. This renders it very valuable to the farmer. Sandstone-marl occurs at or near Stanley on the Tay; near Perth; Lynedoch, on the Almond, also near Perth; and at Abercarny, near Crieff.

Superimposed upon the old red sandstone in the Carse of Gowrie is a great alluvial deposit of the "Carse clay." This may be divided into the following beds or strata:—1. A boulder clay, which forms the basis of the rest; 2. A blue clay proper; 3. A peat, containing roots, branches, leaves, and fruits of trees and shrubs. The clay clay proper—a mixture of sand and clay, the latter predominating. In the latter, about five feet above the peat, and considerably above the present sea-water mark, is a bed of marine shells. These consist entirely of existing littoral species, being mostly made up, in specimens which we have examined, of the Caridina edulis. The peat would appear to have given rise to some discussion among geologists as to its nature and origin. Professor Fleming of Edinburgh has described it as a submerged forest, due to subsidence of the banks of the Tay; but Dr Buit of Bombay contests this idea. It may be examined about Errol and Pitfour; and throughout the Carse it will be found to be of pretty uniform dimensions and contents.

On the lessons taught by the structure of the Carse clay we cannot here enter. It is supposed by some local geologists, who have bestowed much attention on the subject, that at one time a depression similar to that now occupied by the river occurred, and that this was followed, at some considerable lapse of time, by an elevatory action. The existence of the peat—its present situation, and the presence in it of roots apparently in situ, and of the leaves and fruit of forest trees, are explained on this hypothesis. Evidence is very contradictory. Remains of boat-rings and staples have been found considerably below, as well as considerably above, the present river or sea level, apparently coeval in date, and of course belonging to the human epoch. It is impossible to affirm, as some would have us to do, these as proofs of movements of elevation and depression, occurring at the same time and in the same place. Doubtless much error has been introduced by traditions which have not been founded on facts.

There are few counties in Scotland which can boast of the same variety and richness of their flora as Perthshire. In the northern and eastern divisions of the county are to be met with some of the rarest plants in Scotland. Ben Lawers, for instance, is botanically speaking, classic ground; and its alpine flora is perhaps as rich and rare as that of the more famed Clava. We cannot pretend to give anything like a vidimus of the flora of Perthshire. All that we can here attempt is to give a brief enumeration of the rarer plants only of the district, leaving the reader to infer therefrom the character of the more ordinary vegetation.

Referring first to the northern or Highland section of the county, Ben Lawers alone is the habitat of the following rare alpines—Saxifraga cernua, S. rivularis, Erigeron uniflorus (which is probably a mere form of E. alpinus), Erica tetanica, Erica tetanica, Erica tetanica (according to Don, who however, has probably confused it with E. tetanica), Carex tetanica, C. curta, C. tetanica, Wohlsia Appressa, Poa nemoralis, var. 2 (of Hooker and Arnott's Flora), Trisetum caninum, var. 2, Coptopteris montana, Salix arbuscula, var. 3, Barisia alpina, Droba vernus, var. 5, D. repens, Sagina saginoides. On other members of the Breadalbane range of mountains occur the following—Cherleria sedoides, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Sibbaldia procumbens, Eriophorum angustifolium, E. alpinum, Saxifraga stellaris, S. nivalis, S. oppositiflora, Hieracium paludum, H. strictum, Erigeron alpinus, Anemone procumbens, Antennaria alpina, Myosotis alpestris, Veronica serpyllifolia, Ranunculus acris (Montgomerie, Corrach-Uachdar, &c.), Melampyrum pratense, Thlaspi arvense (Glen Dochart, and on the summits of highest mountains), Salix arbuscula, var. 4, S. Myrtifolia, var. 4 (Craig Chaillich), S. precanescens, S. prairea, S. lanata (Mael-Uachdar, near Killin), Juncus caespitosus, J. trifidus, J. biglumis, J. triglumis, Scirpus sylvaticus (about Killin), Eleocharis erythropoda (shroine-ach-Lochan), Carex prairea, Carex prairea (Killin), C. prairea, C. rigida, C. saxatilis, C. vaginata (Craig Chaillich and Corrach-Uachdar near Killin), C. capillaris, Phleum alpinum, Coptopteris montana (Corrach-Uachdar, &c.), Epipactis palustris, var. 5. The following grow on the Atholl mountains—Carex epilithica (Ben-y-Glo), Crepis succisaeflora (Falls of Tummel), Geophilaum sylvaticum, var. 5 (Ben Chat near Blair Atholl), Campanula rapunculoides (Blair Atholl), Meconopsis cambrica (the "Sow of Atholl"), Dalmaspidium, Polygala verticillata (Blair Atholl), Tilia grandiflora (Blair Atholl), Atrichum arvense (Ben-y-Glo), Cryptogramma crispa (Lochearn Hill), Gomphis aquilon, Trientalis europaea, Listera cordata, Callicladium autumnalis (Loch of Cluny), Lysimachia quadriflora (Dunkeld), Stellaria holostea (Loch of Cluny), Gymnadenia conopsea, Habenaria dilatata, Festuca mollissima (Loch of Cluny, introduced), Agrostis alba, Agrostis alba, and A. segetum (Stenton Crag, Dunkeld). To these may be added as growing in the Highland division of Perthshire—Pimpinella major (banks of the Teith), Lomaria borealis (in fir woods in different parts of the county), Salix myrsinifolia, var. 6, Elatine alexandrae (Loch Kailly near Callander), Silene acaulis, Ulex minor (Dalguise) (Brass of Balquhidder). In the lowland division of Perthshire we find its flora equally rich and varied. The most interesting plants of this section are probably Schoenus pauciflorus (abundant in marsh on the side of the Methven road, 4 miles from Perth), Mentha piperita (in the woods near 11 miles from Perth, beyond the village of New Scone), Teucrium chamaedrys (Mathven Wood), and Turritis glabra (Redgorton). But the following plants, also, are of great interest. In the Methven district, including the woods and grounds of Methven and Lynedoch and the valley of the Almond, occur Corallorhiza maculata, Epipactis grandiflora, E. umbellata, and E. latiflora, Listera nuda-ovis, Paris quadriflora, and Erigeron al- The pasture-farms in the higher parts of the county are large, and raise great numbers of sheep. Other descriptions of live stock are also largely cultivated. Dairy farming does not form a prominent feature in the rural economy of the county. In some favoured spots orchards succeed well, and many of them are very large, and their produce is highly celebrated. Perthshire is remarkable for the growth even in the midst of its woods. Of these, many are of natural wood, chiefly oak. But extensive plantations of various kinds of trees have been made during the last 50 or 60 years by several proprietors, especially by the late Duke of Atholl, whose planting operations were carried on upon the most extensive scale, at once beautifying and enriching one of the finest parts of the county. To him Perthshire is indebted for the introduction of the larch, which has been found singularly adapted to the climate and soil. The plantations of this tree have thriven amazingly, and are of great extent and value. In 1674 the valued rent of Perthshire was £23,324 sterling; in 1815 the annual value of assessed property amounted to £555,552 sterling; and in 1858 the valuation made up in terms of the recent Valuation Act amounted to £677,114.

This county is particularly rich in splendid seats and mansions belonging to the great proprietors. Of these, the most remarkable are Taymouth Castle, the palace of Scone, Kinfauns Castle, Marthly House, Dunpinn Castle, Rossie Priory, and Blair Castle. Castle Huntly and Blair Castle are fine specimens of the old baronial and castellated habitations of the ancient lords of the soil; and Doune Castle is considered as one of the finest ruins of its kind in Scotland. Perthshire is not remarkable for antiquities, secular or ecclesiastical. Druidical circles and Roman remains are found in various places. Of the former, one circle, almost entire, called by the country people "Standing Stones," formerly existed at Clackmannan, the property of the gentry of Perth; but about 40 years ago it was barbarously destroyed, and the stones blasted for the purpose of being employed in the erection of a farmsteadling. Before this act of vandalism was committed, the circle in question, which stood on a projecting crag about 6 miles from Perth, on the Isla road, was perhaps one of the most perfect of the kind in the kingdom. Of the latter, the camp or station at Ardoch and that at Comrie are well known, as well as the Roman road which seems to have connected them. There is another at Dalvin, which is scarcely less remarkable. The ruins of the cathedrals of Dunblane and Dunkeld are also in a state of dilapidation, though the architecture is by no means of the highest order. The tower of Culross, which has long puzzled the heads of antiquaries, is unfortunately decaying rapidly, as is also the fine old abbey of Culross.

In the animal kingdom there is little peculiar to the county. Game beasts and birds of every description abound in their respective districts. These are everywhere strictly preserved, and the sport furnished in the county forms a very considerable item of its wealth.

The principal towns are—Perth and Culross, which are royal burghs; Crieff, Callander, Kincardine, Doune, Coleris, Dunblane, Auchterarder, Dunkeld, and Blairgowrie. The villages are numerous, and many of them populous and thriving. The greater part of Cromartyshire is included in the county of Perth.

For manufacturing, flax, bleachfields, and calico-printfields, are numerous; and there are some large establishments for spinning cotton-yarn at Stanley, near Perth, and at Doune. Oil-mills are also to be found in various places. The tanning of leather is carried on to a considerable extent at Crieff and Thomhill. Wool is likewise an article of considerable sale. From the more fertile districts large quantities of grain are annually brought to market. Bark and timber, principally larch and oak, also form commercial articles of no small importance. The produce of its fisheries has already been noticed as being among the chief exports.

The population of the county of Perth, estimated in 1831 at 124,919, increased to 132,921 in 1821, to 139,219. In 1841 it was 137,457; and in 1851, 139,660. In the last-mentioned year Perthshire contained in all 196 places of worship, with 84,583 sittings. Of the former, 59 belonged to the Established Church, 69 to the Free Church, 35 to the United Presbyterians, 10 to the Episcopalians, 8 to the Baptists, 7 to the Independents, 5 to the Roman Catholics, 3 to the Original Secession, 2 each to the Relief Church and Wesleyans, and 1 each to several smaller sects. The number of day schools was 307 (221 public and 86 private), with 21,143 scholars. There were also 12 Sabbath schools, with 16,284 scholars; 19 evening schools, with 464 scholars; and 10 literary and scientific institutions, with 653 members. The county sends a member to Parliament, as does also Perth, the principal city. Culross, Queensferry, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, and Stirling, unite in returning a third.