File:The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London (12683199255).jpg

1856..
HARKNESS PERMIAN ROCKS OF SCOTLAND.
2bl
matrix is of a softer nature. In the Ryecastle Burn, about two miles
from Nether Cleugh station, where the two formations come in con-
tact, the newer is found resting on the older, and consisting of sand-
stones, which dip toward the W.S.W. Here, at the junction of
the two formations, breccias do not make their appearance.
At the north-eastern extremity of the Corncockle area the sand-
stones are well exposed. They occur in the course of the Annan at
Johnston Bridge, and have a south inclination ; and when we go west
from this, we find them well developed in the course of the Kinnel
Burn, about half a mile below St. Ann's Bridge. See Section, fig. 1.
In this neighbourhood the best section of the sandstones and breccias
is seen which this area affords.
Fig. 1 . — Section in the course of the Kinnel Water, Parish of
Johnstone, Dumfriesshire.
\\\V \A wk , \\A Vv. A\\
c. False-bedded sandstones.
b. Breccias and sandstones.
a
a. Silurian rocks.
A short distance above the foot-bridge over the Kinnel, near Eliza-
town, the Lower Silurians are seen with the sandstones almost in
contact. These latter consist of thin beds of red sandstone, false-
bedded, associated with breccias, the latter abounding to a greater
extent than the former. The total thickness of these strata exceeds
100 feet; and they have above them deposits of false-bedded red
sandstone, devoid of breccias ; the whole dipping south at an angle
of about 30°. Red sandstones of the same character occur in the course
of the Mollin Burn. They are seen also on the road leading from the
Moffat Road to Courance, and have a S.E. inclination. They also
present themselves in the Burrans Burn, with a S.S.E. dip. And at
the western extremity of this area the conglomerate occurs immedi-
ately under Kirkmichael Manse, abutting against the Lower Silu-
rians*. To the south-east of this locality, immediately below the
Water of Ae bridge, the sandstone likewise occurs ; it is flaggy, and
dips N.N.E. ; and near Trailflat, in the course of the Ae, it is also
seen. From this last locality, I am not aware that the sandstones or
breccias are anywhere exhibited until we reach Rammerscales ; and
here we have the strata dipping north ; and at Smallholm the sand-
stone was formerly worked to a small extent, but the quarry is now
filled up. Here likewise the northern dip obtained.
In the interior of this area the sandstone is well seen at Corncockle
quarry, Templand Village quarry. Red Hall, and Lochbrow ; the two
latter quarries being now abandoned. In none of these four localities
are the breccias seen ; but the sandstones of the two quarries now

• See Section, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. vol. xi. p. 469.