I. An account was given of the dimensions of the estuary, in respect of length, width, and depth; and also of the general direction of the axis of the estuary.

II. It was next shown that the formation of the estuary was probably due to the great geological fractures and dislocations which had taken place in this part of Scotland, inasmuch as the direction of these was parallel, or nearly so, to the axis of the estuary, and as the downcasts in the adjoining counties on the north and the south were all towards the estuary, thus producing a trough or valley, deep enough to be entered and filled by the sea.