Notice of the discovery of remains of the elk (Cervus alces, Linn., Alces malchis, Gray) in Berwickshire : with notes of its occurrence in the British islands, more particularly in Scotland : also notes of the remains of the Irish elk (Megaceros Hibernicus) found in Scotland / by John Alexander Smith.

Date:
1873
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notice of the discovery of remains of the elk (Cervus alces, Linn., Alces malchis, Gray) in Berwickshire : with notes of its occurrence in the British islands, more particularly in Scotland : also notes of the remains of the Irish elk (Megaceros Hibernicus) found in Scotland / by John Alexander Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    ^ ALOES LINN., ALOES MALOHIS, GRAY.) IN BERWICKSHIRE; WITH NOTES OF ITS OCCURRENCE IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS, MORE PARTICULARLY IN SCOTLAND, &o. By JOHN ALEXANDER SMITH, M.D., V. P. S. A. Scot., F.R.S.E. Berwickshire -.—Mertowi, WliUrig Bog.—In the 'begiiming of last July, I spent a week or two in Roxburghshire to recruit my health after a long and severe illness. Dr Dewar, Melrose, learning of my arrival, kindly called for me and informed me of the recent discovery of a deer's skull in Whitrig Bog, which he knew would interest me. It was not apparently that of a round antlered red deer, hut had somewhat pahnated horns, and might therefore be found to be that of an elk. The next day, the 7th of July, my friend whom I was visiting kindly drove me over to ^Vhitrig Bog, and I was fortunate enough to meet ]\Ir Hogarth, who had discovered the deer's skidl, and resided in a neighbour- ing cottage, where he still had the skull itself in his possession. On seeing the skull, its large size, deeply depressed forehead, liigh oc- cipital crest, and distinctly palmated horns, left little doubt of the species to which it belonged—the true elk, Cervus alces, Linn. Mr Hogarth took us to the place where it was found, and gave us the details of its discovery. I was glad to be able to get the skuE with me for examination, and only regret that various circumstances have prevented me from exhibiting it to the Society at an earlier part of the session. Before proceeding to describe the skull, I may give a sketch of the locality where it was found. Whitrig Bog is situated in that part of Berwickshire, which, almost lili-e a peninsula, partially bounded by the river Tweed, runs into the north-eastern part of the county of Rox- burgh, opposite to old Mebose. This district includes, on the high ground, Whitrig Bog; at some distance, on the river side, the picturesque ruins of Dryburgh Abbey ; and still farther down the river, Mcrtoun House, the beautiful seat of the Eight Hon. the Lord Polwarth, on whose property the bog is situated. The bog has been an old lake of conaidorable size, and is bounded on the south by rising ground