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PREFACE
This publication consists
of six volumes, two of text and four of maps, and gives an account of
the work done, of the observations recorded, and of most of the results
obtained, during an investigation into the bathymetry of the fresh-water
lochs or lakes of Scotland between the years 1897 and 1909.
Although the determination of the depths of the lakes, and of the
general form of the basins in which they lie, made up the principal work
of the Survey, still a very large number of observations were carried
out in other branches of the science of limnography. Many of these
observations and the results were published from time to time, as the
work proceeded, in scientific journals, while others now appear in print
for the first time.
Volume I. consists for the most part of new matter. It includes numerous
articles dealing with the general results of the researches from the
topographical, geological, physical, chemical, and biological points of
view, a comparison of Scottish lakes with lakes in other parts of the
world, and various theoretical considerations. These articles have been
written chiefly by gentlemen who have taken an active part in the
field-work of the Survey. This volume also contains an extensive
bibliography of books and special papers referring to lakes.
Volume II. contains the special descriptions of the lakes, the maps of
which appear in Volumes III., IV., V., and VI. Throughout the text will
be found numerous index-maps, showing the drainage areas of the
districts in which the lochs are situated, together with other
illustrations.
The bathymetrical maps have all appeared during the past eight years in
the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society or in an extra publication
of the same Society ; and some of the maps have also been published in
the Magazine of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. These maps
consist of two series. In the first series (Volumes III. and IV.), the
contours of depth in the lakes are shown in shades of blue, and the
contours of the height of the surrounding land are shown in brown shades
of colour; in the second series (Volumes V. and VI.), the contours of
depth are shown in shades of blue, the brown shades on the land being
omitted.
In addition to the bathymetrical maps, there are also a few maps showing
the surface geology, the rainfall, and other physical features of some
of the districts.
These maps have all been prepared and printed by Dr J. G. Bartholomew,
and we desire to express our indebtedness to him for the care with which
these have been produced, and for his assistance and advice in many
directions. We are also indebted to Messrs G. Cornwall & Sons, Aberdeen,
for their assistance and advice with regard to the binding of the maps,
and to Messrs Neill & Co., Edinburgh, for their advice in connection
with the letterpress.
We feel confident that the whole investigation has resulted in very
substantial contributions to knowledge. Some of the observations—those
regarding the temperature seiche, and the variation of the viscosity of
the water with temperature, for example—throw much light on obscure
oceanographical problems. Most of the observations could, with
advantage, have been carried further, by means of improved instruments
and methods suggested during the progress of the work, but it was found
necessary to terminate the survey, at least in the meantime, and to
review what had been accomplished. We are conscious of many
shortcomings.
In conclusion, we tender our best thanks to all who have assisted us in
carrying these investigations to a successful conclusion.
JOHN MURRAY.
LAURENCE PULLAR.
Challenger Office, Edinburgh,
February 1910.
Volume 1 |
Volume 2 |
Volume 3 |
Volume 4 |
Volume 5 |
Volume 6 |
