Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 3.djvu/41

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

to the mica slate; I imagine no error will be committed if I consider it as a continuation of this series.

This is the rock which forms the high mountains above the Kyle ri'ch, which have already been mentioned in the general description. The principal summits, on account of their elevation, are visible at a considerable distance in coming from Glen Elg, and they occupy the greater portion of that which may be called the eastern promontory of Sky. Ben na Grien and Ben Ashlaig appear to be the highest of the group: these decline into lower elevations, and with some variation both of character and aspect till they disappear, but I have to regret that I can give no account of the connections of either of the outer extremities with the neighbouring rocks. It is too common for the geologist in the course of his labours to find that he has commenced at the wrong end of his investigation, and to discover, when it is too late to profit by it, that he has probably found the solution of his previous difficulties when the difficulties themselves are no longer accessible to him: I can only therefore offer it as a conjecture, the the rock which forms the mountains in question is a continuation of the one already described at Loch Eishort, since its examination unfortunately preceded that of the latter, and it was out of my power to resume it when I had obtained the information which would probably have enabled me to speak decisively concerning it. I would recommend to those who may follow me to trace it with care from Loch Eishort to the eastern shore, by which proceeding they will probably succeed in determining that which I am compelled so leave in doubt, but I may nevertheless describe its leading features. It is by no means regularly stratified, nor is it possible to trace for any considerable distance even the fragments of a regular prolongation of the edges of beds, such as is so distinctly exhibited in the quartz