ON THE BASALTIC COUNTRY IN IRELAND. \ Qj 



coast) losing its east and west course, its strata must appear 

 to ascend towards the point it turns to; therefore the strata 

 at Portmooii, and along the north-east side, of the promon- 

 tory, should ascend obliciuely along the facades, as they 

 actually do. 



First Stratum, («). See PI. V. 



The stratum I commence with forms the whole facade, 1st stratum, 

 from its first appearance until it reaches the promontory ; it 

 consists of massive pillars rather rude, and about sixty feet 

 long, its course for half a mile (as I have stated) seems ho- 

 rizontal, but on the face of the promontory it ascends, and 

 continues to rise uniformly until i.t reaches the summit, 

 which it lines as far as Portmoon, on the south side of which 

 it loses some of its thickness, then suddenly disappears and 

 vanishes from that facade, receding westward in the form of 

 3 stony ridge, and is seen no more. 



Second Stratum, (k). 



The stratum upon which the preceding rests is red as 2d stratum, 

 brick, and about nine feet thick; it appears in spots and 

 patches just above high water mark, so long as the incum- 

 bent stratum continues horizontal, but when that rises ob- 

 liquely, t\\e second ascends with jit; it is now completely 

 displayed, and having supported the preceding in its course 

 to the summit, vanishes with it (at x in the view of Port' 

 vioon,) and is seen no more. 



These ochreous matters, so common in all basaltic coun- 

 tries, according to Mr. F. St. Food's opinion, were once pure 

 basalt, but have undergone some chemical process of nature 

 we are unacquainted with, by which their colour has been 

 changed. 



Third Stratum, (i). 



The next stratum is the last of those composing the pro- 34 stratum. 

 montory which appears beyond it ; for so long as the first 

 and second continue their horizontal course toward Ben- 

 gore, this third accompanies them, showing its upper sur- 

 face between high and low water mark; but when It ascends 



along 



