ON THE BASALTIC COUNTRY IN IRELAND- 



once con tinu- light on 'the subject, and to lead us analogically, step j»* 

 aus - step, to the conclusion *e seek lor. 



Let us examine and trace the summit of the precipice 

 for a mile immediately eastward from the Giant's Causeway^ 

 and wv shall ftrid a frequent interruption and resumption of 

 the fourth, fifth, aad sixth strata, at the shortest intervals, 

 the interruption not always reaching to the lowest of the 

 three, which in that case remains continuous: so far simple 

 inspection removes all doubt, that each of these strata was. 

 once contiguous as far as the great depression to the west of 

 JPteski*. 



Here indeed the interruption becomes considerable, not 

 Jess than a mile; but when we find at Portmoon a succession 

 of three strata with the same inclination, in the same order, 

 of the same thickness each, and with the same strong cha- 

 racteristic marks, that distinguished the three interrupted, 

 at the depression ; above all, when we find the strata they 

 rest upon continuous (at least with very trifling interrupt 

 tions) for the same extent ; I think we can scarcely entertain 

 a doubt, that this interval between the corresponding parts, 

 though so much greater than any of the preceding, is, like 

 them, but an interruption, and that these strata were once 

 continuous from the depression to Portmoon. 



The same style of induction would establish the quon^ 

 dam continuity of all the strata in the face of Bengore pro- 

 montory, for here the strata are so distinctly marked, that 

 we know each of them, when we find it again after any in- 

 terruption. 



In the rest of our precipices and facades, the similarity of 

 the strata deprives us of this advantage ; yet in their smaller 

 interruptions, the eye, by tracing the rectilineal course of 

 the strata, and so connecting the separated parts, can 

 establish their former continuity: while in the greater in- 

 tervals we must rest our proof on analogy alone. 



That we may be entitled to carry this style of induction 

 into the interior of our basaltic area, and to apply the same 

 reasoning to enable us to form a similar decision upon the 

 more stupendous interruptions of our strata, which I have 

 already enumerated, it becomes necessary to explain the 



geological 



