u* 



ON THE IA8ALTIC COUNTRY IN IRELAM). 



C.ades. one of which is the principal subject of this me- 

 moir. 



The line of coast, that bounds our basaltic area on its 

 north side, extends about twenty-five Irish miles, in which 

 course the precipices are nearly continuous, and more than 

 one half of them absolutely perpendicular for a great part 

 of their stupendous height. The operation by which they 

 were cut off so abruptly, and left with a formidable aspect 

 towering over our coast, is the one we inquire into. 

 Theyoncepro. That these bold precipices once projected farther in 

 many places is easily demonstrated ; at Beanyn Daana, and 

 attheChimney, thecolumnar construction was obviously once 

 carried much farther out. 



At the Milestone^ Portcooan, and Porlnabau, the frag- 

 ments of dikes extend far beyond the face of the precipice. 

 Not formed by These same facts, together with the projecting base, show, 

 a part, or *any that these sudden abruptions were not formed by the subsid- 

 violent convul- j n g an ^ sinking of one part, leaving the remainder in its 

 place: still less by any violent revolution, or convulsion; as 

 the stratification has not sustained the slightest shock either 

 above or below the facade, 

 or by the beat- The formation of our abrupt coast has been ascribed to 



ingofthe t ^ e ac ^ on f the sea beating violently against it, washing 



waves. ° j n > o 



away the lower parts, and leaving a perpendicular facade 



standing; as we often see on the banks of rapid and en- 

 croaching rivers. 

 For the eliffs A cool examination of our precipices will soon prove, that 

 are too high, Qur f acac i es could not have been so formed, for we always 

 find them in the highest part of the cliff, and receding from 

 the water, which could be instrumental in bringing down the 

 materials from above only by washing, and so wearing away 

 the bases of the steepest parts ; but the elevations of these 

 bases are utterly irreconcilable to this supposition; for in- 

 stance, the base of Pleskin fagade is two hundred feet above 

 the present level of the sea, that of Fairhcad three hun- 

 dred ; now had the sea ever risen to either height, it would 

 hare submerged a great part of Ireland, and none of the 

 neighbouring country (whatever its level may be) bears the 

 least resemblance to alluvial ground, nor shows any mark of 

 having been once covered by the$ea. 



The 



