On the Coal-field of Sutherland* 43 



which belong to the coal formation here, are in immediate 

 contact with the granite throughout the greater part of their 

 extent. 



There is, indeed, no difficulty in ascertaining the truth of 

 this statement by open examination ; since I have, in one 

 place, traced the coal itself within a few feet, or eveii inches 

 of the granite ; the interval being filled by a shale. In many 

 other places, the sandstone, shale, or limestone, in the series 

 may be traced, if not absolutely in contact with it, yet, to a 

 distance so very short, as to render it probable that nothing 

 is interposed, and to render it certain, at least, that not much 

 of the conglomerate, if any, can be present. 



Before describing the remaining substances that occur in 

 this coal-field, it is necessary to mention all that could be 

 discovered respecting the order of succession of the particular 

 strata in the deposit. That, indeed, appears so irregular, that 

 no accurate notion can be formed of it, nor any detailed and 

 (Certain description given. As the strata are commonly thin, 

 and the different substances are repeated many different times 

 in alternation, it is not difficult to understand how this ap- 

 parent irregularity arises. A certain order may really pervade 

 the whole, although no two distant places may agree in ex^ 

 hibiting the same order of succession. From the tenuity of 

 any one stratum, as it becomes diminished in its progress, it 

 gradually vanishes ; and thus, a new order appears to be the 

 consequence ; while the same taking place in other places, 

 with regard to other substances on other strata, an appearance 

 of complete irregularity is the result. And thus, in no two 

 places does this series exhibit precisely the same number of 

 beds, or the same proportions, or arrangement of the different 

 substances of which it is composed. As similar appearances 

 are, however, by no means uncommon, it is unnecessary to 

 dwell on them ; it is sufficient to have mentioned the fact, 

 as an apology for not attempting to give with precision the 

 order of succession among the remaining strata to be described. 

 In describing them, I shall, however, notice these which, from 

 occurring most generally, or always, in the lowest situations 

 where they exist, may be considered as those which follow the 

 fundamental conglomerate wherever they are found ; or which, 

 when that is not present, repose immediately on the granite. 



