OF THE FAROE ISLANDS. 267 



would have been confined to the surface, as was the case in 

 Nalsoe ; but when these occur throughout the whole mass, all 

 in parallel lines, it is difficult to comprehend how the minute 

 portions constituting a series of distinct and separate flowings, 

 could have been produced. From the smallness of their bulk, 

 it appears evident, that they never were exposed to the action 

 of a superincumbent ocean, as they could not possibly contain 

 heat enough to counteract its effects ; and if the whole bed 

 had been in fusion at once, the internal marks, if not oblitera- 

 ted, would, at all events, have been deranged. In order to 

 conceive a bed of lava flowing under an ocean, I should ima- 

 gine one necessary postulate is, that the bulk of heated matter 

 must, in all cases, be equal to sustain the whole in a state 

 of fusion, until it has flowed into the situation it was destined 

 to fill ; and from thence, again, other operations are requisite 

 to raise it to the station it now occupies, above the level of the 

 sea. 



The extent of the country, the uniform inclination of the 

 beds, their regularity and symmetry, all present difficulties to 

 this mode of formation ; and while the igneous appearances in 

 the rocks of traj), bespeak a source in some near neighbour- 

 hood, throughout the islands, there is not one spot that can be 

 fixed upon, more readily than another, as the site of a volca- 

 no ; the highest hills in the country, Slattertint and Skeelino-. 

 feld, being surmounted by beds of trap, nearly horizontal. 



To my mind, the subject remains loaded with difficulty. It 

 is something to have obtained such unquestionable corrobora- 

 tion of the igneous origin of trap. But the circumstances 

 under which that powertid agent has performed its office, are 

 to me, I confess, as inexplicable as ever. 



