41 



But it is not by expofing the errors of others that fcicnce, and efpc- 

 cially natural hijlory, is to be advanced, nor is it by puzzling ourfelves to 

 find out ia what manner, and by what procefs, nature h as executde her 

 work; let us rather examine attentively what flie has aftuaily done; let 

 us quit difputing about the whimfies of our own brains, and ftudy the 

 code of facts. 



In our bafaltic countr"- thefe are curious, as well as abundant ; and it 

 will be from fuch ot thefe alone as have efcaped the attention of my pre- 

 deceffors, and from the geological conftruftion of the country, that the 

 arguments to be applied to the queftion of the igneous origin of bafalt 

 will be drawn ; and whatever may be their weight, at leafl: they wiB 

 have the merit of novelty to recommend them» 



F am, with great refpeft, 



your Lordfliips 



moft obedienty 



Port RUSH. humble Servant, 



W, RICHARDSON. 



P. S. When I found an opportunity for examining the Whynn 

 Dykes to the northward of Whitehoufe-point, I omitted feveral under the 

 demefne called Macedon, which were much covesed by fea-wreck ; here I 

 knew the furfaces of the Dykes were decompofed, and their diftin£livc 

 characters defaced. 



Between Macedon and Carrickfergus there are many, all as ufual dif- 

 fering from each other ; fome not fo reftilineal in their courfe as thofe 

 I have hitherto defcribed, in one or two the prifmatic conflruftion was 

 fcarccly perceivable, while in the greater number the arrangement of 

 thefe prifms laid acrofs the Dyke was moft diftinft. In 



Vol. II. (F) 



