VICINITY of EDINBURGH. art 
tranfition rocks. If directly tranflated, the word fignifies far, 
and may be correctly deferiptive of the diftri@ts originally exami- 
ned by WERNER; but as this conftruction will not apply uni- 
verfally to this clafs of rocks, and as it is particularly at vari- 
ance with thofe belonging to it in this country, it would be bet- 
ter to follow the example of Profeflor Davy, and ufe the term 
parallel rocks, which is much lef liable to objection. 
Tue Huttonian Theory has no language peculiar to itfelf, 
having nothing to defcribe, that cannot be done in the ufual 
phrafeology of any country. This, by the zealous admirers of 
that dodtrine, may no doubt be lamented, as depriving it of an 
apparent {y{tematic arrangement, to which the oppofite theory 
is fo deeply indebted. 
In forming a collection from the rocks in the neighbour- 
hood of Edinburgh, the circumftances aboye narrated, indu- 
ced me to begin with thofe of Salifbury Craig and its vicinity. 
The colleétion I have now the honour of prefenting to the So- 
ciety, I began fome years ago: it is only part of a feries, 
which, as completed, I hope may be found worthy of a place 
in their cabinet. I confider it of very great importance, that 
every geological paper, fhould be accompanied with fpecimens, 
in order that if the former be found deferving of publication 
in your Transactions, thofe who perufe the defcription may 
know, that the fpecimens referred to, are to be feen in the re- 
~ pofitories of this eftablifhment. 
3F2 SALISBURY. 
