258 Messrs. Jackson and Alger on the 
The trap rocks compose most of the islands that are scattered 
along the coast of the Basin of Mines, and most of the capes that 
make into it. We shall describe them, for convenience, nearly in 
the order in which they were examined; beginning with the 
Island situated about five miles off the coast of Cape D’Or, and 
proceeding thence to the eastward. ‘This island from the great 
height of its rocky cliffs, which, as we are told by Des Barres, 
seem to overhang on its northwest side, has been appropriately 
designated by the French, Isle Haute. It presents phenomena 
of the most interesting character, and, in some respects, is une- 
qualled by any other spot in Nova Scotia. In ascending the bay, 
it was the first object that opened upon our view ; but it was seen 
only by the looming or refraction of its dark surface by the fog, in 
which it seemed suspended, and which completely obscured the 
real substance of the island, until we very nearly approached it. 
This beautiful appearance was also no less strikingly presented by 
the elevated parts of the neighbouring coast, and formed, by the 
illusion, one of the most curious spectacles we ever witnessed. 
We reached the island nearly at low water, a circumstance, we 
should observe, of great importance to all who may yisit it, as 
from the great rapidity of the tides and conflicting currents, 
which here rise to the height of sixty feet, it is difficult and even 
dangerous to land at any other time. Like the neighbouring 
coast, it is composed entirely of amygdaloid and columnar trap, 
varying greatly in its features and altitude. On its western front, 
it rears itself boldly to the surges, in a cliff about three hundred 
feet high, and is considerably undermined at its base; while, 
towards the opposite shore, the surface of the Island inclines 
away in a regular escarpment, and terminates in a comparatively 
low cliff. Its features are also much less bold on its northern 
