RAMBLES WITH A HAMMER. 119 
stone are many darker more finely crystalline lumps, which may, perhaps, 
be included fragments not quite melted down. A basaltic dyke, known 
as the ‘‘ Great Fault,” runs obliquely across the face of the quarry from 
north-west to south-east; it is of a bluish tint, and is overlaid by breccia 
and ‘‘ mush,” as the workmen style any soft, decomposed rock. Crystals 
of iron pyrites are common in the granite, and a rather rare mineral, 
molybdenite (called ‘‘lead” by the men,) is not uncommon. At the 
entrance of the quarry the triassic red marls may be seen resting on the 
granite; they are much ripple-marked, and contain large blocks of stone 
at their base. Climbing the ridge which bounds the quarry on the right 
hand or northern extremity, we look over into a hollow containing some 
fine examples of glaciated rock-surfaces. Ascending the hill we reach 
the spot once occupied by a windmill, a well-known landmark, removed 
in consequence of the advance of the quarry “face.” Here is a very 
typical felstone dyke, only about eight inches thick, of a compact texture, 
and pinkish colour. Several other dykes or veins of similar material 
occur in the quarry, and are called ‘‘salmon” by the workmen, 
From this point there is a fine view across the Soar Valley 
to the marlstone ridges of East Leicestershire. The rounded 
hill to the south-east is Billesdon Coplow, the promontory due 
east Borough Hill. On the north-west, the great expanse of Buddon 
Wood lies close at hand, where the lily of the valley still flowers, and 
where enormous ant-nests excite our curiosity, and send us with renewed 
pleasure to the perusal of Sir John Lubbock’s papeis on their habits ; 
beetles, too, are many, and include some rare species. But we must turn 
to the west and then south-west, leaving this inviting spot on our right; 
until after walking a mile we reach some cottages, standing on another 
granitic tor, called Kinchley Hill. Going still south-west we cross a 
brook by means of a great slab of Swithland slate which forms a capital 
bridge, and walk along the side of Brazil Wood, until an outcrop of rock 
in the middle of a field on our right induces us to walk up and examine 
it. This little knoll is formed of diorite (felspar and hornblende.) It is 
a coarse, dark rock, and excessively tough, as the rock collector will find 
when he attempts to secure a good specimen. Next we enter the wood 
on our left by a gate, and stand in front of a small quarry of gneissic 
rock, while within a few yards there is a final outcrop of Mountsorrel 
granite. The gneiss and diorite occur at this point only, and to discover 
their relationship to each other and to the granite it will be necessary 
to make a small excavation to lay bare the line of junction. Returning 
to the field path we walk on, noticing Swithland Hall (Lord Lanesborough’s 
seat) on the south-east (left hand,) and in ten minutes enter the village of 
Swithland, where, if needful, we can recruit at ‘The Griffin.” Con- 
tinuing our walk westwards we reach the cross-roads, where large 
deserted slate quarries afford us our first glimpse of the metamorphic 
series. Standing on the edge of the pit we can discern the bedding and 
dip (30° H.N.-E.) by means of the stripe, or variation in tint of the beds 
owing to difference of texture and weathering. West of theroad are the 
lovely grounds and house of The Brande, where the late Mr. Alfred Ellis 
loved to encourage the residence of every wild animal and bird native to 
