L. A. Necker de Saussure Voyage en Ecosse. 191 



seem of consequence to have a different origin from the former. 

 Their separation from the adjoining strata is complete ; a mathe- 

 matical line often divides one whole mountain, one rock, one 

 specimen, into two perfectly distinct portions, formed of rocks 

 of a different nature. It is there we ought to follow the line of 

 junction, and to study carefully the appearances of the two 

 rocks. 



The promontory of Drumodoon, in Arran, is a most pictu- 

 resque geological object. It is a hill of sandstone, terminated 

 at its summit by a range of immense prisms of the trap forma- 

 tion ; or a bed of feldspar porphyry resting on horizontal beds 

 of sandstone. Mr. Necker shews that Professor Jameson has 

 fallen into the same mistake in assigning this porphyritic rock 

 a basis of wacke, as with respect to Dunfeune. A large vein 

 of greenstone intersects from top to bottom the bed of trap por- 

 phyry. The two rocks seem little changed at their line of junc- 

 tion. 



It might be imagined that the great difference of height 

 between the mountains of Scotland and of Swisserland, would 

 prevent all comparison between the aspect of the two countries; 

 but this is not the case. Mr. Necker observes, that although 

 the Scotch mountains are much less raised above the level of 

 the sea than the lowest of the Alps, yet as the latter rise out 

 of table land or valleys, of considerable elevation, while the 

 former have their bases at the level of the sea, there is 

 really less difference of height in the eye of an observer, than 

 one might a priori expect. " If our views of Swisserland," 

 adds he, " present a whole, more vast and more striking, with 

 a grandeur and majesty no where else to be found, our views 

 in Scotland are perhaps more picturesque, taking this word in 

 its true acceptation, that is, they present landscape subjects 

 more suitable to the painter, details of greater variety and 

 grace *." Scotland has not, like Swisserland, indeed, those 

 mountains covered with eternal snow, those granitic peaks so 

 bold and light, which, by the beauty of their outlines, and the 

 contrast which they make with the lively verdure of the valleys, 

 give to all the distances so striking an effect; yet she has, in 

 compensation, lakes interspersed with islands of every form 

 and dimension ; she has the Atlantic Ocean, its isles, and in- 

 land gulfs, which afford to the ground of the landscape a 

 peculiar beauty. 



From Arran Mr. Necker returned to Edinburgh, making a 

 passing survey of the fertile island of Bute. He then set out on 

 his laborious voyage through the Hebrides, in the course of 

 which he discovers equal spirit and intelligence. He visited 

 Staffa twice ; spent some days between Coll and Tiree ; no- 



* V 11. 11. 208. 



