Mr John MacGillivray on the Island of St Kilda. 51 
ums bestowed upon it by the natives. Thus, one is called Todir 
na slainnie, or Well of Health, the water of which is reputed to 
cure almost all the diseases in their nosology. There is, be- 
sides, another spring, scarcely less famous, Tobir na h’ oige, 
Wellof Youth, asit is called, issuing from out of the face of a pre- 
cipitous rock near the landing-place, and to be reached only 
after incurring considerable danger. As the water, to retain 
its efficacy, must be drunk upon the spot, it is no wonder that 
so few old persons have attempted the renewal of their youth 
by its means, although surprising effects are sa¢d to have been 
produced by it in former days. Having tasted of the waters 
of this modern “ Fountain of Youth,’’* I can answer for their 
goodness ; but with respect to the probable longevity to be 
expected through their means, I can as yet say nothing. 
There are two small rivulets even in summer, one of them run- 
ning for about half-a-mile in the bottom of a beautiful glen on 
the western side of the island, the other entering the bay. 
Deep ruts are occasionally observable on the slopes, the effects 
of winter torrents. 
From the detached position of St Kilda, its bare surface and 
great. height, it is exposed to every gale that sweeps over the 
Atlantic. Sudden gusts of wind not unfrequently, even in 
calm weather, descend from the hills with such violence as 
sometimes to unroof the huts and do considerable damage. A 
correct idea of the climate could not be formed from the ob- 
servations of only four days, and consequently the mean tem- 
perature, quantity of rain, peculiar winds, &c., cannot be 
given. 
With respect to the geology of the island I can say but lit- 
tle, my attention having been chiefly directed to more favour- 
ite and to me far more interesting pursuits. It is sufficient 
to refer the reader to Dr MacCulloch’s work, which no doubt 
gives a very full account. The eastern extremity of the island, 
or about a third of the whole, is composed of syenite, which 
in one place rises to the height of 1380 feet.t This elevation, 
* See Washington Irvine’s “ Companions of Columbus,” p. 295. 
t According to MacCulloch. 
