272 Walk from Aberdeen 



ticed in this rivulet, rolled masses from the mountains ; these 

 were principally of coarse granular red granite, masses of va- 

 rious hornblende-rocks, traversed by granite veins, also frag- 

 ments of quartz-rock and gneiss. The granite appears to 

 cross the Dee in a south-west direction. The road leads to the 

 short but steep and rugged Pass of Ballater. The cliffs of this 

 pass are of coarse granular red granite, which is disposed in ta- 

 bular masses, and these are traversed by natural seams, in such 

 a manner as to give the granite an indistinct columnar struc- 

 ture. In some places noticed small granular granite in the 

 coarse granular. 



Below the pass is the village of Ballater, always crowded du- 

 ring the summer months with invalids and other visitors, 

 brought together by the fame of the chalybeate wells of Pana- 

 nich, and the magnificence and beauty of the surrounding 

 scenery. I am not aware of the existence of any thoroughly 

 scientific analysis ever having been made of this mineral water. 

 Indeed it is a fact, that, with exception of the mineral springs 

 of Dunblane, examined by the late Dr Murray, we have no 

 good analysis of any of our mineral waters. This is much to 

 be regretted, when we recollect that a knowledge of the chemi- 

 cal nature of spring waters is eminently important when viewed 

 in connexion with many geognostical phenomena and interest- 

 ing geological speculations. 



Although the geognostical notes are from journals of an old 

 date, I could not refrain from enlivening them by some extracts 

 from the recently published highly interesting and popular 

 work of my accomplished friend, Sir Thomas D. Lauder. 



" The view of Ballater from the lower extremity of the plain," 

 says Sir T. D. Lauder, " is something quite exquisite. I do not 

 speak of the village itself, which, at that distance, presents lit- 

 tle more than the indication of a town, with a steeple rising 

 from it ; but I allude to the grand features of nature by which 

 it is surrounded. The very smallness of the town adds to the 

 altitude of the mountains ; for, when seen from the point I 

 mean, it might be a city for aught the traveller knows to the 

 contrary. It stands, half hidden among trees, in the rich and 

 diversified vale. Gn the north rises the mountainous rock of 

 Craigdarroch, luxuriantly wooded with birch, and divided off 



