1824.] Prof. Hemlow's Reply to Dr. Berger. 409 



there are two distinct localities for this formation in my account, 

 though Dr. Berber has united them in one continuous tract on 

 his map. 



7. The limitation of the old red sandstone to its true extension, 

 the western shore of Langness Point, instead of extending it (as 

 Dr. B. had done) over the whole of that isthmus. 



8. The having mistaken him, in stating the whole space 

 between Scarlet and Poolvash to be occupied by a bed of amyg- 

 daloidal trap. 



My mistake then amounts to this, that I had supposed Dr. B. 

 to have been more accurate in his observations than he now 

 allows himself to have been ; for he mentions only the extreme 

 points of a tract which is in fact wholly composed of trap rocks, 

 although not of the peculiar variety he alludes to. A juster 

 cause for observation might have been found in our difference of 

 opinion with respect to the position of this trap, which he states 

 to exist as an overlying mass, but which I am bold enough to 

 contradict, because I think the evidence is clearly in favour of 

 its intruding from below. 



9. The assertion that the term Curragh is sometimes applied 

 to mountain peat-bogs, and does not exclusively belong to the 

 flat district towards the north of the island. 



N. B. Although Dr. B. is pleased to ridicule the idea of cor- 

 recting a marked geographical error in a geological map, we find 

 him expatiating with complacency upon the utility of his obser- 

 vations with regard to husbandry . 



10. The mention of the discovery of a number of elks' bones, and 

 earthy phosphate of iron, in the marl, near Kirk-Balaff. 



Dr. Berger insinuates that I consider this circumstance as 

 extraordinary. Upon a careful perusal of the passage, I cannot 

 perceive the slightest evidence of any such intimation. The 

 number of bones imbedded in the small extent of the marl is 

 somewhat extraordinary, and the fact of an entire skeleton being 

 discovered was new. That the circumstance itself was not of a 

 novel description I was perfectly aware, and introduced the 

 subject by stating, that here " are found the remains of the 

 gigantic elk." 



11. The want of " clear-sightedness" in not being able to 

 comprehend the latent meaning of the following sentence ; 

 " Some go so far as to say, that the increase is no less than two 

 yards in a year." Dr. B. assures us that this sentence evidently 

 implies, that he discredited the information it apparently conveys. 



1 shall now conclude by observing that Dr. Merger's " Reply" 

 to my " prolix and inflated criticism," and the courteous hint, 

 that it was dictated by " the malignity of envy," have caused 

 me no other sensation than regret — for the loss of a morning in 

 penning these remarks. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, 



J. S. Henslow. 



