1817.] Royal Academy of Sciences. 475 
of the promontory of Trotternish it is columnar on a large scale. 
The columns are 200 or 300 feet high; yet they are equal to those 
of Staffa in symmetry and beauty. 
The author considers this trap to be generally composed of a rock 
analogous to green-stone, in which augit occupies the place of 
hornblende. ‘This rock is of frequent occurrence in Scotland, and 
Dr. Macculloch proposes to call it augit rock. 
The Cuchullin hills consist of another member of the trap family, 
composed of hypersthene and felspar, to which the author gives the 
name of hypersthene rock. 
Dr. Macculloch concludes his paper with the account of an allu- 
vium of which it is difficult to explain the origin. his is found 
near Killechaken, opposite to the main land of Scotland, occupying 
a space of about a mile in length, and a few hundred yards in 
breadth; and its surface is 60 or 70 feet above the level of the sea. 
There is no appearance of rivers having ever flowed near this plain, 
and the uniformly level surface of the deposit, and its elevation, are 
obstacles to the supposition of its being derived from the rejection 
by the sea of the rolled fragments of the surrounding mountains. 
The bar of Killchaken Harbour, and the gravelly soundings of the 
shore, are indications of its extent having once been more consider- 
able ; and render it probable that this is the remains of some ancient 
diluvian deposit, which perhaps in former times may have united 
the island to the opposite coast. Instances of similar deposits, 
though rare in the islands, are of frequent occurrence in many parts 
of Scotland. 
—— Tae 
ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 
Analysis of the Labours of the Royal Academy of Sciences of the 
Institute of France during the Year 1816. 
PaysicaL Part,—By M, le Chevalier Cuvier, Perpetual Secretary. 
While restoring to the Class of Sciences of the Institute a name 
rendered illustrious by more than a century of useful labours, while 
allowing them to associate with persons who, without making the 
sciences their habitual profession, consider it as an honour to be ac- 
quainted with them and to serve them, the King has condescended 
to preserve to that company the organization which it has recently 
received, and of which a sufficiently long experience has demon- 
strated the advantages. The Academicians, exempted at their en- 
trance from all dependance, and from all humiliation, and not 
afraid of seeing that union altered which a common love of study 
so naturally maintains, will continue each to cultivate with zeal that 
portion of the great scientific domain which he has selected, and to 
submit to the judgment of his associates the fruits which he has 
collected, Our analyses of course, as well as their labours, will 
