FLODDA. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 259 



FLODDA. 



THIS small island would scarcely have had any 

 claim to be noticed, had it not, from the greater simplicity 

 of its structure and from affording more perfect access 

 to its rocks, served to illustrate some points in Rasay 

 which are not quite satisfactory, and concerning which 

 it was necessary to add analogy to observation. Its 

 history will also in some measure prove an introduction to 

 that of Sky, while, by increasing the number of examples, 

 it will show ttyat the instances of peculiarity there to be 

 described are not solitary. 



The connexion of the graywacke schist with the sand- 

 stone is but imperfectly seen in Rasay, and for a small 

 space ; but in this little island it is displayed in great 

 perfection. In Rasay also there is some difficulty in 

 making the boundary of the gneiss coincide with the 

 line of direction of the sandstone strata ; while, the latter 

 being perfectly straight and no rock but a small portion 

 of conglomerate intervening between the two, there ought 

 to be a perfect coincidence. The cause of this will 

 immediately appear in describing Flodda, and I have 

 attempted in laying down the coast to show the nature 

 of the interruption, which arises from the intrusion of the 

 gneiss beyond the line it might have been expected 

 to occupy.* 



This island appears to be about two miles in length 

 and half a mile in breadth, presenting a nearly flat surface, 

 elevated, at the utmost, fifty feet above the level of 

 the sea. It is separated from Rasay by a narrow strait, 

 incorrectly laid down in Mackenzie's chart, since it is dry 

 in the middle at half tide and affords a communication 

 between the two islands. It is surrounded by several 



* See the Map of Sky and the adjoining islands. 



