SKY. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 267 



without that variety of gradation andf of complicated sub- 

 sidence into lower ranges, which, even in hills of tame 

 outlines, often produce forms no.t deficient in beauty/ 



The cause of the peculiarities now described is to be 

 found in the facility with which they are disintegrated 

 by atmospheric action, whence their outlines necessarily 

 assume these characters ; while the loose stones, by their 



I constant descent from the summits, obscure the rocky 

 surface, covering the sides with long torrents of red rub- 

 bish even more unpleasing to the sight than their conoidal 

 forms. That red colour is indeed one of the most striking 

 features of these hills, and although not universally pre- 

 valent among them, it occupies by far the larger space ; 

 while its superior conspicuity increases its apparent extent. 

 It will hereafter be seen, that this effect arises from the 

 syenite of which these hills are principally composed, which, 

 on decomposition, suffering the pyrites it contains to rust, 

 acquires the colour in question; while the frequent re- 

 newal of the fallen materials prevents the accumulation 

 of vegetable soil or covering. To distinguish this part 

 of the group, I shall give them the general title of the 

 Red hills, as it will often be necessary to speak of them 

 collectively ; while they are, by this circumstance, as 

 strongly as by their outline, contrasted with the other 

 portion, the colour of which is dark. 



The darkness of that mass is indeed extraordinary, and 

 adds much to the wildness of aspect and grandeur of effect 

 produced by the rugged and bold outlines of the moun- 

 tains of which it is formed. No light seems to harmonize 

 their colour to its place in the general landscape : per- 

 petual shadow appears to cover thern in every state of 

 the atmosphere, and when the clouds involve their sum- 

 mits, a deep and dark abyss seems opened beneath into 

 which the eye vainly endeavours to penetrate. Their 

 exterior outline is equally remarkable, as well for the 

 contrast it presents to the tame and smooth boundary 

 pf the Red hills, as for its peculiarly rugged and serrated 



