308 SKY. GEOLOGY. RED SANDSTONE. 



nuated. But in a geological view it is of importance, 

 because it establishes the identity of the whole as mem- 

 bers of a common series, further proofs of which may 

 indeed be considered as now superfluous. 



The next portion to be examined lies between the 

 line last described to the north-east of Ord and a parallel 

 one drawn to the south-west of Dunscaich, and it presents 

 irregularities even more remarkable than those above 

 mentioned. Its most conspicuous feature is a range of 

 white quartz rock, which forms in some places a single, 

 in others a double ridge ; overtopping the surrounding* 

 country and conspicuous at a great distance from its 

 hoary aspect, which resembles that of thin snow. This 

 appears to be about five miles in length, and where 

 widest, about one in breadth. Above Ord it approaches 

 the shore, while to the southward it retires more into 

 the interior : thus deviating at the northern extremity 

 about a point to the north, its prevailing direction being- 

 the same as that of the general series. It is thus marked 

 in the map, although neither the construction of that 

 map, nor the bearings which can be taken on the spot, 

 are such as to determine its deviation accurately. In 

 other respects it agrees with the ordinary members of 

 the series, since the different rocks already described lie 

 on both sides, proving it to be, like them, a part of the 

 general mass. As it occurs also on the shore in a state 

 perfectly accessible, and close to the red sandstone, with 

 which it alternates, there can be no hesitation in admitting 

 this conclusion. As far as can be ascertained, its position 

 approaches to the vertical line, from which, in different 

 places, it seems to incline in opposite directions. That 

 portion found on the shore, forms the island of Dunscaich 

 already noticed as the seat of an ancient fort. Here, as 

 in the hills, the beds are remarkably distinct, parallel, 

 and even, varying in thickness from three or four inches 

 to a foot. This disposition is, on a superficial view, easily 

 overlooked, as the surface of the rock is very uneven : 





