426 SCALPA. GNE11AL DESCRIPTION. 



SCALPA." 



THE intimate connexion subsisting between this island 

 and the approximate parts of Sky, by means of a strait 

 fordable at low spring tides, and the continuity of its out- 

 line with that of the mountains surrounding Loch Eynort, 

 would induce an observer to expect that it was composed 

 of the same syenitic rocks of which they are constituted. 

 It differs however essentially from them, and thus, 

 although little interesting in itself, becomes important 

 in the estimation of a geologist, by throwing light on 

 the general connexion of the stratified rocks throughout 

 all these associated islands.f The map of Scalpa being 

 little better than conjectural, and giving a very imperfect 

 idea either of its form or outline, the following statements 

 must, as in other similar cases, be taken with the requisite 

 allowances. 



This island is of an irregularly oval shape and about 

 three miles by two, in extent. It consists of a single 

 mountain with an uneven summit and rounded outlines ; 

 displaying much bare rock, yet no where marked by 

 asperities or by continuous rocky faces. At the same 

 time it presents a grassy, or at least a vegetating surface, 

 by which it is strongly distinguished from the neighbouring- 

 hills of Sky. Occasionally, low rocks are found on the 

 shore, rising towards the north-east into cliffs of moderate 

 elevation ; but the greater part of the island descends by 

 smooth declivities to the sea, particularly towards the 

 Sound ; a noted rendezvous of the hernng fleet. 



* Scailp, a cave. Gaelic. I may remark here, once for all, that the 

 presence of the Scandinavian terminal a or ey does not vitiate those ety- 

 mologies derived from the Gaelic, since local names compounded of the 

 two languages are not uncommon in the Western islands. See th 

 Map of Sky. 



t Plate XIII. fig. 1. 



