582 ULVA, &C. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



islands. They are never continuous for a great space, 

 being separated into detached parts which have in many 

 places a very artificial appearance, resembling fragments 

 of walls and ruined towers. They are often as regular 

 as those of Staffa, although on a much less scale, and 

 pass gradually from that regularity of form into the 

 most shapeless masses. In many places they afford 

 elegant and picturesque compositions, which although 

 passed every day by the crowds who visit StafTa, appear 

 to have been unnoticed. If either their numbers, extent, 

 or picturesque appearance be considered, they are more 

 deserving of admiration than even those of the Giant's 

 Causeway, and had they been the only basaltic columns 

 on this coast, they might have acquired the fame which 

 they merit. But Ulva is eclipsed by the superior lustre 

 of StaiFa, and while the mass of mankind is content 

 to follow the individual who first led the way, its beauties 

 will probably be still consigned to neglect. 



The islands of Colonsa and Eorsa resemble so nearly 

 in aspect and composition the neighbouring parts of Ulva 

 and Mull, that it is unnecessary to bestow many words 

 on them. It is always however proper to examine these 

 and similar detached spots, since they frequently contain 

 a clue to the explanation of the neighbouring more 

 extensive tracts. In the multiplication of precipitous 

 shores, and in the prolongation of inclined strata, the 

 geologist will often find the key of an enigma which 

 he may have laboured in vain to solve amidst the ex- 

 tensive or mountainous surfaces of a wider region. 



Colonsa may be considered a portion of the proximate 

 shores of Ulva, in the same manner as this island is 

 intimately related to -the neighbouring parts of Mull. 

 It is not high, is of small extent, and is formed of 

 the same beds of rudely columnar trap and amygdaloid. 



Eorsa occupies the entrance of Loch na Keal, and 

 rises to the south-west with a bold and decided aspect. 



