OBSERVATIONS 



ON 



THE GEOLOGY 



OF THE 



WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND. 



STAFFA.* 



FEW objects in the Western islands are better known, 

 and few perhaps are more deserving of notice than this 

 celebrated spot, no less the admiration of the geologist 

 than of the painter and the general traveller.'!' 



It is of an irregularly oval shape, and about a mile and 

 half in circumference, presenting an uneven table land 

 terminating nearly all round in cliffs of variable height. 

 The greatest elevation lies toward the south-west, and 

 appears, by my barometrical measurement, to be 144 feet. 

 The surface is covered with a rich soil and luxuriant grass, 

 producing however but few plants for the amusement of 

 a botanist. I observed none which are not common on all 



* From Staf, a staffer pole; Swedish. See the Map ofStaffaand 

 that of Mull. Also Plates VI. and VII. 



f A slight sketch of Staffa was formerly published in the Geological 

 Transactions, but imperfect in some essential circumstances, and defi- 

 cient in others. In attempting to render that description more perfect, 

 and, in thus extending the history of this island, I have only to regret 

 that I dare not illustrate it by engravings as finished and as numerous 

 as it merits. The description will be much aided by the accompanying 

 sketch of a plan made by pacing, with the aid of a pocket compass ; 

 unfortunately for its accuracy, in a gale of wind and rain. Although 

 very incorrect, it will serve the present purpose of reference nearly 

 as well as if it had been more perfectly measured. 

 VOL. II. B 



