126 SEIL. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



SEIL.* 



THIS island has the next claim on description, no less 

 from its position than from the identity of a considerable 

 part of its structure with that of Kerrera ; in consequence 

 of which it forms the second stage of transition between 

 the Trap islands and those which are to follow, from 

 which trap, except in the form of veins, is excluded. 



It is divided from the mainland by a narrow strait 

 nearly two miles in length, rarely exceeding 200 yards 

 in breadth, and narrowing for a considerable space to 

 one of fifty or sixty feet. The stream of tide running 

 with considerable velocity through this passage, assumes 

 the appearance of an inland river, unless when the rocks 

 skirted at low water with sea weed, betray its marine 

 connexions. The land on each side being high and rocky, 

 and sprinkled with wood, the scene is no less picturesque 

 than singular. The water is here sufficiently deep at 

 half tide to admit the passage of the boats of the countiy ; 

 while the communication between the island and the 

 opposite shore, is maintained by a bridge of one arch 

 of considerable span ; as yet a solitary instance in Britain 

 of such a structure uniting an island to the main. Not 

 only here, but throughout the whole complicated strait 

 which separates Torsa, Luing, Shuna, and Seil, from 

 each other, and from the mainland, scenes of the most 

 entertaining class of picturesque beauty occur. The 

 islands, in endless variety of form, are washed by winding 

 seas and diversified with rocks and wood, while they are 

 enlivened by human habitations, improved cultivation, and 

 by the countless boats and ships that navigate these 



* Seil, a sail, (Danish). Names derived from ships are here very 

 common ; and hence also Longa, Lunga, Luing, from the Gaelic Lung, 

 a ship ; and Flodda, Flota, from the Danish Flode, a fleet. 



