SHUNA. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



SHUNA.* 



THIS island, situated between Luing and the mainland, 

 forms an important feature in the general history of the 

 Schistose islands, in consequence of its lateral position 

 with respect to the strata of Seil and Luing, and the 

 extent and position of the series to which it belongs. 



It is of a somewhat regular shape, being about three 

 miles in length, and half a mile in breadth ; and may 

 be called flat when compared with the neighbouring 

 objects, although rising into small hills of about 100 and 

 200 feet in height. Its surface is consequently uneven, 

 and is every where diversified with rocks and natural 

 woods of birch and alder, interspersed with patches of 

 cultivated and pasture land. Like Seil and Luing, it 

 is more picturesque from its situation and exterior con- 

 nexions than from its form or internal arrangement ; 

 although far . from deficient in that intricate mixture of 

 land and rock which, when under the partial guidance 

 of art, is productive of the milder classes of rural beauty .f 



In the disposition of the strata, it partakes of that 

 flexion in the line of bearing which has already been 

 noticed in Luing; a difference of two points of the 

 compass, or more, being perceived in that respect between 



* See the Map of the Slate isles. 



f The disposition of the natural woods in this island is such as to pro- 

 duce a very artificial appearance ; nor is this feature unusual in the High- 

 lands. The resemblance to the system of ornamental gardening adopted 

 by the noted Brown, is often so striking as to mislead a stranger ; the 

 same belts and clumps occurring, but with somewhat more of the care- 

 lessness of Nature. If we did not know the meaner source whence his 

 ideas of beauty in landscape were derived, we might almost imagine he 

 had copied from .this country. The origin of these clumps will here be 

 found to consist in rocky ground inaccessible to cultivation, and that of 

 the belts in the water courses. 



