164 LUNGA. GOLOGV. 



nearly impracticable even in calm weather, becomes, with 

 an adverse tide, or in windy weather, extremely perilous. 

 In all cases it is advisable to pass the strait with the 

 ebb rather than with the flood, or to enter from the west, 

 if it is not convenient to do so at slack water. The 

 superior turbulence of the tide of flood, both in this strait 

 and in the Coryvrechan, arises from its course being 

 directed westward ; thus opposing the prevailing winds, 

 as well as the western swell, which is seldom absolutely 

 insensible. These directions will form an useful addition 

 to the itinerary of a geologist ; who will seldom find 

 boatmen either willing to make the attempt, or acquainted 

 with the means of effecting it; and who, without much 

 local knowledge of the navigation of the Western islands, 

 will find himself impeded at every step of his progress and 

 disappointed in half of his pursuits. The perfect display of 

 the rocks of Scarba, as well as of Lunga, which he will thus 

 witness, will amply repay him for the risk or anxiety he may 

 experience in this undertaking ; and the admirer of pictu- 

 resque beauty will be no less gratified by the magnificent 

 dreariness of the scenery which he will find. Even from the 

 different eminences of the island the views are extremely 

 grand ; whether the glassy surface of the sound of Luing 

 is quietly meandering like a mighty river in circling 

 eddies, or the wind and tide in contention, whiten it with 

 a sea of little less turbulence than that of the Cory- 

 vrechan itself. It is from this island that the majestic 

 features of Scarba are best contemplated, rising in one 

 dark yet varied mass from its rocky shores and woody 

 amphitheatre; and finely contrasted with the long low 

 lines of the opposite coasts, and with the numberless rocks 

 and islands that diversify and adorn this intricate sea. 



IN a geological view, Lunga consists of two principal 

 members ; argillaceous schist occupying the eastern side, 

 and quartz rock the western : each of these being in- 



