496 AILSA. GEOLOGY. 



resque disposition of the rocky and woody precipices 

 so often occurring along the shores ; while their tortuous 

 courses produce an ever changing variety of scenes. The 

 islands alone present objects of endless diversity, whether 

 examined in their interior or by coasting their shores ; 

 or, when forming parts of the distance, they combine 

 with the perpetual variations of the surrounding land. If 

 to all this be added the effects produced by the variable 

 atmosphere of the western coast, and by the life and 

 movement of the shipping that navigate the Clyde, it 

 may without exaggeration be said that no portion of 

 Scotland presents greater attractions to him whose pur- 

 suit is that of picturesque beauty. 



