294 ON THE PARTICULAR ORDER OF 



of what Nature might have given, rather than of what 

 she has actually produced. As it would be impossible 

 in a work of this nature to enter into the details of 

 this part of the subject, I must needs refer to the 

 valuable work of Messrs. Conybeare and Phillips, 

 where all the information that is required will be 

 found. 



But as that work does jiot contain any view of the 

 Scottish strata, I may here give a sketch of some 

 examples of successions among the secondary ones in 

 that country ; particularly as it exhibits some defi- 

 ciencies, which, besides being remarkable in them- 

 selves, are rendered more interesting by the intimate 

 geographical connexion of these two parts of one 

 island. The reader will not, of course, expect here 

 an account of the geology of Scotland, nor any de- 

 tails, either very minute or numerous. I may even 

 add that no greater accuracy of description is adopted, 

 than was necessary for illustrating the particular sub- 

 ject under consideration. 



In that country, the deposits of secondary strata 

 may conveniently, if not very geographically or cor- 

 rectly, be divided into four. Of these, the northern 

 includes Caithness with parts of Inverness and Moray, 

 while the middle forms a very extensive tract to the 

 south of the Highland primary district. The Western 

 is much disjointed and scattered on the Western 

 Highland shore and among the islands ; and the 

 southern is more or less intimately connected with the 

 corresponding strata in England. 



The first of these is nearly limited to one bed, 

 namely, the lowest sandstone; but one conspicuous 

 tract of mountain limestone occurs, together with 

 smaller fragments, and, in one place, it is immediately 



