282 AN ENQUIRY INTO THE NATURE OF [Ch. XIII. 



and of the northern part of Scotland, has been elevated in a 

 solid state. The disposition of the sedimentary rocks of 

 Caithness has been already quoted as an argument against 

 the elevation of the strata ; and, it may also be remarked, 

 that the gradual rising of the strata of the coal-field from 

 Inverbrora to Clyne Kirk, from a moderate inclination of 20 

 to a considerable angle, within the narrow space between the 

 latter place and the sea, is not of such a nature as might be 

 expected to result from the elevation of the enormous mass of 

 primary rocks with which the adjacent granite is continuous. 

 Nor does the gradual developement of these strata, as they 

 recede from the granite*, accord with their supposed form- 

 ation in regular horizontal layers of equal thickness ; although 

 it is in conformity with the known mode of arrangement 

 during the deposition of sediments on inclined surfaces. 



The appearance of the brecciated rock at Sandside Bay is, 

 however, thought to justify the conclusion, that the Ord of 

 Caithness, a granitic rock, has been upheaved in a solid form 

 through the oolitic deposits. " On the western side of this 

 mass of granite the stratified rocks are in the utmost con- 

 fusion, the limestone being not only highly inclined, but also 

 crystalline and cellular. Close to the point of contact the 

 same beds assume a brecciated structure, and even contain 

 many fragments of the granite itself. The contiguous portions 

 of the cliff are chiefly composed of this breccia, through which 

 the red granite protrudes with much irregularity. Some 

 masses of the conglomerate rest upon the tilted edges of the 

 limestone, whilst others are of a wedge-shape, and appear as 

 if they had been mechanically driven in among the shattered 

 edges of the higher beds of limestone arid sandstone. The 

 cement of the conglomerate is generally granitic; it is, how- 

 ever, in some parts calcareous, and in other places it ap- 

 proaches to the character of sandstone : one great block of 

 sandstone, with the usual undulating surface, seemed to be 



* Geol. Trans. (New Series), vol. ii. p. 355. 



