MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 25 



itself afforded a stupendous scene of rock, varied 

 with little lakes innumerable." From the general 

 appearance of the island, and from the dykes which 

 in different places run towards the sea, Pennant 

 argues a volcanic origin, or at least a considerable 

 change by the influence of fire. One of the princi- 

 pal dykes is on the west side of the hill. It runs in 

 a narrow stripe of rock, terminating in the sea, and 

 is generally called the " Slide of the Old Hag." 

 After surveying this interesting island, they cross 

 the Sound to Hay, and are as hospitably received by 

 Mr Freebairn, the superintendent of the mines ; and 

 having visited the works of lead and iron, set out 

 upon an excursion on horseback, accompanied by seve- 

 ral gentlemen of the island, who had offered their ser- 

 vice to conduct them to whatever was worthy of being 

 seen. The former tour was written with so much 

 candour and good feeling, that the proprietors were 

 always anxious to point out the improvements which 

 had been made, and the capabilities which their own 

 favourite land possessed for cultivation ; and in his 

 whole excursion, he met with that civility, attention, 

 and assistance, which one travelling for information 

 and the good or improvement of his country deserves. 

 He enters at considerable length into the manners 

 of the inhabitants, their ancient customs, and pre- 

 sent superstitions. In its natural history, he men- 

 tions wild geese breeding on the moors ; a more 

 southern range of incubation for these birds than 

 what has been generally supposed. 



