Giant 9 s Causeway. 195 



different strata, separated by basalt, in a rude 

 state, and by a red substance resembling iron 

 ore. The most elevated columns are the smallest 

 in diameter : those of which the mass consists 

 are sometimes octagonal, sometimes heptagonal, 

 but generally formed with three or nine sides, 

 fitted with such exactness, that the point of a 

 knife can scarcely be introduced between them. 

 By attention, irregular and square columns are 

 to be found, as these generally form theinterior 

 of the structure. 



Admiration is still more powerfully excited, 

 by observing the curious manner in which the 

 stones are articulated, fitting into each other, 

 like a ball and socket, or the vertebrae of the 

 back-bone. Reflection augments the astonish- 

 ment produced by a more critical examina- 

 tion of the Causeway: the more the mind con- 

 templates this wonderful effort of nature, the 

 more astonishing it appears. 



The Island of Staffa has long been distin- 

 guished for its columnar strata. Basaltic co- 

 lumns have also been observed on the south 

 side of Cader Idris ; and have long been known 

 in Germany, in France, and in Italy. 



On quitting the Giant's Causeway we climbed 

 02 



