45 



connection with the primary strata; and affording illustration of 

 some curious questions in theoretical geology. 



Limestone. 



32. On the shore of Loch Long, north of Kilcreggan, and 

 about 250 yards south of the landing pier at Cove, a bed of lime- 

 stone is interstratified with the clay slate. It has been originally 

 six or seven yards wide, and has extended eastwards across the low 

 ground between the shore and the cliff, into the cliff itself, and 

 probably much farther inland ; but it cannot be satisfactorily traced. 

 The part next the shore has been almost entirely removed by quarry- 

 ing ; but from portions which are found among the slate as shown 

 in the annexed sketch, which is a vertical section there can be no 

 doubt of the true position of the bed. 



(a a) Inclined strata of clay slate; (6) Bed of limestone ; (c) Bay with accumulations 



of shingle. 



The limestone is impure, from intermixture with slaty lamina? ; 

 the prevailing colour is bluish-gray; it contains much calcareous 

 spar ; and, like the slate, is destitute of fossils. 



In the new statistical account of the parish of Row adjoining, beds 

 of limestone are stated to occur in the slate rocks of Glenfruin ; these 

 are most probably similar to the bed now mentioned. 



In a paper by Mr. Daniel Sharpe, F.Gr.S.,* many limestone beds 

 in various tracts which Dr. MacCulloch and other observers have de- 

 scribed as belonging to the primary strata are referred to the old red 

 system; and he expresses a decided opinion with regard to all of 

 them, denying the occurrence of such beds in association with at 

 least the clay slate system. The cases here given clearly disprove 

 this view. 



Slates of tlie Cowal Coast. 



33. This coast consists of slates of the chloritic and agrillaceous 

 series, passing westwards into mica slate. The slates near Dunoon 

 are associated with rocks of igneous origin, to whose effect upon the 



* Jour. ofGeol Soc., 1852. 



