140 



weathering of the rock is remarkable, and extends to a considerable 

 depth, presenting successive concentric zones of different colours, 

 which have a very pretty appearance in many specimens. The 

 slaty structure itself, in the case of this rock, seems to be but a step 

 in the process of decomposition. 



Various masses of greenstone occur, both as dikes and beds ; one 

 on the S.E. side presents remarkable alternations with the sandstone, 

 and alters its structure. The felspar rock itself is seen in one place 

 on the east side to intersect the whole body of strata, and to be 

 connected above with the overlying mass of the same rock. Here, 

 also, there is a very interesting vertical vein or dike, intersecting 

 an oblique trap vein, and showing in the centre fine black basalt, 

 containing zeolites and glassy felspar ; on each side of this there is a 

 lamina of a black substance, intermediate between basalt and pitch- 

 stone, and at the outer surfaces a coating of vitreous pitchstone one- 

 tenth of an inch in thickness. These substances, indeed, are all 

 of one origin, the variations found here, as well as in other places, 

 being due merely to different rates of cooling in the once fused mass. 

 The same oblique vein is intersected by a vertical vein of concre- 

 tionary trap. Dr. MacCulloch gives a drawing representing the 

 appearances (West Isl., vol. iii., pi. xxiv., fig. 2). 



The granite blocks on this island have been already noticed 

 (Art. 59). On the west side, near the landing, there is a raised 

 beach or shelly deposit thirty feet above the present sea level. Adders 

 abound upon the island, but their number is said to be diminishing. 



97. The tourist must visit the hermitage of St. Molios. It is 

 situated a mile south of the landing place, and is a natural excavation 

 in the old sea cliff. The folio whig is the correct legend of St. Molios. 

 The conjectural account usually given is quite inaccurate : " The 

 legend of St. Lasrian, or Molassus, is well known to Irish antiquaries ; 

 it was printed in the Bollandists' collection, Acta Sanctorum. He was 

 born in Ireland A.D. 566, educated in Bute by his uncle, St. Blaan, 

 returned for some years to Ireland, and afterwards, when yet only 

 twenty years of age, retired to an island in Scotland, where for some 

 years he led the life of a hermit probably in the cave which is still 

 pointed out as his in Lamlash Isle, i. e., ' Isle-a-Molass,'* later 

 named the ' Holy Isle.' About the year 614 he was elected Abbot of 

 Leighlin, in Ireland, and was afterwards made a bishop, and Apos- 

 tolic legate to the Church in Ireland. He died in the year 640. 



* Lasrian and Molassus are radically the same. "Las," meaning "light," was 

 probably the proper name; the prefix "mo," and affix "rian," mean "very" and 

 " good," expressing approval or endearment. 



