Mineralogy of Sky. 13 



of Scavig and Slapin, may be classed with this group of the Cuchullin, 

 as it resembles it in altitude and aspect as well as in mineral com- 

 position, and thus adds about ten more square miles to the space 

 occupied by the particular class of rocks of which this group is 

 composed. The whole of this compound group is strongly distin- 

 guished from the associated and neighbouring mountains, as well as 

 from all the other mountains of Scotland, by the spiry and rugged 

 forms of its outline, which presents a series of naked rocks and 

 towering cliffs destitute of vegetation, and rising dark through the 

 mists which seem for ever to hang on its stormy summit. The 

 mountains of Arran, alpine and serrated as they are, bear no com- 

 parison with them, and the far famed scenery of Glenco almost 

 sinks into insignificance before the terrific grandeur of the Cuchullin 



hill9. 



It is to be regretted that no observations have yet been made to 

 determine the altitude of this group ; a want which I was unfortu- 

 nately in no condition to supply : but from that sort of experience 

 in the elevations of hills which is acquired by long habitude in a 

 mountainous country, and by comparing them with ascertained eleva- 

 tions from different points of view, a rough estimate may be formed 

 of its altitude, which must at least suffice till some more fortunate 

 traveller shall place his barometer on the summit. They do not 

 fall short of three thousand feet, and in all probability exceed it. 

 A general idea of their ground plan may be conveyed by saying 

 that they form an irregular and curved ridge of a very intricate shape, 

 giving rise to numerous streams, the waters of which, for the most 

 part, are discharged into the western sea; this proceeds from the 

 inclination of the hills, the principal escarpements of which, how- 

 ever irregular, look towards the east and north. 



This group is intimately connected with another, which for the 



