Mineralogy of Sky. f 7 



which I shall have occasion to describe in their proper place. 

 The other ridge which I mentioned as branching from it, is con- 

 siderably lower, and consists in fact of uneven undulating ground", 

 stretching away to the north-west till it reaches Vaternish point. 

 The western peninsular division, from Dunvegan head to Macleod's 

 Maidens, is a tract of high land containing the two remarkable flat 

 topped mountains known by the name of Macleod's Tables, the height 

 of which appears to be similar to that of the great eastern ridge. 

 What remains of the island is one irregular table land, offering hills 

 which in any other situation would appear considerable, but which 

 lose their importance in the vicinity of the towering Cuchullin. 



I have reason to think that in the general estimate here given of 

 the elevations in Sky I have fallen short instead of exceeding, and 

 shall be glad if future observers shall determine these altitudes with 

 correctness. I scarcely however consider it in any other light than 

 as a question of geography, as the increased examination of geo- 

 logical phenomena has proved that there is no general or necessary 

 connection between formations of particular rocks and given ele- 

 vations. Equally unfounded appear those rules which have, as 

 recent observations show, been prematurely laid down respecting 

 the outgoings as they have been called of the several classes of rock. 

 The irregularities of these outgoings^ not only absolutely but re- 

 latively, seem to point out to geologists a department requiring at 

 least a very careful review, if not an absolute elision from the laws 

 of the science. 



I have nothing to add to the description of the rivers which I 

 gave in speaking of the geographic divisions of the island, and 

 the remarks I have to make on the waste of the land will be com- 

 prised in a short space. 



Vol. III. c 



