Mr. Weaver on the Geological Relations of the South of Ireland. 37 



from Tralee to Killarney. In the last-mentioned locality may be observed alter- 

 nating beds of red sandstone, red and mottled indurated clay, and red, mica- 

 ceous, slaty clay. These beds, where exposed in the higher lands, are nearly 

 horizontal, or incline gently to the north ; but in descending toward the carbo- 

 niferous limestone of the vale of Tralee, they successively dip 20°, 13° and 10° 

 north. At the eastern mouth of Blennerhasset's glen are similar beds, inclined 

 25° to the north. They repose on continuous strata of solid red sandstone, 

 reaching nearly one mile up the glen ; but the sandstone gradually loses the 

 intense red colour, becoming generally of a brownish grey hue. The lowest 

 angle observed in the dip of the beds in this glen, was 15° to the north. 



The approach to Curahene glen is rendered very striking by the immense 

 accumulation of blocks and boulders of red sandstone and sandstone conglo- 

 merate, which form a kind of promontory, proceeding from the mouth of the 

 glen to the plain below, and expanding there to the east and west. Through 

 this accumulation, the stream which issues from the glen, winds its way, having 

 high banks on both sides. In the glen upward, the banks also are composed of 

 similar debris, and the firm rock is first displayed, in any continuity, in the brows 

 overhanging the northern entrance of the glen, where sandstone and sandstone 

 conglomerate dip 30° to the north. Further up the glen these rocks approach 

 nearer to the horizontal position ; and still more south, a reversed inclination 

 toward the south becomes perceptible. The sandstone of this glen, whether 

 in situ or detached, is remarkable for its uniform red or purplish colour, with 

 little difference in the shade. It is commonly of a rather coarse structure, 

 and some varieties of the conglomerate contain rounded and angular frag- 

 ments, chiefly composed of quartz, as large as turkey's eggs. 



The beds of red clay and slaty clay, associated with the red sandstone in 

 the northern confines of the formation, appear to decline in their progress west- 

 ward into the vale, and they probably pass into the sea to the south of Blen- 

 nerville. 



(50.) To the north of Tralee bay, the old red sandstone reappears, forming 

 Kerry Head, and arranged in strata nearly horizontal on the higher lands, but 

 declining thence, on every side, at angles as low as 15° to 10°. In the cliffs along 

 the shore, extending from Ballyheige castle to the westward, and round the 

 Head to the north side, the rocks are well exposed, showing beds of firm sand- 

 stone of brown, red, grey, bluish and greenish colours, associated occasionally 

 with beds of red, indurated clay and slaty clay, both simple and micaceous; 



