The Hon. Mr. Strangways on the Geologi/ of Russia. 7 



of a yellowish or reddish hornstone^ somewhat like a large rolled block of the 

 same substance now on the shore of the Gulf of Finland^ at Becova. 



From Fredericshamn towards Wyborg *, and from Wyborg to the south- 

 wardj as far as the granite can be traced in situ, it is distinguished by round 

 or oval masses of reddish felspar of very regular appearance. Hornblende^ 

 which is plentiful, not only occurs mixed with the quartz between these 

 portions of felspar, but is also disseminated through the felspar in small black 

 spots. The felspar is sometimes dark red, sometimes pale pink or flesli- 

 coloured, sometimes white or ash-coloured. 



This, as is usual with most of the large-grained granites, is very liable to 

 decomposition : instances of which may be seen frequently in Finland ; where 

 a great tor or boulder has often a hole cut in it large enough to admit a cart 

 and horse; and the stone, though at a small distance it seems calculated to last 

 for ages, is cut down and shaped away with the same ease and much in the 

 same manner as a hayrick. 



This granite is subject also to a different kind of decay, where large masses 

 are separated by the winter frosts, in directions regulated by their prevailing- 

 fissures. These fissures are usually perpendicular, with horizontal ones cross- 

 ing them at right angles, and at considerable distances, producing a sort of 

 columnar arrangement on a large scale ; not irregular, though ill defined. 

 This structure may be traced every where on the surface of the rock, and af- 

 fords bold and picturesque fa9ades wherever the hill rises to a considerable 

 elevation. North of Wyborg the country rises considerably, and in general, 

 even in the flattest parts of Finland, are to be seen some of these abrupt rocks. 

 They are too large perhaps to be called tors, but yet bear a considerable like- 

 ness to them. I will instance only a spot about three versts from Ehandola, 

 on the road to St. Andrus, by the side of a small lake, as one of the best and 

 most picturesque examples; and the perpendicular rocks which surround the 

 beautiful cove called the Fins Haven, in the pleasure-ground of Monplaisir, 

 the country house of Baron Nicolai, on an island in the Gulf of Wyborg. 



I have before stated that towards the south the granite sinks beneath its 

 own rubbish, and its ending is not known. It appears, however, in rocks on 

 the Voxa between Imatra and St. Peter, and again between St. Peter and 



* Between Fredericshamn and Wyborg is found a clay of a pale purplish colour, lying in the 

 bottom of the valleys, and probably formed from the decomposition of the felspar after the dis- 

 integration of the granite. The great scarcity of lime in this part of Finland, makes this clay 

 a valuable substitute for mortar to the peasantry, who use it as such, in the few buildings which 

 they construct of stone. 



