OF THE FAROE ISLANDS. $63 



it then separates a second time; and th6 left branch con- 

 tinues its course downwards to the sea ; while that on the 

 right diverges, and breaks off in a point ; a little beyond, but 

 somewhat above the level of this, it recommences, and con- 

 tinues downwards to the edge of the Water, in a line parallel, 

 but at a distance from the other. Both terminate in caves, 

 which often occur at the base of dykes. 



The other which attracted our attention, is a little south of 

 the entrance to the bay in which Saxen is situated. At the 

 top, it cuts the edge of the cliff, in the usual manner. After 

 descending for some length perpendicularly, it makes a curve 

 to the left, in the form of a hook, and becomes evanescent. 

 Within this curve another takes its rise, and after describing 

 a, figure similar to the letter S, it again vanishes. To this ano-* 

 ther succeeds, somewhat similar in form, but not quite so 

 regular, commencing and vanishing in the same way ; and 

 from within the lower curve of the last, another sets off; and 

 from this the dyke continues perpendicularly till it reaches the 

 water. The cliffs in which these two dykes are, being princi- 

 pally composed of trap-tuff; the colour of which is dark-brown, 

 while the dykes themselves are almost black, and of the pris- 

 matic structure ; the contrast renders them conspicuous and 

 well defined. 



I have seen many veins of basalt, but never found one pre- 

 senting features at all analogous to those of the last mentioned. 

 From the appearance of the tuff in its immediate vicinity, one 

 would almost imagine, that the whole mass, from top to bot- 

 tom, not less, I think, than about 1000 feet, had been in a soft 

 state when invaded by the dyke. In many of these rocks there 

 is a parallel disposition of the materials observable ; and in 

 some, myriads of minute particles of zeolite were arranged in 

 such regular lines, as to give them a decided stratified appear- 

 ance. 



