riciNirr of Edinburgh. 4 h 



tranfition rocks. If directly tranflated, the word fignifies flat, 

 and may be correctly defcriptive of the districts originally exami- 

 ned by Werner ; but as this conftruction will not apply uni- 

 verfally to this clafs of rocks, and as it is particularly at vari- 

 ance with thofe belonging to it in this country, it would be bet- 

 ter to follow the example of Profeflor Davy, and ufe the term 

 parallel rocks, which is much lefs liable to objection. 



The Huttonian Theory has no language peculiar to itfelf, 

 having nothing to defcribe, that cannot be done in the ufual 

 phrafeology of any country. This, by the zealous admirers of 

 that doctrine, may no doubt be lamented, as depriving it of an 

 apparent fyflematic arrangement, to which the oppofite theory 

 is fo deeply indebted. 



In forming a collection from the rocks in the neighbour- 

 hood of Edinburgh, the circumftances above narrated, indu- 

 ced me to begin with thofe of Salifbury Craig and its vicinity. 

 The collection I have now the honour of prefenting to the So- 

 ciety, I began fome years ago : it is only part of a feries, 

 which, as completed, I hope may be found worthy of a place 

 in their cabinet. I confider it of very great importance, that 

 every geological paper, mould be accompanied with fpecimens, 

 in order that if the former be found deferving of publication 

 in your Transactions, thofe who perufe the defcription may 

 know, that the fpecimens referred to, are to be feen in the re- 

 politories of this eltabliftiment. 



3 F 2 Salisbury 



