526 PROFESSOR HEDDLE ON THE MINERALOGY OF SCOTLAND. 
Through Increment of Water ; Hydrated Amphiboles. 
~ In small amount.—<‘ Hydrous Anthophyllite ;” Hydrated fasciculitic Edenite. 
19. From the north-west point of the bay of Scoorie, Sutherland, opposite 
the island of Handa. 
Here is to be seen a wonderfully tortuous convolution of the gneiss. The 
domed summit of a plicated protrusion fold having been denuded off, or scalped 
by marine breaching, the dark hornblendic layers at one spot exhibit in section 
a singularly close resemblance to a huge soup-ladle. 
This locality was discovered by DupGEon. It is altogether a most extra- 
ordinary and extreme illustration of the pliability and plasticity of solid or 
semi-solid matter under the exercise of enormous pressure. At the periphery 
of the bowl of the ladle the darker layers of rock are folded upon and within 
themselves, to an extent that is not surpassed by the convolutions of the brain, 
or the intricate structure of the tooth of the labyrimthodon. 
In chiselling off portions of these hornblendic layers,—here composed of acty- 
nolytic crystals,—the tool sank into a quantity of underlying pulpy yellow-look- 
ing mud or clay. This was perfectly plastic, soiling the hands and clothes, but 
was found to consist of, or contain specule of a crystalline matter. Portions of 
this wrapped in paper speedily toughened ; they could the next day be broken, 
though with difficulty through retaining somewhat of their plasticity. In the 
course of some months they constituted an easily crumbled stone. They after- 
wards hardened to the ordinary consistence of rock, having all the appearance 
of hydrous anthophyllite. 
This remarkable change has ofttimes been before noticed; it is said to 
occur even in the beryl. 
The structure of the rigid mineral is somewhat similar to the fasciculitic 
edenite of Urquhart ; the lustre is, however, somewhat pearly or greasy. The 
colour, which in the plastic condition was fawn, is now pale olive-green. Some 
specimens contain small crystals of talc or ripidolite of the same colour. When 
reduced to powder the colour becomes ge that of chocolate. 
The specific gravity is 2° 917. 

