2 MINERALOGY OF THE OCHILS. 



mined ; others are daily ascertained, and the most 

 doubtful will probably be accurately known at a 

 period not very remote. The correctness of these 

 observations, is shewn by the history of minera- 

 logy within a very few years, during which there 

 has been an immense accumulation of geognostic 

 facts collected from portions of the whole known 

 world. In Britain alone, has the comparative pro- 

 gress of the science been unequal to the apparent 

 ardour with which it has been pursued, and un- 

 worthy of the example afforded by our indefati- 

 gable and justly distinguished President. With a 

 view of contributing as far as it is in my power 

 to remedy this deficiency, I have examined the 

 interesting district of the Ochil Hills ; and I now 

 beg leave to lay the general results of that exami- 

 nation before the Society. In many instances they 

 will be found imperfect and unsatisfactory. It 

 would have been gratifying, had it been possible 

 for me to have made them more complete ; but 

 as circumstances render that wish unavailing, I 

 trust that others, whose opportunities may be more 

 favourable, will be prompted to retrace my steps, 

 to correct my errors, and to add new facts to those 

 I shall detail. 



General Description, 



Modern geographers consider the Ochil Hills 

 as the southern boundary of the Grampians ; and 

 in that point of view, the eastern portion may be 



