ON THE VICINITY OF LOCH-LOMOND. 40t 



even bend into the contrary direction, and ap- 

 pear inserted concentrically into one another, 

 in a kind of parabolic and conoidal shape. It 

 is self- evident, that such a structure in stratified 

 substances, could not have been the effect of any 

 mechanical pressure or force acting with violence 

 on the great scale, because the bent and straight 

 layers alternate regularly with one another. Nor 

 will it admit of being explained, by the hypo- 

 thesis of desiccation after extreme heat. We can 

 ascribe the phenomena in question only to the ac- 

 tion of such natural powers, as silently and regu- 

 larly affect the smaller particles or portions o£ 

 matter, while assuming new forms of aggregation 

 or minute crystallization, after having been de- 

 posited from a solvent. Other appearances of un- 

 dulation in the layers, are manifestly those which 

 would be produced in the course of deposition 

 from a fluid affected by currents, or in a state of 

 agitation, sometimes gentler, and at others more 

 violent, as may be seen in the perpendicular sec- 

 tion of any common sand-bank. 



However, therefore, the question respecting the 

 vertical position of the strata may be decided, the 

 difficulty of accounting for the internal structure 

 of the stone will still remain in all its force, and 

 is equally great, whether the strata were formed 

 originally in a horizontal position, or inclined as ' 

 we actually see them. For, if horizontal, then 



