408 DESCRIPTION OF RAVENS HElfGH. 



as it is there, unconformably ? Suppose a num- 

 ber of strata or layers of a tenacious paste, or any 

 soft elastic substance, overlying each other, and 



a heavy body of smaller dimensions laid above 

 them, it is evident, that the weight of the body 

 v^ould press it downwards, and form a hollow 

 corresponding to its shape, in which the layers 

 would be seen bent, and running beneath the 

 body on every side, exactly as we find in the pre- 

 s^ent instance. 



On the other hand, had this been a case of 

 igneous bursting from below, all the phenomena 

 must have been precisely the reverse of what they 

 are. The strata, instead of sloping quietly be- 

 neath the mass, ought to have appeared as if 

 forced up, with an inclination outwards from the 

 projected rock, and with other symptoms of dis- 

 location and ruin. But far otherwise, no marks of 

 violence are to be observed. The out- goings of 

 the subjacent rocks on every side, though worn 

 down in very irregular shapes, preserve their usual 

 line of direction without disturbance, to the very 

 bottom of the basaltic mass ; and it is even pro-* 

 bable, that at some period not very remote, they 

 had embraced the trap-rock to a much higher 

 level than at present j all which, strongly favours 



