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iSo ON THE HIGHLANDS. 



In ascending by the eastern shoulder, there is 

 little opportunity of mineralogical obserration, as 

 the ground is almost wholly covered with pasture, 

 to the very top. The mind, however, is sufficiently 

 interested by the distant view ; which grows in 

 beauty with every step of the ascent, till it bursts 

 on the eye with great magnificence, at the sum- 

 mit : comprehending a vast extent of the low 

 country to the east and south, with the windings 

 of the Forth, and the greater number of the con- 

 spicuous objects in the Highlands of Scotland, 

 which seem to arrange themselves in the form of 

 a mighty amphitheatre, towards the west and 

 north.— At such an elevation, and with the advan- 

 tage of fine weather, the effect on the mind is pe- 

 culiarly delightful, and it is impossible not to feel 

 the most elevating impressions. 



Ben-Ledi, viewed from the level country on the 

 east, appears to have a double top, of which the 

 nearest, or southern, is the highest. Here, the 

 the rock is distinctly found to be Mica-slate, of 

 the newer kind, with small scales of mica, and 

 approaching to Clay-slate ; but so much weather- 

 ed, that it is difficult to procure a tolerable speci- 

 men. Further to the west, the rock has a greater 

 proportion of quartz, and the scales of mica more 

 distinct \ consequently it appears to be of an older 

 formation. On the other hand, towards the north- 

 east, the oldest Clay-slate begins to shew itself, , 

 containing a quantity of iron-ochre from pyrites. 

 —Under the second top, which lies in the dircc- 



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