2% 2 ON THE HIGHLANDS. 



semblance of deep furrows on the huge fragments,, 

 which appear to be separated from the body of 

 the rock. What adds to the effect of the whole, 

 the acclivity of the mountain, on this side, is 

 covered with masses of enormous size, which have 

 tumbled down from the face of the precipice, and 

 lie scattered in the wildest confusion. 



Towards the lower part of the acclivity, in this 

 direction, a small stream takes its rise, the bed of 

 which shews the rock much traversed and inter- 

 sected by veins of quartz and felspar. Here also, 

 some of the strata assume a kind of porphyritic 

 appearance, by the crystals of quartz and felspar, 

 which they contain. Following the descent of 

 this stream, we observe beds of Clay-slate begin- 

 ning to alternate with the Mica- slate. At length 

 the Clay- slate appears, composing a complete for- 

 mation, conformable to the strata of the moun- 

 tain. Of this formation, particular portions, from 

 accidental causes, such as the failure of their 

 support on the lower side, and the shape of 

 the subjacent rock, vary somewhat in their 

 dip and inclination. The whole base of Ben- 

 Ledi, towards the east, is composed of Clay- slate, 

 through which, at this place, the rivulet above- 

 mentioned, works its way, in a succession of the 

 noblest and most beautiful cascades, rushing, as it 

 were, from terrace to terrace, and indenting the 

 rock so deeply, as almost to hide themselves from 

 view. Some of these are much loftier and more 



n 



