3I4 ON TH E HIGHLANDS. 



From this description of its rocks and aspect, 

 Glencoe, it appears, may be regarded as truly a 

 scene of wonder, both in a picturesque and in a 

 mineralogical point of view. Nothing, in truth, 

 except Arran, can be more attractive to the zea- 

 lous mineralogist. In particular, to the attention 

 of the student of geognosy, it has, if possible, still 

 stronger claims, and may be safely announced as 

 instructive equally to the geologist and the geo- 

 gnost, whose provinces, though so often confound- 

 ed, are in fact essentially distinct. For, without 

 venturing to pronounce that Ave are yet in posses- 

 sion of what may be received as an unobjection- 

 able theory of the earth, there are, I think, in this 

 interesting tract, the most abundant materials of 

 information, and the richest field, both of inquiry 

 and of speculation, to those who delight in such 

 researches. Although, therefore, on this occasion, 

 , I could only observe the leading features of Glen- 

 coe, and ascertain its geognostic structure on the 

 great scale ; it would furnish ample matter for 

 the study of months, to the diligent inquirer : 

 and his exertions, which, from the precipitous 

 state of the rocks, must be very laborious, not 

 only in detecting the various substances which 

 are to be found, but in tracing their relative 

 positions, would at last be rewarded by the amplest 

 harvest of practical knowledge, and geognostic 

 discovery. 



What adds to the interest which this portion 



of country so justly excites, it presents examples 



1 



