316 On the highlands. 



After passing the slate quarries, we discover 

 granite on the road to Balahelish ferry. I re- 

 gret, however, that particular circumstances pre- 

 vented me from tracing the phenomena and geo- 

 gnostic relations of the rocks in this district. One 

 remark was the effect of simple inspection. The 

 presence of the slate, as distinguished from the 

 neighbouring rocks, is easily known by the shape, 

 aspect, and verdure of the hills which are com- 

 posed of it, and which are also found on the op- 

 posite side of the ferry. Beyond the region of the 

 clay- slate, the mountains appear towering aloft, 

 and the alpine landscape around Balahelish, em- 

 bellished with a vast central expanse of water, is 

 uncommonly grand and picturesque. 



In order now to place the facts which have 

 been stated, more concisely in their geognostic 

 point of view, let us take a general and rapid sur- 

 vey of the country over which we have passed, 

 from Callender to Balahelish. 



On entering the border of the Highlands, we 

 find the newest primitive rocks. Mica-slate, 

 with higher outgoings, and with many of the 

 subordinate beds and substances, which are known 

 as belonging to that formation, then accompany 

 us from Loch-Lubnaig to Inverouran. Rolled 

 fragments afterwards occur, which indicate the 

 proximity of gneiss ; and it is probable, that 

 gneiss and granite both exist in the mountains to 

 the west of that district. An overlying forma- 

 tion of sienite next presents itself in the neigh- 



