ON THE HIGHLANDS. 



and most difficult part of the ascent. At this ele- 

 vation, we have ascended beyond the level of the 

 neighbouring heights, and the splendid prospect 

 which Ben-Nevis commands, begins to unfold its 

 majestic features. The fine sweeps of Loch-Eil, 

 and Loch-JLjnnhe to the west and south-west, and 

 the greater part of the western isles from Jura to 

 Sky, with the mountains of Mull, Rum, and Can- 

 * na, the Cullin Hills vanishing in mist, and the 

 arms of the ocean indenting the shores in a great 

 variety of beautiful forms, are here expanded with 

 singular magnificence, like a vast map before the 

 eye. 



It is also at this spot that the external charac- 

 ter of the formation we are investigating, appears 

 to undergo a remarkable change. On the oppo- 

 site, or south side of the rjvulet, two fronts of the 

 rock in situ, projecting from the debris by which 

 they .are surrounded, present themselves, the one 

 at the distance of some hundred feet above the 

 other, in the line of ascent. Of these, the inferi- 

 or is a small- granular sienitic porphyry, with 

 scales of mica, and a reddish colour ; but the 

 higher rock is unexpectedly found, on applying 

 the hammer, to consist of a greyish-black sub- 

 stance, sometimes inclining to a deep green, with 



it unexpectedly comfortable, both for provision and for 

 lodging. Macmillan, the guide, is well acquainted with 

 all the localities of the mountain. 



