346 ON THE HIGHLANDS. 



such as Bendoran, Ben-Loy, Cruachan, Ben-More 

 in Mull, or Ben-Wyvis in Ross-shire. From the 

 appearance of the lofty hill, second in succession 

 to the east of Ben-Nevis, I was satisfied that its 

 summit also is composed of similar rocks ; and the 

 case is probably the sa'ie, with various moun- 

 tains to the east and south. 



The mineralogical description now given, forms 

 the reply to the 14th query of Professor Jame- 

 son *. Ben-Nevis must be considered as an over- 

 lying newer 5 ri v&ti e formation : .h upper part 

 is the second porphyry-fo ; r ation, and the under is 

 sienite : the whole resting on gneiss and mica- 

 slate, of which the neig bouring country is com- 

 posed. — After these remarks, which the singular 

 appearances we have considered, seemed to re- 

 quire, I resume my narrative. 



On reaching the upper point of the hollow, to- 

 wards the western termination of the preci- 

 pice, our progress is obstructed by the lofty ridge 

 which joins the summit on the south ; and if we 

 wish to prosecute our investigation, by completing 

 the circuit of the mountain, we must encounter 

 a steep, or rather a precipice, of the most formi- 

 dable aspect. Having mounted it with much 

 difficulty, and not without danger, as if escaping 

 from a place of confinement, we are still, for a 

 great way, surrounded with fragments of the 

 different rocks already observed. 



* Supra, p. 115. 



