BEN-NEVIS. 



353 



overlying formation of which Ben-Nevis consists, 

 In this district, the strata of gneiss are probably 

 the continuation of those observed on the road to 

 Strontian, and, no doubt, still stretch onwards in 

 the same direction, passing Ben-Nevis to the 

 ndrth-east. 



What is called the sandstone of Fassafern, and 

 is much used for different purposes of the canal, 

 from its being easily chipped or cut, is a particu- 

 lar kind of mica-slate, consisting chiefly of small 

 granular quartz in layers. 



Thus, I completed the examination, in a gene- 

 ral view, of Ben-Nevis and its vicinity ; during 

 which, I had to regret, that the investigation was 

 not rewarded by the discovery of a greater variety 

 of mineral substances and geognostic facts. In re- 

 turn, however, for this disappointment, I enjoyed 

 the pleasure of never once being interrupted in the 

 prosecution of my inquiry, by bad weather ; and 

 I had the advantage of seeing nature on a grand 

 scale, by which, I trust, something is added to 

 the evidence of that view of the mineral king- 

 dom, with which the President of this Society has 

 made us acquainted # . 



Although the object of these papers is to re- 

 cord facts without attempting to establish theory, 



* System of Mineralogy by Professor Jameson 9 vol. 



