MINERALOGICAL NOTICES 



V. Mineralogical Notices and Observations. 

 By the Rev. Thomas Macknight, D. D. F.R.S.E. 

 (Bead 4sth Jan, 1817.> 



During an excursion to the north part of Scot- 

 land, in 1813, I made some observations on the 

 mineralogical structure of the alpine country along 

 the course I took ; of which the following is a short 

 account. 



From many opportunities of examination which 

 have occurred to me, I have been led to infer, that 

 the Mica-slate, the prevailing rock of the Southern 

 Highlands, is covered to a great extent, by an overly- 

 ing formation, composed of Felspar, in various forms, 

 both of massive and of crystallized aggregation* 

 including syenite and porphyry. Of this descrip- 

 tion is the range of mountains from Glencoe to 

 Ben Nevis inclusive, and the country towards the 

 head of the Spey. The same appearances may also 

 be traced eastward from Ben Nevis, to the distance 

 of the highest hills between Braemar and the Spi- 

 tall of Glenshee, and probably extend still farther 

 in the same direction. Beyond this line, on the 

 north-east, Granite appears in the mountains of 



