124> NOTICE OF A VEIN OF ASPHALTUM 
We were here advised by some of our friends to visit 
several interesting situations in Ross-shire. This is a rich 
and beautiful part of Scotland, abounding on the east with 
rich, early, and highly cultivated land. 
After having crossed the Murray Frith, the first stratum 
we observed was a conglomerate. This stupendous rock is 
peculiarly conspicuous at Brahn, two miles to the south- 
west of Dingwall. Upon this rock rests the old red sand- 
stone, which continues the whole way along the eastern 
district. Near to Dingwall are the famed Wells of Strath- 
peffer, the water of which is similar in taste and smell to 
that of Harrowgate, but stated to be 25 per cent, stronger. 
We here obtained specimens of the rock from which this 
water springs. It is a highly sulphuretted limestone, the 
first Secondary of Werner, and the Mountain Limestone 
of English geologists. 
Adjoining to these strata, I was informed by Major 
Mackenzie (to whose politeness I am much indebted), 
that, in the Hill of Castle Leod, we might see a seam of 
what was generally supposed to be Glance-coal. It is now 
many years since this vein has been worked, so that we 
found much difficulty in obtaining a specimen by which 
we could form any judgment of its component parts. As, 
however, the nature of the strata of this part of Scotland 
rendered it improbable that coal of any description should 
be found here, on my return to Edinburgh, I wrote to 
Major Mackenzie, and requested him to employ some 
workmen to open out the almost lost vein. I am happy to 
say they succeeded ; and I have now the honour of pre- 
senting, for the inspection of the Society, some of the 
specimens. Upon a thorough examination, and after vari- 
ous experiments, what has always been supposed to be 
Glance-coal (Anthracite compacte of Haiiy), proves to be 
