196 GEOGNOSTICAL SKETCH OF THE 
higher strata, or the tops of the hills, are almost universally 
formed of the conglomerate. This may, however, be owing 
to some external forces, which have swept away the softer 
and finer strata of the sandstone. 
The strata of red sandstone are generally horizontal, but 
they are also very often highly inclined, and even perfectly 
vertical. They seldom continue for any great distance 
straight, but are often waved, the seams between the strata 
being incrusted with scales of mica. They diifer widely in 
their hardness, thickness, and tendency to decompose. 
Such are the results of my examination of this formation. 
Its junction with the other strata has hitherto eluded my 
jesearch. 
We shall now pass to the consideration of the Second 
Range, viz. that lying between Dochfour and Fort Au- 
gustus. 
SECOND Rakge. 
This chain, from its commencing at Phopachy, is not 
exactly conformable with the direction of the one just de- 
scribed. It crosses the red sandstone at a small angle, 
and, if its bearing were produced from Phopachy through 
Dochfour, it would terminate nearly at Dores, on the op- 
posite side of Loch Ness. The mountains, accordingly, 
are not parallel with the margin of the lake, and appear 
rather to be joined together by their lateral planes than by 
their extremities. The mountains which compose this chain 
are distinguished from those of the red sandscone already 
noticed, by their greater elevation, some of their summits 
being 3000 feet high, by a bolder and more rugged out- 
line, by steeper acclivities, and by a moi-^ uniform vertical 
position of the strata. The general form of the outline is 
