68 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
composed of granite, in which large blocks of 
quartz and mica, together with pieces of felspar, 
appear through. These rise from the plain 
below, at an angle of 45°, and are then split 
vertically by deep chasms, which divide them 
into a long row of rugged supporters to the 
face of the rock. On the North side, towards 
the top, it is perpendicular in appearance, 
although it is composed of horizontal strata of 
red sand-stone, which varies, in its degrees of 
tenacity, as it ascends towards the summit. 
This also is thinly interspersed with small 
pieces of quartz, which are embedded in it; and 
are seen only where the weather appears to 
have worn away the superincumbent stratum 
of sand-stone. 
Professor Playfair's theory for the original 
formation of this most peculiar mountain, seems 
undoubtedly the most feasible one yet advanced. 
He is of opinion "that the structure of the 
peninsular, points out two separate epochs, dis- 
tinguished by very different conditions. It 
appears, at the present time, to be composed of 
a wall of granite, highest at its Northern ex- 
tremity, and lowering gradually to the South; 
faced at its base with schistus, Mllas, or gran- 
wacJce ; and covered at its summit with a plat- 
form of horizontal sand-stone. The penetra- 
tion of the friths^ by veins from the mass of 
