1812. 
THE GREAT PLAINS OF LITAKUN. 
355 
geological appearance of that part of the plain in which the town was 
situated. 
Agreeably to the hypothesis which I have ventured to assume, 
and which has already been explained *, these rocks must rest upon 
the great limestone floor ; unless we adopt another, which, though it 
would suppose the limestone to be the superincumbent stratum, does 
not contradict the assertion that the whole country is geologically a 
primitive region ; and although no favorable opportunities for ascer- 
taining the fact, presented themselves, yet it is not impossible that 
the granite may protrude itself through this limestone. In either 
case, it still remains a fact, as far at least as my observation extends, 
that the limestone never rises above the surface, and that wherever 
hills or mountains occur, they are found to be either of clay-slate, or 
of sand-stone : none which I examined were of granite, this sub- 
stance having been met with only in a comparatively small proportion. 
As we advanced, the surface of the plain, which had hitherto 
been sandy, became more rocky. At first the rocks were of lime- 
stone, though of a blackish color ; as we proceeded, they changed to 
a red sandstone ; and farther, they were composed of a coarse granite. 
In this part of our days-journey, the pretty flowering shrub 
already- noticed f grew in greater abundance, and tempted me to halt 
a few minutes to lay some luxuriant specimens into the press ; an 
operation which at other times had always been deferred till the 
waggons arrived at the night's station ; but in the present case there 
could be no expectation of having sufficient leisure at the usual hour. 
At the distance of six miles from Lobutsani, we crossed to the 
right bank of a rivulet which was running in a plentiful stream; 
and which was said to join itself to the following. At two miles and 
a quarter beyond this, we came to a larger stream, which our guide 
called the Litakun river, though distant from that town a mile and a 
* At page 311. of this volume. 
f The Passerina? mentioned at page 34'1. 
z z 2 
