296 
Mr. Weaver on the 
Motty stone), 9f feet high and 42 feet in circumference ; and the 
sides of the hill are also strewed with boulders of granite, some of 
which are not much inferior in dimensions.* How then did these 
attain their present position ? The nearest granite rock is that 
which extends from the eastern bank of the Avonmore toward West 
Aston hill ; but this is very dissimilar in aspect to the granite boul- 
ders on Cronebane. The next granite, in point of distance, is that 
of Ballincarrig on the banks of the Avonbeg ; yet in both these 
instances, (with the exception of West Aston hill itself), the granite 
rock is found in a situation several hundred feet lower than the 
summit of Cronebane, which stands nearly upon a level with the 
bottom of Glenmalur ; but the interval between these two places 
forms at present a curved line, descending from that level until it; 
obtains a depth of nearly seven hundred feet below, at the meeting 
of the two Avons, May we not conjecture that, as the gradual 
abrasion and moulding of the surface took place by the operation 
of a receding fluid, many boulders of rocks might be moved to, and 
left in a position, which was comparatively level, before that abra- 
sion had been wholly effected ? May we not then conceive, that 
the boulders of granite, scattered over the sides of Cronebane and 
other hills, were successively lodged in their present position, on 
lower and lower levels, according as the general surface of the 
country was progressively moulded into its present form ? Perhaps 
this view of the subject may tend to explain some appearances, 
upon which I shall have to remark in the sequel. These and ana- 
logous phenomena seem to render it not improbable, that the ex- 
* Cronebane (pronounced Cronebawn), signifies while head , which, like most of the 
original Irish names, is distinctive ; as the clear white aspect of Mottyston© renders it a 
yery conspicuous object to all the surrounding country. 
