90 Notice of Minerahgical Journeys^ 
In the year 1764, I was commissioned and directed by the 
General Assembly, to make an extensive journey through the 
Highlands and Islands, in order to obtain accurate information 
concerning the distribution of the Royal Bounty, the state of the 
Schools, and Missionary Ministers supported by that fund, and 
concerning the general state of Religion. I was at the same 
time requested by the Annexed Board to make observations on 
the natural productions, and on the state of agriculture, manufac- 
tures, and fisheries, in those countries. This was a most labou 
rious expedition. It lasted from May to December, But I was 
young and strong, with a good heart to the work, in all those 
departments. 
Being favoured with one of the King’s cutters, I had the best 
opportunity of traversing the islands, and the remote western 
coasts. I was encouraged to collect extensively all the singular 
minerals I met with, and in large masses, as their conveyance 
home by the cutter was so easy, ^and which is a matter so diffi- 
cult in any other way. 
Not long before I set out. Dr Cullen had received the first 
German edition of Cronsted’s Essay, of which he was so fond, 
that he carried it for several weeks in his pocket. He translated 
to me the leading characters of Cronsted’s new and peculiar 
classes. He was particularly anxious about the Zeolite ; and it 
was in consequence of this, that I first observed it among the 
basaltic rocks at the Giant’s Causeway, though afterwards in 
greater plenty and variety in many of the islands. 
The mines of Isla were then worked, and afibrded several 
rare minerals. The beautiful carnation marble of Tirey ; the 
white marble of the same island, with green transparent schorl ; 
the white statuary of Skye; the green serpentine and Lapis 
nephriticus of Iona ; the obddian of Eig ; the green jasper of 
Rume ; the amiantine rock of Bernerey ; and the black lead of 
Glenelg, were then first made known. 
After examining all the coasts from the Shore of Assynt, to the 
Isle of Sky, I there parted with the cutter. I then traversed 
the countries of Glenelg, Kintail, Glenshiel, and several districts 
of Lochaber ; examined Morven, and the mines of Strontian. 
There I found several rare minerals, and particularly that sin- 
gular substance, since called the Strontianite, in great plenty ^ 
