PARISH OF TEMPLEMORE. 
schists are usually (but not always) co-incident with the principal cleavage, or plane of stratifi¬ 
cation, and they occasionally project in sharp edges Deyond the face of the secondary cleavages, 
which, were it not for these interruptions of their continuity, might from their general smooth¬ 
ness be considered planes of stratification. It is difficult to state any exact proportion in quantitv 
as existing between these Rocks, but an approximate estimate may be given as follows :_ 
1st. Mica Slate, passing into Gneiss.— This is of small extent, protruding amidst the mere 
schistose strata, and exhibiting a rugged aspect, and almost massive structure. In texture also this 
slate is remarkable—small isolated lumps of bluish quartz, of the size of, or less than, a pea, beino- 
arranged in layers parallel to the lamina of the schist, and giving to the cross fracture a granular” 
or even a conglomerate appearance. The paste in which they are set is common quartz, mixed 
occasionally with felspar, the crystals of which become frequently prominent. In this, as in all 
the other rocks, the mica can only be discerned on the face of the lamina, and is almost evanescent. 
The hill of Ballougry may be cited as a good example of this rock. It there alternates with the 
common variety in beds 30 feet thick, and terminates abruptly on the summit of the hill. 
2nd. Mica Slate, passing into Clay Slate. —The distinction of the mineral substances is 
here almost, or entirely lost. This principally occurs towards the S. of the parish. Judo-ino- by 
the position of the localities, where this variety is visible on the surface, it occupies a strip a mile 
wide, extending across the parish. It is succeeded by 
3rd. Mica Slate,passing into Quartz Slate.— The quartz, in thin layers, is the most conspi¬ 
cuous material, and the mica a mere evanescent parting, which from its frequent recurrence 
renders the Rock highly lamellar. This is the prevailing rock of the parish, occurring on the 
S. as well as N., and occupying at least two-thirds of its surface. In structure it is variable 
and also in composition, the mica being replaced by talc, and probably by chlorite, though from 
the extreme thinness of the partings, it is difficult to distinguish between them. The undulations 
of surface, so frequent in mica slate, may be noticed in the two last varieties, the lamince being- 
twisted in a very curious manner. Sometimes indeed a break occurs in the middle of one of these 
minute bends, the general direction of the lamince being preserved above and below it. 
And it is remarkable that such contortions, accompanied by a tendency to break into small 
angular fragments, are more frequent at the surface than below it—the continuity of the lamince 
extending, and the quality of the stone for building improving, at the depth of about 10 feet. 
Quartz veins are common in the first, or gneiss variety, rare in the second, and not very 
common in the third. A uniform character prevails to a considerable extent in all, namely, that 
small specks of oxide of iron are visible on the cross fracture. None of these rocks attain any 
great elevation—the highest point in the parish, Holywell Hill, which is composed of the second 
variety, being only 860 feet above the sea. 
Subordinate to the preceding formation are occasional beds of limestone and °-r e enstone. 
The limestone appears only on the E. of Mullennan, in a small excavation at the base of the 
little lime-kiln on the S. of the old mill, and close to the river. It is dark in colour, finelv 
