Before we reach the primitive rock on this side of the county, we meet with detached hills on which we notice an immense bed of conglomerate, containing sometimes very large blocks. The whole mass is of primitive origin, a fact that will afford ample scope for discussion when the formation of this rock is con templated. It is the newest rock of this county, and is seen, after interruptions of various extent, in almost every corner of Scotland. It is seen at considerable elevations, and as it rises towards the north-west, it will probably be found at a great height in the interi or. Indeed, the writer of this article recollects hav ing seen it at an elevation of nearly two thousand feet, though he had not an opportunity of examining the rock; and it is not improbable that it may be found capping the high mountains of red sandstone on the west coast. There is not a rock within the whole range of geology that is so interesting as this; d much time will not elapse before it will become the means of proving beyond dispute, that although the earth was in a state of chaos previous to the creation of man, it has more than once been under the reform ing hand of Almighty power, producing ordoc out of confusion—beauty out of deformity, and giving to old materials the form and properties of that which is new.
On proceeding westward, we find the secondary rocks resting on gneiss but not conformable to it; a fact which proves that the elevated angle of the se condary rocks, has not been caused either by the ele vation of the gneiss, or by its position. This has been fully proved indeed by the appearance of a block of gneiss, in the conglomerate rock, traversed by a granite vein. This was observed by Mr. Lyall near Cool, last year, in company with Sir George Mac kenzie and Professor Buckland, and he remarked that this was a most distinct proof that the gneiss had been invaded by the granite, and brought to its present position before the formation of the rock in which this block was observed. This observation of Mr. Lyall will lead to new views of the formation and ele vation of the secondary rocks, but into which we can not enter, without swelling our article to an unreason able bulk.
The junction of the primitive and secondary rocks on the western side of the county has not been observ ed. Greenstone occurs there in beds among the se condary rocks, as near Applecross, and in veins cutting the primitive rocks, as in Kintail. There are many curious facts in this quarter that seem likely to change the present order in which rocks are arranged. From the position in which mica slate has been found, it would appear to be under the gneiss. It is probable that the distinction between these two rocks may not long continue.
Limestone occurs abundantly on the west coast; and it is said that roofing slate has been observed, but the locality is not known to us.
No large mass of granite has hitherto been observ ed; but the primitive country is much intersected by veins of granite of many varieties. Bitumen has been found in gneiss in several places, and many years ago a considerable quantity was found near Carthland, and used as fuel. The writer of this article found a small quantity above Brea on the north side of Strath pelTer, and about three miles from the above locality, nearly twenty-five years ago. This is mentioned be cause it has been recently announced as a new disco very.
Copper pyrites was found in a considerable mass near Kishorn on the west side, and worked for a con siderable time. The accumulation of water in the pit prevents it now from being explored. A vein of heavy spar appearing on the north shore of Loch Alaree, tempted some persons to mine into the rock, but after having followed it a little way, it was abandoned.
Many of the proprietors of Ross-shire inhabit man sion-houses of considerable elegance; but there is little, if any thing, to praise in their architecture. Some of the seats are well placed, and the grounds about them ornamented by plantations and shrubbe ries. Around many of them are found noble trees of every variety. At Castlelaud there is a sweet chesnut tree of great size, the diameter of the trunk, five feet from the ground, being six feet, and where the branch es separate, the thickness is much greater. At the side of the great road leading to the west eoast near Kinloch brichart, are the remains of very large oak trees, and one trunk in particular, lying on its side, has bekmged to a free much exceeding the great ches nut in dimensions. The houses of the principal farmers arc ntat and commodious. Of late years a very great improvement has been visible in the cot tages of the peasantry; but much yet remains to be done. The clergy arc particularly well accommo dated.
The improvement of the roads in this county has advanced with rapid strides, since government saw the importance of easy communications being afforded to the Highlands, and obtained liberal assistance from Parliament. The proprietors defrayed one halfof the expense. The bridges are neat and well built. That across the Canon river consists of five arches, but, in the opinion of many, the top of the parapet, forming a segment of a circle, does not please the eye. The iron bridge at Bonar, across the Dornoch firth, where it is so narrow as to resemble a small ris er, has little merit in respect to appearance, though it is most sub stantial and most useful.