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rests upon basaltic columns, about 50p feet high, formed
into colonades projecting or receding in an analogous
form to the sinuosities of the shore; and this continued
colonading stands upon a basis of unformed rock.
'l‘he,basalt of the Causeway is both the most accurately
crystalized andithe grandest specimen in the world ; and
theipillars of Pleaskin and Fair Head exceed "all others’. in
magnitude, the latter being 250 feet in perpendicular
height. Sir Joseph Banks observes, that the bending
pillars of Staffa differ considerably from those of the
Causeway ; for that in the former they lie on their sides,
formed into circular segments, and in one place reslernble
the ribs of a" ship, while at the Causeway they areverti.
cal; but-he ‘ was not sufficiently acquainted with the
northern coast of Ireland, 'or' he would have known that
the comparison of the ribs of a ship is also applicable to
the basaltes of Ballintoy, and of Doon Point in Ragheiry
Island. ’ ' ' --
The "rocks of the Cyclops, in the neighbourhood of
.ZEtna, exhibit magnificent basaltic columns, which at
first view greatly resemble the Causeway pillars ; but on
a close inspection, a very remarkable difference will be
found to exist. The Cyclopian pillars are divided into
distinct families or groups, of six or seven in number,
assembled round a larger and central column, which they
appear to respect; while the Causeway‘ pillars are not
observed ‘to respect any point or centre, but are each in-
dependent and complete." -Theibasaltes of these rocks
also abound in small crystals, "not unlike rock crystal,
but much softer,’ and yield to the action of the air.
' The promontory of Castel d’Iaci, which terminates the
basis‘of‘ZEtua, is almost entirely composed of basaltes,
but of a different kind from what has been just described;
