| Doon-point, which is a small promontory at the east end of the island, and lying directly opposite to Benmore, is composed entirely of these pillars: the great difference between them and those at the Causeway is, that whereas the latter all stand perpendicular, here some are curved, others lie horizontally, others again rest in an inclined position without any curve: the whole promontory bears a strong resemblance to the ribs which form the keel of a vessel standing inverted. [Footnote: 'The annexed engraving of Doon-point, from a drawing taken accurately on the spot, will give a more perfect idea of the disposition of the pillars than any description could give. With it is that remarkable rock Carrick-a-Rede, which will be mentioned in the following chapter.'] Nothing is to be seen above the water but the pillars; it is probable that they rest on a base of white limestone, since northward of the promontory appear cliffs of that stone. In going from Ushut-point, where we landed, to Doon-point, I got from the cliffs which surround a small loch, pure gneiss, and imperfectly-formed red ochre. Near Ushut-point is a considerable range of pillars all lying horizontally. Mr Hamilton, in his <em>Letters on the County of Antrim</em>, says, that at Church Bay, which lies at the bend of the island, 'there is a heterogeneous mass of freestone, coals, iron ore, &c. the same as is to be found on the east side of Ballycastle Bay.' I did not go far into the island so can say nothing of it. The broken fragments of rock scattered over the // beach at Doon-point were many of them studded all over with the shells of the nereis tribe, and a profusion of small corals of the <em>gorgonia</em> genus were adhering to other masses, About Ushut I collected shells of the genera <em>Buccinum, Cerithium, Patella, Venus, Helix</em> and <em>Nereis</em>. To the north-east of the island, half way between that and the Scoth coast, it is said that a group of basaltic pillars is seen rising just above the sea. [p. 121-2] |
