176. ASSYNT MARBLE.—At Assynt, in Sutherland, _a white marble_ has been discovered, which is perfectly solid and pure, and entirely free from blemishes or stains. Blocks or slabs of it may be cut of almost any size that can be required. This marble acquires a smooth surface, but remains of a dead hue; whence, of course, its uses as an ornamental marble are much circumscribed. 177. ISLE OF SKY MARBLE.—There is found in the Isle of Sky a marble of pure white colour, which appears capable of yielding large and valuable blocks. Its fracture is granular and splintery, and its texture fine. It is harder, heavier, and more compact than the marble of Carrara (146); and is apparently well fitted for all the purposes of sculpture. But it has the defect of being very unequally hard. While some parts of the stone are nearly as easy to work as that of Carrara, other parts are so hard as to add a charge of near fifty per cent. to the cost of the working. 178. SUTHERLAND MARBLE.—Some beautiful specimens of marble of dark brown colour, veined with whitish, light red, or light brown, have lately been brought from the county of Sutherland. These appear of close texture, are susceptible of a beautiful polish, and are capable of being wrought into extremely beautiful slabs for chimney─pieces and other ornamental purposes. 179. GLEN TILT MARBLE _is of white or grey colour, and veined or spotted with yellow or green; some specimens are nearly white_. The granulations are peculiarly large; and, in its aspect and composition, the Glen Tilt has great general resemblance to the Pentelic marble (143). This marble has of late attracted the notice of the Duke of Athol, through the suggestion of Dr. Macculloch; and chimney─pieces of it have since been made. It is obtained from a valley of the same name in the county of Perth. 180. BLAIRGOWRIE MARBLE.—A few miles from Blairgowrie, in Perthshire, there is an excellent granulated broad─bedded marble, _of sugar─loaf texture, and as white as the finest statuary marble_. It may be easily raised in blocks and in slabs of great size, perfectly free from blemishes. This marble is supposed to be well adapted for ornamental architecture, but its large sparry texture renders it unfit for the sculptor. 181. GLENAVON MARBLE _is of white colour, with large granular concretions_, somewhat like spangles, and as large as the scales of fishes. This is a valuable kind; but its situation in the forest of Glenavon, on the property of the Duke of Gordon, is remote and difficult of access.