Geographical Collections; 433 



precipitous acclivity, and gives origin to some of the finest glens in this part 

 of the country, A little to the north, these glens, with theii; tributary hills, con- 

 tain a series of lakes, which lie like mirrors in their rocky frames. In summer 

 time their still surface is scarcely disturbed, except when the shadowy outline of 

 overhanging trees is broken by the leap of the trout, or the splash of the duck 

 settling on the glassy surface. 



Birkhill, which stands at the head of these lakes, is marked by three different 

 ravines, all of which are in the alum slate, which re-appears at this point, and 

 gives origin to the very same appearances, if not quite on the same scale of mag- 

 nitude, at least in greater beauty than at Hartfell. There are numerous mineral 

 waters here, with more abundant efflorescence than at the latter place, but they 

 have not been subjected to chemical analysis. Two pretty cascades roll down a 

 precipice on the side of one of these ravines. They are caused by the cropping 

 of the transition clay slate. Foxes abound in these glens, in which the soil is 

 easily burrowed, and where nature provides them with numerous secure places of 

 retreat, in the deep holes of the ravine side. A shepherd of the vicinity assured 

 us of his having been at the killing of twenty-seven young and old ones within 

 the last two years. 



We terminate our notice of these mineral waters, by expressing our sorrow that 

 more attention has not been paid to them, situated as they are in a country well 

 suited for healthy bodily exercises, at an elevation that ensures the presence of u 

 light and bracing atmosphere, and themselves peculiarly adapted for many medi- 

 cal cases which require the invigorating aid of exercise and of mountain air. We 

 wonder that the dark vale of Hartfell has never been brightened by the smiles 

 of the fair, or echoed to the soimd of voices joyous at the return of health. 



Geographical Society of London. 



Is our last Number, (p. 362,) we gave a detailed notice of the steps which 

 •had been taken for the organization of a Geographical Society in London, up to 

 the beginning of July last ; and we now present our readers with a fuU report, 

 from an officiiil document, of the establishment and the furtlier proceedings of the 

 new institution. Indeed, we shall make it a duty to keep our eye constantly 

 fixed on the progress of this Society, which is so intimately connected with the 

 objects of our periodical ; and we feel assured that its directors wiU take every 

 opportunity of enabling us to extend the knowledge of their invaluable under- 

 taking. We would wisli to identify ourselves, in a measure, with the Geogra- 

 phical Society of London, which may thus stretch out its own arm to the remot- 

 est corners of the land. 



At a meeting of the Society, held at the Rooms of the Horticultural Society, 

 Regent Street, on Friday the 16th July, J. Barrow, Esq. in the Chair, the reso- 

 lutions proposed at the meeting of the members of the Raleigh Traveller's Club, 

 on the 24th May, (and printed in our last No.) were with slight alterations 

 adopted ; and the following noblemen and gentlemen were nominated as the 

 council and officers of the Society for the first year. » 



Peesident. 

 The Right Honourable Viscount Goderich, F.R.S. 



Vice-Presidents. 

 John Barrow, Esq. F.R.S. I G. Bellas Greenough, Esq. F.R.S. 



Lieut..Col. Leake, F.R.S. | Sir J. Franklin, F.R.S. 



Treasurer. 

 John Biddulph, Esq. F.H.S. 



