64 Dr John Davy on the 



monly peaty and mossy, not being absorbed, flows so slowly 

 as barely to keep the surface wet ; and also the rocks on the 

 shores of the lakes and mountain tarns, more or less washed 

 and kept wet by the waves breaking on them, or by drifting 

 spray, and likewise the rocks in the beds, or on the sides of 

 streams which, from fluctuations of level, are rarely long 

 under water, and yet seldom perfectly dry. In these latter 

 situations, it may be remarked, the remains of aquatic plants 

 and of infusoria are to be detected in the colouring matter, 

 as well as soot-like granules. 



The source of the soot-like matter is not so obvious. In 

 a former number of this Journal, that for July 1844, I have 

 given an account of " a carbonaceous deposit or film, on the 

 Lakes of Westmoreland." That deposit was shewn to be 

 of the nature of soot, and was inferred to be derived from 

 the adjoining manufacturing districts, wafted here by the 

 wind, and falling with mist or gentle rain with a lull of wind. 

 The observations which I have since made, have been con- 

 firmatory of this inference, and tending to prove that such 

 precipitation of soot is an ordinary, rather than an uncommon 

 or accidental occurrence here, and adequate therefore to the 

 efi*ect supposed. One confirmatory instance may sufiice, — it 

 is that of the discolouration of the sheep of the country, espe- 

 cially after exposure for weeks or months on the higher fells. 

 Seen on their mountain pastures, or when driven into the 

 lower meadows in the early spring, their coats are of so dark 

 a hue as to resemble closely those of their fellows fed in the 

 most smoky precincts of our great towns ; and, on examina- 

 tion, the colouring matter staining the fleece, is found to be 

 similar to that of the black film of the lakes and tarns ; and 

 in brief, e'Ssentially soot. 



What I have described, may seem disparaging to the lake 

 district, *' the staple" of which has been poetically defined 

 to be " its beauty." This I can hardly admit ; contrast con- 

 duces to pleasing eff*ects ; dark rocks, and bright verdure are 

 not incongruous on the mountain fell, no more than are the 

 black shores and blue waters of the mountain tarns, or the 

 pure white of the new born lamb by the side of its dark 

 mother. The contrast almost surprises, and surprise com- 



