2 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE 



forty-eight quoad civilia parishes and part of two others. The 

 county throughout presents a striking scene of industry, not only 

 in an agricultural point of view, but also with respect to mining 

 and other profitable resources. Though it cannot lay claim to 

 high mountains, like the lofty Ben Nevis or the majestic Ben 

 Lomond, yet it is not entirely destitute of mountain chains of an 

 inferior order. Most prominent are the Pentland Hills, which 

 appear in continuous and parallel ranges from Peeblesshire, on 

 the south, and sweep along the centre of the county, rising in 

 Cairnhill to upwards of 1800 feet above sea-level. In the east 

 are the Muirfoot Hills, which are a continuation of the Lammer- 

 muir Hills. About one-third of the entire extent may be 

 estimated as the proportion inaccessible to the plough. This lies 

 chiefly in the south and south-east parts of the county, and pro- 

 duces sweet and healthy herbage, which supports large flocks of 

 sheep. In the north and west, the land, although diversified by 

 rising grounds and gently undulating eminences, is mostly 

 capable of cultivation, and produces a variety of crops which 

 tend to bring credit to the farmer, to enrich the agricultural 

 district, and beautify the far-extending prospect. 



Owing to its peculiar configuration, Edinburgh possesses no 

 stream deserving to be dignified with the title of river ; it is, 

 nevertheless, well watered by numerous burns or waters. .The 

 Almond, after intersecting a wing of the parish of Mid-Calder, 

 forms the north-west boundary line to the sea. Leith water rises 

 in the parish of Mid-Calder, and after pursuing a course of over 

 20 miles in a deep bed between well- wooded declivities, enters 

 the sea at Leith, The largest stream in the county is the Esk, 

 which, with its tributaries, drains the whole extent of country 

 lying between the Pentland and Muirfoot ranges of mountains, 

 and empties itself into the sea at Musselburgh. The remaining 

 notable streams are the Tyne and the Gala. The former holds a 

 sinuous course of 7 miles, and then flows into East Lothian ; 

 while the latter, after running a distance of 10 miles, leaves the 

 county at its south-west angle. 



Linlithgow, or West Lothian, lies between 55° 49' and 56° 1' 

 north latitude, and 3° 18' and 3° 51' west longitude. Its greatest 

 length is about 20 miles, and its extreme breadth about 15 

 miles. According to Armstrong's map of the Lothians, the area 

 is only 112 square miles, or 71,680 statute acres, but the area 

 given by the Ordnance Survey is 127 square miles, or 81,114 

 acres. The surface of Linlithcrow, thousjh not so interesting as 

 that of Edinburgh, is, notwithstanding, exceedingly diversified and 

 beautiful. The centre of the country may be described as an 

 elevated plateau surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills, the 

 culminating point being Cairnmaple, which rises to a height of 

 1498 feet. Other elevations are Kipps-hills, Knock-hills, and 



