105 
THE OLD LAKES OF EDENSIDE. 
By J. G. GOODCHILD, H.M. Gero. Survey, F.G.S. 
Read at Long Meg, before the Carlisle and the Penrith Societies, in September, 
1883, and published in the CARLISLE JOURNAL of that week. 
Tue history and the mode of formation of the beautiful lakes that 
form so characteristic a feature of the mountain districts lying to 
the south of the lowland tract where we are now standing, has long 
been a fertile subject of controversy amongst geologists, and, if we 
may judge by different opinions that are constantly being put 
forward, many of the questions relating to the lakes are likely to 
_ remain for some time without satisfactory answers at all. But in 
_ the district referred to the lakes are there, at all events, and anyone 
has an opportunity of judging for himself how far this or that 
particular explanation may appear to him to be satisfactory. Where 
we now are, however, it will at once occur to many that there are 
no lakes to afford matter for discussion, and that, so far as can be 
_ seen, there are no signs of there ever having been any lakes in 
this part of Edenside at all. It is my object at present to direct 
attention to the evidence that has led me to the conclusion that 
_ such lakes have really existed here, leaving the discussion of their 
j origin as a question of lesser importance. To render the subject 
_ intelligible, it will be necessary at the outset to pass in review the 
characteristics met with in connection with the lakes, yet existing 
i as such, in other parts of the two counties, in order to see how far 
_ the same characteristics may admit of being traced at the present 
_ day here. 
