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(5) In the second, or Central Group, I only know of one range of cliffs of 

 much importance. These are the cliffs of Cader Idris in Merionetiishire. This 

 mountain is singularly rich in precipices ; its northern flank for nearly three miles 

 being almost one continuous precipice of greater or less vertical angle. But the 

 finest and richest cliff upon the mountain is that forming the western wall of the 

 basin of Llyn Cau. This beautiful spot is surrounded on its S., W., and N. sides 

 by a semi-circular cliff, which, at its western point, becomes a very bold precipice. 

 The central summit of the mountain here runs out into a secondary head, which 

 breaks off suddenly above Llyn Cau into a precipice fully 400 feet in perpendicular 

 altitude, with a lateral range of perhaps one-third of a mile. The summit of 

 Cader Idris being under 3,000 feet in height, that of this cliff cannot be more than 

 2,700 ; but it is very bold and striking ; and it is, botanically speaking, moderately 

 rich. The northern cliffs of Cader Idris are somewhat dry and poor ; this one is 

 damper, and consequently richer. The Llyn Cau precipice faces due E. 



I do not know of any other range of cliffs in the Central District deserving 

 of very much attention from the botanist. The mountain standing next in 

 altitude is Plynlimmon, on the Montgomery and Cardiganshire borders ; but this 

 mountain, though possessing an interest to us in Herefordshire as being the source 

 of the Wye, is singularly disappointing in its cliffs. The only precipitous features 

 which it possesses lie round the head of Ijlyn Llyged Rheidol ; but they are very 

 slight. 



(6) Proceeding to the Southern Group, we find a very bold and extensive 

 range of mountains occupying the south of Breconsliire, and running from the 

 neighbourhood of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, right across Brecon, into 

 Carmarthenshire. These hills have a steep northern escarpment overhanging the 

 valley of the Usk, and reach their highest elevation six miles due south of the 

 town of Brecon, where they assume the name of the " Brecon Beacons." The 

 singular square top of the central elevation, with its subsidiary flanking heights 

 and lateral valleys, forms, from the town of Brecon, a view well known for its 

 beauty. This range of mountains possesses many cliffs well worthy of the 

 botanist's attention. Several of these, I am sorry to say, I have not explored — 

 notably the most westerly of the range, forming the Carmartlienshire boundary. 

 But the finest cliff lies, as usual, immediately beneath its highest summit. 

 Indeed, here the highest ground forms the actual edge of the cliff. This central 

 l^recipice is far too precipitous to be conveniently attacked in all its parts. Its 

 elevation above sea level is the same as that of the summit of the mountain, 

 namely, 2,960 ft. ; the height of the actual rocks at the same spot 250 ft. or 

 300 ft. ; and the lateral extent one-third of a mile. The only other cliff with 

 which I can claim any acquaintance in this range is the small cliff lying some four 

 miles west from the centre of the range, and termed Craig Gledsiau. The botany 

 here being essentially similar in all respects, I have grouped the two cliffs under 

 one figure. It may be termed rich, at least in a few species ; though many others 

 are, as will be seen in the sequel, conspicuous for their absence. Both these cliffs 

 face nearly due north. 



(7) Last we place the cliffs in which we, as Herefordshire naturalists, have 



