OF LOCHABER. 27 



seas towards the center, that the summit-level, as taken for 

 the Caledonian Canal, is not more than ninety-four feet above 

 high-water mark. Where the bottom of the glen is not occu- 

 pied by the lakes, it is covered to a great depth by alluvial 

 matter. Even at the summit-level, where the canal is now ex- 

 cavating to a depth of twenty-five feet, the workmen, after 

 cutting through a thick stratum of moss, found nothing but 

 sand, clay, gravel, and rounded stones, the debris of rocks of 

 the primitive series, nor has the slightest appearance of ma- 

 rine exuvi« been any where discovered. From the Glen-mor- 

 na-Albin, several others branch off at considerable angles, and 

 there are some lesser cracks and ravines of similar bearing to 

 these dividing the faces of its mountains. 



Proceeding from Lowbridge along the road towards Fort 

 William, the mountain of Ben-y-vaan, on the left hand, 

 stretches from the mouth of Glen Gluoy, in a S. W. direction 

 opposing an abrupt and rocky face to the Glen-mor-na-Albin, 

 and terminating suddenly at a point above a mile from Hio-h- 

 bridge, whence it turns back towards the N. E. at an acute 

 angle, and then begins to form the northern boundary of the 

 wider and more open country, stretching southwards towards 

 the Ben Nevis range. The river Spean, issuing from its glen, 

 and immediately afterwards uniting with the Roy, runs across 

 a large basin in this open country, in a direction nearly west, 

 laying bare the rock as it advances, and cutting more and 

 more deeply as it approaches Highbridge, where the ravine 

 having become of great depth, is crossed by the tall pillars and 

 arches of the picturesque military bridge, which has recei- 

 ved its name from its remarkable elevation. Through this 

 the Spean foams onwards in a series of rapids and cata- 

 racts, to join the river Lochy. This latter part of its course 

 divides a range of lesser hills, running from the foot of the 



^ 2 mountain 



