274 CWM BYCHAN. 



can only be approached by a narrow gorge, through which a lake 

 discharges its redundant waters. At flood-times the cascade leaps 

 foaming and dashing from stone to stone, whirling in numerous 

 eddies among the broken ground bordering the ravine, down which, 

 as it gradually widens into one of the many valleys intersecting this 

 mountainous district, the stream pursues its tortuous course. At 

 one time, it glides gently and silently through some deep pool, worn 

 by time and constant erosion ; then again it plunges wildy over 

 some craggy declivity in an impetuous cataract, throwing far and 

 high the misty spray from which the sunbeams may be seen reflect- 

 ed in a thousand rainbows. 



The lake is drear and desolate. From their peculiarly sheltered 

 situation, its waters are rarely ruffled by the passing winds ; it lies 

 Hack and sullen, imprisoned within its rock-bound chasm. The 

 few aquatic plants which grow on its margin are stunted and sickly. 

 It affords no abode to any of the various fish which abound in the 

 waters of this region : it is therefore rarely resorted to by amateurs 

 of the piscatorian art ; nor is it generally frequented by roamers in 

 search of the picturesque. 



A precipice rises abruptly from the head of the lake to a height 

 of several hundred feet, and the strata are thrown nearly in a ver- 

 tical position, presenting a smooth face of stone which forms an 

 insurmountable barrier in that direction. For a little distance on 

 each side of the lake, the ground is level except where masses of 

 rock, which have been detached by tempests and other causes from 

 the over-hanging summits, lie in uncouth fragments. The cliffs, 

 which gradually approximate until they form the narrow gorge 

 before-mentioned, present a broken and irregular surface, and the 

 rugged points and jutting ledges which intersect them, enable a 

 skilful and daring mountaineer to climb the ascent which an inex- 

 perienced eye would deem impracticable. 



The eagle builds her eyry, and rears her young in the hollows of 

 these rocks : and there also the sea bird often finds a shelter from 

 the sweeping storm. A few lichens and mosses cling to the craggy 

 steeps, and diversify ^ith spots of green the dark appearance of the 

 barren heights. Near the top, where the slope is less precipitous, 

 and where the breezes of heaven can kiss with their dewy lips the 

 steril soil, the wild heath and shamrock bloom in their native 

 freshness, and the sportive goat springs playfully from crag to crag, 

 exulting in its mountain freedom. Near the entrance to the dell 

 there may yet be seen the remains of an ancient cromlech, the 

 sacrificial altar where were celebrated the mystical rites of the 

 Celtic deities. 



