I860.] BOTANICAL SKETCHES FROM NORTH WALES. 49 



is on the left-hand of the traveller to Bala ; on the right there is 

 the finest possible view of the charming vale of Edeyrnyon, Bod- 

 weyne, etc. etc. 



This road to Bala increases the dis.tance, but it also adds much 

 to the pleasure and interest of the journey. 



There is a good road along the east shore of Llyn Tegid, com- 

 manding good views of the lake, the opposite bank, the village of 

 Llanycil, Sir. W. W. Wynne's fishing- cottage, etc. etc. Fasti- 

 dious critics might find occasion to animadvert on the architec- 

 ture of this lodge on the borders of an alpine lake ; but our busi- 

 ness is not criticism. A botanist may walk along the shores of 

 Bala's lake, and gather the flowers that ornament its banks and 

 braes, and admire the lovelytprospect of lofty mountains, shel- 

 tered farms, placid pools, and leaping torrents, without carping 

 at modern exhibitions of aesthetics, or wearying his readers, if he 

 has the good hap to enjoy this felicity, with accounts of artistic 

 failures. 



It may be as well to remind the pedestrian that after passing 

 through the picturesque, simple-looking village of Llangower, 

 about halfway up to the head of the lake, there is no inn nor 

 public-house till Llan-y-Mowddy is reached, a matter or distance 

 of at least a dozen miles. This may be said by some to be only 

 a trifle ; but it is as well to know it beforehand. There is usually 

 a keen, appetizing air on the Welsh mountains. 



On passing through Llangower the traveller soon reaches the 

 upper or western end of the lake, and leaving the charmingly 

 situated village of Llanwchlyn half a mile on the right, the as- 

 cent up the mountain commences. 



The road, a good one, is carried along the side of the moun- 

 tain, with a gentle acclivity and few undulations, for five miles. 

 The mountain is on the left, and the picturesque vale of the 

 Twrch, with its impetuous, headlong, brawling stream, on the 

 right. At this time it did not contain much water, but after 

 heavy rains it is formidable enough to those who have to get 

 across its swollen torrent. Several very fine streams and rocky 

 dells cross the road before reaching Bwlch-y-Groes, 



Tn the vale of Twrch there are some scattered dwellings situ- 

 ated agreeably enough. But the most interesting object on the 

 right is the sharp, serrated ridge and pointed summit of Arran 

 Pen Llyn, which rises to upwards of 3,000 feet altitude. The 



N. S. VOL. IV. H 



