14 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



reaches and rapid fords, as far as Buildwas. There it enters 

 a narrow defile, and flows with a deep strong current, 

 between well-defined hanks, and in a fairly straight course, 

 southwards to Bewdley, where it quits Shropshire. Up to 

 the early part of the present century the river was navigable 

 for barges as far up as Pool Quay, and there were far more 

 fish (especially Salmon), in the upper waters, than at present. 

 The Severn is very liable to floods, whenever there 

 are heavy rains on the Montgomeryshire hills ; particularly 

 since improved land-drainage has caused rain-water to find 

 its way more speedily into the river. At such times the 

 water is turbid from the quantities of fine mud washed into 

 it from the surface of the plain. The Vyrnwy is never 

 muddy because it flows over a rocky bed throughout its 

 course ; when flooded it becomes coloured a clear brown 

 from the quantity of water washed into it from the peat-bogs 

 around its source. Even at Shrewsbury it is possible to 

 tell, by the colour of the water, whether the Severn, or 

 Vyrnwy, or both, are in flood. There are several smaller 

 rivers in the County; nearly all tributaries of the Severn. 

 Yes, we may well invoke a blessing upon " Sabrina fair," 

 and, considering all that she has done to add to the interest 

 and beauty of one of the most interesting and beautiful 

 counties of England, say, in the language of Milton : 



11 May thy brimmed waves for this 



Their full tribute never miss 

 From a thousand petty rills, 



That tumble down the snowy hills. 

 Summer drouth, or singed air 



Never scorch thy tresses fair. 

 May thy lofty head be crown'd 



With many a tow'r and terrace round, 

 And here and there thy banks upon 



With groves of myrrh and cinnamon." Comus. 



