THE TAF. THE TOWY. 83 



by the Cynon, which descends from the parish of 

 Penderin, in Brecknockshire ; anda few miles further 

 this river is augmented from the same side by the 

 waters of the two Rhonddas. After flowing nearly 

 southward, it passes Llandaff and Cardiff, and falls 

 into the Bristol Channel. Its stream, in dry weather, 

 is frequently scanty ; but in cases of sudden rains 

 or thaws, the waters of this, as of all other mountain 

 rivers, roll over their rocky bed in an impetuous and 

 destructive torrent. The vicinity of Merthyr Tyd- 

 vil, has greatly contributed to render certain por- 

 tions of the Taf unworthy the angler's attention. 

 The poisonous matter discharged into it from the 

 iron-works, and the lawless practices of the forge- 

 men, continually diminish the stock of fish. In 

 dry seasons, these depredators assemble in bands, 

 and, wading into the streams armed with sledge ham- 

 mers, contrive, by violently striking the stones under 

 which the trout are concealed, to destroy an incre- 

 dible quantity of fish of all sizes. 



THE TOWY 



Enters from Brecknockshire a little below Ys- 

 tradgynlais : after receiving the upper and lower 

 Clydach, it empties itself into the bay of Swansea. 

 There is no angling in this river until you reach the 

 neighbourhood of Languike, about seven or eight 

 miles from Swansea, the copper and coal works 

 having poisoned the waters to a considerable dis- 

 tance from its mouth. 



G 2 



