CHAPTER VIII. 



THE LAKE-BASINS OF IAKCONNAUGHT. 



IN different mountainous tracts, the relations between 

 faults, breaks, and lake-basins could be pointed out ; 

 but at present we will confine ourselves to West Gal- 

 way, or larconnaught, on account of the opportuni- 

 ties of observation there afforded, large tracts of the 

 country being nearly bare rock, or covered with a 

 thin coat of peat. 



In this area lakes are excessively numerous, especi- 

 ally in the low country between Clifden and Round- 

 stone; they are also variable in character, yet a 

 general classification of them may be made under 

 three heads, namely 1st, Bog-basins ; 2d, Drift- 

 basins ; 3d, Rock-basins. 



Bog-basins are surrounded by peat, and are locally 

 called Loughauns or Ponds, and in general have no 

 surface outlet from them. They are connected with 

 breaks in the underlying strata, as all are supplied 

 by springs, to which they are due. The following 

 must have been the mode of growth : As the peat 

 was gradually developed in the country, it could not 

 grow over these springs, but formed a wall round 



