ITS CHARACTER AND BOUNDARIES. 371 



of mountain wrecks resting their bulk on the level ; streams 

 oozing through beds of moss ; torrents rushing down the 

 steep ravines ; black lakes, highland tarns, and deep 

 morasses ; these are, in comprehensive terms, the charac- 

 teristic objects that force themselves into notice throughout 

 the extensive range of the Dirrie-More. 



Every part of this forest is destitute of wood, except the 

 west side of Ben-Hope, the sides of Stack, and the shores 

 of Loch-More, which are partly covered with brushwood. 

 It was not thus, however, in former times. The boundaries 

 of the Dirrie-More extended from Ben-Leod to the head 

 of Glen-Dhu ; thence to the head of Loch-Laxford, the 

 head of Loch-Inchard, and by the Gualin, and the deep 

 valley beyond it, to the head of the bay of Durness, and 

 then on by the ballock leading to Loch-Eriboll. 



The east side of Loch-Eriboll, with Ben-Hutig and the 

 Moin, as far as Strathmelness, formed part of the forest ; 

 and from the head of the bay of Tongue the boundary 

 went by Loch-Loyal, including Ben-Loyal, and then 

 turned westward to the end of Loch-Maedie ; from whence 

 it proceeded near the foot of the high ground to the 

 westward, until it reached Ben-Hee, and thence, by the 

 march of Ben-Hee forest, it passed by Loch-Merkland to 

 Ben-Leod, 



The extreme length of this range from north to south 

 is about thirty miles, and its general breadth is about 

 twenty ; but near both extremities it does not exceed ten 

 miles. Several mountains stand dominant within the 

 above boundaries, and give their names to three forests, 

 which are included within the general range, although 



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