372 NUMBER OF DEER. 



they had distinct divisions, and were under the charge of 

 separate foresters. The names of these forests are, 



1. The forest of Ben-Hope, 



2. The forest of Fionaven, 



3. The forest of Arkle or Stack. 



The altitude of these mountains, from which the above 

 forests derive their names, will give some idea of the 

 character of the country. Ben-Hope is 3-061 feet high; 

 Fionaven, 3'015 ; Ben-Spionnue, in the same forest, 2'566. 

 The mountains of Arkle and Stack I have no measure of, 

 but believe they are of no great height. 



There are three minor detached forests in Sutherland, 

 which are not included in the great ones of the Dirrie- 

 Chatt and the Dirrie-More : 



1. The Parph, 



2. The forest of Klibreck, 



3. The Dirrie-Meanach. 



The number of deer that wander over the vast forests 

 of Sutherland cannot well be ascertained. About thirty 

 years ago an opinion prevailed that it amounted to 3,000. 

 The introduction of sheep farms, and other causes, have 

 materially lessened that number, if, indeed, it was a correct 

 one. So that the harts, hinds, and calves, of all ages, 

 taken collectively, do not, probably, at present, exceed the 

 number of 1,500. The calculations of the foresters would 

 lessen that number, and the statements of the shepherds 

 would increase it, their respective interests being diame- 

 trically opposite. 



Hunts were occasionally upon a grand scale in this as 



