LIFE HISTORY OF A MOUNTAIN 



337 



some relation to 

 its age. Some, 

 like the great 

 ranges of the 

 Alps, the Hima- 

 laj'as, the Rockies 

 and the Andes, 

 were uplifted in 

 comparatively re- 

 c e n t geological 

 times. The}' still 

 rear their heads 

 above the snow- 

 hne, and though 

 the forces of des- 

 t r u c t i o n have 

 car\'ed them into 

 isolated peaks and 

 deeply cleft val- 

 leys, they \'et re- 

 t a i n much of 

 their strength and 

 beauty. 



If we turn to 

 the mountains of Wales and the north- 

 west of Scotland we find they are 

 immeasurabl}^ older. They ha\'e stood 

 against attack through countless ages, 

 and now represent merely the rem- 

 nants of great ranges which may have 

 rivalled the Alps in their day. 



Finally, we meet with the remains of 

 mountains whose life work is done. 

 Thev ha\'e been reduced to featureless 



.NOWDON 



43 



I'ltoto.:r<ifh ly I,. lUn^Uy. H/a.im^Uy. 



AND WHERE PRECIPICES OF BARE ROCK STAND OUT ON THEIR 



FLANKS THEY SHOW SHARP, SAW-LIKE EDGES." 



Weathered Slate, Cader Berwyn. 



plains or low moundy flats, and unless 

 some new manifestation of internal forces 

 uphfts them to give a new lease of activity 

 and life, their careers can be regarded as 

 ended. 



Thus far we have considered the history 

 of a mountain from a point of view 

 which deals with the mountain itself 

 and the vicissitudes through which it 

 passes from birth to death. 



There is an- 

 other asjiect 

 wort h y of a 

 passing con- 

 sideration — its 

 place in the 

 economy of Na- 

 ture. Moisture- 

 laden winds 

 blowing up from 

 the sea are con- 

 densed on their 

 flanks to form 

 clouds and the 

 fertilising rain. 

 Tliey act as 

 storehouses for 

 water, and gi\e 

 force and siib- 

 stance to 

 streams all 



OWES ITS PRE-EMINENCE TO VOLCANIC I Ml f IIO \S " through the 



