MOUNTAIN PLATEAUX AND MOUNTAIN RAVINES. 25 



precipitous declivity on one side, crossing a streamlet at 

 the bottom, and ascending in a similar zigzag way a 

 corresponding precipitous ascent on the other; and in 

 places, that of isolated hills and mountains, scattered 

 about in what looks like studied confusion, sometimes 

 standing apart and alone, but as frequently in groups of 

 more or less irregularity, and of greater or less extent ; 

 and sometimes, but that rarely, taking a form not unlike 

 a mountain range. Towards the south the country 

 assumes gradually a more level aspect, but it does so 

 without losing altogether its hilly character. The result 

 of the whole is that about two-thirds of the country is at 

 an elevation of upwards of 2,000 feet above the level of 

 the sea, which is considerably above the range of forest 

 trees in that land. And so far south as this, plateaux, 

 fjelds, or fields of high altitudes cut up by deep ravines 

 may be found. 



Of the ravines by which the blocks of the high-lying 

 table land are separated, a definite and probably correct 

 conception may have been formed from what has been 

 stated. They, and the fjelds with which they are con- 

 nected, are characteristic of the region in which they 

 exist. Most, and perhaps all of them, may be crossed in 

 the way spoken of, by zig-zag descending and ascending 

 footpaths, at some place or another ; but many, if not 

 most of them, are at other points impassable ; and of the 

 appearance presented by them throughout a great part of 

 their extent an illustration is supplied by what is known 

 in this locality as the Marie Stege, or Mary's Ladder, near 

 to this Ryukand Foss. Marie, whose name is given to the 

 precipice, lived on a farm situated on the side of a moun- 

 tain, which there blocks up the valley. According to the 

 facts of the case, in the local story, as told by Williams : 

 ' The ordinary track by which the lower part of the valley 

 may be reached ascends about a thousand feet over the 

 ridge of this mountain, and then, of course, a corresponding 

 descent has to be made. But the river how does that 

 find its way down the valley ! There must be some way 



