78 LANDSCAPE AND LITERATURE 



possible to trace from each of them an influence upon 

 the growth of English literature as shown in our 

 poetry. 



Under the term scenery may be included those 

 variations in the general aspect of the land that arise 

 from the combined effects of three main geographical 

 elements topography, climate, and vegetation. Of 

 these three factors, we are mainly concerned with the 

 first, but the other two will necessarily obtrude them- 

 selves continually on our attention. 



Although geological details are not essential for the 

 inquiry before us, nevertheless some knowledge of 

 them will be found of service in enabling us to recog- 

 nise more clearly the essential features of a landscape, 

 and to discriminate the real nature and extent of the 

 diversities between the landscapes of different parts of 

 the country. The fundamental elements of the scenery 

 depend upon the nature and structure of the rocks 

 that come to the surface, and the manifold varieties 

 of external form arise from the constant succession 

 of different geological formations. 



The evolution of the scenery of these islands has 

 been a long-continued process, wherein the chief part 

 has been played by the air, rain, rivers, frost, and the 

 other superficial agencies which are continually at work 

 in wearing down the surface of the land. Each 

 different kind of rock has yielded in its own fashion 

 to the agents of destruction. Those rocks which have 

 offered least resistance have been worn down into 

 hollows and plains. Those of a more durable nature 

 have been left standing up as ridges, hills, or moun- 

 tains. The composition of the rocks has likewise 



