Correspondence. 



475 



1. Vale of Todmorden (Fig. 1), This is one of the most re- 

 markable valleys in this part of England. It is entered from the 

 south at the village of Littleborongh, near Eochdale, and extends 

 northvs^ards in a slightly winding course to Todmorden, a distance of 



Fig. 1. — Vale of Todmokden, near Dean Head. 



five miles — when it divides into two arms : one stretching to the 

 north-east in the direction of Burnley — ^"the other, eastward into 

 Yorkshire. Throughout its course to Todmorden it is bounded by 

 lofty banks, maintaining a nearly uniform distance from each other; 

 but in many places cut through by branching ravines. If restored 

 (to use a favourite term) it would present the appearance of a huge 

 canal trough, as the bottom is smooth and slopes almost imper- 

 ceptibly. To the eye it presents the appearance emphatically of a 

 "river valley." Yet, at a point distant one-third of the way between 

 Littleborongh and Todmorden, it is crossed by the watershed, and 

 consequently contains no stream whatever. It might be supposed 

 that, at this point, the valley becomes narrower and shallower than 

 further down on both sides where the rivers are -flowing ; but, in 

 reality, there is scarcely any appreciable difference between this and 

 the other parts of the valley ; and for some distance on either side 

 of the watershed the brooks are so insignificant that they cannot be 

 considered as having modified the form of — much less of having 

 been the agents in hollowing out — this deep furrow in the Pennine 

 Hills. At the point where the watershed crosses — as shown in the 

 woodcut — the valley is 330 feet in depth. 



-Fig. 2. — Valley of Cliviger, at Calder Head. 



2. The Valley of Cliviger (or Portsmouth) is another illustration. 

 This valley is the one alluded to above as branching in a north- 

 westerly direction from that of Todmorden. It is also a very well 

 marked and deep valley, opening in the opposite direction into the 

 wide basin of Burnley. At Calder Head — a distance of nearly four 

 miles from Todmorden — it crosses the watershed ; and the streams 

 which issue forth from springs, at this point, flow in opposite 



