74 THE BRITISH ISLES. 



extent, but sheep farming and the rearing of cattle are of importance. Coal and 

 iron abound in the south. "Welsh is still the language of the majority, but is 

 losing its hold upon the inhabitants. 



B}'cc]x)iock, or Brecon, on the Usk, centrally situated, is the county town. In 

 the neighbourhood of Llanelly, near the Usk, not far from the boundary of 

 Monmouthshire, arc the Chjdach iron works. Brynmaicr, another town noted for 

 its iron works and collieries, lies to the south-west, on the Upper Ebwy, whilst 

 Yni/sccdiciii and Yntahjfera are situate in the extreme south-west, on the Upper 

 Tawe, and virtually belong to the vast manufacturing district depending upon 

 Swansea. 



Hay and Bnilth, the latter a curious old place, with narrow, tortuous streets, 

 are the only remarkable towns on the Wye. 



Hadnoushire (Maesyfed) is an inland county, covered almost wholly with 

 desolate moorlands, and very sparsely peopled. The Wye, which washes the 

 county on the west and south, is the outflow for its watershed, whilst the Lugg 

 and Arrow, rising in Radnor Forest (2,166 feet), flow to the eastward into Here- 

 fordshire. The geographical nomenclature is Welsh, but Welsh is now onl}^ 

 understood by a few old p3ople at Rhayader and some other remote localities on 

 the Upper Wj-e. 



Presteigne, the county town, is situate in the fertile valley of the Lugg ; Ncio 

 Radnor lies at the foot of Radnor Forest ; and Knighton occupies the heights over- 

 looking the river Teme. Offa's Dyke passes through it. Llandrindod, in the 

 valley of the Wye, near Builth, enjoys some reputation as a watering-place. 



