164 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



the depth varies to sixteen or seventeen fathoms. From 

 Inchkeith a great bank, termed the Middle Bank, extends 

 towards Hound Point : on the north of this bank runs a 

 deep channel, named the North Channel, the depth of which 

 varies from sixteen to twenty-five fathoms in its direct 

 course. On the south side, in the neighbourhood of Leith^ 

 numerous rocks project, between which and the middle 

 bank there is a channel, termed the South Channel or Leith 

 Roads, which varies from three to sixteen fathoms in depth. 

 Between South Queensferry and Inchgarvey the greatest 

 depth is about nine fathoms ; but between that island and 

 North Queensferry the depth increases to thirty-seven fa- 

 thoms, which is the greatest depth observed above the Isle 

 of May. At a short distance above this point, the depth 

 is still twenty-one fathoms ; from thence the basin gradual- 

 ly shallows upwards. 



Numerous streams pour themselves into these basins of 

 the Firth, among the principal of which are the Tyne, the 

 Esk, the Leith, the Almond, and Avon, on the south side ; 

 while the Leven, arising from Lochleven, is the only con- 

 siderable stream which joins it on the north side. 



The Forth itself, one of the largest rivers in Scotland, 

 arises from the north side of Benlomond : it is first called 

 the Avendow or the Black River, and receives the name of 

 Forth on entering the parish of Port r it then expands into a 

 lake (Lochard),and flows through the vale to Stirling. Here 

 it is augmented by the addition of the Teith and the Allan,, 

 and, after taking a winding course of twenty- four miles ? 

 finishes by joining with the termination of the estuary. 



The first part of the course of the river Forth is through; 



