Dr. Bercer Oft the Isle of Man. 33 



ridge of land, formed by the gradual slope of Slieau-y-Carnane and 

 the high land of Spanish head. 



Two miles farther to the south, the narrow channel of the Calf, 

 about two furlongs in breadth, forms the last transverse valley. 

 The small Isle of Kitterland lies in the middle of the Strait, con- 

 nected by shelving rocks discernable only at low water, both with 

 the main of the Isle of Man, and with the Calf itself. 



It is a remarkable fact that the trifling elevation of these three 

 sections decreases southwards, down to the last which is below the 

 level of the sea. 



A fourth flat, more considerable indeed than any already spoken 

 of, may be said to exist on the outskirt of the chain northwards, 

 occupying that fenny plain anciently called "The Curragh," and now 

 transformed into one of the most fertile tracts of the whole island.* 



The chain of mountains that forms the middle part of the Isle of 

 Man, considered in itself, might perhaps with more propriety be 

 denominated a group than a chain. It is a rising " en masse" of the 

 land, a common broad basis or foundation on which rest several 

 mountains otherwise unconnected with each other, though dis- 

 posed in some regular order. 



The narrow Glen of MuUin-y-Chlea, may serve to distinguish 

 the mountainous group into two divisions, the one north, the other 

 south. In the northern district of the group, two extensive lines of 

 mountains and a central one, may be traced without difficulty. The 



* Very large trees of oak ami fir have been foiinci buried in the peat of the Curragh, 

 some two feet and half in diameter, and 40 feet long. The oaks and firs do not lie pro- 

 miscuously, but where there is |)lenty of one sort, there arc generally few or none of the 

 other. ^Vilson's History of the Isle of Man. 



Mr. J. C, Curwen Feenis to think that the area of the flat country comprehended be- 

 tween Ramsay and Kirk-Michael, Jurby-point and Aire-point, may be rated at 40.000 

 acres, tliat is to say, according to his above referred to calculationSj to a little less than 

 1-Gth part of the whole area of the island. 



Agricultural Report, p. 153. Workington, 1810. 



Vol. II. E 



