MOUNTAIN PLATEAUX AND MOUNTAIN RAVINES, 93 
precipitous declivity on one side, crossing a streamlet at 
the bottom, and ascending in a similar zigzag way a 
corresponding precipitous ascent on the other; and in 
places, that of isolated hills and mountains, scattered 
about in what looks like studied confusion, sometimes 
standing apart and alone, but as frequently in groups of 
more or less irregularity, and of greater or less extent ; 
and sometimes, but that rarely, taking a form not unlike 
@ mountain range. Towards the south the country 
assumes gradually a more level aspect, but it does so 
without losing altogether its hilly character. The result 
of the whole is that about two-thirds of the country is at 
an elevation of upwards of 2,000 feet above the level of 
the sea, which is considerably above the range of forest 
trees in that land. And so far south as this, plateauz, 
fjelds, or fields of high altitudes cut up by deep ravines 
may be found. 
Of the ravines by which the blocks of the high-lying 
table land are separated, a definite and probably correct 
conception: may have been formed from what has been 
stated. They, and the fjelds with which they are con- 
nected, are characteristic of the region in which they 
exist. Most, and perhaps all of them, may be crossed in 
the way spoken of, by zig-zag descending and ascending 
footpaths, at some place or another; but many, if not 
most of them, are at other points impassable; and of the 
appearance presented by them throughout a great part of 
their extent an illustration is supplied by what is known 
in this locality as the Marie Stege, or Mary’s Ladder, near 
to this Ryukand Foss. Marie, whose name is given to the 
‘precipice, lived on a farm situated on the side of a moun- 
tain, which there blocks up the valley. According to the 
facts of the case, in the local story, as told by Williams : 
‘The ordinary track by which the lower part of the valley 
may be reached ascends about a thousand feet over the 
ridge of this mountain, and then, of course, a corresponding 
descent has to be made. But the river—how does that 
find its way down the valley? There must be some way 
