Ascent of Cader Idris. 27 



probable that it is due to the rotation and figure of the earth ; 

 and therefore it seems probable that, in a planet of the figure, 

 dimensions, and rapid axial rotation of Saturn, the excess of 

 atmospheric pressure in the temperate zones would be still 

 more marked. 



It would be interesting to examine whether the square- 

 shouldered figure seems to be connected with the occurrence 

 of changes in the configuration of the Saturnian belts, or 

 whether it is only assumed when the belts have remained for 

 a loug time in the same, or nearly the same position. 



ASCENT OP CADER IDRIS. 



BY D. MACKINTOSH, F.G.S. 

 (With a Coloured Plate). 



It is to be regretted that guide-book writers, in describing 

 Cader Idris, should copy and perpetuate the errors of one 

 another, so as to leave the tourist in ignorance of what he may 

 really expect on making the ascent of this mountain. To 

 supply, in some measure, this defect, I made a brief survey of 

 the topography and surface- geology of Cader Idris in May 

 last ; and it is but doing justice to the mountain to state that 

 my expectations were far more than realized. If the attract- 

 iveness of a mountain is to be estimated by the number of 

 abrupt and striking inequalities compressed within a small 

 compass, Cader Idris is perhaps equal to any elevation in 

 Britain ; and in the extent of its rocky cliffs and precipices it 

 is certainly superior to Snowdon. It may be described as a 

 long table-land, narrowing towai-ds its eastern termination, 

 and irregularly sloping towards the south. On each side of 

 this table-land there is a range of rocky cliffs, which must 

 strike the most ignorant observer as very similar to what may 

 be seen on many sea-coasts. On the south-eastern, or Tal-y- 

 llyn side, the cliffs are very picturesque, and often grotesquely 

 shaped ; but, as this side is not likely to be very much visited 

 in future,* and as one side is sufficient for a whole article, I 

 shall at present confine attention to its northern front, and the 

 neighbourhood of the peak. 



The northern or Dolgelley side of Cader Idris is a contin- 

 uous escarpment, extending like a rampart for a distance of at 

 least eight miles ; the principal and most rocky part of this 

 escarpment is about four miles in length. It commences on 



* I was informed at Dolgelley that, owing to the completion of the Welsh 

 Coast Eailway as far as Penmaen Pooh the Machynlleth coach will in future be 

 discontinued. 



