SNOWDOK RANGE OF MOUNTAINS. 
217 
on the estate of Lord Gwydir, in addition to the above 
woods, the larch has been added. And as the slaty rock 
on which they are growing somewhat corresponds to the ^ 
nature of the primitive mountains of the Swiss Alps, 
where that tree grows naturally, and attains great age and 
dimensions, we may expect the same will happen in this 
district. 
Though many of them have not been more than eight 
years planted, yet they exceed twenty feet in height, and 
evince great vigour. At Betteos, and at Gwydir-house, 
the oak and the Spanish chesnut (of the last of which, one 
at Gwydir girths 13 feet) thrive as well as in the lower 
parts of the basin. This may be much owing to their 
having the shelter of the Snowdon chain to protect them 
from the frequent blasts of the south-west. 
To complete our sketch of the appearance of the Con- 
way basin, it may not be amiss rapidly to glance at the 
Denbigh side. A very cursory observation will soon dis- 
cover features considerably different from the Carnarvon 
side of this district. While the western presents a bold, 
peaked outline of mountains, rising to a considerable ele- - 
vation, the eastern, or Denbigh portion, has characters of 
a very different nature. Though its hills, composed of a 
very decomposable slate, are low, and rounded in their sum- 
mits, yet, being clothed in wood, they offer a pleasing pic- 
ture for the eye to contemplate ; and cultivation being 
carried in many places to the most elevated points of the 
.ridge, and the gently sloping declivities being adorned 
with neat farm-houses, villas, villages, and towns, the 
Denbigh side of this basin is rendered highly attractive 
and beautiful. Among the towns of this side, Llanroost, 
delightfully situate on the eastern bank of the Conway, 
with its venerable church, and Inigo Jones' bridge, may be 
considered as one of the most interesting. 
