OF THE MENAI BASIN. 
227 
with. But the steepness of the mountain acclivities, and 
the undecomposable nature of the rocks, may, in some de- 
gree, account for the scarcity of this vegetable formation. 
And, as we have already remarked, in consequence of al- 
most every hollow being filled with water to a great depth, 
little space is left for the formation of it. It is generally 
to be found along the swampy margin of the mountain 
lakes. 
In respect of climate, this eastern side of the basin suf- 
fers severely. The mountainous parts of Anglesea, being 
of inconsiderable elevation, expose the Carnarvon side to 
the fury of the south-westerly wind ; and after a severe 
storm from that quarter, it is not an unusual occurrence 
to observe the windows, many miles inland, encrusted with 
a saline spray. It is chiefly owing to these blasts from the 
Atlantic, that the trees along the western coast of this 
island, subjected to their pernicious influence, are so stinted 
in growth. 
Although these south-westerly winds are unfavourable 
to plants and trees when exposed to them, yet the climate 
of this district is very conducive to health and longevity. 
Of those who received parochial relief, in 1810, in the town 
of Carnarvon, the inhabitants of which amount to 6000, 
nineteen were from 80 to 90 years age, twenty-eight from 
70 to 80, forty-two from 68 to 77, and thirty-nine from 
50 to 60. 
We even find from the uniform general temperature, 
produced by its vicinity to the ocean, that, during the 
winter months, certain delicate shrubs and plants, incapable 
of enduring exposure in that season in the more inland 
districts of England, are here enabled, with little or no 
protection, to exist in great vigour. We allude to such 
plants as the hydrangia, the arbutus, the sweet-scented 
bay, the mulberry, and the myrtle, which, in some spots 
r P 2 
