22S ON THE GEOLOGY AND STATISTICS 
along the shores of the Carnarvon side of the basin, are 
reared in great perfection. 
Though the dimate of the Carnarvonshire coast is mild, 
notwithstanding the severity of the south-westerly gales, 
yet, from the scantiness of its soil, it is neither rich in pas- 
ture, nor favourable to the growth of grain. The immense 
fall of rain, and its consequent evaporation, produces much 
moisture in its atmosphere. But its numerous population, 
created by the preparation for market of its various mine- 
ral treasures, have been disregardful of these natural ob- 
stacles, and drawn as much as possible from the land. 
Little of the soil, formed principally of particles of 
quartz^ of the softer slate rocks, and of a great mixture of 
large and small rounded pebbles, with little of a rich loamy 
nature, is fitted for a vigorous vegetation. In such cir- 
cumstances it is not to be expected that vegetable produc- 
tions should be abundant. 
The lovers of botany will, no doubt, find specimens of 
many rare plants nestled among the rocks of this alpine 
tract, but it is only in a few spots along the shore and in 
the valleys that rich crops of any kind are produced. The 
slopes of the ridge, being generally very steep, are culti- 
vated only a short way up. The higher parts support but 
a scanty vegetation. Wheat, however, is cultivated rather 
extensively, much to the impoverishment of the land. The 
sweet vale of Ugivulchy, a tract of a hght loamy soil, near 
the mouth of the Aber, and some places along the shore 
between Carnarvon and Clynnog, appear best calculated 
for the production of this grain. 
From the light composition of the greater part of the 
soil of this portion of the Menai basin, barley is the grain 
that ought to be principally raised ; and, being the chief 
food of the labourer, its production is highly important to 
be more extended. On the higher grounds, where the de- 
