OF THE MENAI BASIN. 
241 
of the Menai, and endeavour to take an equally rapid sur- 
vey of those of the Anglesea side of the basin. 
Even the most superficial observer cannot fail to notice 
several discriminating differences between this and the side 
we have just quitted. The rocks are, for the most part, of 
the same general nature, viz. of the transition formation, 
and are slaty in their structure, but less vertical, and 
much lower, rising only to the north-west and east end of 
the island, forming a barrier to the violence of the ocean ; 
but not of sufficient altitude altogether to prevent the in- 
fluence of the west and south-west gales. The streams 
generally shape their course to the south-west, and never 
attain to any magnitude. The scenery is far less interest- 
ing than that of the other side of the basin. Though the 
surface of the island presents slight elevations, and occa- 
sionally affords pleasing scenes, it is wholly without those 
bold, grand, romantic features which delight the beholder 
of the Carnarvon side of the Menai Strait. What gives the 
greatest interest to Anglesea, is its being the best station 
whence the long extending peaked outline of the Snowdon 
chain can be commanded, and taken in by the eye. 
As Anglesea contains rocks of the siliceous, calcareous, 
and argillaceous classes, and as soil is made up of a greater 
or less portion of these rocks, in combination with animal 
and vegetable matters, much of a good quality is met with 
in this island. The rocks belonging to the transition for- 
mation found here, yield with much more readiness to de- 
composition than those of the Carnarvon side of the Menai 
basin, and consequently afford in abundance materials for 
the formation of soil ; and the island of Anglesea being 
without great mountains to produce steep declivities, the 
particles of soil soon and readily accumulate. 
Along the banks of the Anglesea side of the Menai Strait, 
around Llanidan, which faces Llanfair, two miles to north 
VOL. VI. Q 
