NOTES ON THE GLACIAL PHENOMENA OF WASTDALE. 
479 
outlines. Its western shoulder forms " The Screes," a range of preci- 
pitous cliffs overtopping banks of shingle which sweep down in one 
sheer unbroken plane into the deep waters of the lake. The position 
of the rocks on each side of the lake, together with the straightness of 
the southern line of cliffs, are in favour of the supposition that Wast- 
dale has been formed along the line of a great fracture. Yewbarrow, 
on the northern side, is one of the most picturesque hills I have ever 
seen. Capped by vertical cliffs, which ascend almost to a point, its 
sides fall away on either hand in exceedingly graceful outlines, to 
which I would draw the attention of Mr. E-uskin, as they illustrate his 
doctrine of the curves of nature. It is in vain for me to attempt to 
describe the various aspects which the landscape here assumes, with 
the most solemn and wild features she has also combined her most 
graceful proportions. 
On my former visit to the Lakes, I became convinced that this 
mountain-chain had been a " centre of dispersion," from which 
glaciers descended in every direction seaward. In Grisedale, I had 
found striae ranging north. In the neighbourhood of Ambleside, 
south and south-east ; but I had never an opportunity presented of 
observing a westerly striation. I was therefore delighted (the less 
enthusiastic reader will, I hope, pardon the use of the only word 
expressive of my feelings on the occasion) on finding just above the 
village of Strands, near the western entrance of Wastdale, a boss of 
syenite polished, and distinctly marked with grooves ranging out to 
sea. Further up the valley, I obtained at least six good observa- 
tions, and the invariable direction was west, or nearly so. The 
highest observation was made on porphyry, near the foot of Yew- 
barrow. 
The upper limit of the glaciation, along the centre of the dale, was 
easily ascertained. The rocks, from the edge of the lake up to an 
