78 BRITISH MOUNTAINS. 
other two. On its loftiest peak a stone pillar has latei/ 
been erected, for the purpose of a trigonometrical survey- , 
Cader Idris is the commencement of a chain of pt*' 
mitive mountains, and is computed to be 2850 feet abo'''* 
the green of Dolgell)', and 3550 feet, nearly three-fourth’* 
of a mile, above the level of the sea. A recent travellf^ 
has attempted to demonstrate that at some remote perif** 
it was a valctino of immense magnitude. 
The tract to the south ofCADEK Idris, as far a.s Talyl)’! 
and M.alwydd, is peculiarly grand. High and ruggf*' 
mountains of every possible form close in on all sidc.s, wlii'® 
huge ma-ises of rock hang over, or lie scattered in mishap<”l 
fragments by the side of the road. To add to the efl'ect f' 
this scene, the river Dili forms one continued cataract 
.live or si.N miles, overflowing with tlie innumerable tribo' 
tary torrents which precipitate themselves from the highe** 
summits of tlie surrounding rocks ; while, to crown tb’’ 
■whole, the shaggy head of Cader Idris towers, the m.ajeS' 
•.iic centinel of the group. 
VI'-NMAN MAWB. 
The counly of Caernarvon, in which Lliis mountain 
situated, claims precedency over every other in Wales, to 
theioTmcssof its mountains, and the multitude of tn 
eminences which, in a curved and indented chain, occupl 
nearly the whole of its extent. ( 
In proceeding from Conway to Bangor, by a mute ^ 
once picturesque and romantic, and amid a scenery win 
varies at every step. Penman- mawr discloses to the b'a'' t 
mr its bulky head. It protrudes itself into the sea, ao 
exhibits a fine contrast to the fertility which it interrupts, J 
A rude view of grey weather-beaten stones and precipic 
The passage over this mountain was formerly terrific j ^ 
tlie road has been latterly' widened, and secured, near 
ver^ie of the precipice, by a strong wall about five feet ^ 
height. It forms the most sublime terrace in the 
isles winding round the mountain on the edge of ^ 
abrupt cliff; while the vast impending rocks above, ^ 
roaring of the waves at a great distance below, and i 
frequent howling of the wmd, all unite to fill the P" 
with folemnitv and awe 
