34 - 
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROCKS 
and, still continuing in a narrow course, and highly inclined position, 
passes the end of Rysel fell, crosses Garsdale, and forms the western 
base of Bar fell, (Bow fell on many maps), and Wild Boar fell. Here 
a branch of the limestone proceeds to the westward, to encircle the 
northern boundary of the Cumbrian slates ; but the main escarpment 
turns to the north-east, ci'ossing the valley of the Eden below Pen- 
dragon castle, in nearly vertical strata, and proceeds through a country 
full of dislocations, towards Brough. The numerous and intricate dis- 
turbances of the region between Swaledale head and Brough, produce 
a general depression of the beds, and partially obliterate the grand 
features of the lower scar limestone; but, beyond Brough its mighty 
walls of bare gray rocks again encircle the hill breasts, and, with 
various projections and recesses, continue to characterize the Penine 
escarpment, beneath Mickle fell, Scordale head, and Cross fell. From 
this point to the northern termination of that range of hills, the divided 
lower scar limestones grow less conspicuous, and they are of small im- 
portance in the Northumberland moors. 
Interior Dales — The long limestone escarpment just described, from 
Ribblesdale to Lunesdale, and from Graygarth to Brampton, is only 
the edge of a vast floor of rock, which underlays the whole of the 
elevated region from Craven and Wharfedale to the great valley of 
the Tyne. Sloping to the eastward from the Penine chain, it is for 
the most part deeply buried beneath hills of the superincumbent 
strata ; — but every deep valley of the interior, in some part of its 
course, is excavated into this rock, or approaches very near to its 
surface. The northern valleys of Tynedale, Weardale, Teesdale, and 
Swaledale, and the western dales of Dent and Garsdale, appear in 
general only to reach its upper surface ; but in Yoredale and Nidder- 
dale, as well as in Wharfedale, Airedale, and Ribblesdale, it makes 
a prominent feature. 
General Remarks . — In its southern escarpments along Wharfedale, 
and under Ingleborough, the lower limestone is one great calcareous 
mass, with hardly any traces of argillaceous or sandy alternations ; a 
