166 
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 
In the latter district it forms a connected and independent ridge, 
about 1200 feet above the sea, with a bare dry surface, terminating to 
the south in a bold abrupt escarpment, traversed by several cross 
valleys ; along the Penine chain, from Hartside to Brough, it forms the 
principal part of that immense escarpment which is one of the grandest 
features in English geography. From Kirby Stephen to near Kirby 
Lonsdale it is much less conspicuous, though very remarkable for its 
vertical position : from this point proceeding eastward the surface widens 
to form the ample base or general floor of the distant mountains of 
Graygarth, Wharnside, Ingleborough, Penyghent, Fountains fell, the 
Langsterdale fells, Buckden pike, and Great Whernside. On referring 
to the map, the great extent of this surface will be seen at a glance ; 
a large portion of it is occupied by the gray rock destitute of herbage, 
except in particular hollows and along lines of fissures and joints. 
Where however the devastating effects of watery agency had been less 
complete and soil remains on the rock, the short green herbage cha- 
racteristic of limestone agreeably diversifies the sterner aspect of these 
rocky plains. 
The southern edge of this rocky and elevated limestone region is 
guarded by a continuous line of lofty precipices commonly called scars, 
from Graygarth to Wliarfedale. About Ingleton, in Ribblesdale, on 
Malham moors, in Littondale, and Kettlewelldale, they have a peculiar 
grandeur, and form a magnificent base and fore ground for the lofty 
mountains which rise above them. In Greenhow hill, and Nursa 
Knot, at the eastern termination of this great limestone surface, the 
same general characters are well contrasted with the wide moorland 
district. ( See Diagram, No. 20. J 
In the interior dales, as in Nidderdale, Bishopdale, Wensleydale, 
Lpper Swaledale, and leesdale, its characters are less important in 
the scenery, though in the latter dale its upper portion is elevated 
upon the picturesque rocks of basalt. 
In Wensleydale some waterfalls of considerable beauty are caused 
