112 The casual appearance of cattle is the chief source of variety along this shore. On the grassy bank Some ruminating lie; while others stand1 Their groups sometimes appear to great advantage relieved by the dark oak woods of Cahirnane, which skirt a considerable part of the plain. The coast of Mucruss, commencing at the little stream which falls into Castle-lough bay, presents, as far as the eye can reach, a chain of steep rocks thickly covered with trees, whose aspect at a distance is tame and uniform; but a near approach discovers innumerable charms and infinite variety. The rocks exhibit the wildest irregularities. Along the peninsula they have been undermined, like those of the islands, by the repeated action of the water, so that large impending masses have been left in many places projecting over the lake at their base. Traces may be discovered where similar masses, deprived in the course of time of due support, have fallen with their superincumbent trees. Those which fell where the water was deep were swallowed up, and are seen no more; or, if seen, appear only beneath the surface: others, which have tumbled in shallower places, form little promontories along the shore, or small islands, which are still adorned with their pristine shades. The trees which grow upon these ruins of the peninsula are fanciful and picturesque in the highest degree; in many instances their roots appear exposed on the summit of the rocks, whilst their flourishing branches, extended along the surface of the lake, dip their quivering leaves into the waves. The mansion-house of Mucruss looks extremely well from the water, relieved by the gloomy and solemn heights of Mangertonmountain; and the lawns in its vicinity have a most delightful aspect, opening between the groves which adorn the shores. Along the peninsula, the numerous little inlets and promontories keep the attention constantly awake. Some of its coves are most romantic, particularly one near Juniper-island, which being completely land-locked, and sheltered on every side from the blast by tall trees and steep rocks, has been selected as a haven for Colonel Herbert's large sailing-boats, where they ride at anchor with their masts and yards almost in contact with the branches. Near this place the curious separation of the calcareous and siliceous rocks is observable, to which some allusion has already been made in the description of the mineralogy of the peninsula. It takes place at the head of another little wooded cove; one side of which exhibits a steep and lofty cliff of massive blue limestone, whilst the opposite one, shelving down to the water, shows the rock just above the surface, lying in strata of a dark brown colour, which form a small angle with the plane of the horizon. Towards Camillan-point, the siliceous rocks lose their stratified appearance, and rise in bold and broad masses from the water; but the eye, at a considerable distance, may trace the distinction between them and the calcareous rocks, as well by the difference of their colour as by that of their arrange ment. The last place which now remains to be described on the lower lake is the bay of Glena, which suddenly opens to view on passing round the point of Camillan. This is one of the magnificent scenes which captivates every eye; and which, if ૨ Killarney were divested of every other charm that at present attracts the stranger to her shores, would in itself amply compensate for the toils of traversing the dreary and rugged country, through which alone the lake can be approached. On one side, rising from the water's edge, appears a steep mountain, from whose brow Th' embowering forests overhang the deep; on the opposite one a chain of low rocks surmounted with trees; and in the centre, at a distance, is seen the entrance of the defile, through which the river from the upper lake flows into the head of the bay. The length of the bay is about one English mile; its breadth nearly the same; but owing to the numerous inlets and promontories with which the shore is indented, its extent appears considerably greater. At the base of the mountain, along the margin of the lake, the individual forms of the branching oaks are distinctly seen; but the trees which rise above these grow so closely together, that their united foliage forms an impervious and continuous shade, swelling with the protuberances of the mountain, or sinking with its glens, and interrupted alone by sudden precipices or huge projecting rocks. From the mouth of the bay to the most distant part of the horizon, along the windings of the defile, all is one sylvan scene: Shade above shade, a woody theatre Of stateliest view. Every gradation of green is observable in these woods during summer, from the silvery hues of the ash and willow to the deep verdure of the fir and yew; and in autumn, when they are enriched by colours" whose beauty cheers the approach of the |