On the right,at a considerable distance,rises the long range of mountains which the inhabitants of Christ Church suppose to be the backbone of the island,and which they call the Snowy Range.The real axis of the island,however,lies much farther back,and between it and the range now in sight the land has no rest,but is continually steep up and steep down,as if Nature had determined to try how much mountain she could place upon a given space;she had,however,still some regard for utility,for the mountains are rarely precipitous--very steep,often rocky and shingly when they have attained a great elevation,but seldom,if ever,until in immediate proximity to the West Coast range,abrupt like the descent from the top of Snowdon towards Capel Curig or the precipices of Clogwyn du'r arddu.The great range is truly Alpine,and the front range occasionally reaches an altitude of nearly 7000feet.
第27章 CHAPTER VII(1)（3 / 3）