BETHESDA, an urban district of Carnarvonshire, North Wales, 5m. from Bangor, by a branch of the L.M.S. railway. Population 4,476. It lies near the lower end of the fine Nant Ffrancon (valley of the Ogwen stream). The scriptural name is due, as often in Wales, to the village or hamlet taking its title from the Nonconformist church. Here are extensive slate quarries belonging to Lord Penrhyn. A narrow-gauge rail way connects these with Port Penrhyn, at the mouth of the stream Cegid (hemlock, "cicuta"), which admits the entry of vessels of 30o tons to the quay at low water.