ESTRELLA SERRA DE, the Mom iferminius of the ancients, is the most extensive and highest range of mountains in Portugal. It is a branch of the high range that divides Old and New Castile, and stretches, like most of the other mountain ranges in the peninsula, from north-east to south-west. It rises from a mountain plain of a considerable height, and is covered with snow dur ing more than four months of the year. Link has esti mated its elevation at 5000 or 6000 feet above the level of the sea.
The southern or highest part of the range is called Serra Brava, or the wild mountains, from their steep and rocky character ; and the northern, or lower part of the range, is called Serra Mama, or the gentle moun tains. The whole of these mountains consist of granite. The highest summit is called Malhao de Serra, and is a large but gently arched plain, of so great an extent, that the spectator does not at all observe the rough rocky sides that surround the mountain every where but to the north-east. There are two lakes in these mountains.
One called the Lagoa Escura, or dark lake, is of a fine round form, and is most iomantically situated, being stir rounded with high and wild rocks. It is deep and cold. The Lagoa Rotonda, which is the smallest, is completely round. It is surrounded with high rocks, and is remark able for the transparency of its water. The principal lake is called Lagoa Longa, or Compridcs. It occupies the middle of a valley of considerable length. Its breadth is unequal, and, from its marshy banks, it is less beau tiful than the other two.
Many large and small rivers take their rise in this range, particularly the Mondego, the Vouga, and the Zezere. (j)