ROSS-SHIRE, one of the northern counties of Scot land, extends across the island. On the east coast it terminates in a point; but extends along the western side about sixty miles directly north and south. This county is deeply indented by arms of the sea; and, on the west coast, these are surrounded by high moun tains. The aspect of the whole, except roman por tion on the east side, is mountainous; there being numerous glens and straths, but scarcely any thing that can be called a valley. The most northern point of this county on the mainland is in latitude 58° 30', and the most southern in 57° and somewhat more. The numbers are not given as accurate, nor have the extremes of longitude been correctly ascertained, though they are nearly 3° 30' and 30'. The great triangles of the ordnance having been completed, it would be useful to publish them on a moderate scale; and it is not probable that we shall know more than we now do of the geography of our country until the ordnance maps are completed.
The number of square geographical miles contained in Ross-shire is nearly 24271, of which the interspers ed parts of Cromarty-shire form 240. The old county of Cromarty contains only 181. The island of Lewis belongs to Ross-shire, and contains 431 square miles.
The number of English acres in the main land is about 2,071,466; in the Lewis 359,093. Of the first number, 220,586 belong to Cromartyshire, and 5973 to Ferrintosh, which is part of the county of Nairn.
The county of Cromarty, so much interspersed in Ross, is now included in the latter for all purposes of police. Both counties are under the jurisdiction of one sheriff, but each has a lord lieutenant. The vul gar divisions of Ross are, 1st, East Ross, the country of the Rosses; 2d, Fearndonald, the country of the Munroes; 3d, West Ross and the Highlands, the coun try of the Mackenzies. The Black Isle, that penin sula which includes the old county of Cromarty and Ferrintosh is another division, which is part of the Mackenzie country.
The two counties contain 37 parishes.
The mountains in this county are for the most part in groups, and some are detached. Many of them
reach a considerable elevation, but their heights are not exactly known. There are several mountains on the west coast, which appear to equal it in height, but Ben \Vyves, or Nish, (the Mountain of Mist) is es teemed the highest. It is the most remarkable on the east coast, and is about 3600 feet high. Its shape is round-backed, and it is placed between two lower mountains, and, viewed from the south, they have the appearance of supporters or wings. It is very preci pitous on all sides but the south; but it is inferior in picturesque beauty to the mountains on the west, the outlines of which are finely varied. Almost the whole west coast abounds in magnificent scenery. That of Loch Carron, Lochalsh, and Loch Duich, is not sur passed, and scarcely equalled by any scenery in Scot land. There are some mountain scenery in the inte rior very picturesque, and we have seldom seen a finer outline than that which is seen from Coul, the seat of Sir G. S. 'Mackenzie, Bart. where the low country ends and the highlands begin.
The principal rivers on the east side of the country are the Conon, which flows into the Cromarty Firth, and the Oikcl and the Carron flowing into the Dor noch Firth. The largest river on the west coast is the Ewe, which has a short course from Loch Maree. The Conon, and its principal branch the Ranay or Black Water, form some falls of considerable height and beauty. The stream called Altgrad, which flows into the Cromarty firth near Baleomy, has worn down a conglomerate rock to a great depth, for an extent of nearly two miles. The cleft is very narrow, and so deep that the water can be seen only at a few places. Some of the western rivers flow through deep crevices.
The largest lake in Ross-shire is Loch Maree, extending 12 miles in length. It is of unequal breadth, and when broadest is crowded with islands. Loch Tannish is the next in size, placed in the centre of the county, and in the midst of bleak scenery. There are numerous lakes of moderate dimensions, and some of them very prettily situated amidst rock and wood.