The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

CARMAETKENSHIRE—GLAMORGANSHIRE. 69
Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin) is for the most part drained hj the Towey and
Taf, and that portion of the county which lies to the north, along the left bank
of the Teifi, is of small extent. The coast is low, and in places marshy, whilst the
interior is hilly, or even mountainous, the hills being intersected by productive
valleys and wooded glens. Carmarthen Van (2,596 feet), a summit of the Black
Mountains, is the highest point in the county. Coal and iron are found, and
there are iron works, iron-mills, copper-mills, tin works, and other manufacturing
establishments.
Laugharne (pronounced Lame), on the west bank of the Taf, is a decayed town,
with a small port and some trade in butter and corn. (SV. Clears, higher up on
the same river, has partly usurped its trade.
Carmarthen, the county town and reputed birthplace of Merlin, the "Welsh
Fig. 37 —The Worm's Head : Peninsula of Gotver.
magician, is seated upon the Lower Towey, 9 mUes above its mouth in Carmar-
then Bay. It is a picturesque town, with irregular and steep streets. Sir Richard
Steele, the essayist, lies buried in its ancient parish church. Tin and iron works
are near it. Abergicilli, with the palace of the Bishop of St. David's and Merlin's
Hill, is in its neighbourhood. Higher up on the Towey are Llandilofawr, a market
town, with collieries and marble quarries, and Llandorery.
Llanelly, on Burry Inlet, is the principal seaport of the county. It depends in
a large measure upon the Cambrian Copper Works, its tin works, and some
collieries. Pemhrey, at the mouth of Burry Inlet, has copper smelting works and
a small harbour. Kidwelly, to the north of it, lies on a silted-up harbour, and is
mainly dependent upon its tin-plate works.
Glamorganshire (Morgaxavg) is the most southerly county in Wales. Its
northern part is hilly, but none of its hills attain a height of 2,000 feet, whilst the