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WINDERMERE
Is the largest lake, being ten miles and a half long by
water, and thirteen by land; its breadth varies, though the
extreme does not extend two miles; the same may be said of
its depth, which is from five to thirty-seven fathoms. Its
circumference is about twenty-six miles, and its waters
cover an area of from four to five thousand acres. The chief
feeders are the streams of the Rothay and Brathay, which
unite at the landing-place. The former, descending from the
Raise Gap and from Easedale Tarn, passes through Grasmere
and Rydal; the bicipitous sources of the latter, rising in
Langdale Head and Wry Nose, mingle their streams in Elter
Water, and after dashing over Skelwith Force, flow gently to
the lake. A stream from Troutbeck enters the lake at
Calgarth Park. The waters of this Mere preserve nearly the
same level, there being scarcely any perceptible difference
either in wet or dry weather; they discharge themselves by
the river Leven, and enter the sea in the Bay of Morecambe.
Trout, pike, perch, eels, and char, abound in them; and wild
fowl of
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