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THE TARNS.
THERE are numerous other receptacles of still water, which, being
too small to merit the appellation of lakes, are called TARNS.
When placed in a principal valley, (which however is not often
the case,) they contribute little to its importance; and being in
such situations often environed with swampy ground, seem to
represent the feeble remains of a once more considerable lake.
But in a circular recess on the side of a vale, or on a mountain,
as they are generally placed, their margins being well defined,
they become more interesting. Reposing frequently at the feet of
lofty precipices, and sometimes appearing as if embanked by a
collection of materials excavated from the basin which they
occupy; they afford ample room for conjecture as to the mode of
their formation. Being sheltered from the winds, their surface
often exhibits the finest reflections of the rocks and
surrounding scenery, highly pleasing to the eye of such as view
them with regard to the picturesque; but it is more agreeable to
the wishes of the angler, to see their surface ruffled by the
breeze.
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