114 ANTIQUARIAN INVESTIGATIONS ON DARTMOOR. 



relic altogether, if not unique, is of a very singular character, 

 and very distinct in its appearance from all others we have met 

 with. 



S. VV. of the last, one hundred and twelve paces, adjoining the 

 beacon-cairn on the mountain top, is a low, circular inclosure, in 

 formation somewhat similar to the tracklines. The stones are 

 thrown promiscuously together, a very few only being placed 

 erect in the ground. With the exception of a small portion of its 

 circumference, this circle is beautifully perfect; inclosing an area 

 of boggy land, scarcely lower than the highest point of the moun- 

 tain upon which the beacon is placed. 



In the descent of the hill, towards Taw marsh, opposite Bel- 

 stone tor, is a group of hut circles, nine in number, within and 

 without a trackline inclosure, three hundred and forty paces in 

 circumference. One part of the circumference breaks from the 

 circular into a serpentine form, for no apparent reason. Still 

 nearer to the valley of the Taw, on the side of the mountain, two 

 trackways intersect each other, forming acute angles at the point 

 of intersection. The trackways can be distinctly traced two fur- 

 longs from N. E. to S. W. 



Four miles S. E. of Cawson, is Castor rock, which has a basin 

 two feet by one foot six. Immediately below t 'astor, on Tincombe 

 down, are numerous tracklines, rectangular inclosures, and Pounds, 

 with hut circles, similar to those in other (juarters of the moor. 



Near Castor is Gidleigh common, on the borders of which is 

 an upright rock pillar or maen, similar in appearance to that at 

 Merivale bridge. The height is twelve feet, girth at the base 

 eight feet, tapering gradually upwards. It has been employed 

 as a bound-stone, and inscribed with the letters (J and D — Gid- 

 leigh and Dagleigh commons. Thirty-six yards from this stone, 

 commences an avenue of upright stones, one hundred and thirty- 

 four yards in a direction N. and S. At some distance, on ano- 

 ther part of the hill, is a second avenue running down the hill 

 one hundred and forty yards in a direction due N. and S. The 

 breadth is four feet and a lialf, and it terminates in a very curious 

 set of circles of upright stones, ])laced one within another; the 

 outermost consisting of eleven stones, the second of six, the inte- 

 rior of eight; and within this, three stones, irregularly placed. 

 Diameter of the whole fifteen feet. At a sliort distance is a co- 

 lunniar stone, having the appearance of an overthrown maen. 



A few paces from these concentric circles commence a pair ol 

 fivenues, leading down the hill, N. towards the Teit;ii. The east- 



