ANTIQUARIAN INVESTIGATIONS ON DARTMOOR. 69 



Trackways, under which designation those roads or causeways, 

 or perhaps boundary lines, which cross the moor in different di- 

 rections are inchided, might with more accuracy be distinguished 

 into the two classes of trackways and tracklines. Trackways in 

 this more confined sense, would then mean those which traverse 

 the moor to a very wide extent, ascending the hills, penetrating 

 the bogs and swamps, and fording the rivers ; while tracklines 

 will describe those which connect inclosures or huts, commencing 

 and terminating within the bounds of each village. 



The most extensive trackway which has come under our notice, 

 is one which is supposed to traverse the moor in a direction E. 

 and W. from Hamildown to Great Mistor. Considerable portions 

 of the line can be traced in a direction corresponding to these two 

 points, but a large extent of it rests rather upon the testimony of 

 tradition, than on existing remains ; for this is one of the few relics 

 of remote antiquity which seems to have excited any attention in 

 the moormen. The oral topographers of the district recognise 

 this trackway as the equator of the moorland region ; all above it 

 being considered the north, and all below it as the south country. 

 This circumstance, while it affords good evidence as to the anti- 

 quity of this relic, militates, it must be allowed, in some degree 

 against the theory which would attribute to it the character of 

 a road rather than that of a boundary. 



The trackway may be seen in great perfection descending the 

 northern slope of Chittaford down, towards the East Dart. It is 

 formed of pebbly stones irregularly placed together, and forming 

 a rude causeway, with its crest slightly raised above the level of 

 the country; its mean breadth being from five to six feet. On 

 this common, it is visible for a considerable length, and can be 

 traced, running due west, through Hollowcombe and up the op- 

 posite hill to Little White tor. Down the common towards the 

 Dart it bends N. E. but takes a southerly direction in the level 

 near Post bridge. With some difficulty it may be detected pas- 

 sing through the boggy meadows below Hartland farm. The 

 peat cutters are said to come upon it below the surface; and the 

 general direction is found to be E. and W. 



Another portion has been observed passing over Archerton hill, 

 and is visible to the extent of a mile. In formation and breadth 

 it is precisely similar to tlie line already described. But the finest 

 specimen of trackways as to breadth, is that which ascends the 

 hill at Three-barrow tor. It terminates in the great cairn on the 

 summit, but commences again on the opposite side, and proceeds 

 down the hill in a N. W. direction. This trackway is full fifteen 



