ANTIQUARIAN INVESTIGATIONS ON DARTMOOR. 67 



faces the south. These hut circles measure from twelve to thirty 

 feet in diameter; the most usual size being about twenty-six feet, 

 though some are found much larger. The single foundation is 

 most common, but some have a double circle. A very perfect 

 specimen of the ancient dwellings has been observed, and it is 

 believed, for the first time noticed as such, by Miss Dixon of 

 Prince-town ; a lady whose industry and perseverance in investi- 

 gating the antiquities of Dartmoor have been as successful as un- 

 usual, and whose kindness in pointing out this and other interesting 

 relics merits the most public acknowledgment. This venerable 

 dwelling belonging to the most ancient class of buildings in the 

 world, is found in the corner of a very remarkable inclosure which 

 is divided by irregular lines of upright stones. The hut is in a 

 state comparatively perfect, the upper part only having fallen in. 

 It appears to have been shaped like a bee-hive, the wall being 

 formed of large stones and turf, so placed as to terminate in a 

 point. — Tlie circumference is twenty yards. 



These huts have their counterparts still extant in the shealings 

 of the Orkneys, some of which, composed of stone and turf, have 

 the form of ovens or bee-hives ; and others with a base of stone, 

 consisting of two circles within each other, have a superstructure 

 of fir or pine poles converging to a point, and covered with bran- 

 ches and heather. Both these kinds appear to have existed in 

 Dartmoor. All these huts approach, with greater or less accuracy, 

 to the circular form. 



With very few exceptions, these ancient dwellings are found in 

 groups, either surrounded by rude inclosures, or unprovided with 

 this protection. On the banks of the Walkham, near Merivale 

 bridge, is a very extensive village, containing huts of various di- 

 mensions, built on a hill sloping towards the south-west. This 

 village or town, appears to have been of considerable importance, 

 as there are found in it, the avenue, the cromlech, maen and sa- 

 cred circle. In this as in many other villages on the moor, regard 

 seems to have been had to a supply of water in the immediate 

 vicinity ; and, generally speaking, a preference appears to have 

 been given to a South or South-western aspect. Near Littleford 

 tor, is a group of sixty-seven hut circles, and many more appear 

 to have been destroyed. Another village, scarcely less exten- 

 sive, is near Black tor, on the banks of one of the tributaries of 

 the Plym. 



The Cyclopaean inclosures, or Pounds, as they are called by 

 the moormen, frequently surround these ancient towns. They are 



