VIEW FROM BUCKLAND BEACON. 391 



We toil up past the mine, and, getting behind and 

 above it, have a fine view of the valley to the east, 

 and of the country toward Newton. A tall hedge of 

 dwarf beech bounds the road on one side, and furze 

 thickets on the other. Here my entomological son 

 got his first prize ; for we saw specimens of the beau- 

 tiful little Green Hair-streak, which presently became 

 sufficiently abundant, and continued the characteristic 

 butterfly up to the moor. 



The driver pulls up, and, pointing to the left, says, 

 " This is Welster Beacon." We look, and see nothing 

 to tempt us to get out. " No ; but just over the brow 

 you'll see Buckland Beacon, about a quarter of a mile 

 further on ; and that is one of the old Tors, where 

 you'll see a good sight." We dismount, clamber over 

 a gate, and are on a wide rounded hill, covered with 

 button-like clumps of mingled heath and furze ; a 

 broad grassy path leads us to a rough stone wall, and 

 there the Tor stands revealed in its majesty, with its 

 conical crown of gray stone. 



We are soon on the summit, gazing with eager eyes 

 on the almost boundless expanse which stretches away 

 on every side. It is a noble prospect. Unfortunately 

 there is a haze in the air, which diminishes, though it 

 does not destroy, the distinctness of the several fea- 

 tures. The eye is first attracted by the winding, 

 sparkling Dart, which seems to be beneath our feet, 

 as we trace it coming in from the distant moor, and 

 then encircling in its twining embrace the lovely 

 Holne Chace, which, with its rich timber-woods and 



