406 DARTMOOR AND THE DART. 



This is one of the loftiest peaks on the moor, and 

 appears to have been a chief seat of the Druidical 

 astrolatry, at least if that etymology of its name be 

 sound which derives it from Misor, the British moon- 

 goddess, answering to the Ashtoreth of the Sidonians. 

 The out-croppings of the granite on the summit of 

 the Tor are described as taking magnificently massive 

 forms ; and, on the top of the loftiest, at an elevation 

 of 1760 feet above the sea-level, there is one of those 

 singular circular pans which have provoked so much 

 discussion as to their origin. From their situation, 

 and the regularity of their form, it has by some anti- 

 quaries been maintained that they were connected 

 with sacerdotal service, used either for the washing 

 of the sacrifices or the ceremonial lustrations of the 

 priests, and that they were excavated by human skill 

 and labour. Others believe that, beautifully regular 

 as is their shape, they are merely the result of natural 

 decomposition. If so, however, they are not the less 

 likely to have been pressed into the service of the 

 dominant idolatry. The one on Mis Tor, commonly 

 known as Mis Tor Pan, is remarkably smooth, and 

 perfect in its outline, about eight inches in depth, 

 and a yard in diameter.* 



However, this was far beyond our present limits. 

 We jog on by Hockaby Tor,, a crowned eminence on 

 our right, of no great elevation, but interesting be- 

 cause on its slope there are several hut-circles dis- 

 tinctly visible from the road, distant from it, indeed, 



* See the account of the Punchbowl, on Lundy ; p. 97, supra. 



