AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 205 



bulk of the fish passes between SciHy and the Land's End, 

 and entering the British Channel, follows the windings of 

 the shore as far as Bigbury Bay and the Start." 



It is said in Moore's "Devon" that "many years since 

 a quantity of pilchards large enough to produce about 

 £7000 were taken in Bigbury Bay; but of late years the 

 fishing seasons have been less successful." 



"There is a Bigbury Bay Company, possessing the 

 necessary boats and nets, &c, for the pilchard fishery, 

 and cellars for the cure of the fish at Challaborough and 

 at the Warren, from whence they are shipped in hogsheads 

 for the Mediterranean market." 



Pilchards constitute an important article of food to the 

 poorer classes in all the villages and towns surrounding 

 Bigbury Bay. 



The Avon (which is navigable for barges as far as 

 Aveton GifFord only) rises in Dartmoor, a short distance 

 north of Brent Beacon. It flows through a fertile country, 

 rich in interesting views Immediately before it passes 

 under Brent or Leedy Bridge, it pours down a ledge of 

 rocks, not much higher, indeed, than a common weir; but 

 the height of the arch of the bridge, beautifully covered 

 with ivy, and the waterfall seen through the arch, together 

 with the picturesque approach of the stream towards the 

 bridge, afford an assemblage of romantic objects, so finely 

 harmonised, that Polwhele says it has been preferred even 

 to Becky Fall, and considered superior to the cataract at 

 Lydford Bridge. 



Passing Brent, the Avon runs between Diptford and North 

 Huish; there it is crossed by two or three bridges, besides 

 that at Loddiswell and Aveton Gifford, and discharges itself 

 into the sea near Bantham. 



