48 A STUDY ON BOOKLET DYKE, AXD OTHERS IN DORSET. 



pasturage is scanty and difficult. On the other hand, we see the 

 round barrows plentiful there as every where besides, 

 denoting a people for whom the savage and predatory life of the 

 hunter had more charms than that of the herdsman and shep- 

 herd. 



The Durotrigas, i.e., Keltse, were an aggressive race. We 

 may take it for granted that as their numbers increased and 

 spread abroad they would gradually dispossess the Aborigines 

 of their native lands. These being a comparatively weak race, 

 of pastoral habits, would soon yield in the contest with a fierce 

 and warlike people. The conquest no doubt was easy, and the 

 Keltic thus gradually expelled the Aboriginal tribes from the 

 Southern districts further and still further Northwards, con- 

 structing boundary lines and barriers against them as these con- 

 quests advanced. The first note-worthy earthwork indicative of 

 this conquest is to be seen on the Down between Whitchurch 

 and Blandford, called Coombs Ditch. My friend the late Mr. 

 Shipp informed me that " it may be first noticed on the Downs 

 North of Clenstone, and it proceeds in a S.E. direction tc Great 

 Colwood, bounding it on the West side ; and thence descends 

 into the Winterborne valley, disappearing a little East of Win- 

 terborne Thompson. On the S. of Colwood it is intersected 

 by the Via Iceniana, and appears lowered to the level of the 

 Boman road. It consists of a single bank and ditch, the latter 

 being on the N. and N.E. sides. It is very perfect in many parts; 

 averages about 6 feet in height, and 12 to 24 feet broad. It has 

 no pretension to the strength of Bockley, and could never have 

 been intended as a defensive work alone. Its length is about six 

 miles, and pointing in the direction, may justify the statement 

 made by Master Feld to old Leland, "that a very long ditch run- 

 neth to Lytchett Matravers." Its construction is similar to that 

 of Bockley, and if of inferior dimensions, it is evident that so 

 much strength was not needed to secure the territory thus 

 acquired by easy conquest from the Aboriginal tribes. It is 

 certain that they did not people the district between the coast 



