GLEANINGS FROM DARTMOOR. 177 
Gleanings from Dartmoor: with Observations on Dr. Verity’s 
Conclusions on Races of British Butterflies. 
By G. T. BETHUNE-BAKER, F.L.8., F.Z.S. 
To lovers of the West Country the name of Dartmoor is generally 
fraught with some happy recollection of lovely scene, of breezy 
health-giving tramps, or of some pleasant expedition in search of 
nature’s more or less hidden treasures, that nevertheless are not so 
secretly disposed of as to be undiscoverable to those who have a mind 
to explore and eyes to see. The moor itself is of very considerable 
extent, being to-day probably not less than 150,000 acres and, as is 
well known, forming a part of the Duchy of Cornwall. It is a high 
table-land, intersected with valleys, through which wind some of the 
loveliest rivers in Kneland ; this table-land is more or less surrounded 
by an outer ring of “tors” of moderate elevation, the highest being 
High Willhays, of 2,089 feet, whilst Yes Tor, with only a narrow de- 
pression between them, runs it very close at 2,029 feet on the northern 
side ; though probably the most conspicuous and certainly the most 
popular tor is Hey Tor.on the southern side. It may perhaps be 
interesting to some to know that London Bridge is constructed with 
granite out of this hill. There are of course throughout the whole of 
the “ Forest,” as it is often locally termed, numerous tors cropping up 
all around. The whole district, with the exception of a very small 
part near the edge, which is of trap rock, is of granite formation, a 
great chain of granite masses runs through Devon and Cornwall to 
the Scilly Islands, appearing here and there on the surface; of these 
Dartmoor is the largest and attains much greater altitudes than else- 
where. Ironstone is found in pockets, but has not been worked to any 
profit, though one or two tin mines are still in progress, the mines, 
however, are not up-to-date, and the quantities of ore raised are com- 
paratively small. Very little grain is raised on the moor itself, the 
greater part of available land being devoted to pasturage. 
All around, however, on the edge of the highland, farms abound, 
and it is evident that they are well managed and prosperous, for the 
great majority of the farmers are men who seem to be in a comfort- 
fortable position, 
It is on the edge of the moor that insect life is most abundant, the 
villages are numerous, accommodation is easily found, and visitors are 
generally well catered for. Having family connections within sight of 
the southern heights, I have for the last thirty years been in the habit 
of visiting the district annually, often several times a year. This 
year, alas, through travelling restrictions coupled with an invalid 
household, circumstances have prevented my going down, so it is well 
to recall some happy reminiscences of the past and to live in hope of 
the position being more favourable next year; for those who know 
the West Country learn to love it, and in the busy times of city life 
often long for its peace, its beautiful scenery and delicious air. 
Last year I was with my family at a little place called Bovey 
Tracey on the south-eastern edge of the moor; we were four miles 
from the more or less isolated peak of Hey Tor that I have already 
mentioned,-—and were in the Devon pottery district, and in the midst 
of regular Devon surroundings, the lanes and heaths being quite 
typical. On the one side we have a considerable extent of heather 
Novemeper-Decempes 15rn, 1918. 
