AX EXI'LORATIOX OF TllEGAER ROUNDS. 75 



"easily ti'aceal)le across the field numbered 591 on the parish 

 "map and, prol)al)ly, the remaims of the ditch yet exist for a 

 " short distance along the south side of the road. The outer 

 "gate is approached by a ditch or covered way from the valley 

 "below, which covered way still remains crossing a lield 

 " numbered 600 on the parish map. This important work, which 

 " is numbered 592 and 593 on the map, has given its name to the 

 " farm on which it is situate." 



The plan given of Trcgaer Castle by Maclean shows faint 

 traces of the encircling oiiter wall, which have now disappeared 

 or nearly so, and of the remains of the covered way which leads 

 up from the valley towards the entrance of the camp. The 

 intervening held has been levelled within living memory, and 

 the portion of the covered way close to the camp has been tilled 

 in. 



The present condition of the camp is as follows : — Tregaer 

 Rounds is constructed on the side of a hill at a mean elevation 

 of 500 feet above sea-level, sloping about 4° to the S.E. The 

 highest point in the neighbourhood (575 feet) is not far from 

 Treore (or Trerure) Farm, about 800 yards to the N.W. ; 

 consequently it is not in, what we should consider, the strongest 

 possible position for defence. Doubtless there was some good 

 reason for this, and it seems that traces of a small occupation of 

 the higher ground exist (in a held known as Big Downs, on 

 Trerure Farm), from which point the country towards the sea, 

 as well as Port Isaac and Port Gaverne, would be constantly 

 under observation, and it may have assisted in this waj', as an 

 outpost, what would otherwise have been the weakest part of 

 the fortress. 



The camp consists of two concentric earthworks and a 

 defence flanking the entrance. 



The inner circle is composed of a parapet and ditch, Avhich 

 are comjilete except on the S.E. portion facing the entrance. 

 Here, for about 300 feet, parai)et and ditch entirely disappear as 

 such, and a steep slope, about 10 feet high, takes their place. 

 Whether this was the original construction we cannot say but, 

 if so, this portion of the position would have been equally strong 

 if this slope had been protected at the bottom or top with a 



