XXVUl SLAPTON LEY. 



of the coast between Froward Point, at the entrance of Dartmoutli 

 Harbour, on the east, and Start Point on the west, which form* 

 Start Bay. The Ley or Lake is long and narrow in shape and is 

 about three hundred acres in extent, stretching for more tlian two 

 miles along the coast. It is formed by the junction of three small 

 rivers or streams flowing from the neighbouring valleys, their waters 

 being dammed up by the shingle-bank or ridge of small stones and 

 sand thrown up by the heavy waves breaking on the low coast. 

 The fresh water having no outlet, except by percolation through 

 the beach, forms a lake of varying dimensions, according to the 

 amount of rainfall, being sometimes very full of water and at 

 others almost dry in parts. About the centre it is crossed by a 

 stone bridge leading to the small village of Slapton, and dividing 

 it into two portions, the lower or western and the upper or eastern. 

 The former is considerably the deepest, the latter being nearly filled 

 up with dense beds of reeds, where most of the Coots breed. In 

 the lower part there are also many beds of reeds and chib-rushes, 

 forming a fine cover for the numerous aquatic birds, which find a 

 congenial resort here, as the Ley is strictly preserved. The water 

 is well stocked with Pike, Perch, Rudd, and Eels, all of which reach 

 a large size. On some occasions in violent storms the sea has 

 effected a breach through the shingle-bauk and the salt-water 

 obtaining access to the Ley has killed tlie fish in it. The action 

 of the waves and there being no outlet for the pebbles to escape 

 either to the east or west, soon fills up any temporary gap which may 

 be formed. The Ley is a great stronghold for the Coots, which 

 breed here in vast numbers, but are largely reinforced in autumn 

 and winter by '^ foreigners,'"' and numerous kinds of Ducks. At 

 the Avestern extremity is situated the small fishing-villago of 

 Torcross. Here the sea is so deep that pleasure steamers can run 

 their bows on to the steep beach and land passengers by means of 

 a gangway let down. About the middle of the Long Sand, as the 

 ridge separating the Ley from the sea is termed, stands the 

 ' Sands Hotel,' much frequented by sportsmen in the fishing-season, 

 and at the eastern end is Strete, the residence of Mr. H. L. 

 Toll. The Dartmouth turnpike-road traverses the whole length 

 of the Long Sand, and a coach passes along it between Dartmouth 

 and Kingsbridge daily, but otherwise there is not much traffic to 

 disturb the Wild-fowl. Formerly an annual Public Shoot took 

 place in the winter, but of late years none was allowed until January 



