70 Dr. Mac Culloch on the Granite T^ors of Cornwall. 



consists of five stones, of which the upper ones are so much the 

 largest as to overhang the base on all sides. The collective height 

 of the whole pile is about 15 feet, from which compared with the 

 drawing, the sizes of the different masses composing it are easily- 

 appreciated. 



The rounding of the angles in this instance, has proceeded in some 

 parts so far as almost to give an appearance of convexity to the 

 touching surfaces from certain points of view ; a state which once 

 attained will speedily compel the Cheese- wring to join its former 

 companions in the plains below. It is evident enough, that the cairn 

 of which this is now the only remaining memorial, has been of 

 considerable dimension. 



An abstraction of its support, occasioned probably by the gradual 

 disintegration and sliding of the summit of the hill, has permitted 

 the lateral parts to fall away, leaving, in its present whimsical position, 

 that part which happened to be best poised. It is unnecessary to 

 suppose that the chisel of Druidism has been employed to reduce it 

 to an image of Saturn. Natural causes are sufficient to account for 

 its appearance. Dr. Borlase reports that the upper stone of this pile 

 had been a logging stone, and thus attempts to strengthen his 

 Druidical system. It would doubtless be a great improvement on the 

 statue of Saturn, to be furnished with a moveable head, but an in- 

 spection of the upper stone is sufficient to show that its centre of 

 gravity is placed much too high to admit of the conditions requisite 

 for the production of that effect. 



The last of these tors which I have chosen for the purpose of 

 this illustration, is the Vixen Tor on Dartmoor. (PI. V.) There is 

 nothing extraneous or traditional connected with this rock to render 

 it an object of interest in any other point of view than that for 

 which I have selected it. 



The granite of this county is known to be in general split by fis- 



