RIVERS OF SOUTH DEVON. 143 
Chapter LW. 
REVERS, SPRINGS, AND LAKES. 
“In Britain’s matchless Isle 
Unnumbered floods meander, and she wears 
A verdurous robe that seldom cheers the lawns 
Of softer, brighter climes. But Albion rich 
In rivers sweetly gliding o’er her map, 
Nor streams so fresh—so fair,—nor fields so gay, 
May boast, as thine Devonia. Ever falls 
Upon the well pleased ear the melody 
Of thy soft-flowing waters,” 
CARRINGTON. 
The South of Devon is remarkable for the great 
number of rivers and streams by which it is 
intersected, nearly the whole of which take rise in 
the central and highest part of the county.* This 
central district is Dartmoor, a wild, and for the 
most part granitic tract, a vast assemblage of 
primitive hills gradually sloping away to the South 
Hams, where this nucleus disappears beneath the 
schists, limestones, and other rocks, but again rises 
to view in the Channel as the Eddystone, &c. so 
* For some other remarks on this head, see chapter on 
“ Geography of Animals.” 
