2 
NATURAL HISTORY 
of Senan to the Weft, from which extremities this county mea- 
fures feventy-eight miles and a half in length, a in a line nearly 
South Weft and North Eaft. 
In the wideft part, viz. from the Northern point of Morwinftow 
to Ramhead, is forty -three Miles and a quarter, the line nearly 
South South Eaft : The land grows narrower as it goes to the Weft, 
and at about one third of it’s length it is but eighteen Miles from 
Fauwy on the South fea to Padftow on the North. As we advance 
another third, ’tis thirteen miles from Pendinas Caftle on the South 
to Portreath on the North ; and from Mount’s Bay on the South, 
to St. Ives Bay and the Briftol Channel on the North, the land is 
but five miles wide. 
The land thrufting itfelf forward in fuch narrow dimenfions, 
declines towards the fea on either fide, confequently the land is 
higheft in or near the middle, where it is lefs cultivated than 
in the lower lands, as indeed lefs capable of cultivation : here, 
however, as our greateft Roads pafs, and moftly through large 
Commons, and on or near the moft mountainous parts, the rude 
profpect is apt to give travellers a more unfavourable opinion of the 
County in general than it deferves ; for this barrennefs is no more 
than the natural confequence of high fituations in all countries, 
which being more expofed to the courfe of winds and rain than the 
plains and valleys, the foil is not fuffer’d to reft here, but is per- 
petually wafh’d off into lower and more even fituations, the Rocks 
and Karns are laid bare, and the heathy foil that remains be- 
twixt them is fit for little but to yield common pafture, and 
turf for fuel. 
On the Northern Coaft the land is generally high, and the 
valleys fhort, narrow and quick of delcent; the fea therefore, befides 
the two creeks of Bude and Gannel) finds a way only to make two 
havens, Padftow and Heyle, and thofe fit for but Small Craft, 
but the valleys being more extended and level on the fouth coaft, 
the fea makes an open entrance into Hammoze, Fauwy and Fal- 
mouth Harbours for the largeft fhips, and by their feveral branches 
as well as at Loo and Helford, affords eafy carriage of all conve- 
niencies, either by fhips, boats, or barges. 
Near the fea, and along the fides of navigable rivers, and in 
the plain grounds, this county is well cultivated, and in fome places 
well planted, but our plantations make the lefs figure becaule 
they are low, and our hills are naked. 
It need not be here obferved that Cornwall is famous for 
Tin and Copper Mines. The high lands in the Eaft, bordering 
* According to Martin’s Map, done from an adtual Survey. 
upon 
