THE VALLEY OF THE ROCKS 
135 
not seen this part of Devonshire the impression that the 
scene presented by this valley is wild and rugged ; whereas 
the valley itself has very much of the peculiar softness and 
grace which generally characterize the charming scenery of 
Devonshire. 
The bottom of the valley, through which a smooth and 
level road is cut, is densely clothed with dark green Brake » 
interspersed with green patches of smooth and velvety 
turf; and scattered here and there, as if by some 
volcanic agency long years ago, large fragments of stone. 
Bounding the north or seaward side of the valley are piled 
up great masses of rock, the huge pile known as the Castle 
Rock standing in the centre or midway between the ends of 
the valley. Between each pile of rock are long banks, 
sloping rapidly to the sea. The southern side of the valley 
is bounded by a ridge, extending semicircular! y along 
the landward side. In places this ridge is densely covered 
with the clustering Bracken ; in others, softly turfed ; in 
others again, bare, hard, and stony, with large fragments of 
rock jutting out from its surface. 
K 
