36 
COMBES. 
till we come to a semiconical hill called Cathe- 
rine’s Tor. It rises abruptly from the shore now, 
hut legends say it once presented a sloping side 
to the sea, similar to its present land side, but 
that, year by year, it gradually crumbles away. 
This is proved by the remains of a Koman viDa 
which have been discovered at the very apex of the 
cone, in a position in which no sane man would at 
present remain five minutes, and on the side to- 
wards the land are still the remains of a zigzag 
road leading to the summit. This hill is separated 
from its neighbours by a broad fiat piece of turf, 
across which a wall of immense width and strength 
stretches : what could have been its use is now dif- 
ficult to discover, or when built, but tradition points 
to it as ancient. There used to be a path down the 
cliff, near Catherine Tor, which enabled you to 
reach Milford beach ; but it is now in so dangerous 
a condition, one is obliged to follow the bends of 
the coast till we reach the valley of Milford. Sweet, 
pleasant spot, with its sparkling merry stream, its 
gorse-clad hills and flowery turf! Though it is a 
real combe, it is a considerable height above the 
sea, as you will discover when you approach the 
precipice and see, far below you, dozens of donkeys 
looking like mice, being laden with sand on the 
beach. 
