DESTRUCTION OF THESE. 
109 
and marshes of Dartmoor, and it is probable from 
the occurrence of the marks of the axe on some 
specimens, and the discovery of ancient weapons 
in soils and beds of the same age with these re- 
liques, that the remnants of these original woods,— 
those portions not engulphed by the ocean, or oc¬ 
curring more decidedly in-land, were felled and in 
great measure obliterated during the strife for 
supremacy between those tribes who occupied the 
Island at the commencement of the first period of 
history.* Again, additional proof presents itself to 
a like purpose at Mount’s Bay, and at the Land’s 
End in Cornwall, where, setting aside probable 
exaggerations, remains of buildings have been 
discovered of very ancient construction, and at 
great depths beyond the shore. (Carew’s Survey of 
Cornwall.) The geological connection of the strata 
of the Scilly Isles and Land’s End, the occurrence of 
clay on the former, (?) and the inconsiderable depth 
of the intervening sea, give great reason to appre¬ 
hend an original junction by an intervening tract 
of country. Moreover, ancient historians (charac¬ 
terized indeed by want of accuracy, deficiency in 
solid proof, and a singular disposition to perpetuate 
mere tradition, equalled by a credulity in popular 
reports and falsehoods) are in every instance agreed 
in a general assertion as to former connections of 
the islets off the coasts of Great Britain, with the 
main land ; there are likewise among them a number 
of coincident remarks constituting in a general w ay 
historical evidence of a considerable invasion of the 
* A roman cuirass was dug up at East Brent a few years ago. 
A Roman implement of warfare or chace has been found deeply 
imbedded in the Dartmoor peat. Another of the same class was 
discovered in shallow soil at Yealm Bridge. Some celts were dis¬ 
covered atlngsdon some few years ago. (Jones’ Guide to Scenery 
of Ashburton, p, 22.) 
