THE MOORLAND PLYM. 
305 
Mr. Ware, of Ditsworthy Warren, and his son were netting 
rabbits, when one took refuge in one of these niches under a pile 
of stones. Mr. Ware the younger canvassed the situation, and 
being a man of practical tendencies proceeded to demolish the 
wall. Whereupon ensued the following conversation : 
" Why, Jack, what be about, a-knockin' down Mother Mcholls's 
book-place, man?" 
But Jack the practical replied, " Dang Mother Nicholls's book- 
place ! I wants the rabbit.' 7 
"And so," says old Mr, Ware, "he knocked down the old 
place that had been standing ever since we came here, and 
that's nine-and-fifty year ago." 
The last holder of this building and the farm attached was 
called Mcholls ; and an old man named JSTorthmore, still living at 
Meavy at the age of ninety-two, remembers hearing from his 
father that his grandfather recollected Nicholls living at the 
house. 
It is said that it took a team of ten oxen to plough the fields of 
Hen Tor. 
Proceeding towards Shavercombe waterfall, we shall pass over 
comparatively level ground, on which, about 400 feet to the west 
of the Shavercombe brook and 900 feet above the waterfall, are 
the remains of a kistvaen, of which the cover-stone has been 
thrown on one side, while the kist itself has fallen in. A circle of 
stones surrounds the whole. 
In the immediate vicinity are several hut-circles and an en- 
closure, all built in small slate stone, although granite was 
obtainable near at hand. 
Below the waterfall, on the western side of the valley, is another 
enclosure built in granite, and surrounding a few hut-circles. 
Crossing to the north side of the Plym by Ditsworthy dam, we 
pass the swamp known as Meavy Pool, and up the valley in which 
it lies, merely pausing to observe the great heaps thrown up by the 
streamers, and the remains of a reservoir which they once con- 
structed near the head of their cutting. As no natural stream 
flows down the valley in ordinary weather a leat was led round 
from the main river. 
And here I would observe that it was my original intention to 
include these old leats in my survey, but their number, and the 
necessity for curtailing my remarks, have led to their omission. 
