18():2.] KENTISH BOTANY. 85 



beach were discovered, nor are there any on the surface to be 

 discovered. The main stream of the Wantsume is now con- 

 fined to a narrow channel by high artificial banks ; and the 

 level tract through which it flows is intersected by numerous 

 ditches, which are always nearly brim-full of water, in which 

 many aquatic plants grow most luxuriantly. 



Several causes, and some very inadequate, have been assigned 

 for the disappearance of the ancient channel or arm of the sea 

 which encircled this isle and divided it entirely from the main- 

 land. One author assumes that the Wantsume channel failed 

 v.hen the great catastrophe occurred by which a great part of 

 Holland was submerged and the Zuyder Zee formed. This inun- 

 dation so reduced the waters of the sea in its vicinity, that it has 

 not yet recovered its former level. Another gravely asserts, that 

 the disappearance of the ancient forest of Andredsweld''^ has 

 altered the moistuess of the atmosphere ; and that, where forty 

 inches of rain fell in a year, there now only fall about twenty- 

 five. It is marvellous, on this theory, that there is still some 

 water in Father Thames, who has been denuded of all his 

 forests! And what will l)econie of the Severn and the Wye 

 when Wyre Forest and Dean Forest have succumbed to the 

 woodman^s ase ? 



We mused on the gradual effects of modern improvements, 

 without great apprehension for the futm^e fate of our rivers, 

 streams, and fountains, till we reached the gap or depression 

 between Reculver, on the Heme side, and St. Nicholas on the 

 Thanet side, of this ancient channel. Here the mystery was 

 cleared up ; and we learned, to our great satisfaction, that the 

 felling of ancient woods, and the grubbing up of wide hedges, 

 had no more to do with the drying up of the Wantsume than 

 Tenterden Steeple had to do with the encroachments of the 

 Goodwin Sands — nor so much, if we believe honest Dr. Thomas 

 Fuller. The cause was palpable, viz, a huge dyke a mile long, 

 nearly tv>'enty feet high, and of a proportionate breadth, with 

 strong flood-gates to prevent the ingress of the sea and to permit 

 the egress of the fresh water. 



If the sea were allowed free ingress and egress, the former 



* Tliis forest anciently extended for above a hundred miles, over the vreald of 

 Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. St. Leonard's, Tilgate, Ashdowne forests are the rem- 

 nants of tliis wooded wealden tract. 



