30 SOME DEW-PONDS IN DORSET. 



deep. The theory of its never failing supply of water is that 

 the moisture-laden currents of air from the South-wesc 

 and these sea mist drifts are heaviest in the early morning 

 and towards evening deposit their moisture on the branches 

 and smooth leaves of the overhanging beech-tree and on the 

 leaves of the brush- wood and gorse, and cause a continuous 

 " drip " into the pond below, which is thus kept fully supplied 

 with water ; hence its designation of " drip-pond." 



No. 9. 



There is a pond of similar form and construction on the 

 adjoining down, part of Burton Farm, in the occupation of 

 Mr. Cake. This pond is considerably larger than No. 8 and 

 has overhanging trees of beech, ash, and Scotch fir on its 

 North and West sides. These collect the rain and the mist 

 from the South-west, giving a bountiful supply of water 

 to the pond, which is seldom empty, even in the driest summer. 



No. 10. 



Of Catch-ponds there are numerous examples to be found. 

 These are as a rule kept filled by the surface Avater from the 

 roads and gullies close by. Two excellent examples of Catch- 

 ponds may be seen at the bottom of Kingston Hill on the 

 London Road, one on the right just inside the Park gate, 

 fed by the rain water collecting on the Eastern quarter of 

 the road, the other on the left, through the gate leading to 

 Higher Kingston Farm, fed by that collecting on the Western 

 quarter of the road, supplemented by the drip from over- 

 hanging beech trees ; but these ponds hardly come within the 

 purview of my paper. 



Doubtless other ponds of ancient date placed on our Dorset 

 Downs may be known to members of our club, but the above 

 are all that I have had time to examine and describe. Possibly 

 my investigations may be carried further at some future 

 time. 



