6 NATURAL HISTORY 



the latter frolicked and danced before them. Long might it 

 have stood, had not the amazing tempest in 1703 overturned 

 it at once, to the infinite regret of the inhabitants, and the 

 vicar, who bestowed several pounds in setting it in it's place 

 again : but all his care could not avail ; the tree sprouted for 

 a time, then withered and died. This oak I mention to show 

 to what a bulk planted oaks also may arrive : and planted 

 this tree must certainly have been, as will appear from what 

 will be said farther concerning this area, when we enter on 

 the antiquities of Selborne. 



On the JBlackmoor estate there is a small wood called LoseVs, 

 of a few acres, that was lately furnished with a set of oaks of 

 a peculiar growth and great value ; they were tall and taper 

 like firs, but standing near together had very small heads, only 

 a little brush without any large limbs. About twenty years 

 ago the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton Court, being much 

 decayed, some trees were wanted for the repairs that were fifty 

 feet long without bough, and would measure twelve inches 

 diameter at the little end. Twenty such trees did a pur- 

 veyor find in this little wood, with this advantage, that many 

 of them answered the description at sixty feet. These trees 

 were sold for twenty pounds apiece*. 



In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, though 

 shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out into a large excres- 

 cence about the middle of the stem. On this a pair of ravens 

 had fixed their residence for such a series of years, that the 

 oak was distinguished by the title of The Raven-tree. Many 

 were the attempts of the neighbouring youths to get at this 

 eyry : the difficulty whetted their inclinations, and each was 

 ambitious of surmounting the arduous task. But, when they 

 arrived at the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and was 

 so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring lads were awed, 

 and acknowledged the undertaking to be too hazardous. So the 

 ravens built on, nest upon nest, in perfect security, till the 

 fatal day arrived in which the wood was to be levelled. It 



* [Much interesting information on the planting and growth of trees 

 will be found in the letters of Mr. Marsham to Gilbert White, in the 

 Appendix. T. B.] 



