ANCIENT PONDS 37 



be planted at the south-west side of is a fair case to be made out for the 



the pond. The planting of such trees existence of some sort of mist-pond 



is not, however, general, though in the Neolithic and Bronze Age 



common. periods. The modern theory teaches 



Gilbert White has already been that these old camps were often refuges 



cited on the question of these old for men and cattle in times of danger, 



ponds. Literary references can be There is no proof that water was then 



carried back a little before his time, much more easily obtained on the 



and then all direct evidence ceases, hill top than it is to-day. Spring 



There is nevertheless little reason there was none at those heights. The 



for doubting that sheepmasters from modern farmer uses the mist-pond 



mediaeval times onwards have been without understanding how it is filled, 



acquainted with these ponds. The hence it is no objection that the early 



phenomenon of condensation on the Britons were ignorant in the matter, 



hills must have forced itself upon their Water they must have had, and the 



attention, and they would not be mist-pond seems the only means by 



likely to neglect such a cheap and which they could have been supplied, 



constant supply of water. Let us suppose a tribe, with all its 



But there is a more fascinating flocks and herds, shut up in Maiden 



phase of the subject. In the vicinity Castle, Dorsetshire, or in the Yarnbury 



of ancient earthworks, and in some Camp on Salisbury Plain. Even were 



cases within the fortifications them- the siege to last only two or three 



selves, the trained eye of the archaeo- days, it is evident that a large quantity 



logist may detect hollows which of water would be required. A water 



probably represent prehistoric mist- famine would prove a terrible calamity, 



ponds. Where old-world . cultivation To visit springs or streams at the foot 



terraces and groups of hut circles would be impracticable. Even could 



abound, there, too, similar relics are stealthy visits be made to those waters, 



occasionally visible. Some of these by what means could a sufficient 



hollows doubtless represent excava- quantity be conveyed to the summit 



tions for chalk, others may mark the of the hill ? 



site of underground granaries. There Apart from the question of inter- 

 remain a few which do not seem to tribal attack, we must remember that 

 fall in either of these classes. There our earliest cultivators were most 



