54 AUBBEY'S NATURAL HISTORY OF WILTSHIRE. 



But Mr. Perkins, who lives in the New Forest, sayes that there are two other oakes besides that which 

 breed green buddes about Christmas day (pollards also), but not constantly. One is within two 

 leagges of the King's-oake, the other a mile and a halfe off. [Leagges, probably lugs : a lug being 

 " a measure of land, called otherwise a pole or perch." (Bailey's Dictionary.) The context renders 

 leagues improbable. J. B.] 



Elmes. I never did see an elme that grew spontaneously in a wood, as oakes, ashes, beeches, &c. ; 

 which consideration made me reflect that they are exotique ; but by whom were they brought into 

 tliis island ? Not by the Saxons ; for upon enquiry I am enf'ormed that there are none in Saxony, 

 nor in Denmarke, nor yet in France, spontaneous ; but in Italy they are naturall ; e. g. in Lombardie, 

 &c. Wherefore I am induced to believe that they were brought hither out of Italy by the Romans, 

 who were cultivators of their colonies. The Saxons understood not nor cared for such improve- 

 ments, nor had hardly leisure if they would. 



Anno 1687 I travelled from London as far as the Bishoprick of Durham. From Stamford to 

 the bishoprick I sawe not one elme on the roade, whereas from London to Stamford they are in 

 every hedge almost. In Yorkshire is plenty of trees, wliich they call elmes ; but they are wich- 

 hazells, as wee call them in Wilts (in some counties wich-elmes). I acquainted Mr. Jo. Ray of 

 this, and he told me when he travelled into the north he minded it not, being chiefly intent on 

 herbes ; but he writes the contrary to what I doe here : but it is matter of fact, and therefore easily 

 to bee prov'd. [See Ray's Letter to Aubrey, ante, p. 8.] " Omnesq, radicum plantis prove- 

 niimt." Plin. lib. xvi. cap. 17. 



In the Villare Anglicaimm are a great many towns, called Afhton, Willoug/iby, &c. but not 

 above three or four Elme-tons. 



In the common at Urshfont was a mighty elme, which was blown down by the great wind when 

 Ol. Cromwell died. I sawe it as it lay along, and I could but just looke over it. [See note in page 

 14. J. B.] 



Since the writing this of elmes, Edmund Wyld, Esq. of Houghton Conquest in Bedfordshire, 

 R.S.S. assures me that in Bedfordshire, in severall woods, e. g. about Wotton, &c. that elmes doe 

 grow naturally, as ashes, beeches, &c. ; but quaere, what kind of elm it is ? 



Beeches. None in Wilts except at Groveley. (In the wood belonging to Mr. Samwell's farm at 

 Market Lavington are three very large beeches. BISHOP TANNER.) I have a conceit that long 

 time ago Salisbury plaines might have woods of them, but that they cut them down as an incum- 

 brance to the ground, wliich would turn to better profit by pasture and arable. The Chiltern of 

 Buckinghamshire is much of the like soile ; and there the neernesse of Bucks to London, with the 

 benefit of the Thames, makes their woods a very profitable commodity. 



About the middle of Groveley Forest was a fair wood of oakes, wliich was called Sturton's Hatt. 

 It appeared a good deale higher than the rest of the forest (which was most coppice wood), and was 

 seen over all Salisbury plaines. In the middle of this hatt of trees (it resembled a hatt) there was a 

 tall beech, which overtopt all the rest. The hatt was cutt down by Philip II. Earle of Pembroke, 

 1654; and Thomas, Earle of Pembroke, disafforested it, an . 1684. 



Birch. Wee have none in North Wilts, but some (no great plenty) in South Wilts : most by 



