LETTER VIII 



TO THE SAME 



ON the verge of the forest, as it is now circumscribed, 

 are three considerable lakes, two in Oakhanger, of which I 

 have nothing particular to say ; and one called Bin's, or 

 Bean's pond, 1 which is worthy the attention of a naturalist 

 or a sportsman. For, being crowded at the upper end 

 with willows, and with the carex cespitosa? it affords such 

 a safe and pleasing shelter to wild ducks, teals, snipes, &c., 

 that they breed there. In the winter this covert is also 

 frequented by foxes, and sometimes by pheasants ; and the 

 bogs produce many curious plants. (For which consult 

 Letter XLI to Mr. Barrington?) 



1 This pond has long since been drained, and cattle now graze upon its bed. 

 Cf. Harting's ed., preface, p. 9. [R. B. S.] 



3 I mean that sort which, rising into tall hassocks, is called by the foresters 

 torrets : a corruption, I suppose of turrets. [G. W.] 



Note. In the beginning of the summer 1787, the royal forests of Wolmer 

 and Holt were measured by persons sent down by government. [G. W.] 



3 The original edition says " Letter XLII," and this mistake is copied by Bell 



and other editors. [R. B. S.] 



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