NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 97 



notice of any curious matter which you may inform me of, 

 you are not to suppose that I neglect it ; for either I may 

 wait for information, or may have somewhat to advance 

 which I may think more necessary at that time.] 



Though I must not pretend to great skill in entomology, 

 yet I cannot say that I am ignorant of that kind of know- 

 ledge ; I may now and then perhaps be able to furnish you 

 with a little information. 



The vast rains ceased with us much about the same time 

 as with you, and since we have had delicate weather. Mr. 

 Barker? who has measured the rain for more than thirty 

 years, says, in a late letter, that more has fallen this year 

 than in any he ever attended to ; though from July 1763 to 

 January 1764 more fell than in any seven months of this 

 year. 



[Desiring that you will be pleased to accept of my 

 sincerest wishes suitable to the season, I remain 



Your obliged, & obedient servant 

 GIL : WHITE. 



The nut-hatch just begins to chatter : it chatters flying.] 



1 In original letter, " My brother Barker." [R. B. S.] 



