NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 101 



the body of the tree a deep hole was bored with an auger, 

 and a poor devoted shrew-mouse was thrust in alive, and 

 plugged in, no doubt, with several quaint incantations long 

 since forgotten. As the ceremonies necessary for such a 

 consecration are no longer understood, all succession is at 

 an end, and no such tree is known to subsist in the manor, 

 or hundred. 



As to that on the Plestor 



" The late vicar stubb'd and burnt it," 



when he was way-warden, regardless of the remonstrances 

 of the by-standers, who interceded in vain for it's preserva- 

 tion, urging its power and efficacy, and alledging that it 

 had been 



" Religione patrum multos servata per annos." 



I am, &c. 



