NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 13 



water-courses than roads ; and are bedded with naked rag 

 for furlongs together. In many places they are reduced 

 sixteen or eighteen feet beneath the level of the fields ; and 

 after floods, and in frosts, exhibit very grotesque and wild 

 appearances, from the tangled roots that are twisted among 

 the strata, and from the torrents rushing down their broken 

 sides; and especially when those cascades are frozen into 

 icicles, hanging in all the fanciful shapes of frost-work. 

 These rugged gloomy scenes affright the ladies when they 

 peep down into them from the paths above, arid make 

 timid horsemen shudder while they ride along them ; but 

 delight the naturalist with their various botany, and 

 particularly with the curious filices with which they 

 abound. 



The manor of Selborne, was it strictly looked after, with 

 all its kindly aspects, and all its sloping coverts, would 

 swarm with game ; even now hares, partridges, and pheas- 

 ants abound ; and in old days woodcocks were as plentiful. 

 There are few quails, because they more affect open fields 

 than enclosures ; after harvest some few landrails are 

 seen. 



The parish of Selborne, by taking in so much of the 

 forest, is a vast district. Those who tread the bounds are 

 employed part of three days in the business, and are of 

 opinion that the outline, in all its curves and indentings, 

 does not comprise less than thirty miles. 



The village stands in a sheltered spot, secured by the 

 Hanger from the strong westerly winds. The air is soft, 

 but rather moist from the effluvia of so many trees ; yet 

 perfectly healthy and free from agues. 



The quantity of rain that falls on it is very considerable, 

 as may be supposed in so woody and mountainous a district. 

 As my experience of measuring the water is but of short 



