annually on the feast of St. Barnabas, taking the old 

 materials for a perquisite. The farm called Black- 

 moor, in this parish, is obliged to find the posts and 

 brushwood for the former; while the farms at Great- 

 ham, in rotation, furnish for the latter ; and are all 

 enjoined to cut and deliver the materials at the spot. 

 This custom I mention, because I look upon it to be 

 of very remote antiquity. 



LETTER VIII. 

 To Thomas Pennant, Esq. 



On the verge of the forest, as it is now circum- 

 scribed, are three considerable lakes, two in Oak- 

 hanger, of which I have nothing particular to say ; 

 and one called Bin's, or Bean's Pond, which is 

 worthy the attention of a naturalist or a sports- 

 man. For, being crowded at the upper end with 

 willows, and with the Carex espitosa ; the sort 

 which, rising into tall hassocks, is called by the for- 

 esters, torrets ; a corruption, I suppose, of turrets ; 

 it affords such a safe and pleasing shelter to wild 

 ducks, teals, and snipes, 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. 



By a perambulation of Wolmer Forest and the 

 25 



