6 NATURAL HISTORY 



them . Long might it have stood, had not the amazing tempest 

 in 17 Oil overturned it at once, to the infinite regret of the 

 inhabitants, and the vicar, who bestowed several pounds in 

 setting it in its place again: but all his care could not 

 avail; the tree sprouted for a time, then withered and died. 

 This oak I mention to show to what a bulk planted oaks 

 also may arrive : and planted this tree must certainly have 

 been, as will appear from what will be said further con- 

 cerning this area when we enter on the antiquities of Sel- 

 borne. 1 



On the Blackmoor estate there is a small wood called 

 Losel's, of a few acres, that was lately furnished with a set 

 of oaks of a peculiar growth and great value ; they were 

 tall and taper like firs, but, standing near together, had very 

 small heads, only a little brush, without any large limbs." 

 About twenty years ago the bridge at the Toy, near Hampton 

 Court, being much decayed, some trees were wanted for the 

 repairs that were fifty feet long without bough, and would 

 measure twelve inches diameter at the little end. Twenty 

 such trees did a purveyor find in this little wood, with this 

 advantage, that many of them answered the description at 

 sixty feet. These trees were sold for twenty pounds a 

 piece. 



In the centre of this grove there stood an oak, which, 

 though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out into a 

 large excrescence about the middle of the stem. On this a 

 pair of ravens had fixed their residence for such a series of 



1 The Plestor, as it subsequently appears, measured about forty -four 

 yards by thirty-six, and the oak, whose branches nearly overshadowed 

 this large space, is conjectured by Gilbert White to have been, at the 

 time when it was blown down, four hundred and thirty-two_ years old. 



ED. 



2 We have here a hint at the different effects of shelter and exposure 

 on the growth of trees. Those in the interior of woods generally have 

 their stems upright, their bark glossy, their tops small and thinly pro- 

 Hided with branches, and their roots, in the same way, spare and scanty, 

 but in due proportion to the tops. Those, on the other hand, in exposed 

 situations, have their stems stout and short, their bark thick and coarse, 

 their tops spreading, and their roots in the same way throwing them- 

 selves out in every direction. ED. 



