OF SELBORNE 21 



find the posts and brush-wood for the former; while the 

 farms at Greatham, in rotation, furnish for the latter ; and 

 are aU 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, ESQUIRE 



On the verge of the forest, as it is now circumscribed, are 

 three considerable lakes, two in Oakhanger, 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 

 sportsman. For, being crowded at the upper end with 

 willows, and with the carex cespitosa,^ it affords such a safe 

 and pleasing shelter to wild ducks, teals, snipes, etc. 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. [For which consult 

 letter XLI. to Mr. Barrington.] 



By a perambulation of Wolmer forest and the Holt, 

 made in 1635, and in the eleventh year of Charles the First 

 (which now lies before me), it appears that the limits of 

 the former are much circumscribed. For, to say nothing 

 of the farther side, with which I am not so well acquainted, 

 the bounds on this side, in old times, came into Binswood ; 

 and extended to the ditch of Ward le ham-park, in which 

 stands the curious mount called King John's Hill, and 

 Lodge Hill ; and to the verge of Hartley Mauduit, called 

 Mauduit-hatch ; comprehending also Short-heath, Oak- 



1 1 mean that sort which, rising into tall hassocks, is called by the 

 foresters torrets ; a corruption, I suppose, of turrets. 



Note, In the beginning of the summer 1787 the royal forests of 

 Wolmer and Holt were measured by persons sent down by govern- 

 ment. 



