UTRECHT TO BREDA. 259 



the pools : these, we understood, were traps for taking wild 

 ducks and different kinds of water-fowl. A single stork 

 appeared on the road before us ; and it was so indifferent 

 to our approach, that the postilion drove it off with his 

 whip. The water-hemlock and water- soldier plants were 

 extremely abundant in the ditches and pools, the latter co- 

 vering some hundreds of acres. Oenanthe fistulosa and 

 Selinum carvifolium were likewise plentiful. In a few 

 places Butomus umbellatus, or the flowering-rush, appear- 

 ed : it was of more vigorous growth than in Scotland, and 

 its leaves are here worked into mats. Where the ground was 

 somewhat dry, and cultivation was practicable, barley, oats, 

 and buckwheat, were presently to be seen. Flax was not 

 uncommon, and we perceived that it is the practice to dry 

 it on the field before being steeped. Hemp, too, seemed 

 to be a favourite crop : the male or finable hemp, appeared 

 to have been lately pulled up, and laid aside in bundles. 

 We passed several extensive osier-holts, and saw much more 

 waste surface which might be occupied in that way. The 

 willows cultivated are chiefly the coarse, strong growing- 

 kinds, better adapted for making barrel-hoops and large 

 crets, than for basket-work. In passing a hamlet, indeed, 

 we noticed many rods prepared for these purposes, and 

 also some hoops ready split. The principal kind of wood 

 on this road is pollard willow : but we remarked likewise 

 some pollard ash, and a very little oak. 



The house and the barn of the boor in this part of 

 the country are commonly joined together, or under one 

 great roof. Over the door of the house the thatched roof 

 is curved upwards like an arch ; and when the thatch is 

 overgrown with mosses (Dicranums, Tortulas, &c.) the ef- 

 fect is rather pleasing. A small kitchen-garden immediate- 

 ly adjoins ; and this is generally inclosed with a fence of 



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