THH WRETHAM MERES. 151 
this was in my pre-natal days I can give no authoritative opinion. 
The northern is undoubtedly the deeper end of the mere, as on 
December 8rd, 1893, the southern half was covered with ice, 
while the northern was quite open. I have, however, enjoyed 
some delightful skating on this mere when every part of it was 
absolutely safe, and the rhythmic clanging of the skates on the 
frozen surface reverberated in musical cadence from the wooded 
shores. This mere is also noted for its fish. One day last year 
an angler caught over one hundredweight in its waters. It must 
not, however, be forgotten that, with the exception of certain 
immemorial rights and privileges, these meres are private pro- 
perty, and that the expectant angler must therefore beware. 
Perch and Pike have been obtained in some numbers; but the 
mere is chiefly noted for its Tench, which here attain a great 
size. The dog of a neighbouring shepherd will enter the water, 
catch these fish with great dexterity, and bring them to land. 
The Devil’s Punch Bowl Mere is on the other side of the 
“ Drove,” barely a hundred yards distant. This is the smallest 
and likewise the best example of the crater-shaped mere. It is 
circular in form, and the water varies much in depth. It is 
surrounded by a ring of fir trees, a ring of bracken extending 
from them about two-thirds of the way down the slope, then close 
slippery turf within a short distance of the water. Between turf 
and mere is a small strip of gravelly beach, which widens or 
narrows with the fall of the water. On the southern edge of the 
crater is perched a shepherd's cottage. It sometimes happens 
that a circle of white mist overhangs the mere at night-time- 
This is known as the “ Devil’s Nightcap,” and originated an 
expression appertaining to local weather lore: ‘‘ The Devil’s got 
his nightcap on.” At the end of September, 1894, this mere was 
practically dried up, a pool on the southern side, about twenty feet 
by twelve and about one foot deep, alone remaining. Although 
Ringmere and Fowlmere were not at all low at the same time, 
Langmere was then completely dried up. 
The park meres of Wretham are far more strictly preserved 
than the foregoing. On Mickle Mere there is an active decoy. 
Two of these meres have preserved notable memories of pre- 
historic man. When Wretham West Mere was drained of its 
waters in 1851, underneath eight feet of mud were found bones 
