66 Nature protected 
The Esher Woods, in the county 
of Surrey, are principally self-sown oak 
wood, and therefore varying greatly in 
age. The whole area comprises about 
844 acres. Of course, the trees of the 
State Forests of England are often 
planted ; but certain parts possess in- 
digenous woodland and heath. Many 
animals, particularly the smaller ones, 
are protected by the Forest Reserves. 
Public Corporations. County 
councils, town corporations, and other 
public bodies often possess commons 
and parks, which remain free and open 
for ever\ These stretches of land 
occasionally possess indigenous plant 
associations ; and in this way natural 
monuments may be indirectly pro- 
tected. Moreover, county councils 
have often reserved other open places 
of natural beauty for the public benefit. 
1 Slater, G. The English Peasantry and the 
Enclosure of Common Fields. London, 1907. 
