82 Nature protected 
auction ; and it was felt that, in a popu- 
lous and growing neighbourhood like 
that of Hindhead, common land ran 
great risk of disfigurement and en- 
croachment while in private hands. 
The Hindhead Preservation Commit- 
tee was therefore formed, at the sug- 
gestion of the Commons' Preservation 
Society (see below), and a few public- 
spirited persons raised a guarantee, 
on the strength of which the land was 
bought for the sum of ^3,625. The 
Committee then presented the land to 
the Trust. This land also includes 
the Devil's Punch Bowl, a deep 
combe of the most striking character, 
surrounded by open heathland, rising 
to nearly 900 feet above the sea, 
covered with heather and furze, and 
dotted over in the more sheltered places 
with birches, hollies, and Scots pines. 
The preservation of a neighbouring 
tract of land, including \']\ acres of 
