|g NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
cinders of a volcano, and, the soil being quite exirdusled, 40 
traces of vegetation are to be found for years. These conilagra- 
tions, as they take place usually with a north-east or east wiiid, 
much annoy this village with their smoke, and often alarm tht? 
country ; and, once in particular, I remember that a gentleman, 
who lives beyond Andover, coming to my house, when he got on 
the downs between that town and Winchester, at twenty-five 
miles distance, was surprised much with smoke and a hot smeli 
of fire, and concluded that Alresford v/as in flames, but, when 
he came to that town, he then had apprehensions for the next 
village, and so on to the end of his journey. 
On two of the most conspicuous eminences of this forest stand 
two arbours or bowers, made of the boughs of oaks; the one 
called Waldon-lodge, the other Brimstone-lodge: these the 
keepers renew annually on the feast of St. Barnabas, taking the 
old materials for a perquisite. The farm called Blackmoor, in 
this parish, is obhged to find the posts and brush-wood for the 
former ; while the farms at Greatham, in rotation, furnish for the 
latter; and are all 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 T. PENNANT, Esa. 
On the verge of the forest, as it isi now circumscribed, are three 
considerable lakes, two in Oakhanger, of which I have nothing 
