EASTERN CHALK HILLS. 399

For a sheep pond, railed round, to pre- vent cattle and horses from stepping into it, {as is frequently seen) this slight covering may be sufficient.

FIELD FENCES. The oLp HEDGEs, throughout this Division of the Chalk Hills, I believe,(as well as in the north parts of Hampshire) partake of the Danmonian mound fence(see West oF ENGLAND); appearing as Devonshire hedges, in ruins: the mounds being in general, low, wide, and irregular.:

Remark. These mounds, perhaps, were eriginally, no more than accumulations of soil, te encourage the growth of hedge- woods, on the thinsoiled lands; without any view of increasing the fence; and they may, since, have been increased, by flints, and the roots of weeds, gathered off the lands. This being as it may, the shrubwood, raised on these mounds, not only answered the pur- pose of fences; but, at: the same time, af- forded a supply of materials for hurdles, dead hedges, and fuel, on every farm. The practice, whatever may have been its origin, was singularly well adapted to these bleak, unsheltered heights.

AT present, many of these old hedges are wearing out; owing, perhaps, to negligent management: many of them having, doubt- less, been injured, or destroyed, by the white