The Norton Anthology of English literature. Volume 2

landing; or dying on the high downs, one of which, called Duncton Hill, rises immediately above Burton Park, the bones might have been washed down by the torrents of rain, and buried deep in the soil. They were not found together, but scattered at some distance from each other. The two tusks were twenty feet apart. I had often heard of the elephant's bones at Burton, but never saw them; and I have no books to refer to. I think I saw, in what is now called the National Museum at Paris, the very large bones of an elephant, which were found in North America: though it is certain that this enormous animal is never seen in its natural state, but in the countries under the torrid zone of the old world. I have, since making this note, been told that the bones of the rhinoceros and hippopotamus have been found in America [Smith's note].

4. The peasants believe that the large bones sometimes found belonged to giants, who formerly lived on the hills. The devil also has a great deal to do with the remarkable forms of hill and vale: the Devil's Punch Bowl, the Devil's Leaps, and the Devil's Dyke, are names given to deep hollows, or high and abrupt ridges, in this and the neighbouring county [Smith's note].

5. The incursions of the Danes were for many ages the scourge of this island [Smith's note]. 6. The Aborigines of this country lived in woods, unsheltered but by trees and caves; and were probably as truly savage as any of those who are now termed so [Smith's note]. 7. The grass called Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina), clothes these Downs with the softest turf [Smith's note]. 8. Ophrys apifera, Bee Ophrys, or Orchis found plentifully on the hills, as well as the next [Smith's note]. 9. Ophrys muscifera. Fly Orchis. Linnaeus, misled by the variations to which some of this tribe are really subject, has perhaps too rashly esteemed all those which resemble insects, as forming only one

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In the green shade, or float along the pool, But here seen perch'd upon the slender stalk, And gathering honey dew. While in the breeze

450 That wafts the thistle's plumed seed along, Blue bells wave tremulous. The mountain thyme1 Purples the hassock0 of the heaving mole, tuft of grass And the short turf is gay with tormentil,2 And bird's foot trefoil, and the lesser tribes

455 Of hawkweed;3 spangling it with fringed stars.� Near where a richer tract of cultur d land Slopes to the south; and burnished by the sun, Bend in the gale of August, floods of corn; The guardian of the flock, with watchful care,4

460 Repels by voice and dog the encroaching sheep� While his boy visits every wired trap5 That scars the turf; and from the pit-falls takes The timid migrants,6 who from distant wilds, Warrens, and stone quarries, are destined thus

465 To lose their short existence. But unsought By Luxury yet, the Shepherd still protects The social bird,7 who from his native haunts Of willowy current, or the rushy pool, Follows the fleecy crowd, and flirts and skims, In fellowship among them.

470 Where the knoll More elevated takes the changeful winds, The windmill rears its vanes; and thitherward With his white load,0 the master travelling, load of grain Scares the rooks rising slow on whispering wings,

475 While o'er his head, before the summer sun Lights up the blue expanse, heard more than seen, The lark sings matins; and above the clouds Floating, embathes his spotted breast in dew.

species, which he terms Ophrys insecti fera. See English Botany [Smith's note].

1. Blue bells. Campanula rotundifolia. Mountain thyme. Thymus serpyllum. "It is a common notion, that the flesh of sheep which feeds upon aromatic plants, particularly wild thyme, is superior in flavour to other mutton. The truth is, that sheep do not crop these aromatic plants, unless now and then by accident, or when they are first turned on hungry to downs, heaths, or commons; but the soil and situations favourable to aromatic plants, produce a short sweet pasturage, best adapted to feeding sheep, whom nature designed for mountains, and not for turnip grounds and rich meadows. The attachment of bees to this, and other aromatic plants, is well known." Martyn's Miller [Smith's note, citing Thomas Martyn's revision of Philip Miller's The Gardener's and Botanist's Dictionar\', 1797-1807].

2. Tormentil. Tormentilla reptans [Smith's note]. 3. Bird's foot trefoil. Trifolium ornithopoides. Hawkweed. Hieracium, many sorts [Smith's note]. 4. The downs, especially to the south, where they are less abrupt, are in many places under the plough; and the attention of the shepherds is there particularly required to keep the flocks from trespassing [Smith's note].