25

Oct 25th [1872]

Examined another large & bare forest of Beech & not one casting; nevertheless in one part of another part I did find a few when there was no grass, but the trees perhaps not quite so thick. A very narrow glade ran down to thickest part of forest, & here there was some grass & castings abounded, & so in another place close there was a peninsula of grass in forest & there were many castings.

(Allude to this case under Stony field)

25v

[page number obscured by tape]

Oct 22d 1872

Knole (Habit)

In the great beech forests from one to 200 yrs old there is no vegetation, & I cd not find a single casting: how different from the oak woods, near Down. (a) But From ancient & obscure traces in the forest the ground must have been once cultivated & if ploughed, it is intelligible that the surface is scattered over with stones & it is interesting that these stones still are everywhere on the surface, & have not been covered up with a layer of mould; yet the surface is most thickly covered & has been annually with matted leaves. There is no sign of the surface being m. washed by rain, as is explained by the thick covering of branches & dead leaves.