Toades are
oftentimes found in the milstones of Darbyshire.
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Snailes are everywhere; but upon our downes, and so in Dorset, and I
believe in Hampshire, at such degree east and west, in the summer time
are abundance of very small snailes on the grasse and come, not much
bigger, or no bigger than small pinnes heads. Though this is no
strange thing among us, yet they are not to be found in the north part
of Wilts, nor on any northern wolds. When I had the honour to waite on
King Charles I.* and the Duke of York to the top of Silbury hill, his
Royal Highnesse happened to cast his eye on some of these small
snailes on the turfe of the hill. He was surprised with the novelty,
and commanded me to pick some up, which I did, about a dozen or more,
immediately; for they are in great abundance. The next morning as he
was abed with his Dutches at Bath he told her of it, and sent Dr.
Charleton to me for them, to shew her as a rarity.
* [This should be "Charles II." who visited Avebury and Silbury Hill,
in company with his brother, afterwards James II., in the autumn of
the year 1663, when Aubrey attended them by the King's command. See
his account of the royal visit, in the Memoir of Aubrey, 4to. 1845.
- J. B.]
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In the peacefull raigne of King James I. the Parliament made an act
for provision of rooke-netts and catching crows to be given in charge
of court-barons, which is by the stewards observed, but I never knew
the execution of it.
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