The Natural History of Selborne

No thoro’ rain in this district since the 9, 10, & 11 of March.  The small ponds in the vales are now all dryed up, while the small ponds on the very tops of hills are but little affected.  can this difference be accounted-for from evaporation alone, which certainly is most prevalent in bottoms: or rather have not these elevated pools some unnoticed recruits by condensation, or some other secret means in the night time, so as to draw supplies to themselves from dews & mists, especially where trees over-hang?  Without a constant supply the cattle alone must soon drink them.  It must be allowed that in these parts the upland ponds have the most clayey, & holding bottoms: yet this advantage alone can never occasion the difference, the circumstance of cattle being considered.