Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/183

Rh this was in my pre-natal days I can give no authoritative opinion. The northern is undoubtedly the deeper end of the mere, as on December 3rd, 1893, the southern half was covered with ice, while the northern was quite open. I have, however, enjoyed some delightful skating on this mere when every part of it was absolutely safe, and the rhythmic clanging of the skates on the frozen surface reverberated in musical cadence from the wooded shores. This mere is also noted for its fish. One day last year an angler caught over one hundredweight in its waters. It must not, however, be forgotten that, with the exception of certain immemorial rights and privileges, these meres are private property, and that the expectant angler must therefore beware. Perch and Pike have been obtained in some numbers; but the mere is chiefly noted for its Tench, which here attain a great size. The dog of a neighbouring shepherd will enter the water, catch these fish with great dexterity, and bring them to land.

The Devil's Punch Bowl Mere is on the other side of the "Drove," barely a hundred yards distant. This is the smallest and likewise the best example of the crater-shaped mere. It is circular in form, and the water varies much in depth. It is surrounded by a ring of fir trees, a ring of bracken extending from them about two-thirds of the way down the slope, then close slippery turf within a short distance of the water. Between turf and mere is a small strip of gravelly beach, which widens or narrows with the fall of the water. On the southern edge of the crater is perched a shepherd's cottage. It sometimes happens that a circle of white mist overhangs the mere at night-time. This is known as the "Devil's Nightcap," and originated an expression appertaining to local weather lore: "The Devil's got his nightcap on." At the end of September, 1894, this mere was practically dried up, a pool on the southern side, about twenty feet by twelve and about one foot deep, alone remaining. Although Kingmere and Fowlmere were not at all low at the same time, Langmere was then completely dried up.

The park meres of Wretham are far more strictly preserved than the foregoing. On Mickle Mere there is an active decoy. Two of these meres have preserved notable memories of prehistoric man. When Wretham West Mere was drained of its waters in 1851, underneath eight feet of mud were found bones