Natural Histoi-y in Ireland. 



91 



Art, V. Natural History in Ireland. 



Cork Tree {Qiie'rcus Either) at Samvierstown. — I send you a sketch 

 {Jig. 20.) of a remarkable cork tree now growing at Sammerstown, the 



residence of Daniel Sweeny, Esq., in the vicinity of this city. I have not 

 been able to ascertain at what date, or by whom, it was planted ; but, from 

 the size of the elms (some of them 1 2i ft. in circumference) and other 

 trees growing near it, and probably planted at the same time, I should sup- 

 pose the cork tree to be several centuries old. That it must have been a 

 remarkable tree several generations since, is proved by the fact of the pro- 



Krietor at that time, when about to let the lands on which the tree stands, 

 aving introduced a clause, in the lease, by which the tenant incurred a 

 penalty of 20/. if he cut down or injured the tree. The following are the 

 dimensions of the trunk and principal branches : — Girth of the trunk at 

 3 ft. from the ground, 8 ft. lOin. ; height of the trunk before it divides, 

 9 ft. ; girth of each of the two principal branches, 6 ft. 10 in. ; girth of the 

 second-rate branches, 5 ft. 4 in. ; horizontal diameter, or spread, of the 

 head, measuring from the extremities of the branches, 36 ft. ; thickness of 

 the cork and outer bark on the trunk, 3 in. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — James 

 Drummond. Cork Botanic Garden, Dec. 9. 1828. 



