SPANISH CHESTNUTS IN SCOTLAND. 57 



■that the triangles are numerous and varied — equilateral, obtuse, 

 and acute angled, scalene, &c. &c. To each tree we have noticed 

 the girth at 1 and 5 feet respectively, so that the identity in future 

 measurements for comparison may be preserved. There is a space 

 of 107 feet from the east to west trees along the base of the 

 triangle. A similar coincidence of trees being planted to present 

 a triangular arrangement from any point of view the group is 

 seen from, exists in the case of " the sacred seven " elms, or " the 

 seven sisters," as they are also caviled, near Eochester. They are 

 said by tradition to have been intentionally so planted by seven 

 sisters ; but why, is not now stated. They are not far from, and 

 they are witMn sight of, Eochester cathedral and castle. The 

 accompanying diagram gives the relative positions of " the seven 



ii ^- 



sisters" as taken on 23d October 1878. It is somewhat remark- 

 able that in both cases the distances between the eastmost and 

 southmost trees in each group is identical, while the extreme 

 limit between the two most distant trees in the group also cor- 

 responds. 



Strikingly beautiful and picturesque examples of the Spanish 

 chestnut also exist at Culross Abbey, where two old hoary 

 veterans remain to represent the former glories of the monastery ; 

 also at Balmerino Abbey, Newport, Fife, a fine old gnarled trunk 

 remains. Eegarding this tree several measurements are on 

 record, and serve to show its progress gradually towards decay. 

 In 1793 its trunk measured, at 3 feet from the ground, 15 feet, 

 and was said to be in a healthy condition. In the returns col- 

 lected in 1861 or 1862, it is reported as being then 16 feet in 

 girth at 3 feet from the ground, and some decayed parts of the 

 trunk were covered with zinc plates and plaster to exclude the 

 atmosphere. The length of bole is only 5 feet, and the height of 

 the entire tree is 50 feet; soil light, and subsoil gravelly. Alti- 

 tude above sea-level, from 40 to 50 feet, and northern exposure. 

 The present girth of this tree is now, immediately above the 

 conoidalbase of roots, 20 feet ; at 2 feet abo\^e the ground it is 19 



