160 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



and entered the Pinetum. Splendid representatives of the genera 

 Abies and Pinus were here seen, and regret was felt that so many 

 of the finest trees on the estate have been attacked and ruined 

 by the silver-fir bug. The collection of coniferous trees is indeed 

 very wonderful, species having been introduced from many parts 

 of the world, until the Glamis Castle Pinetum has become 

 famous. The different species of Pines, Firs, Cypresses, Cedars. 

 Larches, <fcc, were all carefully inspected, but the finest of all the 

 Larches — called the " Pride of Strathmore" — is now represented 

 only by a fragment of the old stump, and by a plate giving the 

 dimensions of the tree, which was blown down in the great storm 

 of November 11th, 1893. A visit to "King Malcolm's Stone," 

 a monolith, 7 feet in height and 4 feet wide, carved with a runic 

 cross and hunting figures in relief, was hastily carried out. and 

 thereafter the party found its way back to Glasgow. The con- 

 ductor was Mr. James Whitton. 



Girvan Valley, 16th April, 1900. — This was a joint-excursion 

 with the Geological Society of Glasgow, the date being the Spring 

 Holiday. The conductor was Mr. John Smith. The route was 

 from Dailly Station, by Drummochreen, to Roughneuk. The 

 coniferous trees of the neighbourhood, which are very numerous, 

 were observed to be much covered with lichens ; the Larches 

 especially had their trunks invested with a hairy-looking integu- 

 ment. This is probably from their being destitute of leaves 

 during winter, which consequently allows a greater quantity of 

 rain and light to fall on the stems than is the case with the 

 conifers. The season as to spring flowers was noted to be late. 

 Nothing deserving of any special mention was observed, but the 

 following tree measurements at Bargany were taken by Mr. 

 Ren wick : — 



Largest Oak yet recorded in Ayrshire — girth, 15 feet 2 inches 



at 3 feet; spread of branches, 101 feet 9 inches. 

 Largest Noble Silver Fir in Ayrshire, Picea nobilis, Doug. — 



girth, 7 feet 11 J inches at 4 feet; height, 66 feet. 

 Largest Scots Fir in Ayrshire — girth, 11 feet 6 inches at 5 



feet; bole, 24 feet; height of tree, 61 feet; spread of 



branches. 78 feet 9 inches. 



