260 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



The policies were entered at the Pennyglen Gate, and the 

 shade of the trees afforded welcome cover from the hot sun of one 

 of the warmest days of this very fine month of May. So far 

 as was observed, there were no woodland trees of remarkable 

 size, but there is a great variety of introduced trees, shrubs, 

 and herbs. Mr. Dale, the forester, who acted as guide, said that 

 he understood that the grounds had been planted about 120 years 

 ago by a Mr. Robertson — about the same year (1777) as that in 

 which the present castle was built. The trees are numerous and 

 flourishing in spite of proximity to the sea. North of the 

 castle, a thickly-wooded bank extends right down to the sandy 

 sea-shore, the trees extending nearly to high-water mark. 

 Throughout the policies there was a fine show of flourish on 

 different species of trees. 



After visiting the beautiful flower garden and the castle ter- 

 race, which commands a noble sea prospect, a descent was made 

 to the shore at the base of the cliff on which the castle stands. 

 Some time was spent here, and the well-known " Coves of 

 Culzean," which are old sea caves, were visited. Some of the 

 party proceeded along the rough shore, but the majority pre- 

 ferred to return to the grounds and woodlands. The picturesque 

 pond, with its water-fowl, was also visited. Shrubs and flower- 

 ing plants are being planted in considerable numbers on its 

 banks at present. Either to assist in this work, or for some 

 other object, the water had been partially drawn off, and the 

 pond did not appear at its best. A short visit was paid to the 

 gardens; and the Rhododendron, said to be the largest in the 

 country, and the great Fig tree were seen. Leaving the policies 

 at Sunnyside, the bulk of the party proceeded to Crossraguel 

 Abbey, but time only allowed a brief stay to be made here. 

 The abbey is one of the most complete of the ruined ecclesiasti- 

 cal buildings of Scotland, and seems to be carefully preserved. 

 Maybole was reached again about 5 o'clock, and a welcome " high 

 tea " partaken of at the Commercial Hotel. 



The following specific observations were made: — 



Mammalia. — A herd of Fallow Deer (Gervus dama, L.) used 

 to be kept in a park, but they now run wild in the Culzean 

 woods and do so much damage to the trees that the deer are 

 being shot down. There are also a considerable number of Roe 

 Deer (Capreokis caprea, Gray) known to be in the policies. 



