REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 103 
more retraced their steps up the glen. By the side of the path, a 
number of yews with remarkably tall straight trunks were noted. 
The largest of these was measured and found to girth 7 ft. 9} in. 
at 5 ft. 6 in. on south-west side. 
On the lawn, near the house, the adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum 
vulgatum) occurred plentifully ; and a form of Saxifraga granulata 
with double flowers was found on the grassy banks which slope 
towards the burn. 
Mr. Hardy, sub-factor, in granting permission to visit the 
estate, had also made arrangements for admitting the party to 
Dalzell House. The majority took advantage of this privilege, 
and were much interested in the collections of armour, &c., which 
are very extensive. From the battlements of the old tower, a 
fine view to the south is obtainable. and the prospect looking 
down the avenue to the west is also very fine. 
The weather throughout the afternoon was clear and bright, 
adding much to the enjoyment of the Society’s visit to this 
extensive and beautiful estate. 
Mr. Peter Ewing acted as conductor. 
Botanic GARDENS, 9th May, 1893.—Among the trees examined 
was a yew, grown from a cutting taken from Queen Mary’s famous 
tree at Crookston Castle by the late Mr. James Spreull of Linthouse, 
formerly City Chamberlain of Glasgow. The cutting was rooted 
by Mr. Spreull, and retained at Linthouse until 1817, when, on the 
establishment of the old Botanic Gardens between Sauchiehall 
Street and Kent Road, it was presented by him to that institution, 
along with a letter narrating the facts above mentioned. This 
letter, together with copies of the Glasgow newspapers of the day, 
a list of the directors of the Botanic Institute, and an engraved 
plate containing particulars of the history of the tree and date of 
‘ its transplanting, was enclosed in a metal box and deposited at 
some depth under the tree. There was also presented, at the 
same time, an enlarged cast of the ‘Crookston dollar,” struck 
during the reign of Queen Mary, and bearing on its surface a 
representation of what is supposed to be the yew-tree, with the 
figure of a small land-tortoise. These relics were removed in 1841, 
when the Botanic Gardens were transferred to their present site, 
