REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 359 
of sand and gravel, resting on the usual sandstone, shale, &c., of 
the coal formation. The trunk of this veteran is now quite 
hollow, and at the height of about 8 feet from the present surface 
of the ground forms itself into three branches.” The girth at the 
narrowest part of the trunk within reach, which was at about 
3 feet 4 inches from the ground, was 23 feet 9} inches, showing 
an increase of 1? inches since 14th June, 1890. The entrance to 
the hollow butt is smaller than it was in 1890, and° would 
scarcely admit a person of ordinary size. The hollow itself is said 
to be frequented by a colony of weasels, At a height of 7} feet 
the trunk divides into four stems, the largest measuring 12 feet 
in girth at 1 foot from the fork. 
An Oak, west of the castle, measured 12 feet 2 inches at 5 feet, 
an apparent increase of 3} inches in 5 years. A beautiful Beech, 
west of the castle, measured 15 feet 6 inches in girth at 4 feet 
9 inches from the ground (the top of a mound), an apparent 
increase of 24 inches in five years. This is evidently the Beech 
noted by Mr. Hutchison in the “Transactions of the Highland 
and Agricultural Society of Scotland,” as 14 feet 9 inches at 5 
feet in 1879. A Beech, east of the castle, measured 15 feet 
34 inches at 4 feet ; and another, on the east side of the garden, 
with a short fluted bole of 8 feet, measured 15 feet 8 inches at 
5 feet 1 inch, an apparent increase of 4 inches since 1890. A 
third Beech, near the last, was 13 feet 74 inches at 5 feet. A 
Larch, growing on a slope, measured 12 “feet 1 inch on a line 
5 feet up on the north side of the tree, and 4 feet 6 inches up on 
the south side, an apparent increase of 3 inches in five years. 
Boranic Garpexs, 21st May, 1895.—This was an evening 
excursion, but mo report appears in the Society’s minutes. 
_ Kirmatcorm, 25th May, 1895.—On this excursion the follow- 
ing Mosses were obtained, viz.:—Mnium cinclidioides, Blytt; 
Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, B. & 8.; Oligotrichum hercynicum, 
Ehr. ; Hypnum aduncum, Hedw.; H. stramineum, Dicks. ; and 
_ Sphagnum squarrosum, Pers, 
