28 RENFREWSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 



some considerable size are saughs, great and common maples, and 

 a horse-chestnut. 



Near Crookston Castle stood the famous Crookston Yew, about 

 which the curious will find many interesting particulars in 

 Ramsay's Views in Renfrewshire. In 1710 Craufurd writes: — 

 " Hard by the castle is to be seen that noble monument, the 

 ew-tree, called 'The Tree of Crockstoun,' of so large a trunk 

 and well spread in its branches that 'tis seen at several miles' 

 distance from the ground where it stands." It fell into decay in 

 the end of last century, and the remains were removed finally in 

 18 1 7 by Sir John Maxwell, of Pollok. The measurement of its 

 trunk in 1782 was, in girth, 10 feet at 7 feet from the ground, 

 which is not a great size for the yew; and indeed there is at least 

 one fine example of this species in the county (at Craigends) more 

 than twice this size which is vigorous in every part. The latter 

 has not, however, had the problematical advantages of having 

 sheltered Darnley and his young spouse " during the brief period 

 of sunshine which they enjoyed," nor of occupying a commanding 

 position, but has been ingloriously vegetating in its quiet corner 

 on the banks of the Gryfe. Two scions of the Crookston Yew 

 exist, at Nether Pollok {ante p. 24) and at the entrance to the 

 Glasgow Botanic Gardens respectively. 



Under Crookston Castle, and between the Levern and Cart, lies 

 Crookston Wood, apparently one of the old natural institutions of 

 the county, as it appears in Blaeu's map, published in 1654. 

 This wood takes the eye of travellers by the canal line to and 

 from Paisley in the latter half of May, when its glades and 

 alleys are covered by "a blue hyacinthine haze." On the 

 occasion of the visit of the Society (12th June, 1889) this glory 

 had just departed. In the wood the elegant spreading millet- 

 grass {Milium effusum) was found. At the time of our visit the 

 local mind was much occupied by newspaper reports that the 

 nightingale had turned up here, so two of those present who are 

 interested in ornithological matters haunted the vicinity till a late 

 hour, but only the oft-repeated " chip-chow-cherry-churr " of the 

 Scotch nightingale, bletherock, or sedge-warbler {Acrocephalus 

 schcenobcenus) was to be heard. Rosshall, with its extensive green- 

 houses, fine herbaceous collection, and rockery, with profusion 

 of saxifrages, primroses, campanulas, etc., was also visited. 



