RENFREWSHIRE EXCURSIONS. 41 



plastered with Portland cement no vestige of it has been seen. 

 On the portion of the church recently renovated it has hitherto 

 appeared, though in less quantity, and it was hoped that the work 

 then being carried on would not entirely obliterate it. 



One of the "Trees of Renfrewshire " series of excursions took the 

 Society to the extensive grounds at Finlaystone, in this parish. On 

 the approach from the old Greenock road is a fine avenue of limes, 

 and on the lawn many well-grown ornamental trees, such as the 

 flowering ash (Ornus eurojxea), copper beech, walnut, Spanish 

 chestnut, cedar of Lebanon (girth, 8 feet i inch at i foot on west 

 side), an aged yew somewhat decayed, and with its short main 

 axis now covered by a mound, and a tulip tree {Liriodendrott 

 tulipifera) which was, unfortunately, uprooted by what is popularly 

 known as the Tay Bridge storm, and is in its present condition 

 only interesting as a relic. A large beech in this neighbourhood 

 measures 12 feet 4f inches at 3 feet 6 inches on west side. In 

 the rear of the house and to the south-west, upon a sloping bank, 

 stands a wide-spreading vigorous example of the Turkey oak 

 {Quercus Cerris), a species of more rapid growth than those native 

 to this country, which produces timber so heavy as to gain for 

 itself the name "iron oak." This tree measures 11 feet 8^ inches 

 in girth at 3 feet 3A inches on west side, and has a spread of 

 branches, east and west, 98 feet 2 inches. Unfortunately, a large 

 branch has been rent away in a storm, and the wound which 

 resulted has been neglected, although the tree deserves every 

 attention. The remains of a large yew west of the house are 

 interesting from the tradition that under its branches and those 

 of four others which have now disappeared, but which formed a 

 line running westwards from the house, the Sacrament of the 

 Lord's Supper was dispensed by John Knox, when he was at 

 Finlaystone in 1556 as the guest of Alexander, the fifth or 

 " good " Earl of Glencairn. The visit of Knox and his dispensing 

 the sacrament are matters of history well authenticated, but 

 whether it is correct to associate the ceremony with the group 

 of yews, now only represented by a vigorous branch of one, 

 may be doubted. Within recent years this, the last of the group 

 of yew trees, has been much cut down, owing to its interfering 

 with the house. In proximity to but without the gardens, stands 

 an elegant wych-elm (girth, 12 feet 8^ inches at 3 feet ioj inches 



