EXCURSIONS IN STIRLINGSHIRE. 1 33 



been so long famed, was, at the time of the visit, unfortunately 

 decaying rapidly. It had been blown over in December, 1879, 

 and, although set up again, it had not shown signs of making a fresh 

 start into growth. It measured, when blown over, 44 feet in 

 height, and girthed 4 feet 4 inches at 6 feet from the ground. A 

 larch (Larix europced), large, but not very well proportioned, is 

 said to have been amongst the first of its kind planted in Scotland, 

 possibly about the year 1738. Its girth is 12 feet 2 J inches at 

 4! feet up. The largest silver fir {Picea pectinatd) measures 9 feet 



2 inches at 5 feet, and is a very good specimen ; of the Scots firs 

 (Pinus sylvestris) in the grounds the most notable girthed 9 feet 



3 inches at 5 feet up. Cedrus deodara has been extensively 

 planted, and many fine specimens were seen. Wellingionia 

 gigantea has been planted in suitable positions, but none of the 

 trees is of large size yet, though they are quite vigorous and 

 healthy. Fine specimens of the following were measured : — 

 Cryptomeria japonica, girth 6 feet 5 inches at 4 feet from the 

 ground; Pinus insignis, girth 8 feet n| inches at 4 J feet up; 

 Abies Menziesi, girth 7 feet 2 inches at 4 feet up ; A. Douglasi, 

 girth 9 feet it \ inches at 5 feet up; and A. morinda, girth 5 feet 

 9J inches at 3J feet up. For the district there is also a particu- 

 larly good specimen of A. Webbiana. Only rarely is a good 

 example seen except near the coast, as it is a pine that is apt to 

 be injured by spring frosts. It is the finest of all the silver firs 

 cultivated in this country, and this example girthed 5 feet 2 inches 

 at 4J feet up. Many other different species of pines in splendid 

 condition were noted. The general arrangement of the grounds 

 surrounding the house, with its terraces, ferneries and statuary, 

 was very striking, and mention may be made particularly of the 

 Bowling Green with its quaintly shaped hedges and shrubs. 



Buchanan Castle and Balmaha, described in the first volume of 

 our Annals (1893, pp. 60-62), again saw the Society on 27th 

 August, 1898. Under the guidance of the head gardener, 

 Mr. Crosbie, the extensive range of glass-houses which contain 

 many interesting and beautiful plants, including palms, grevilleas 

 and orchids, was inspected. One of the houses contained a 

 mango tree which was growing too tall for its abode, It had 

 been raised from one of two seeds brought home by the Duke of 

 Montrose since the last visit of the Society. Many of our native 



