90 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



says the word " Elms " must be a mistake for " Limes." He says 

 " the line of Lime trees along the riverside, as well as those I 

 pointed out to you, are said to have all been planted by Provost 

 Fergusson, and during the time William Burns was gardener and 

 overseer at Doonholni. There are several Elm trees near the 

 stables, though not in line, which appear to be much about the 

 same age as the Limes near the river." A Mr. Alex. Hunter, 

 W.S., Edinburgh, and commissioner to Lord Ailsa. became 

 proprietor of Doonholm after Provost Fergusson, the date I have 

 not been able to ascertain. Judge Blackburn bought the estate 

 about 1849 or 1850, and Mr. Kennedy purchased it in 1898. 



At the foot of the steep bank below the house is a fine Oak, 

 measuring 14 ft. 9 ins. in circumference at 4 ft. 3 ins. ; bole, 



8 ft., with a good spread, and of fair height. In the haugh 

 arc several fine Wellingtonias, but the largest was so much 

 encumbered with brambles, &c., round it that we did not tiy to 

 measui'e it. On the river bank is a Cedrus deodara, planted about 

 45 years ago. It measures 7 ft. 8| in., at 5 ft. up, and the 

 bole does not become much narrower for about 25 ft., but at 8 

 ft. up it has a curious twist, said to have been caused by the 

 Judge having snicked off the leader by a swing of his rod when 

 fishing. To the east of the house is a Birch, measuring 7 ft. 



9 ins. at 5 ft. ; bole, 10 ft. 



On the sloping bank below the house is a rockery in which are 

 many rock and alj^ine plants, and a number of Japanese trees 

 are to be been. From this rockery was obtained the living 

 specimen of Saxifrmja oppusiti/olia which was exhibited at last 

 meeting. 



At the foot of one of the Lime trees on the banks of the river 

 were several plants of the Toothwort, Lathrea Squamaria, L. In 

 the British Association Hand-book this is reported as from Ayr 

 (1 probably the county), apparently on the authority of Hooker, 

 and from Dundonald, Smith. Mr. John Smith, in his " Botany 

 of Ayrshire," 1896, records from Dundonald and Maybole. on the 

 authority of a " Botany of Ayrshire," 1882, drawn up by Messrs. 

 Borland, Duncan, and Landsborough. Mr. Smith informs me that 

 he has never found it himself. Dr. Landsborough, in a letter to 

 me, 24th April, 1906, writes — "According to my notes it was 

 found by Smith, of Monkwood, at Blairston, Maybole ; Dundonald 



