258 TRANSACTIOVS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



at 4 ft. 6 in. ; but this is not all solid trunk, as there is a 

 projecting pillar or buttress. The best Sweet Chestnut {Castanea 

 sativa, Mill.) has a bole of 30 ft., and girths 13 ft. 10 in. at 

 5 ft. 9 in . showing an increase of 11 in. since 1895, an average 

 of y in. yearly. Another Chestnut, nearly as fine, has been cut 

 down since 1903. It then measured 13 ft. 2 in. at 5 ft. ; bole 

 30 fc. At the south end of the avenue, and on the side of the 

 Clachan Burn, is a good Sycamore {Acer Psetulo-jilatanus, L.), 

 with a bole of 12 ft., and a girth of 13 ft. Ill j^. at 4 ft. 9 in. 



The house at the Kirkton of Rosneath is said to have been 

 built, and the avenue planted, by the Hon. John Campbell of 

 Mamore, second son of the 9th Earl of Argyll.. If so, the Yews 

 at least are about 200 years old. The house, which had become 

 somewhat dilapidated, has recently been renovated that it may 

 be let. There is a tradition that a monastery once existed on 

 this spot. 



The celebrated Silver Firs (Abies pectinaia, DC.j at Camsail 

 were next visited. They are supposed to be the largest in Great 

 Britain. One girths 22 ft. 4i in. at 4 ft. 6 in., and has a 

 height of 118 ft. ; the other is 21 ft. 9i in. at 4 ft. 6 in., height 

 123 ft. These girth measurements are each taken at the 

 narrowest part of the trunk, and represent good solid wood, so far 

 us can been seen At any other point within reach, a consider- 

 ably larger girth would be obtained. Neither of the trees has 

 increased much recently, and their best days would seem to be 

 past. Comparing them with the Silver Firs of known age at 

 Auchendrane, one would conjecture that these trees are at least 

 270 years old. On the path leading to these giants are a number 

 of Silver Firs, two of which were found to girth 15 ft. 11 in. and 

 14 ft. 6 1 in. at 5 ft. — very good trees, but seeming only infants in 

 comparison with the venerable " Adain " and " Eve." The 

 grounds of Rosneath Castle are well wooded, and show good 

 specimens of Beech, Scots Fir, itc. 



The Castle was built in 1803, shortly after the destruction 

 by fire of the older mansion, which was situated near the shore. 

 The Castle of Ptosneath is believed to have existed as a royal 

 fortress before the end of the twelfth century, and to have been 

 destroyed by Wallace some time about 1297. Tradition has it 

 that he was on one occasion closely pursued by his enemies here, 



