150 The Forest Trees of Wiltshire. 
to take them off again, and when on they are rather of the thinest.” 
Were there any individuals of the Pine and Fir tribes in this 
country, of the same age as our oak, elm, ash or beech trees, there 
is no doubt but that in bulk, if not in height, specimens would be 
found in Wiltshire of very much larger proportions than any 
that are known, or at any rate, generally known to exist in it. 
Still there are some noble examples; Larcn, Sitver, Score, and 
Spruce, being found of large dimensions in many parts of this 
county, as well as in the kingdom at large. To begin with the 
Larcu. This tree is not generally supposed to have been introduced 
into this country much above 100 or 150 years ago, and therefore 
it cannot be expected to have attained the size of oaks or other 
trees which are in a manner native born to the soil, and many of 
which have probably reached the age of 1000 or more years. But 
for their age they have grown well, as the examples about to be 
given show. Two of the most remarkable specimens known to 
the writer, are now growing on the lawn in the garden at Nonsuch 
House, in the parish of Bromham, near to Devizes. They are 
said to be two of those first introduced into this country from the 
Tyrol, and to have been brought over in pots. Some few others 
were planted in different parts of this county; but the greater 
part of them were sent to Dunkeld in Scotland, to the Duke of 
Athol, were planted there, and have thriven and multiplied to a 
wonderful degree and extent. The soil at Bromham is generally, 
a poor, red sand, and therefore it could hardly be expected that 
these trees should have attained a great altitude; besides, the spot 
where they stand is very high, and exposed to all the winds that 
blow, particularly to the cutting east winds that come sweeping 
over Roundway downs. Another of the same lot,—having some 
fine Scotch firs near it,—was planted at Spye Park: it is a fine 
picturesque tree, less in girth, but considerably taller than those 
at Nonsuch, both of which are of the same height,—about sixty 
feet. The Nonsuch trees stand close together, that is to say, not 
above twenty feet apart, their branches interlacing and bringing 
each within the embrace of the other, looking like loving twins. 
They are well feathered. The trunk of each is clear of branches 
