1756 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III, 
not even the most g Ax 1590 
superficial observ- ; eae 
er could ever for a 
moment mistake it 
for any other tree. 
The Chandos Oak 
(see jig. 1601., in 
p- 1763.), though 
it has nearly as 
large a head, has 
more the charac- 
ter of a spreading 
beech tree; and 
the Tibberton Oak 
(see fig. 1587. in 
p- 1745.), though 
higher, is more like 
an English elm. The Wootton Oak has all the attributes of beauty, dignity, 
antl majesty, usually given to the oak tree; it once formed part of the ancient 
for 2st of Bern Wood, which was a favourite hunting ground of Edward the 
Confessor. “ This forest was at that time infested by a wild boar, which was 
at last slain by a huntsman named Nigel, whom the king rewarded for this 
service by the grant of some lands, to be held by a horn; a mode of livery 
common in those days.” (Lauder’s Gilpin, vol. i. p.69.) This horn is still 
in the possession of the Aubrey family, to whom it has descended by the female 
line from that of Nigel. “The Chenies Oak,” Professor Burnet (Eidoden- 
dron, pl. 2.) tells us, “is an old tree, which was going to decay in the reign 
of Queen Elizabeth ; but, a farm-yard being established in its vicinity, it has 
revived, from the manure having sunk down to its roots, and has now several 
healthy and flourishing branches. Tradition traces it beyond the Norman 
Conquest.” (Amen. Quer., fol. 2.) 
Cheshire. The St. James’s Chronicle, No. 5038., states that an oak was felled, 
a few days before, at Morley in Cheshire, which produced upwards of 1000 ft. 
of measurable timber. It girted 42 ft., and one branch contained 200 ft. of solid 
timber. Its existence could be traced back for 800 years ; and it was supposed 
to be one of the largest trees in England. Asa proof of this, it may be added, 
that the hollow trunk had, for some years before it was cut down, been used for 
housing cattle. It is said that Edward the Black Prince once dined beneath 
its shade. (Mart. Mill., art. Quércus.) The Forest of Delamere, in this county, 
contains many fine oaks. In this forest “ Edelfleda, a Mercian princess, 
founded a little town for her retirement, which obtained the title of the 
Happy City. The site is still known by the name of the Chamber of the 
Forest.” (Gilpin.) The Combermere Oaks, at Combermere Abbey, near Nant- 
wich, are very fine old trees. One of these (Q. pedunculata) is 71 ft. high, 
and the trunk girts 37 ft. at 3 ft. from the ground; and another (Q. sessili- 
flora) is 65 ft. high, and has a trunk 28 ft. in circumference at 3 ft. from the 
ground. The latter is quite hollow; and the inside, which is fitted up as a 
room, will hold twelve people. Both these trees were described as old trees 
when the abbey and demesne were granted to an ancestor of the present Lord 
Combermere, Sir G. Cotton, who was steward of the household to Henry 
VIIL., in 1633. There is another old tree on an island in the lake, which 
is still in a growing state, and which is 80ft. high, girting 24ft.; and the dia-, 
meter of the head is 75 ft. 
Devonshire. The Forest of Dartmoor was formerly of great extent; and in 
it, at Crockern Tor, was the seat of the Parliament of the Stannerics. The 
forest has now nearly disappeared, but the moor still extends about 20 miles 
by 11 miles, and wolves were found on it as late as the reign of Queen Eliza- 
beth. The appearance of Dartmoor is rendered very picturesque, from the. 
abrupt eminences, crowned with huge piles of stones, and called Tors, which 
