24 
thirty-sixth year of his age, created a profound sensation in 
the country. A very neat monument to his memory has been 
erected in his native village, where his talents and services 
endeared him to his fellow-townsmen.” 
All honour to Douglas, and other intrepid pioneers, to whose 
bravery, ability, and untiring research this country at the 
present moment owes many of its finest conifers. 
Near Scone Palace, as is well known, still grow many ancient 
trees which link the present day with the centuries when the 
Stuarts reigned in Scotland. Ona sloping bank at the south- 
west front of the palace is the famous sycamore, which was 
planted by Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. A large limb is 
broken off, but it is still a handsome tree, with a dark um- 
brageous head. It is 13 feet 4 inches at 5 feet up, and is 63 feet 
high. It was noted, as a sign of decay, that several large fungi 
had made their appearance at a fork in the bole about 20 feet 
from the ground. Another sycamore, said to have been planted 
by James VL., girthed 12 feet 9 inches ; and in the park below 
is an oak which was put in the earth by the same royal hands. 
It is 55 feet high, with a girth of 15 feet at the base, and 14 
feet 1 inch at 3 feet from the ground, 13 feet 3 inches at 5 feet 
up, and has a spread of branches of 75 feet. A magnificent 
black Italian poplar, over 100 feet high, with cork-like bark, 
girthed 15 feet 6 inches; and there were many other notable 
trees in this locality worthy of measurement had time per- 
mitted. Skirting the Coronation Mound, we pass through the 
old entrance to the palace, and note on the right the ancient 
cross of the village of Scone. Beyond it is a lime avenue, which 
we traverse. The avenue is about ninety years of age. Forty 
years ago the trees, then well grown, were successfully shifted 
each 8 or 9 feet; and almost as remarkable was the feat 
achieved in 1881. A violent gale of that year blew down 
several of the limes, which were, however, hauled into the 
perpendicular position again, and the earth beaten well about 
their roots, while, to keep them up, strong ropes were attached 
to the neighbouring trees. This bold experiment succeeded, 
the limes took root again, and every year since they have been 
covered with abundance of fresh foliage. 
Leaving the policies by the gate at the end of the avenue 
opening on the public road, a few neat, cosy-looking cottages, 
clustered with roses and other climbing plants, are all that 
now remain of the once populous village of Old Scone; the 
new village of Scone lying on the higher ground about two 
miles to the eastward. On the rising ground to the right, in 
front of us, was seen a fine thriving oak plantation, with 
a luxuriant undergrowth of rhododendrons, in which the late 
