29 
It is classic ground to the arborist, “Great Birnam Wood” 
of Shakespeare’s Macbeth forming a part of the policies. 
Several grand monarchs of the forest, which are supposed to 
have been vigorous trees about that era, are still seen in the 
district, although none of such a great age are now found 
within the precincts of the ancient Birnam Wood. At the 
present day Murthly is probably more famed for its exotic 
trees than for those of native origin. The whole extent of the 
beautiful pleasure-grounds is thickly studded with fine speci- 
mens of the coniferous order of trees. Every hardy species 
of exotic conifer that thrives in Britain has been more or less 
numerously planted within the past half century, and most of 
them are in a remarkably thriving state. The Araucaria from 
Chili, Deodar from Upper India, Douglas fir from British 
Columbia, and a host of other beautiful and interesting coni- 
ferous trees from all parts of the temperate regions of the 
earth, are growing here in the greatest luxuriance, and many 
of them in numbers not found upon any other estate in the 
country. Lovers of conifers, who were of the Excursion, had 
therefore a great treat at Murthly, where several days, instead 
of an afternoon, might be profitably spent in examining the 
beautiful habits and fine proportions of the thousands of 
conifers in the extensive grounds. Still, with the castles, 
both old and new, the chapel, avenues, gardens, terraces, and 
old trees, as well as the lovely and romantic landscape with the 
broad and clear waters of the Tay in the foreground, there is 
much beside the exotic conifers to attract the notice and 
satisfy the taste of all visitors to this estate. 
Entering the policies at the East Lodge, the party reached 
Murthly at 2.15 p.m, and were most kindly welcomed by 
Mr W. Steuart Fothringham, with whom were his relatives 
Lord Carnegie and Mr Benson. Luncheon was served in a 
large marquee, and a company of 170 sat down to this 
repast. 
Professor BAyLEY BALFour asked permission to make a few 
remarks. They were there that day on an unique occasion. 
The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society had for years been 
in the habit of holding annual excursions to different parts of 
the country, but that day they had combined to form a joint 
excursion with members of the British Association, which 
had been holding its meetings last week in Edinburgh. He 
felt in speaking just now that he spoke in a dual capacity, 
in the first instance as President of the Royal Scottish Arbori- 
cultural Society, and in the second place as a member of the 
* British Association. This was the first time that the Royal 
Scottish Arboricultural Society had visited Murthly. He need 
