THE LONGEST-LIVED TREES 205 



existence, and partitioned them in three stages, a 

 simplification of the seven stages of human life 

 mapped out by Shakespeare : 



The Monarch Oak, the Patriarch of Trees 

 Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees. 

 Three centuries he grows, and three he stays 

 Supreme in state, and in three more decays. 



Multiply these years by two, and you have neared the 

 asserted age of Wellingtonias. 



The Yew Tree, the Cedar, and the Deciduous 

 Cypress, among others, all lay claim to probabilities 

 and possibilities of an arrival at longevity; but, more 

 often than not, there is produced only insufficient 

 data in the way of evidence on their behalf that 

 would scarce serve to satisfy the most complaisant 

 and cousin-connected of Old Age Pensions Committees 

 ever congregated in the please-all atmosphere of a 

 local tribunal. 



The Bo Tree (Ficus Religiosa), sacred to Buddha, 

 Prince of Siddartha, in Ceylon, claims an existence 

 of 2,000 years; but, as it is no native, nor even na- 

 turalized, subject of Great Britain, it must be at once 

 nonsuited here, and any pros and cons, in the nature 

 of evidence adduced, declined politely but firmly 

 with thanks. 



We must say a word upon the probable scenic 

 effect of this tree in our country-sides. You not 

 uncommonly hear disparaging remarks made about 

 their toy Noah's Ark, or Christmas Tree appearance, 

 and, so far as they have gone with us, this is a shape 

 they have assumed. We must enter this plea on 

 their behalf upon this charge, that the average length 

 of their life is estimated at from 1,500 to 2,000 years. 

 A Wellingtonia at fifty years — and this approximates 

 the age of those grown in our British Isles, has only 

 completed ru^h. or ruXh perhaps of its life ; w^hile many 



