Mak. 1903.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 401 



may have received some protecting influence from the sacred- 

 ness of the church. In a photograph of the tree from the 

 north the church appears, and in that from the south the 

 old manor house is seen. When the tree was seen for the 

 first time it was in January, but the earlier photographs 

 were taken in April (Photo. No. 4). From the photographs 

 it will be readily understood that the first sight of the cele- 

 brated Cowthorpe Oak was a disappointment. It seemed 

 merely a heap of decaying stumps and props. However, 

 after having made a circuit of the trunk outside the palings, 

 which are about 5 ft. high, the sense of disappointment 

 about the old monarch gradually gave place to a feeling of 

 respect. The diagram shows the dimensions of the tree in 

 various ways. The measurements were taken very carefully 

 on 16th June 1893, and when tabulated as they are on the 

 subjoined table, they can be easily compared with the measure- 

 ments of others. The comparison shows the dimensions 

 of the tree have diminished since Dr. Hunter's measure- 

 ments were taken. That the old tree as it decays should 

 shrink and settle somewhat into the ground is natural, and 

 the difference between the earlier and later measurements 

 is due to this circumstance mainly. 



Table of Mkasurements of the Cowthorpe Oak from the 

 time when first recorded to 1893. 



Measurements in Dr. Hunter's edition of Evelyn's " Sylva," which must have 

 been taken about 1700 — 



Girth on ground . . 78 ft. 



Length of branch . . . . . . . . 48 ft. 



Height of tree SO ft. 



1768. Robert Marsham's measurements — • 



Girth 4 ft. above ground ....... 46i ft. 



„ 5 ft. ,, 36h ft. 



,, 6ft. „ 32ft. fin. 



No hollow or cavity mentioned. 



1774. Aug. Thomas Matjde's measure. Had heard it to be 81 ft. 6 in. 

 in girth, but his measure a few inches above ground was 54 ft. No cavity is 

 mentioned. Wind storm in 1703 damaged the tree, but the leading branch was 

 torn away in 1718. 



1776. The date of Dr. Hunter's portrait of the tree. In the portrait no 

 cavity appears, and none is mentioned in his letter-press description. 



In 1829 Dr. Jessop measured the tree, and tlie mcasureinents are given by 

 J. G. Strntt— 



Girth on ground . . . ." 60 ft. 



,, 3 ft. above ground 4.5 ft. 



Length of branch 50 ft. 



Circumference of branch . . . . . . . 8 ft. 



Height of tree 45 ft. 



Cavity big enough to hold 40 men, and hollow throughout to the top. Leaves 

 are sessile, and acorns are on stalks. 



