Mab. 1903.J BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 405 



ground and gradually gets less above. To be consistent with 

 this shape, if we were to dig below the level of tlie ground the 

 diameter would become greater still : but, instead of digging:, 

 suppose tlie tree were raised 15 in., or to the elevation it 

 had in Empson's time, 1842 — and Empson's measurement 

 of the girth on the ground, 60 ft., appears quite credible 

 and accurate, although it is certain the girth in 1893 was 

 only 54 ft. 3 in., — and suppose the tree were raised still 

 further to make up for the subsidence between the dates of 

 Dr. Hunter's measurements and Empson's, then Dr. Hunter's 

 girth, 78 ft., would also appear credible. Thus the apparent 

 discrepancies in the measurements of the girth of the tree 

 on the ground are fully and reasonably explained. Other 

 discrepancies in the measurements will be seen in the table, 

 but none are serious, and most of them can be accounted 

 for by the same reasons that have been employed in reconcil- 

 ing the measurements of the girth on the ground-level. 



We are therefore prepared to receive Dr. Hunter's 

 measurements as the dimensions of the tree before its 

 decline, and if we can realise them properly we shall have 

 a better idea of the former magnificence of the Cowthorpe 

 Oak, and why it became so famous. Many people have seen 

 the Major Oak at the Dukeries, near Edwinstowe. It is a 

 wonderful tree, and is generally regarded as a sight worth 

 seeing. But the Cowthorpe Oak was a much grander sight, 

 as may be readily conceived by comparing a diagram of the 

 two trees drawn to one scale. The Major Oak is 53 ft. high ; 

 the Cowthorpe Oak was 80 ft. high. From bough end to 

 bough end of the Major Oak, it measures 94 ft. In this 

 respect the Cowthorpe Oak measured about 120 ft. The 

 Major Oak at 5 ft. from the ground girths 29i ft.; at the 

 same level the Cowthorpe Oak girths 36 ft. 10 in. 



It is difhcult to imagine a more suitable place for the 

 largest development of a growing tree than the situation 

 of the Cowthorpe Oak. The conformation of the locality, 

 and its natural and artificial surroundings, would at all 

 times make it a warm and sheltered spot. The tree is 

 about the middle of a field which slopes gently towards 

 the river — the river being near enough to afford a con- 

 stant supply of moisture. At present there are other 

 trees near it, but when it was young and in its prime, it 



