406 TliANSACTIONS AND PKOCKEDINGS OF TUE [Sess. Lxvii. 



evidently stood somewhat alone — a condition favourable 

 for the full attainment of its utmost magnitude. The 

 soil where the oak stands is alluvial, and is both rich and 

 deep. 



If tradition may be trusted, it is nearly two hundred 

 years since the first token of decline appeared in the Cow- 

 thorpe Oak. In November 1703, a terrible wind-storm 

 swept over western Europe. In its violence it damaged 

 the tree to a large extent ; but it was another November 

 storm, in 1718, that wrought the most injury, for by it 

 the leading and central branch was torn away. It is also 

 said that in 1722 the tree suffered much damage from 

 another storm. After these disasters, the work of decay 

 would doubtless proceed more rapidly, and now the work 

 is so nearly accomplished that it seems impossible for the 

 tree to survive much longer. However, what remains 

 puts forth new shoots and leaves every season, though 

 imperceptibly dwindling each year. In 1893 it bore 

 a good crop of acorns, considering its ruined state. The 

 acorns were not sessile, but were on long stalks. From 

 some of them young plants have been reared, and, by 

 permission of the late Mr. Montagu, of Ingmanthorpe, one 

 has been planted, in the hope that it will perpetuate the 

 memory of the doomed giant. The young oak is planted 

 near its illustrious parent, and is securely fenced in. The 

 Hector of Cowthorpe, the Eev. Mr. Clarke, has kindly 

 undertaken to be the guardian of its youth. 



Interesting as the Cowthorpe Oak is on account of its 

 size, it is no less so when considered in relation to its age. 

 Therefore we claim to be allowed to extract to the full the 

 lesson which it teaches in this respect. 



In the beginning of this century, the elder De Candolle 

 promulgated the theory that trees never die of old age, 

 and, barring the accidents of injury and disease, they would 

 live for ever. Of course a doctrine so novel was not 

 accepted at once, but before the century was half gone we 

 find that it had taken strong hold in the scientific world, 

 and among its adherents were Dr. Lindley and Dr. Asa 

 Gray, both very eminent and learned botanists. The 

 discovery of the Big-trees of California, and the indisput- 

 able testimony of their antiquity furnished by the annual 



