228 COLLEGE GARDENS 



Opposite the College Lodge grows a Plane with a trunk 

 which measures about 3 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft. in diameter. 



TRINITY COLLEGE GARDENS are laid out in a somewhat 

 formal style suited to the architecture. They are famous for 

 the avenue of Lime-trees, made early in the eighteenth 

 century, which have been cut so as to meet one another 

 and form a leafy trellised vault over a shady walk. The 

 periodical cutting back of the branches encourages tuft-like 

 new growths of twigs, which have been compared to the bosses 

 on ribs of a gothic ceiling. The trunks are the pillars, and 

 the sun's rays, slanting through the foliage, make on the 

 ground the effect of light through stained-glass windows. The 

 largest trees in the avenue only girth about 4 ft. 3 in., and it 

 is not easy to believe that the tables for a Commemoration 

 breakfast were spread under them in 1787. 



Parallel is a line of Yews, largest about 5 ft., but larger 

 still are the pair near the Iron Gates, one with a straight 

 trunk, 5 ft. 10 in. round and over 10 ft. in height, the other 

 springing from a bole 3 ft. 6 in. across. Two Yews inarched 

 may be seen near the St. John's boundary, not far from the 

 Robinia (6 ft.). 



But most noteworthy of all is the magnificent Wistaria, 

 planted about 1863, which extends through a dense growth 

 of Ampelopsis along the greater part of two sides of the 

 quadrangle, for a length of 150 ft. It may therefore claim to 

 have leaves further from the root than is the case with any 

 other plant in Oxford, and it would probably have gone 

 further had it not been for the Ampelopsis, 



ubi aera vincere summum 

 Arboris baud ullae jactu potuere sagittae. 



VIRGIL, " Georgics." 



In the old orchard of the Cottages in the front quadrangle 

 are two Pears of 4 ft. girth, and Apple-trees of 3 ft. n in. 

 and 3 ft. 10 in. The Catalpa, which has started branching 



