190 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP, 
sion that it must have been already a large 
tree when Rome was founded, and though the 
facts do not warrant this conclusion, the tree 
did, no doubt, go back to Pagan times. The 
great Yew of Fountains Abbey is said to have 
sheltered the monks when the abbey was re- 
built in 1133, and is estimated at an age of 
1300 years; that at Brabourne in Kent at 
3000. De Candolle gives oe following as the 
ages attaimable : — 
The Ivy ; : ‘ : ‘ 450 years 
Larch ‘ ; ; : : 570 
Plane ‘ ; ; : Toy 4 
Cedar of Tebanon: ? : ‘ 800 « 
Lime : : ‘ ; ; 1100 « 
Oak TNtest , : : 1500. 
Taxodium distichum ; . ‘ 4000 to 6000 
Baobab ; : : ; ‘ 6000 years 
Nowhere is woodland scenery more beau- 
tiful than where it passes gradually into the 
open country. The separate trees, having 
more room both for their roots and branches, 
are finer, and can be better seen, while, when 
they are close together, “one cannot see the 
wood for the trees.” The vistas which open 
out are full of mystery and of promise, 
