68 



which rises abruptly some two hundred feet above the 

 surrounding country. A large quantity of very fine timber 

 trees tone down the abruptness of the ascent and counteract 

 some of the stiffness of the building. A point much 

 debated some years ago was the question whether the hill on 

 which the Castle stands is an artificial one ; recent operations 

 have proved it to be quite a natural formation ; near the top 

 on the S.W. side traces of deposition by water agency were 

 found, proving the whole to have been washed by a flood in 

 remote ages. The terraced slopes on the East side have 

 doubtless been artificially formed, and some parts of the top 

 have been considerably modified to suit the various buildings 

 which have been erected there. The large depressions and 

 hillsides are well clothed with forest trees, with an under- 

 growth of evergreens composed chiefly of common laurel and 

 Portugal laurel ; the latter plant does remarkably well here, 

 and in some places has grown into a large tree. The finest 

 specimen was in the Duchess Garden, but it commenced to 

 decay a few years since, and only a portion of the top now 

 remains ; Rhododendrons also flourish well under the forest 

 trees ; the natural soil here contains only a very small pro- 

 portion of lime, otherwise they would soon fail ; they are 

 also immune from the attacks of rabbits and other animals, even 

 in the most severe winters. All the above plants and trees 

 assist considerably in sheltering the tender plants and shrubs. 



But the charm of the situation at Belvoir is derived 

 mainly from its elevation, which gives extensive views over 

 the surrounding country : and from the undulations of surface 

 immediately near the castle : these give a change of scene at 



