94 THE OAK. 



preserved on record relating to them, and also by 

 means of some inscriptions which have been found 

 deeply imbedded in the solid wood, and over which 

 the growth of years has been deposited. 



The following description of a few remarkable 

 trees in different parts of England, is taken from 

 London's Arboretum : 



" The Merton Oak stands on the estate of Lord 

 Walsingham. It is 66 feet high, and, at the surface 

 of the ground, the circumference of the trunk is 63 

 feet 2 inches. At one foot [from the ground], it is 

 46 feet 1 inch ; the trunk is 18 feet 6 inches to the 

 fork of the branches ; the largest limb is 18 feet, and 

 the second 16 feet in circumference." 



" The Winfarthing Oak is 70 feet in circumfer- 

 ence ; the trunk is quite hollow, and the cavity large 

 enough to hold 30 persons. It is said to have been 

 called the " Old Oak," at the time of William the 

 Conqueror.* It is now a mere shell a mighty 

 ruin, bleached to a snowy white ; but it is magnificent 

 in its decay. The only mark of vitality which it ex- 

 hibits, is on the south side, where a narrow strip of 

 bark sends forth a few branches, which even now 

 (1836) occasionally produce acorns." 



" The Salcey Forest Oak is described as ' one of 

 the most picturesque sylvan ruins that can be met 

 with anywhere/ It is supposed to be above 1500 

 years old ; and its trunk is so decayed as to form a 

 complete arch, which is 14 feet 8 inches high, and 29 



* This tree is most probably 1500 years old. 



