338 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



able, there were examples in Ireland of exotic trees finer than 

 they were known to occur in their native homes — e.g., the 

 tallest quercus ilex is probably one in Wicklow; it seems to 

 be higher than any recorded in the Mediterranean region. 

 The biggest hornbeam in Europe occurs at Killarney. Slides 

 of these were shown, and also of a finus insignis at Muck- 

 ross, which had reached 98 feet in height (with great girth) 

 in fifty years of growth. Remarkable instances also occurred 

 at Powerscourt, and the beauty, luxuriance, and variety at 

 Castlewellan were well known. Fota, near Queenstown, with 

 its palms, Mexican conifers, &c., all growing beautifully in 

 the open air, showed the almost sub-tropical condition of our 

 climate. It seems also to be agreed that the most beautiful 

 garden in Europe is that of Mr. Walpole at Mount Usher, in 

 Wicklow, and no botanic garden could rival in variety of 

 trees and shrubs the famous property of Mr. Thomas Acton at 

 Kilmacurragh, also in Wicklow. The lecturer showed slides 

 illustrating difference of branching in trees of temperate and 

 tropical regions, and also of trees tolerant and intolerant of 

 shade, the latter being the distinction most important to the 

 forests. Passing on to the subject of cultivated forests, he 

 showed how different these were from wild forests, in the fact 

 that only certain trees were cultivated, and the form of the 

 tree aimed at was the one without branching, giving tall, 

 straight, perfect timber. Slides illustrated the difference be- 

 tween the dense forests of the Continent, of considerable 

 area, closed in from the action of the sun or wind on the 

 soil, and the imperfect narrow belts and open plantations so 

 often seen in this country, where the soil was necessarily in a 

 bad condition. Slides were also shown of the Scalp in County 

 Dublin, which illustrated the way in which the forest in a 

 moist climate takes possession of even bare rock. On the 

 Continent waste land was afforested — i.e., land unsuitable for 

 grazing or agriculture should bear trees as a crop — and soil 

 was of little or no importance in this question. The possi- 

 bility of re-afforestation of our boglands and bare mountain 

 sides was then examined. Trees had formerly grown in peat 



