426 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 



the recent rigorous winters, aidedbythe disturbances to its ultimate 

 rootlets occasioned by the renovation of tbe mansion, which, had 

 induced a decay of some years' duration. It was lying in a pros- 

 trate condition. The trunk at the ground measured 5 feet 9 

 inches in circumference, and Mr Loney by counting the rings of 

 wood, found that it had been between 190 and 200 years old. 

 There were two acacias ; one of them that measured 6 feet 9 

 inches at one foot from the ground, had been blown down a few 

 years ago, and was re-erected, and still appears to be growing. A 

 dense crop of Ranunculus auricomus arises here in the open space. 

 In the adjoining pleasure grounds are several fine trees, includ- 

 ing two beautiful yews, and a magnificent avenue of silver firs 

 with tall clean boles, which may be from 150 to 200 years old. 

 Tulipa sylvestris planted out on the bank above the walk showed 

 numerous blossoms ; and the Scilla Italica had flowers of more 

 than the wonted size. Tulipa syhestris at Tynningham and 

 Ormiston this season has been very profuse in its blooms. Prim- 

 roses both red and white have been planted here ; purple 

 comfrey, and Herb Gerard prevailed. Although Hart's-tongue 

 (Scolopendrium vulgare) is cultivated on the rockery, it does not 

 occur wild in the vicinity. 



The trees in the park were far advanced in the expansion of 

 their foliage, and many of them were splendid trees. The di- 

 mensions of the best of the trees here have been recorded by Mr 

 Hutchison of Carlowrie, in his valuable communications to the 

 '< Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of 

 Scotland," and I extract them here from copies, which he has 

 kindly furnished. Of the sycamores, at 100 feet above the sea- 

 level, and quite within reach of the sea breeze and winds of the 

 North Sea, three measure respectively — 90, 82, and 85 feet in 

 height ; 12, 18, and 15 feet, length of bole; 12ft. llin., 12ft. 6in., 

 and 12 feet in circumference of trunk at one foot from the ground ; 

 and 9ft. lOin., all three, at 5 feet from the ground. One of these 

 is a noble tree. Of the beeches three stand at 75 feet above sea- 

 level, and their dimensions coincide ; the height of the trees is 

 63 feet, the length of the bole is 31 feet, the circumference at one 

 foot from the ground is 32ft. 3in, ; and at 5 feet is 20ft. 4in. 

 One is ''a very magnificent specimen. A large hollow on the 

 west side of its trunk is rapidly closing by the growth of healthy 

 bark ; and a stone trough, which had in its earlier years stood at 

 its side, is now quite embedded in the tree, by its root columns 



