108 Large British Oaks. 



many others that might be made, of two striking examples. 

 They consist of trees that grew in the county of Monmouth, a 

 part of this island so abounding in them for ages that, even at 

 a late period, they obtained the appellation of c: the weed of 

 the soil.'" Diminished in size and number by thinning out, 

 and the facility of removal through railroad accommodation, 

 they still flourish innumerable amidst the hills and valleys of 

 that beautifully diversified region, Specimens, both here and 

 elsewhere, may no doubt be found upon record that may have 

 exceeded the largest to which we are referring ; but they both 

 appear so remarkable, on account of the ends to which they 

 were applied, that they deserve to be rescued from oblivion. 

 The first and smaller of the two was called 



THE BETNGWYN OAK. 



Bryngwyn (signifying the White Hill) is a term of frequent 

 occurrence in Wales and on the borders. In this case, the 

 estate on which this tree was felled, in 1791, is near Raglan, 

 and was then the property of William Morgan, Esq. Its price 

 was forty guineas, and its dimensions and various distributions 

 on dissection were thus minutely described by the pur- 

 chaser : — 



Bark, 3 tons, 17 cwt., 2 qrs. 

 Cordwood, 31 cords, 3 qrs. 



Cooper's timber, from slabs, etc. 



84 hogshead staves. 



67 barrel staves. 

 106 kilderkin staves. 

 256 cooper's ends, 



28 hogshead heads. 



38 barrel heads. 



49 kilderkin heads. 



Butt-piece 31 feet long, when sided to upper 



piece of stem ...... 330 



From the two slabs, 216 feet of knees, sided 



square from the angle . . . .216 



1 branch, 29 feet long, siding 17 inches . . 58 

 1 ditto 24 ditto by 19 . . . . .60 



1 ditto 19 ditto by 17 38 



13 sided knees ...... 217 



When converted . . . .919 



