1780

ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM.

PART Ill.

1625

ia

Wissj-

traced back to the time of the Romans, who observed a similar custom atthe annual festivals called Terminalia, held in honour of the god Terminuswho was considered as the guardian of fields and landmarks, and the promoterof friendship and peace among men. It was introduced among Christiansabout the year 800, by the pious Avitus, bishop of Vienna, in a season ofdearth and calamity, and has been continued since his time by the differentclergy; the minister of each parish, accompanied by his churchwardensand parishioners, going round the bounds and limits of his parish in RogationWeek, or on one of the three days before Holy Thursday (the feast of ourLord’s Ascension), and stopping at remarkable spots and trees to recitepassages from the Gospels, and implore the blessing of the Almighty on thefruits of the earth, and for the preservation of the rights and properties of theparish.” (Mag. Nat. Hist., iii. 558.) The Plestor Oak, described in White’sSelborne, was also a boundary tree, used to mark the extent of the Pleystow,or play-place for the children of the village. This oak is described by Whiteas having “ a short squat body, and huge horizontal arms extending almost tothe extremity of the area; surrounded with stone steps,and seats above them,the delight of old and young, and a place of muchresort in summer evenings ; wherethe former sate in grave debate,while the latter frolicked anddanced before them.”

Oak Trees with conjoined Trunks.

The following instances of thissingular conformation are fromtrees growing in Ryton Wood,

Warwickshire, the property of W.

- Dilke, Esq.; and we are indebtedd aa for them to the Rev. W. T. Bree.

Figs. 1626. and 1627. are illustrative of only four trees ; a and aa being two

1627

1626