1756

ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM.

part jii.

not even the mostsuperficial observ-er could ever for amoment mistake itfor any other tree.

The Chandos Oak(see fig. 1601., inp.1763.), thoughit has. nearly aslarge a head, hasmore the charac-ter of a spreading ■;beech tree; and 'theTibberton Oak(see fig. 1587. inp. 1745.), thoughhigher, is more like

an English elm. The Wootton Oak has all the attributes of beauty, dignity,and majesty, usually given to the oak tree; it once formed part of the ancientfoi sst of Bern Wood, which was a favourite hunting ground of Edward theConfessor . “ This forest was at that time infested by a wild boar, which wasat last slain by a huntsman named Nigel, whom the king rewarded for thisservice by the grant of some lands, to be held by a horn; a mode of liverycommon in those days.” ( Lauder’s Gilpin, vol. ii. p. 69.) This horn is stiiliri the possession of the Aubrey family, to whom it has descended by the femaleline from that of Nigel. “ The Chenies Oak,” Professor Burnet ( Eidoden -dron, pi. 2.) tells us, “is an old tree, which was going to decay in the reignof Queen Elizabeth; but, a farm-yard being established in its vicinity, it hasrevived, from the manure having sunk down to its roots, and has now severalhealthy and flourishing branches. Tradition traces it beyond the NormanConquest .” (Amcen. Quer., fol. 2.)

Cheshire. The St. James's Chronicle, No. 5038., states that an oak was felled,a few days before, at Morley- in Cheshire, which produced upwards of 1000 ft.of measurable timber. It girted 42 ft., and one branch contained 200 ft. of solidtimber. Its existence could be traced back for 800 years; and it was supposedto be one of the largest trees in England. As a proof of this, it may be added,that the hollow trunk had, for some years before it was cut down, been used forhousing cattle. It is said that Edward the Black Prince once dined beneathits shade. (Mart. Mill., art. Quercus .) The Forest of Delamere, in this county,contains many fine oaks. In this forest “ Edelfleda, a Mercian princess,founded a little town for her retirement, which obtained the title of theHappy City. The site is still known by the name of the Chamber of theForest.” (Gilpin.) The Combermere Oaks, at Combermere Abbey, near Nant-wich, are very fine old trees. One of these (Q. pedunculata) is 71 ft. high,and the trunk girts 37ft. at 3ft. from the ground; and another ( Q. sessili-flora) is 65 ft. high, and has a trunk 28 ft. in circumference at 3 ft. from theground. The latter is quite hollow; and the inside, which is fitted up as aroom, will hold twelve people. Both these trees were described as old treeswhen the abbey and demesne were granted to an ancestor of the present lordCombermere, Sir G. Cotton, who was steward of the household to HenryVIII. , in 1633. There is another old tree on an island in the lake, whichis still in a growing state, and which is 80 ft. high, girting 24 ft.; and the dia-meter of the head is 75 ft.

Devonshire. The Forest of Dartmoor was formerly of great extent; and mit, at Crockern Tor, was the seat of the Parliament of the Stanneries. Theforest has now nearly disappeared, but the moor still extends about 20 milesby 11 miles, and wolves were found on it as late as the reign of Queen Eliza-beth. The appearance of Dartmoor is rendered very picturesque, from theabrupt eminences, crowned with huge piles of stones, and called Tors, winch

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