planted by Mahomet the Second, after the taking of Constantinople, to commemorate the birth of his son Bajazet the Second, the trunk of which is 50 feet in circumference. There is another, of more enormous size, at Buyuk-dere, on the Bosphorus. It stands in a valley, and measures 45 yards, and is 135 feet in circumference. It in fact now consists of fourteen large trees, growing in a circle from the same root, but separating at some distance from the ground. The Turks sometimes encamp here, and the Ben-Bashee pitches his tents in the centre of this tree of trees." Mr. Loudon observes that of that part of the ligneous flora of China which is hardy, very little is known; and he mentions, as an example, the recent discovery of the tea shrub in the province of Assam, through an extent of territory which occupied a month's journey. Africa, from its tropical situation, and from the low elevation of its mountain ranges, compared to Asia, has afforded very few plants to the British Arboretum. But the Pacha of Egypt has an English gardener, Mr. Traill, who is endeavouring to collect and acclimatise the plants both of temperate and tropical countries. The teak tree from India grows well in Egypt; but we believe the saltness of the soil not to be favourable to foreign trees. The French have established a nursery at Algiers, which is said to contain 25,000 trees and plants, for the purpose of experiment. It contains eighty acres, and is under the care of a director and eighty men. When we turn to North America, there we find the real treasure-house of plants, which, even now, the labours of many indefatigable naturalists have not exhausted. The introduction of its productions into England began about the end of the 17th century, under Compton, then bishop of London. Banister, Catesby, Gordon, the two Bartrams, A. Michaux; and of later date, Fraser, Lyon, and Douglas, are the chief collectors. The number of trees and shrubs in the British Arboretum, received from North America, is supposed to be 528; among them, as still non-acclimatised with us, we must reckon the palms, the Sabal adansoni, chamærops serrulata, hystrix, palmetto. Will they ever be? These, we presume, are from Mexico. Mr. Loudon says, "We include Mexico in North America, and have great hopes that some additions may be made to the British Arboretum from the mountainous regions of that extensive country. Some magnificent specimens of Coniferæ are said to exist in it, particularly an evergreen Taxodium of enormous height. Dr. Coulter, it is believed, has discovered several new species of pines and firs, which are likely to prove hardy in Britain, as are almost all the resinous trees of other countries." Of South America, Mr. Loudon says, the trees and shrubs furnished by it, are only 22; but Mr. Matthews, who has been many years there as a collector, speaks of lofty mountain ranges covered with forests, which have never yet been penetrated by civilised man. The Flora, however, of South America appear very limited; consisting in the warm parts chiefly of Palms, in the more temperate regions of pines, firs, and other coniferæ. Turn we to Australia, whose productions hitherto have been confined to the Eucalyptus (an invaluable addition), Acacias (with a beautiful and feminine delicacy of foliage), Callistemon, and Sida. These live without protection in our climate, and one species of Eucalyptus we have seen, bids fair to attain a gigantic size, if we may judge from the present rapidity of its growth; it having beeL sown only four years ago, in a garden near us, and is already a tolerably sized tree. Its foliage is luxuriant, large, and diversified in form; presenting an appearance of vegetation totally unlike that of Europe; its resinous fragrance also is remarkable;-can it be the Eucalyptus robusta? or resinifera? It is our intention to present some leaves and branches to Professor Lindley in the spring, that if possible its specific name may be ascertained: for we have never seen a similar Eucalyptus in England, or one approaching it in beauty or size. As we are on this subject, we shall finish by extracting what Mr. Loudon says: "The trees of Van Diemen's Land appear to be among the most gigantic of the whole world. Mr. Backhouse gives the measurement of ten trees of the Eucalyptus robusta, which stood in the neighbourhood of the Emu river. Of these, one was 45 feet in circumference, and 180 feet high; one 5 feet in girth, and more than 200 feet high; one 4 feet in circumference; and one of the elevation of Among the most remarkable trees, Mr. Loudon says, is the Xanthorrhæa arborescens,' or Grass-tree. We hope some of the gentlemen and ladies who make septennial and longer trips, for their own amusement and the benefit of their country, to those shores and its neighbourhood, and who are supposed to find a sea voyage of great service to them; although they are said (we think unjustly) to have a great horror of a certain tree in England, which for particular reasons we shall not name; (only mentioning that it grows very much in the form of the Greek Digamma; that its fruit only hangs on it one hour, when it is generally cut off; that the pendulous flowers most resemble those of Loosestrife, Lysimachia, Blood-wort, Sanguinaria; and that it bears transplantation very well, it having often borne fruit immediately after having been put into the ground :)—now, as we have said, although our Polynesian friends complain always of a sort of strain in the neck when they look up to this tree, yet we hope that they will meet an Arboretum more to their satisfaction in the southern latitudes for Mr. Loudon says: "To give an idea of the capabilities of the climate, in an exposed part of the garden (the Botanic Garden at Sydney), may be seen growing luxuriantly in a dense thicket, formed by themselves, the following trees-viz. English ash and elm. Erythrina corallodendron-Bombax heptaphyllum, Gymnocladus canadiensis, Ficus Elastica, Dalbergia Sissoo, Tectona grandis (the Teak tree), Pinus Pinaster, and Halepensis, Catalpa Syringæ folia, English lime and sycamore, English oak, Acacia tamariscina, tea-tree, olive, and many others." Verily this appears a goodly land; and a fit dwelling for its virtuous and industrious inhabitants. We presume there are no law courts among such a primitive people, and in such a paradisaical spot, where the women are all virtuous and the men all just. This evil being removed, and a representative government being formed, consisting of two great deliberative assemblies, male and female, the emus being also domesticated for the poultry-yard, and the kangaroos for the lity of their flexible movements, they plough, for which by the sudden agiseem wonderfully adapted by nature, this the terrestrial paradise of the -we think nothing is wanted to make earth. Here Man will be found by the naturalist in his original and native simplicity, and woman in her primitive beauty and innocence. Jam nova progenies cœlo demittitur altoand so we must wish them all fare well. To Mr. Loudon we give our thanks for having brought together a vast mass of most curious information, and for having detailed it in a very agreeable and lively manner; and among his other trees, cordially do we taste and enjoy the fruit of the Tree of hope that he long may continue to Life. When Mr. Loudon republishes this valuable work, we strongly advise him to alter the title of it. ARBORETUM is not a classical word: and there is no authority for it. The proper word is ARBUSTUM. Mr. URBAN, Feb. 15. AS your pages are at all times open to subjects relating to "6 hoar antiquity," I an induced to forward the results of a few days spent in conjunction with two friends (Messrs. Chas. Hall, and G. A. Ellis, author of the History of Weymouth), in examining some of the numerous Tumuli with which the hills on the coast of Dorset (particularly in the vicinity of Weymouth) are covered, and where the researches were carried on. The operations were first commenced on the Upway Downs, where a small barrow was cut through from east to west. Immediately under the surface fragments of calcined bones and very coarse pottery were found; at the base, and under the level of the adjoining ground, imbedded in the chalk, was a skeleton lying on its back, due east and west. The next were two small ones (or rather a twin barrow). "Still side by side the verdant mounds And tell that mighty men lie buried there." presented similar small fragments of pottery and bones, with charcoal, and a few feet in from the side, a cist cut in the chalk, which was filled with ashes and bones. The second appeared to have a fresh cap. Within a few feet of the surface was a skeleton lying in the same position as that in first barrow opened; here also the same appearances as regards pottery and bones presented themselves. A Druid barrow* (why so called 1 am at a loss to conjecture) was next chosen; the diameter of the fosse and vallum was about 50 feet, the tumulus (a very small one) being placed in the centre; on removing the surface, fragments of the same description of pottery, with bones, were seen; under a flat stone, about three feet from the surface (the tumulus itself not being more than 4 feet) was an urn, composed of the coarsest materials, placed invertedly; it was about half filled with calcined bones, and had three or four thin flat stones placed within, apparently for the purpose of retaining the contents in its proper place. In another Druid barrow (the fosse and vallum, 60 feet in diameter) were nothing but fragments of precisely the same description. Here the excavations for the day were terminated; the fragments of pottery were all of the same kind, sun-dried, and of the coarsest material. The first tumulus opened on the succeeding day, was quite small, and a section being made through it from east to west, offered nothing to notice but fragments of pottery and bones, similar to those of the preceding. The next was a barrow of considerable size this was selected on account of its being more pointed in its formation than any other on the ridge of hills, and might be appropriately termed a cone barrow. "And high they rear'd the mound." The composition and order of its Fosbroke says (Encyclopædia of Antiq. vol. ii. p. 489) the term Druid barrow is a strange misnomer introduced by Stukeley. Perhaps the term British, in contradistinction to Roman, is implied, the Britons being devoted to Druid superstitions. The inversion of the urn is probably a distinguishing mark of British sepulture. EDIT. strata was, first: the bed or base of hard close chalk, then earth plentifully mixed with charcoal; on this a thick coating of particularly loose rubble like chalk, then earth slightly interspersed with charcoal, and on this a thin layer of chalk, finally covered with the sward. The opening of this Tumulus commenced at its base on the east side; after excavating a shaft of about six feet, an urn was discovered in the stratum of earth above the rubble-like chalk, placed with its mouth uppermost, reclining towards the east, and partly filled with calcined bones; the greatest care was taken, and a fire having been made around it immediately on removal, it has been preserved entire; its dimensions are in height 14 inches, diameter at the top 9 in., do. middle 11 in., do. base 6 in.; immediately under the urn at the base, the skeleton of a dog was exhumed, the skull of which was quite perfect, with the teeth firmly fixed in the sockets. On the excavation approaching the centre, under the superstratum of chalk, a mass, full 3 feet deep and 4 feet diameter, of black and red ashes, was presented to view; upon the removal of which was found a very considerable quantity of bones, but too much calcined to admit of anatomical appropriation; under these, in the chalk which formed the base, was a cist filled with burnt remains. This Tumulus I should conceive to have been raised over some chieftain famed for his exploits in the chase, his favourite hound being placed with him, and the extraordinary quantity of ashes, that of a hecatomb immolated to his manes. The site of the third day's proceedings was an abrupt insulated hill called Chalbury. This hill bears strong traces of human occupation, probably those of a British settlement; it has a shallow fosse and low vallum (in some parts composed of stones), extending round its sides, and is further strengthened by several natural terraces; at its base a beautifully formed and singularly perfect fosse is drawn for a considerable distance; this is evidently the work of a subsequent period. The summit, which occupies an area of several acres, is covered with numerous circles and hollows, which are plainly and easily traced on the turf. Here are two tu 7 muli of low and irregular formation, with portions of stone protruding through the surface, and of which, on opening one, it was found to be composed; on digging some way in, an urn was discovered, of very coarse materials, and filled with bones; it was too much decomposed to admit of removal; many fragments of pottery and bones were also shewn. Beyond these, and about the centre of the tumulus, a large congeries of bones, of some very minute animal, was discovered, a quantity of teeth of a comparative size being interspersed: nothing more was here elicited.* The next barrow opened was situated on Osmington Down, it was of considerable size. On a section being made through it, when about one third way in, a large urn (full 16 in. diam. at the mouth) was discovered, placed invertedly, but crushed by the superincumbent earth; on removal it was found to have covered another of a particularly small size, not more than 3 in. in height, and 2 in. in diam.; this was removed quite safe, and is in fine preservation; it contained a few calcined bones; we found nothing more material. Another tumulus, in the immediate vicinity, was then commenced. On the summit, within 6 in. of the surface, a skeleton was discovered lying on its side (east and west), with the head bent down, apparently as if the grave had not been of sufficient length; at the head was a flat stone placed edgewise, with another similarly fixed opposite the face. On digging down, many large stones and flints were met with; under these was another * These mice had perhaps been attracted to the spot from some grain or meal (mola), the literal immolation, having been deposited there when the funeral sacrifice was performed. These little animals had established their burrows on the spot, and had sunk during a hard winter into the long slumber of mortality. We know that the excavation of a tumulus lately in the North of England, produced to the surprise of the explorer nothing but the bones of a mouse. His discoveries in another quarter were however much too valuable and important that the force of the fable should apply to him. Mons parturiens, EDIT. skeleton, placed apparently in a sitting position. The excavation was continued under these remains. On a level with the bed of the barrow, was a flat stone, which, on removal, was found covering an urn filled with bones and ashes: it was composed of finer materials, and of superior manufacture to any previously discovered, being ornamented with the chevron moulding. From the situation in which it was placed, a cist of its exact size being cut in the chalk for its reception, it was impossible to remove it entire. That this tumulus was of later formation than any of those previously opened, is clearly evidenced by the superior finish of the urn contained in it, which was the primary interment, and cause of the erection of the tumulus; the skeletons found above, being added at a more subsequent period. The operations were continued on the following day in the same neighbourhood. The first barrow opened was found to be composed of gravel, large rough stones, and flints. At the east side, at some distance inwards, placed between masses of stone, we discovered an urn of very coarse materials, crushed by the stones with which it was surrounded. Still progressing, we arrived at the base of the tumulus ; here was a circle 10 feet in diameter, formed by small flat stones placed edgewise; in the centre, in a cist cut in the chalk, was an urn of similar formation to the one discovered above; nothing more was met with. A barrow, situated by itself on Poxwell Down was then chosen, with which the exhumations should be terminated. On account of its being of a small size, it was resolved to remove it entirely, in sections of two feet: the work was accordingly begun on the east side; before the whole of the first section was removed, two urns were met with and unfortunately destroyed. Having taken sufficient indicia to enable the presence of deposits to be pretty correctly ascertained, and in some measure profiting by misfortune, greater care was taken in removing the soil. In this line were three urns, two of which were preserved entire ; the other crumbled to pieces on exposure to the atmosphere. In the next course an urn was unfortunately broken, from its being placed at the extreme edge of the tumulus, and not above four inches from the surface. In this section, but further in, was another urn, which was safely removed. By this time about half of the soil had been displaced; when, about the centre of the barrow, an urn presented itself, quite different from the others, being of fine materials, baked instead of sun-dried, larger and of handsomer shape, being, in addition, ornamented with a chevron moulding.* Notwithstanding the greatest possible care, it crumbled into fragments. On removing the next course, we found an urn (and this the only one) containing bones this, like the former, came to pieces on exposure. We then proceeded to displace the remainder of the tumulus, but nothing further was discovered. This last was, as regards the contents, the most abundant. I should myself consider it to have been exclusively the sepulchral mound of some distinct clan, raised to one of their renowned chieftains, whose remains were deposited in the ornamented urn, and in respect for whom it was held in such estimation as to become the resting-place of many of his clan. That sepulture in barrows in the primitive ages was almost universal (at least for the chief men), we have many and incontrovertible proofs; and we find tumuli in North and South America devoted to similar purposes as those in this country. It has been clearly proved, from the opening of these tumuli, that they were exclusively devoted to funereal purposes; and from the similarity of deposits we may safely pronounce that the whole of the tumuli on the coast of Dorset are generally alike in their contents, and continuously coeval in their formation, which might be appropriated to the earliest era of barrow burial; as such, no greater proof can be given, than that of the total absence of any The chevron or zigzag, appears to have been a favourite ornament in early Egyptian and Grecian remains, and on the primitive remains of the Western Hemisphere. It may not be generally known, that urns have been found in tumuli in Mexico (and from the nature of the ware in the highest preservation), with precisely the same description of ornament.-EDIT. substance the produce of the arts, neither sword-blade or shield, bead or amulet being discovered. Cremation, which mostly prevailed, being in strict accordance with their mystical religion, that of the adoration of the solar body, as the generator and reviver of nature; the Druidical year commenc ing at the vernal equinox, when their most solemn feast was held in honour of that luminary, the night preceding which all fires were extinguished, and were rekindled from the sacred fire at the festival. The Beltan feast—“ Baaltuine, Belus, or Baal's-fire," formerly held in some parts of Ireland and Scotland, was evidently a relic of this Druidical festival. Many of their sacrificial and funereal ceremonies were performed at midnight, when darkness had thrown her sable mantle over the face of the earth, and by the contrast contributed to heighten the solemnity of the scene. Can the imagination picture to itself anything more awfully sublime, more calculated to impress the beholders with veneration and submission to their religion, and respect for the ceremony, than the body of a departed chieftain placed on the funereal pile, around which are the officiating priests performing the procession of the deasuil* and other mysterious rites of their religion:"And thrice with pious hands they heap'd the ground, mound." And compass'd thrice in arms the rising Apol. Rhod. lib. 4. Then the coronach chaunted by the bards, in which they recite the noble descent of the departed hero, his prowess in the battle field, his skill in the chace, and his feats at the banquet; then the chief mourner applying the torch, dense clouds of white smoke rolling in majestic sullenness to the heavens, succeeded by volumes of red flame, which cast an unearthly reflection on the white-robed priests and skin-clad warriors attendant on the ceremony. On a sudden the neighbouring hills answer the signal, and the horizon becomes one continuous illumination from the watch fires of Or deisol. That procession of the Druid rites performed in imitation of the sun's course from east to west, in a circle. -EDIT. |