ART. VII. The Fitness of the Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex) for planting near the Sea Coast, in Groups, for Ornament; and a Comparison of its Fitness with that of the Cluster Pine (Pinus Pináster), for a Nurse to Plantations on the Sea Coast: followed by a Description of St. Michael's Mount, near the Land's End, Cornwall. By Mr. T. RUTGER. Sir, PERMIT me to recommend the Quércus I'lex, or evergreen oak, to the notice of your readers, as valuable for planting near the sea coast, either in groups for ornament, or as a nurse for the plantation. In the latter point of view, perhaps, the pinaster (Pìnus Pináster) may be considered by some as preferable, being more rapid in its growth; and for deep plantations I should be inclined to favour it, not only on account of its being the fastest grower, but because a large supply can be more easily obtained, at a much less expense; but as a breastwork, for either deep plantations or belts, I should favour the ilex, as being by far more ornamental, as well as lasting, and for having the advantage, also, of feathering down, and forming a thick mass of foliage, nearly impenetrable to the eye, which is of considerable advantage in belt planting, and in which the pinaster fails in its advanced state of growth. With regard to the properties of the ilex, it shares an equal, if not a greater, degree of indifference to the sea air with the pinaster, which is fully proved in the west of Cornwall in numerous instances. My attention was first drawn to this, some years since, by observing a broken row of ilexes, of above eighty years' growth, at Clowance, the seat of Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart., where they now stand, and constitute a valuable protection to the plantation in the rear. About the grounds there are also several handsome groups of them, of about forty years' standing, which are much admired by visiters, and form a pleasing feature among other evergreens, and trees of more stately growth. The pinaster is well known in Cornwall, and much sought after by gentlemen who are forming new plantations, to plant principally as nurses to the more valuable kinds of trees. When they are planted to stand by themselves, either in groups, belts, or large plantations, unless they are kept properly thinned during their growth, premature old age ensues, and they make but a sorry appearance at the end of forty or fifty years. Cases of this kind have occurred where a few ilexes were sprinkled among the pinasters, the latter of which are gone to decay, leaving the former healthy and vigorous, and promising fair to be of long standing. About half a century ago, the pinaster was introduced on St. Michael's Mount, where they grew rapidly for some years, and formed a prominent feature, when viewed at a distance, on that beautifully romantic spot; but in about thirty years they began to decline; and, at forty years from the time they were planted, there was scarcely a vestige of them left. About three years ago, the ilex was introduced there in several groups, disposed in such a way as was thought advantageous for embellishment; and on my visit, late in the autumn of last year, I was much pleased to find them in a thriving state, and in every way answering to my wishes as well as expectations. St. Michael's Mount, the property of Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart., is situate about thirteen miles from the Land's End, in Mount's Bay, and is surrounded by the sea six or seven hours out of twelve. When the tide is out, it may be approached from the small town of Marazion, over a causeway of about a quarter of a mile in length, which is raised above the level of the common bed of sand, and composed of pebbles and shingle. It is about a mile in circumference at the base, and about 250 ft. in height from the sand which lies around it to the summit of the tower which crowns its tip. The rock is chiefly composed of granite, and is of a conical figure, which gradually diminishes from its broad craggy base to its summit, on which stands what is called "the castle," consisting of the remains of the ancient monastic buildings, which were considerably altered by the late proprietor, and have been greatly embellished by the present The whole forms a pyramidal appearance, possessor. such as to excite in the mind, the instant it is beheld, sensations of the greatest veneration and astonishment. (fig. 122.) There are many rocks of gigantic dimensions, which are totally, while others appear but partially, separated from the tremendous mass on which the buildings rest. When viewed from different directions, the whole presents a diversity of aspects: in some places nearly perpendicular; in others, of gentle acclivity; and where there are no rocks, it is covered with verdure, which increases on the northern and eastern sides down to its base, so as, in one part, to nearly form a plain. The part over which the visiter has to walk, until he approaches the rock, is of gentle ascent. When he begins to ascend more rapidly, it is by a rocky winding path on the north side, having huge pendent rocks on his left, and precipices on his right. Farther on, there are two gun batteries on the right; on leaving which, he winds to the left, and ascends a rough flight of broken steps, some natural and others arti ficial, which brings him up to the entrance of the building, within which he will find a suite of apartments containing numerous relics of antiquity, and a chapel fitted up in a neat style of elegance, with a magnificent organ, all of which will be found to far exceed his expectations. On reaching the top of the tower, an immense prospect opens to view, and is perhaps as striking as any that can appear to "mortal eye.” "The immense extent of sea," says Dr. Maton, "raises the most sublime emotions: the waves of the British, Irish, and Atlantic seas all roll within compass of the sight," while the eye is released from the uniform, though imposing, grandeur of so boundless an horizon, by wandering on the north and west over a landscape which Claude himself might have transfused on his canvass. At the base, on the northern side, is a small town, which comprises about 250 inhabitants; and also a commodious pier, which will contain upwards of fifty sail of small vessels. On the south side, fully exposed to the wide expanse of the ocean, is a small garden (fig. 123.), in three compartments, raised one above another; above which all is rock, and nearly perpendicular all the distance up to the base of the buildings, through the interstices of which the ivy is seen to make its way, covering in patches a great part of it. In this garden several sorts of fruits have been matured, such as the peach, nectarine, plum, &c., with strawberries of the most delicious flavour; and there is now a myrtle tree in it of many years' standing. Other half-tender exotics might, no doubt, be introduced here with safety, particularly such as have no objection to saline particles falling on them, as this must frequently occur in stormy weather. On the western side the garden is protected by some stunted Dutch or cork-barked elms (U'lmus suberòsa); and on the east by a few elms and some fine French tamarisks (Támarix gállica), the trunks of which are of a large size. There are also a few cork-barked elms on the north side, near the summit of the hill, at the base of the buildings. The elder (Sambucus nigra) is likewise interspersed here in great abundance, and, with the others, gives a pleasing feature to this side of the mount during the summer season. To the botanist the Mount will not be altogether barren of amusement and study; as, among the many large and scattering rocks down towards its base (some of which are partly embedded in the soil, while others lie on its surface), the variety of plants is considerable, among which are to be seen the Asplenium marinum, Státice Armèria, I'nula Helènium, Senecio Jacoba a, &c., with a profusion of Borago officinalis, wild hyacinths, and narcissuses, which, during their season of flowering, give a pleasing variety to the whole. Such as feel disposed to become better acquainted with this venerable monument of antiquity may be referred to the Guide to the Mount's Bay and the Land's End, by a Physician, published in 1824, in which the author gives its natural, ecclesiastical, and military history; also its geology, and the minerals with which it abounds. The reader will also find a description of the climate in Mount's Bay, with a pretty considerable list of acclimatised exotics; also a list of indigenous plants of western Cornwall, with many other particulars interesting to both the gardener and botanist, as well as to those whose scientific researches are of another description. I shall close this article in the language of a more recent writer, who says, that, "to the mineralogist, the antiquary, the historian, the poet, and the painter, St. Michael's Mount will ever be an object of particular interest and real satisfaction." I am, Sir, yours &c. Shortgrove, Essex, Jan. 1833. T. RUTGER. ART. VIII. A Notice of the Effects of Wind on Trees growing on the Coast near Poole, Dorsetshire. By the Rev. W. B. CLARKe. Sir, THE prevailing winds on the coast of Dorsetshire are from the south-west. The effects of these winds upon vegetation are remarkably evident in the direction of the branches of the trees which have been exposed in unsheltered situations. I send you herewith profiles of six oaks (figs. 124, 125, 126.), selected from nearly two dozen standing together, on the |