The native Trees of this tract are the oak, the ash, and the others common to Scotland. The sycamore (Acer), the ash, and the mountain ash have in some places acquired very great bulk, especially in the north of Carrick, the southern division of Ayrshire. The two former trees seem to have been the only ones employed as dool trees (For the sake of such of our readers as know little of the history of Scotland, we may state that, in former times, the heads of clans had a power of life and death over their vassals; and tried all actions, criminal as well as civil, that took place within their territories. Death, in the lowlands, was carried into execution by hanging the delinquent on a tree destined for the purpose, which generally grew close to the baronial residence, and was called the dool tree. In the highlands, where trees were less common, a deep pit or well was often used for the same purpose; the individual to be hanged going down a ladder into the well, and fixing the rope round his neck himself; the ladder being withdrawn, he was then pulled half way up by the executioner, and left suspended. These times appear to us horrible; but, considering the then state of civilisation, we question if more suffering, relatively to their capacity for enjoyment, was then endured by the people, than is now suffered by the comparatively refined natives of Great Britain, and especially in England, from the prejudices, ignorance, and tyranny of individuals who sometimes find their way into the local or unpaid magistracy. The abuse of the poor-laws, and consequent distress of the labouring classes, may be clearly traced to this source. But these and other evils are gradually passing away. Posterity will look on the hereditary judges of the dark ages, and the rural justices and hereditary legislators of the present time, as necessary steps in the progress of society from barbarism to that high and equal civilisation which will be ultimately produced by high, equal, and universal education. By many, this prospective view of society will be thought chimerical; but, by turning to the Quarterly Journal of Education (vol. ii. p. 251-259. 8vo, 1831.), it will be seen that it already, in a great measure, exists; and has done so for a century, in the state of New England, in North America.) in the days of heritable jurisdiction; and the largest specimens in the county, as at Blairquhan and Cassilis, are individuals known to have been used for the above purpose. The largest mountain ash trees are on the estate of Barganny; one by the road-side, in the village of New Dailly, has a trunk, free from branches, 20 ft. high, the circumference at the base being above 7 ft., and at the first branch above 5 ft. The head is not large in proportion, as the tree was blown down and much injured about twenty years ago.
