238 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Of the Lycopodia or club mosses, no species has been recorded 

 from the parish of Aberdeen ; but the following have been found 

 on the moors on several of the adjoining parishes, and almost 

 certainly had grown on the moors of Aberdeen also, though 

 probably in small amounts, and had perished when these were 

 cultivated : 



Lycopodium Selago, L. L. alpinum, L. 



L. clavatum, L. Selaginella selaginoides, (Link.). 



In addition to the above list, which includes only such in- 

 digenous species as there is reason to believe have become virtually 

 extinct, mostly during the last century, within the limits of 

 Aberdeen, a number more are likely to follow in a few years. 



The scanty remnants of moor still existing on the western 

 edge of the parish form the last local refuge of the heaths (Erica 

 rinerea, E. Tetralix, and Calluna vulgaris) Pyrola minor, Pedicularis 

 sylvatica, Listera cordata, Goodyera repens, and Carex echinata ; but 

 these will almost certainly disappear in some years before the 

 advancing streets. 



Near the Don, to the west of the dunes or sandhills, is a low 

 part of the Links, liable to be overflowed by brackish water at the 

 times of exceptionally high tides, and broken by small pools 

 containing slightly brackish water. On this ground, in the pools and 

 by a stream that flows through it, unfortunately carrying a good 

 deal of sewage, grow plants some of which are not found elsewhere 

 in this part of Scotland, while others are now very rare elsewhere 

 near Aberdeen, since the alterations on the estuary of the Dee 

 extirpated them from that habitat. 



The changes that are in progress, by direction of the Town 

 Council, with the aim of shutting out the tidal water from the 

 Links, of covering up the stream, and of drying the soil to render 

 it suitable for golf and other games, will lead to the almost certain 

 extirpation from the Links of several species, already greatly 

 reduced by changes effected on the Links since 1900. Among 

 these plants are : 



Ranunculus scekratus, L. A few years ago was common on the 

 Links, but already is almost extinct there. It formerly grew 

 in other localities also near Aberdeen. 



Sagina maritima, Don. Formerly common by the Dee, but almost 

 extirpated there, this species is likely to become as rare on the 

 Links. 



Spergularia media, Presl., ) Both were common formerly 



.S 1 . salina, Presl., var. neghcta (Kindb.). j in the estuary of the Dee, 

 but both have practically become extinct there, except that a 

 few plants of S. media grow on the coast east of Torry. Both 

 will disappear also from the Links when the water is shut out. 



