222 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



south of the cinder area, near the mills, the original surface 

 is encroached on, as stated above, at its east end. On this 

 follows a patch of the original surface, the vegetation on which 

 usually shows a coating of dust from the meal and flour of 

 the mills. Only a very narrow border remains uncovered 

 by cinders along a good part of this edge in its western 

 half; but this border widens near the extreme western 

 end, and becomes a strip of several yards in width. On 

 this strip occur several of the more local plants noted 

 below. Conspicuous amongst these are Volvulus sepiuin, 

 Scutcllai-ia galericulata, and MentJia viridis, the former ex- 

 tending long shoots over the other vegetation, and the latter 

 each forming a vigorous and healthy patch bearing flowers. 



As in 1897, the coarse vegetation was so dense that in 

 many places it seemed likely to extirpate all less sturdy 

 growth ; the seedlings of thistles, hemlock, and other coarse 

 plants covering the opener spots not yet tenanted by the parent 

 plants or by large grasses. Indeed, during June, it appeared 

 as if there could be no passage amidst the thickets of plants, 

 some of which exceeded five feet in height. At that time 

 there appeared but little trace of the less common plants, 

 these being concealed among the dense vegetation. About 

 the middle of July the thistles and other coarse plants were 

 cut down, preventing further diffusion by seed, and the lower 

 plants became more conspicuous. The surface of the cinders 

 was also cleared largely of the vegetation that had grown 

 up irregularly on it, the denser patches (docks, thistles, etc.) 

 being cut, while the sparser growth remained stunted through 

 lack of moisture, and was largely destroyed by traffic on the 

 loose soil near the sidings. 



Thus, while the general tendency has been, as in former 

 years, towards the extirpation of the smaller by the ranker 

 species, and to the impoverishment of the flora in this way, 

 this tendency has been checked to a certain extent, and such 

 plants as Medicago falcata have become more vigorous and 

 prominent than before. It is curious that other species (e.g. 

 Hespcris matronalis\ of which only a few plants have 

 appeared on this ground, have held their place without 

 evident gain or loss from year to year. 



In the subjoined list all species observed this season have 



