1 68 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



It has been pointed out by many entomologists that this or that 

 species has a preference for a particular flower, but we now want 

 evidence upon the finer point as to whether this or that species has 

 a preference for a particular colour of flower. 



PLANTS OF CAITHNESS. 

 By G. CLARIDGE DRUCE, M.A., F.L.S. 



IN the August of 1902 I spent a few days near Thurso 

 with the Rev. H. J. Riddelsdell, and had a very enjoyable 

 time in some interesting botanical excursions along the fine 

 cliffs of that neighbourhood. Mr. Sinclair was extremely 

 kind to us, and showed us some of the special rarities of the 

 district. 



Our most interesting discovery was that of Deyeuxia 

 neglecta, Kunth., near Castleton, for so Professor Hackel 

 confidently names my specimens which I found near to, but 

 not in, the exact locality whence D. strigosa is said to have 

 been gathered. Professor Hackel is inclined to doubt if 

 D. strigosa has been found in Scotland. When I gathered 

 the plant, which grew over a very restricted area, I felt I 

 could not separate it from D. neglecta, although not precisely 

 similar to the Cheshire plant. 



Thalictrum dunense, Dum. Sands at Reay. Very dwarf when in 



full exposure (2 to 3 inches), but growing to 18 inches when 



sheltered by sand-cliff. 

 *Ranunculus Lingua, L. Mr. Lindsay tells me he has gathered 



this between Thurso and Reay. 

 fBerberis vulgaris, L. Appeared to be always a planted shrub, as 



in hedges between Castleton and John o' Groat's. 

 Cochlearia officinalis, L. A pretty form. Grew on one or two 



places on the sea-cliffs, but C, grcenlandica is the common 



plant. 



Cardamine flexuosa, With. Thurso, by the river. 

 Raphanus raphanistrum, Z., var. flavum (Gray). Downreay. 

 Viola tricolor, L. Scrabster, John o' Groat's, near Castleton; 



usually F. versicolor, With. 

 Silene maritima, Sm. A common plant of the sea- cliffs, as at 



Holborn Head, perfectly typical ; also often much condensed 



in size where subject to full wind exposure. 



