64 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



prevented such errors as placing the walnut among JRhamnacea, 

 omitting the globe-flower (Trollius) from Ranunculacea and includ- 

 ing it in a footnote under Leguminosce, wrong names, like Arenaria 

 a/sine for sandwort, and a good .many misspelt names. However, 

 these slips affect only a few among the many species named. 

 These fall under two heads native and introduced. Of the latter, 

 the Gaelic names in many cases are evident modifications of the 

 foreign words, as Ins a phione for pseony, fineal greugach for fenu- 

 greek, daimsin for damson, plumbais for plum, geanais for gean, 

 pearsal for parsley, and borrach for borage. Other names, even of 

 native plants, are evident translations from foreign tongues, as 

 falluing Mhuire ("Mary's mantle") for the common lady's mantle 

 (formerly " Our Lady's mantle ") ; seilachan Frangach, meaning 

 " French willow," for the plant so named in our floras ; lusan 

 easbnig for bishopweed ; lus na sithchaine (meaning " herb of peace ") 

 for loosestrife. Other Gaelic names, especially those of common 

 native species, are very expressive of peculiarities of the plants, as 

 copan an driuchd ("dew-cup") for the common lady's mantle, and 

 cnapan dubh ("black knob") for knapweed. Some of the identifica- 

 tions of Gaelic names with plants may require revision ; for example, 

 Subularia aquatica is assigned to ruideog, defined as " bogawl, a 

 kind of butterweed growing in bogs (county of Monaghan)." The 

 description would suit several other plants more conspicuous than 

 Subularia. 



But while there is room for yet further revision and advance in 

 the field selected by Mr. Cameron, there can be no question that he 

 deserves and will receive the thanks of all that occupy themselves 

 with this most interesting study. 



