PHYTOLOGY, 



NOTES 01 A BOTANICAL EXOUKSION TO LOOH OLUNIE, 



PEETHSHIEE. 



LOCH CLUNIE has had for many years a kind of vague 

 botanical reputation, founded chiefly, perhaps, on the 

 occurrence there of Callitriche autumnalis, and of other plants, 

 some of which were introduced by the Rev. Mr. M'Ritchie, 

 minister of the parish about the beginning of this century, who 

 seems to have taken considerable interest in the local botany. 

 Since his time Clunie has been visited by several distinguished 

 botanists — amongst others, I believe, by the celebrated Robert 

 Brown. Just a year ago, however, Clunie was the scene of 

 what, I think, may be called an amazing discovery — amazing, 

 that is to say, when it is considered how many botanical col- 

 lectors have visited the place without finding the plant — viz., 

 that of Naias flexilis, by Messrs. Sturrock and Robb of Rattray. 

 As a British plant, Naias was only previously known to occur 

 in one lake in Ireland, where Professor Oliver discovered it 

 about twenty years ago. That it has been introduced either 

 intentionally or accidentally into Loch Clunie, I do not think 

 there is the slightest reason to imagine. 



Having only once previously paid a botanical visit to Loch 

 Clunie, and that of scarcely one hour's duration, I have, of 

 course, been very desirous since the discovery of Naias of 

 paying a more lengthy visit to this loch, and of seeing this 

 rare plant in its own home. Accordingly, I arranged with 

 some botanical friends that we should explore Clunie on 2nd 

 September. So on that day we met, at Blairgowrie, the Rev. 

 W. Herdman and Mr. A. Sturrock, who had kindly promised 

 to pilot us ; and I now offer to the readers of the Scottish 

 Naturalist a short account of our expedition. 



Soon after leaving Blairgowrie, our attention was directed to 

 a small quarry, now abandoned, in the middle of a field. 

 This quarry was first opened not many years ago, and contains 

 a small pool of water. In this pool about three or four years 



