306 The Scottish Naturalist. 



ON THE DISTRIBUTION OP TBE NATIVE ALPINE FLOKA 



IN SCOTLAND, 1 



By EDWARD MOIR. 



THE subject of the distribution of the alpine flora in Scotland 

 opens up many considerations of a very interesting char- 

 acter; and these considerations are often not less curious and 

 puzzling. If we could fall back upon a special creation of species 

 where they are now found, it would solve all questions at the outset, 

 and obviate the necessity of further inquiry into the why and 

 the wherefore of many problems calling for solution. But apart 

 altogether from the fragmentary nature of the flora in question, 

 the geological and physical changes which have occurred on the 

 surface of our country in comparatively recent times, preclude 

 our entertaining the thought of such a supposition. Undoubt- 

 edly these geological and physical changes, which result in the 

 elevation and depression of the land, to the extent sometimes of 

 causing even a change from a continental to an insular situation, 

 including, of course, change of climate, together with the great 

 glacial forces which at one time played so conspicuous a part in 

 the country, have been powerful factors in the distribution of the 

 flora. 



It need not. be questioned that an alpine flora did exist in our 

 country before the changes referred to occurred, but it is with 

 the presently existing flora, which probably is a mere fragment 

 of the former, that we have now to do; and the questions that 

 come up for solution are, whence, when, and in what manner 

 was it introduced? 



It would neither be possible nor desirable in the limits of a 

 short paper to go over all the ground covered or suggested by 

 our subject. I will therefore confine my remarks to three points. 

 Some points touched cannot be safely dogmatised upon, and on 

 them one man's opinion is perhaps as good as another's. My 

 remarks are the result of any little study I have been able to 

 give to the subject, so far as I have had access to the opinions 

 of those qualified to write regarding it. The three points I shall 

 briefly allude to are — 



ist, What are alpine plants? 



1 Read at a meeting of the Dundee Naturalist's Society, March 22, 1S82. 



