The Scottish Naturalist. 377 



Pyrola secunda, Orobanche major, Scutellaria minor, Euphorbia 

 porllandica, Orchis pyramidalis, Carex Bcenninghauseniana, C. 

 acuta (if this is not lowland aquatilis), C. punctata, Lepturus 

 filiformis var. incurvatus, &c, &c. A weak part of the list is 

 that relating to the water plants, such as the Batrachian Ra- 

 nunculi, and Potamogetons ; and as the author is aware of this, 

 he should urge upon his colleagues the desirability of a thorough 

 investigation of the numerous lochs that are to be found in Gal- 

 loway. Such an investigation is sure to be rewarded by many 

 interesting discoveries. To work a loch thoroughly, the investi- 

 gator should be provided with a boat, and a pole ten or twelve 

 feet long, armed with two curved iron claws at one end. With 

 this he should go over every part of the loch that is not too 

 deep, and carefully investigate all his " hauls." We should not 

 be surprised if such rareties as Naias flexilis were to turn up if 

 properly looked for. 



Of the aquatic species already found, four forms of Ranun- 

 culus a a ua tills are mentioned, but three of them are queried. 

 Fissifolius, Schrank, is not given, but Lochmaben is mentioned 

 as a locality in the 'Student's Flora.' Nuphar pumilum is 

 given as reported. This should be cleared up. Mention should 

 also be made as to whether both forms of Nymphcea occur. 

 Myriophyllum altcmiflorum (by error altertiifolium) is said to be 

 " very rare," and M. verticillatum " very doubtful ; " the latter is 

 a doubtful Scottish species, but the former is, at least in central 

 Scotland, the commonest one in streams, spicatum being more 

 confined to lochs, and somewhat local. Callitriche requires 

 working up. Of Potamogeton, seven or eight species are given, 

 whereas there ought to be fourteen or fifteen. If we mistake 

 not, we have specimens of P. plantagineus from near Dumfries. 



It is very desirable that the sub-species of some common 

 species should be determined. For example, those that come 

 under the old Fumaria capreolata. Cochlearia officinalis is said 

 to occur far inland, as at the Grey Mare's Tail. Is this not 

 alpina 1 Viola canina is given as common, but V. sylvatica is 

 not mentioned. So with Poly gal a vulgaris — P. depressa, which 

 is far commoner, not being given. Spergularia rupestris is abun- 

 dant in Colvend, where we found it for the first time in Scotland. 

 Arenaria serpyllifolia is said to be common on the shore. Surely 

 it occurs inland also. The var. rivularis of Montia fontana is 

 given as distinct from the type. As we understand the species, 

 it is made up of rivularis and minor. There is something wrong 



VOL. VI. 2 B 



