NOTES ON THE BOTANY OP THE DISTRICT AROUND ALFORD, 



By Wm. Wilson, junr. 



(Read before the E.S. Union of Naturalists' Society \ in August, 



1888). , 



FROM the fact that nearly half-a-century ago a few gentlemen 

 resident in Alford devoted their leisure time to the Botany 

 of the district, an occasion is afforded for botanists to compare its 

 present condition botanically with past records, and this I intend 

 to do in the following notes. 



Ranunculus auricomus a?id R. sceleratus (Wood Crowfoot, and 

 Celery-leaved Crowfoot), have recently been found by Rev. T. 

 Bell and by myself; while R. bulbosus, the rarest of the earlier 

 noticed species, is still found here. Irollius europaus (Mountain 

 Globe-flower), found by Rev. John Minto, seems now extinct. 

 No traces of Lepidium Smithii (Mithridate Pepper-wort) are now 

 to be found, nor of Drosera anglica (Great English Sundew), 

 once found in Clatt. Silene inflata (Bladder Campion) is also 

 extinct in the parish. Are?iaria verna (Vernal Sandwort) is still 

 found ; but A. serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Sandwort) has not of 

 late been met with. Hypericum quadrangulum, rare, H. humi- 

 fusum, frequent, H. hirsutum, rare, and H. pulchtum, common, 

 are all still similarly found ; and H. perforatum has been found in 

 Kildrummy. Geraniic?n pratense (Blue Meadow Crane's Bill) is 

 still found near Rhynie. Trifolium ochroleucum has been found 

 in Monymusk, by Rev. T. Bell and by myself. Lotus major 

 (Large Bird's foot Trefoil) has become extinct ; while Geum 

 urba?ium and G. rivale (Common Avens and Water i\vens) are 

 still found, as formerly recorded. Pote?itilla Fragariastrum 

 (Strawberry-leaved Cinquefoil) has been added to our lists by 

 myself. Epilobium angustifolium and E. alpinum (Rosebay and 

 Alpine Willow Herbs) are still found. Hippuris vulgaris (Com- 

 mon Mare's Tail), and Peplis Portula (Common Water Purslane), 



