J 



84 The Scottish Naturalist. 



A more extended excursion was made on the 13th; and the 

 annual dinner brought the Conference to a close. 



The scenery of Inverary almost baffles description. Approached 

 from Loch Fyne, the situation of the little town, and of the princely 

 mansion, is seen to the best advantage. The site of the castle 

 has been chosen by an artistic eye. It stands on a plateau, 

 reached by a gentle green slope from the shores of the loch, of 

 which it commands a full view. Divided by the picturesque hill 

 of Duniquoich, crowned by its solitary watch tower, are the 

 wooded glens of Aray and Shira, from which rivers of the same 

 name issue to join their waters in the loch, while beyond, the 

 sterner mountains rear their rugged peaks into the sky. Against 

 the dark background of these loftier mountains the varied outline 

 of the richly wooded knolls in the vicinity of the castle delights 

 the eye. Sleeping, as we gazed on them, under brilliant sunshine 

 and in perfect calm, with the whole scene reflected in the bosom 

 of the loch, they spoke to the heart of peace and rest. 



In the castle park there are many trees. These measurements 

 of trunks will give some idea of their age and beauty. 



Scotch fir at 2 feet from the ground, 15 feet, and at 4 feet 

 from the ground, 13 feet 8 inches in circumference. Silver Fir 

 at 2 J feet from the ground, 15 feet in circumference. Spanish 

 Chestnut at 3 feet from the ground, 20 feet 6 inches, and at 5 

 feet, 19 feet 8 inches in circumference; the height of the trunk 

 to the first branches being 15 feet. In the garden, to which the 

 members were kindly conducted by Mr. George Taylor, there is 

 a specimen of Arbor Vitae, which covers an area of 225 feet in 

 circumference. The date when planted is not recorded; but it 

 must be among the first specimens introduced into this country. 



The exquisite scenery, the lovely weather, the pleasant fellow- 

 ships, and last, but not least, the great kindness with which the 

 Duke of Argyll received the Society, will make this Conference a 

 green spot in the memory of its members. 



The next annual Conference will be held at Crieff, Perthshire. 



J. S. 



Lachnella Rhytismse PhilL near Stornoway. On the last 

 day of July this year I was in Lady Matheson's grounds at Stornoway, where 

 I noticed a leaf of sycamore (Acer Pseud oplatamis ) covered .with Rhytisma, 

 on which was growing a large quantity of Lachnella Bhytismce Phill. This 

 fungus has, I believe, been found before only in one locality, at Forres. The 

 smooth knobs at the ends of the hairs of the cup are very clear and distinctive. 



W. B. Grove, B.A. 



