HARD WICKE 'S S C1ENCE • G O SSIP. 



fialnstris is found in great plenty. The Ericas also 

 look well, and I am constrained to gather some of 

 them. I also find the Milkwort, or Rogation 

 flower, in great plenty and very various in its hues. 

 Dalmellington is at length reached after a long 

 ramble, and I am glad of a little rest after my 

 labours. 



The flowers on the Ayrshire coast are very 

 numerous, and an excursion for the purpose may be 

 made with advantage by any one who may be 



Fig. i. Grass of Parnassus {Pamassia jial/ts/r/s). 



interested in wild flowers. The Sea Convolvulus 

 and the Rest Harrow, with the Scurvy Grass and the 

 Eryngo Maritimum, may be found here in great 

 plenty, besides hundreds of other well-known plants. 

 A great many varieties of the most beautiful of the 

 Alga: may be gathered on the sea-shore after a 

 storm. 



After spending about a fortnight on the mainland 

 I determine to make the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of 



Clyde, the scene of my operations for the remaining 

 part of the time. Crossing one morning from 

 Ardrossan in a little steamer, I arrive at Brodick, 

 and at once start for a walk across the island. 

 Having got right to the other side I proceed to 

 arrange about a lodging, and as I am out of the way 

 of all bustle I make up my mind to enjoy myself. 

 I could soon see that 1 was looked at, as I thought, 

 with some degree of patronage by the natives. In order 

 to encourage me several hoary islanders used to 



iifc^ 



Fig. 2. Round-leaved Sundew {Droscra rotund if olio). 



appear with immense bundles of weeds round the 

 cottage where I lodged, about eventide. As the 

 evenings were fine I used to take a chair out uf 

 doors and hold a sort of reception. It was to me 

 very amusing to observe the specious pretexts by 

 which these "ancient mariners" used to lure one 

 to talk when they found that I could tell them 

 about London ; and how desirous they were to 

 know all about it. Almost every evening I might 



