320 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 



one of them, at a higher elevation than had been previously observed. 

 The season having been remarkably dry, all the lakes were far below 

 their usual level, and in consequence such plants as Lobelia Dort- 

 manna, Subularia aquatica, &c. were seen, wondering at each other, 

 in flower and fruit, on dry ground. Things, however, were now 

 changed, for the party had scarcely a dry day during the whole of 

 their excursion, and few such as admitted of the vegetation being 

 carefully examined. Several days were spent among the mountains 

 about Loch Maree, which are chiefly composed of red sandstone, 

 with quartz tops, and by no means prolific in interesting vegetation. 

 Cornus suecica, Saussurea alpina, Hieracium alpinum, Rubus Cha- 

 mcemorus, Arbutus alpina, Azalea procumbens, Cherleria sedoides, Sib- 

 baldia procumbens, &c. were among the rarest plants observed ; and 

 rather unusually, all the six Lycopodice were picked nearly in one spot. 

 Tqfieldia palustris, Thalictrum alpinum and Malaxis paludosa occurred 

 at the bottom of the cliffs, and Salix herbacea was found sparingly 

 on the red sandstone below the summit cliffs of Ben Tarshan. Op- 

 posite Applecross, in a bog which the tide could seldom reach, were 

 picked specimens of Blysmus rufus two feet high. Here there is an 

 extent of limestone country, easily recognised at the distance of se- 

 veral miles by a marked improvement in the pasturage. On it the 

 party met with Schoenus nigricans, Gentiana amarella, Listera ovata and 

 Epipactis latifolia, with pale flowers, but searched in vain for Dryas 

 octopetala, which occurs profusely in similar soils in Sutherland. In 

 an old deserted garden between Sheildag and Janetown they observed 

 Althaea officinalis, Aconitum Napellus and other introduced plants. 

 They also saw near Janetown Ulex europceus (a rare plant in the west 

 of Ross-shire) growing freely, and producing abundance of seed, 

 and the elder seemed to thrive peculiarly well. The mountains at 

 the head of Loch Duich seemed to the party the finest they had 

 seen, more magnificent even than those at the head of Loch Torri- 

 don, which again were more imposing than the much-extolled, and 

 certainly very superb, groups bordering Loch Maree ; but differences 

 in the weather might have had some influence on the effect produced. 



Proceeding southward, the party enjoyed one fine day at Clunie, 

 and examined with considerable attention some very promising 

 mountains to the south-west of the inn. These are crumbling and 

 micaceous, but want elevation to produce alpine plants, and the 

 mildness of the western climate renders that all the more necessary. 

 The only interesting vegetable feature was an immense profusion of 

 Saussurea alpina ; though in spring, before vegetation gets rank, it is 

 not unlikely that these cliffs might be found more productive. A 

 patch of snow observed on the south side of Maamsool, a mountain 

 about twenty miles north of Clunie, made the party desirous of 

 visiting it ; but here again the weather baffled their intentions. The 

 party took Ben Nevis on their route, but the same cause rendered 

 them unable to examine as they wished its magnificent cliffs. They, 

 however, picked some interesting plants, and among the rest Carex 

 saxatilis, but only in one spot. 



In concluding his remarks, Dr. Graham observes : — " The scenery 



