Dit. Balfour's Botanical Excursion. 41 



occurrence of Arctostapbylos would probably indicate an elevation of 

 at least 2000 feet, corresponding with the subalpine region of Mr. 

 Watson. On reaching the summit of the hill wo were involved in 

 mist and rain, and the guide who had accompanied us lost his way, 

 and after wandering for an hour or two landed us in the valley whence 

 we had ascended. Fortunately he knew the direction which our 

 place of destination boro to the valley, and accordingly we followed 

 our compass and crossed the hills in a very thick mist, amidst the 

 fears and doubts of our guide as to the correctness of our procedure. 

 Our anxiety as to the result of our exploration made us forget all the 

 discomfort of a thorough drenching, and one of the party who had 

 been complaining sadly of fatigue now walked on most manfully. 

 After reaching the summit of the range of hills, (probably the summit 

 of Gloan Leor,) we descended, not without doubts as to the result 

 At this time a slight clearance took placo in the mist, and we descried 

 some green patches of verdure which seemed to indicate a limestone 

 district We knew that this was the geological nature of the district 

 which we wished to roach, and our hopes of extrication from our diffi- 

 culties brightened considerably. We now proceeded on our descent 

 with increased vigour and alacrity, and reached Allaladh, when some 

 oat cakes and milk from one of the cottagers were most thankfully 

 received, and ere long we had the pleasure of finding ourselves at 

 Cattadale, where a conveyance was waiting to convey us to Ealabus. 

 This adventure shows, in a certain degree, the importance of knowing 

 the geology of a district, and the kind of vegetation which is connected 

 with particular rocks. The limestone district to which I have alluded 

 is extensive. It crosses from Laggan to Ardmore point, and extends 

 to the north-east of Islay House. In some places the water has hol- 

 lowed out a passage for itself through the rocks, and in one instance 

 we observed the rivulet disappear under ground for several hundred 

 feet. Near Cattadale the ruins of a fort are seen, called Nose-bridge 

 fort. 



The party left at home had made some additions to the Flora of the 

 island during our absence by gathering Ruppia maritima, Potamo- 

 geton rufescons, Polemonium cturuleum, Malva moschata, Carex 

 acuta, Solan um Dulcamara, and Rubus affinis of Weihe and Nees, a 

 species described in Mr. Babington's Manual, and the specimen named 

 on his authority. 



August 23d. — This day, like its predecessors, was gloomy and unpro- 

 pitious, and acted in a most cooling manner on the enthusiasm of the 

 party. One gave up botany for shooting, others remained at home, 

 and a party of two only kept up the credit of the expedition. This 

 party bent their steps towards Losset, passing Kilraeny and Bally- 

 grant At the latter place there is a beautifully wooded lake well 

 stocked with trout, some of them presenting peculiar characters. On 

 the way Ranunculus aquatilis var. fluitans, Potamogeton pusillus and 



