52 BOTANICAL REMINISCKNCES. 



tenella growing along with the no less elegant Parnassia palustris, while not 

 far oiF, among the sandy knolls, you find Astragalus hypo glottis, Draba incana 

 TkaUdrum minus. Orchis mascula, Sotrychium lunaria. 



"Among the loose and arid sands 

 The humble Arenaria creeps; 

 Slowly the Purple Star expands, 

 But soon within its calyx sleeps; 



And those small bells so lightly rayed 



With young Aurora's rosy hue, 

 Are to the noontide sun displayed. 



But shut their plaits against the dew; 



Unlike Silene, who declines 



The garish noontide's blazing light; 

 But when the evening crescent shines 



Gives all her sweetness to the night. 



Thus in each flower and simple bell 



That in our path untrodden lie, 

 Are sweet remembrancers, who tell 



How fast their winged moments fly." 



Lithospermum viaritimum and Cakile maritima are frequent along the coast, 

 while in a salt-marsh near Portsoy you may find Aster tripolium flowering 

 about the end of September. Near Bogne Castle I have found Agrimonia 

 eupatoria, Gynoglossiun officinale, Lithospermum officinale, and Viola odorata, 

 apparently indigenous, at all events quite naturalized. The above is but a 

 meagre outline, and only, as it were, a specimen of the Treasures of Flora 

 found in Banffshire, which also presents a fair field for those who are fond 

 of the study of shells, insects, and birds. 



"Most persons," says a favourite writer, ^^are fond of wild flowers, which 

 often possess a charm greater than that of the richest denizens of the garden. 

 These, in their artificial splendour, seem boldly to challenge your admiration, 

 whereas the others retire modestly away, and seek to conceal themselves behind 

 some bush, or brake, or rude stone fence, or bank, or rock, from the gaze 

 of man. If you would enjoy their sweetness, you must search for themj and 

 pleasant is that search. You light upon them as upon so many new stars, 

 beautifying and rendering fragrant the face of earth. 



"Ye wild flowers! the gardens eclipse you, 'tis true, 

 Yet wildings of nature, I doat upon you. 



For ye waft i^e to summers of old. 

 When the earth teemed around me with fairy delight. 

 And when daisies and buttercups gladdened my sight, 



Like treasures of silver and gold, 



I love you for lulling me back into dreams 



Of the blue Highland mountains and echoing streams. 



And of broken glades breathing their balm; 

 While the deer was seen glancing in sunshine remote. 

 And the deep mellow coo of the wood-pigeon's note 



Made music that sweetened the calm. 



