14:2 A DAY AT CLOVA, 



the way, that these singularly-beautiful flowers do not retain their colours in 

 the Herbarium. That remarkable grass, the FeMuca ovina, var. B. vivipara, 

 was very abundant; and the aromatic Mcurn atJiamanticum not unfrequent, 

 but generally in a state of fructification. 



When a considerable distance up the glen we arrived at a muddy spot, 

 which possessed peculiar attractions; for our experienced leader knew that there 

 grew the curious little Bog Orchis, (Malaxis paludosa.) Twenty pair of eyes 

 were immediately peering over the mossy swamp, and of course the little 

 Epiphyte was soon detected. In another marshy spot, a little more elevated, 

 the Scottish Asphodel, {Tojieldin pahistris,) was added to our boxes; and the 

 Mountain Bramble, or Cloudberry, {liulus chamoemorus,) offered its reddish 

 yellow fruit in profusion to those who cared to pluck it. 



By this time wo had entered upon the middle of the three glens into 

 which the main valley divides, namely, Glen Dole, and we immediately com- 

 menced ascending its lofty side on our left. And here, as we ascended, a 

 new series of plants repaid our somewhat laborious path. Passing through 

 large quantities of Mountain Cudweed, {Antennaria dioica,) we soon discovered 

 that the most characteristic plant of this mountain side was the Moss Campion, 

 [Silene acaulis,) which well deserves its name, clothing the rocks in abundance, 

 and having just the appearance of moss, until on a nearer inspection, we 

 descry the numerous and elegant little pink flowers which spring from among 

 its dense leaves. The pretty silken leaves of the Alpine Ladies' Mantle, 

 (AlchemUla alpina,) and the sapid leaves of the Mountain Sorrel, (Oxt/ria 

 reruformis,) were, as usual in such situations, abundant; and two of the most 

 elegant of British plants, namely, Trientalis JEuropoea and Parnassia palustris, 

 were not unfrequent; the latter plant being of course in a young and little 

 advanced condition. 



Oq a rock at a considerable elevation, we came suddenly upon the mag- 

 nificent blue Alpine Sowthistle, (Mulgedium alpinmn,) one of the most hand- 

 some of the mountain Flora; and this was the only individual we met with 

 on that day. The poor plant quickly met the fate of Orpheus, for we were 

 then, although not full of the god, yet for the time under the no less 

 inspiriting influence of the goddess. In the rocky gullies down which flowed 

 the mountain torrents, the Alpine Hawkweeds were frequently met with, more 

 especially the var. 0. Halleri. The remaining flowers of importance found on 

 this mountain side were the Alpine Flea Bane, {Eriyeron alpinus^ Alpine 

 Meadow Rue, (Thalictrum alpiaura,) and several of the Lt/copodia, namely, 

 Fir Club-moss, (Zy. selago,) Prickly do., {L. selacjinoides,') and Marsh do., 

 (L. inundatum.) 



I should be occupying a great deal too much of the space of '^The 

 Naturalist," were I to attempt to describe the variety and grandeur of the 

 scenery which met our eyes; at one time looking up to the mountain from 

 the valley; at another scouring the glens from the mountain summit; but as 

 the botanist must not always walk with his eyes on the ground, so I should 



