A VISIT TO BRAEMAR. 245 



between them and the road, we pick Carex Jlava, G. stellulata, C. dioica, 

 G. hinervis, G. proecox, G. pulicaris, E. tetralix, with white flowers, Genista 

 anglica, Lidera cordata, while at their base extend great beds of Lastrea 

 neopteris; indeed we have nowhere seen it in more abundance, or (which 

 may be said of all the Ferns we met with here) in finer condition; Blech- 

 num boreale, Polypodium pTiegopteris, P. dryopteris, and Lastrea spinulosa. 

 On the rocks themselves little of consequence was to be seen, except Bar- 

 tramia pomiformis in great abundance, and B. arcuata less so, with Hypnum 

 complanatum and H. cupressiforme both in fruit. Towards the summit the 

 jet-black berries of Empetrum nigrum were in profusion, and formed, no 

 doubt, a most delectable repast to a pair of Ring Ouzels, {Turdus torquatus,) 

 which in wrath apparently at our unseasonable intrusion, or at their own rather 

 dangerous proximity to a lawless depredator, whose species we could not 

 discover, though we saw his inaccessible eyrie just below us, jerked constantly 

 past us, emitting their usual querulous note all the time we were enjoying 

 the beautiful panoramic view of the Braemar district, which we have from this 

 point. So much struck were we indeed with its extreme beauty, as to fill 

 two or three pages of our note-book with its principal features, which we 

 shall not insult the reader by transcribing, as words and even colours, at 

 least in unskilful hands, would but mar the picture — it must be seen to 

 be appreciated. 



We now pressed onwards, and soon reached Loch Callater, a beautiful 

 sheet of water, upwards of a mile long, and I believe aflFording capital 

 fishing, but certainly few plants, with the exception of Lobelia Dorlmanna. 

 Having reached the upper end of the Loch, the next point we make for 

 is the Break-neck fall, which is now right before us, and is one of the 

 prettiest objects in the whole neighbourhood. As seen from this point its 

 appearance is that of a thread of silver dangling over perpendicular rocks, 

 clad in a mantle of the freshest green, the result, no doubt, of the ever- 

 descending spray. But at the same time it must be remarked that with 

 a change of geological formation, the hills in this direction have much the 

 appearance, and much the botanical character, of the Clova hills, with which 

 indeed they are continuous, that is of a greener tint, and more rounded 

 outline than those farther to the north, as may be seen even in the hill 

 forming the eastern side of the glen at this point, which is characterized 

 by its bare and rugged sides, here and there cut into chasms and water- 

 courses, formed by the storms in winter, and by the vegetation, where it 

 does occur in sufficient abundance to lend a character to the scene, being 

 of the brownish tint of the dark heath. 



We now find ourselves at the base of the fall, and taking it for granted 

 that we must by some means or other reach the summit, commence the 

 ascent, gathering as we go Sedum Rliodiola, Geranium sylvaticum, Anemone 



