ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. 235 



two patches of plantation at the upper end have little effect any way, and are 

 too formal. The slight sprinkling of natural wood on the slopes consist oiCorylus 

 avellana, Crataegus oxy acanthi, Fraxinus excelsior, Pyrus aucuparia, Betula 

 alba, Alnus glutinosa, Ulmus montana, Salix aurita, S. cinerea, and Prunus 

 spinosa. There is very little lacustrine vegetation, the bottom being uniformly 

 pebbly near the margin. The species noticed were: Potamogetm natans, 

 P. crispus, P. gramineus, Ranunculus aquatilis, Arundo pkragmites, Carex 

 riparia, and Equisetum limosum. Neither the White nor the Yellow Water- 

 lily (Nymphule) occur in this or the adjoining lake, the Loch of the Lowes, 

 which is about a mile in length, and with its deep dark water, even outlines, and 

 tame rounded hills, is little calculated to excite admiration. 



The strata in the hill at the north side of St. Mary's Loch run S.W. and N.E., 

 dipping towards the east ; on the south side of the opening of Megget-dale they 

 have the same direction, but incline to the west at an angle of 60° or 70°, which 

 they retain to the upper extremity of the lake. 



Beyond the Loch of the Lowes we ascend a winding valley, among steep 

 hills, whence come the sources of the Yarrow, in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 those of Moffat Water, which runs southward in an opposite direction. 



The high ridge that bounds the narrow valley of the latter stream on its 

 eastern side, furnishes the sources of the Ettrick, which, commencing in the hills 

 about five miles from Moffat, runs a course of thirty miles before it joins the 

 Tweed. At the upper part of this district the valley is similar in character to 

 that of the Yarrow, but broader, and with its hills less verdant, and presenting 

 longer slopes. The stream is also similar, flowing with considerable rapidity 

 over a pebbly bottom, which is broader than that of the sister stream. The 

 rocks consist of grey-wacke and slate, of various tints, grey, blue, reddish- 

 brown, and greenish. Several quarries are wrought to a small extent for slabs, 

 which are employed as hearth-stones, and for other purposes. I was informed 

 that the stone answers very ill for roofing-slate, as it cannot be procured thin 

 enough, and rapidly decomposes. 



Between Tushielaw and Selkirk the Ettrick is more tortuous than the Yarrow, 

 although still very similar in character. Towards its lower part it presents 

 steep diluvial banks in many places, and in a few the bed is rocky, with pre- 

 cipitous walls. The rocks, soil, and vegetation continue the same. In several 

 places are small woods and thickets of natural trees of the usual species, viz., 

 the Hasel, the Hawthorn, the Ash, the Oak, the Alder, the Mountain Ash, the 

 Grey Willow, and the Sloe. There is no want of planting in the lower part of 

 the valley, which, though in general similar to that of the Yarrow, is broader, 

 and bounded by les3 rounded hills, with more elongated slopes. The vegetation 

 is similar, but in general less verdant. There is a remarkable paucity of Willows 

 No. 11, Vol.11. 2 1 



