Oelehrte Gesellschaften. 221 



abundantly. A clump of Verbascum thapsus grows in a wild state in Ard- 

 skinish Glen, Colonsay; and this, though now a mile Inland, once formed 

 the sea-beach. This plant has also been introduced into several cottage 

 gardens. Ulex europseus, though this year much hurt apparently by last 

 winter's frost , luxuriates , growing near Scalasaig , to 10 or 12 feet high. 

 Narcissus btflorus, though probably an escape from cultivation, is now quite 

 established in a wood near Kiloran. Mimulus Intens, also manifestly an 

 escape, is found along the course of the stream flowing from Loch Fada, 

 especially near Colonsay House , and at its junction with the sea. Only one 

 Hieracium is mentioned in the list. Mr. H. C. Watson holds that one of 

 the grasses mentioned in the list, published in the Transactions as having 

 been found by Dr. Lightfoot, should de deleted. The author of Flora 

 Scotica himself seems to have been dubious of this plant when he named it 

 Bromus arvensis, when it was probably a dwarf speeimen of Bromus mollis. 



Amongst Colonsay mosses Bryum alpinum is found in fructification ; so 

 beautiful are its duU velvety pads on wet rocks near Scalasaig during spring 

 that they attract even populär attention : the islanders extract a most 

 beautiful dark brown colour, with which they dye their native cloths. Ulota 

 phyllantha, Bud., is very plentiful on Ash trees near Colonsay House, and 

 on old walls, as well as rocks: this species propagates by gemmge covering 

 the apex of the stem. Zygodon viridissimus. Dick, as well as its sub-variety, 

 rupestris, Lindb., both grow on this Island; the first, along with Eury oleum 

 pumilum, Wils., in semi-darkness on the walls of the crystal spring cavern; 

 and the second on moist rocks beside a small stream running into Loch 

 Fada. Near this Station may be found , in crevices of rocks , Pottia Heimii, 

 Hedw., and Bryum pendulum, Hornsel. , and on moist ground Dichodontium 

 pellucidum. 



The Southern part of Oronsay is sandy, and contains numerous small 

 lochans, whose basins fill during winter rain and snow, but which almost 

 dry up during the summer heat. Along their margins may be collected 

 Hypnum aduncum, Hedw., and its variety Kueffi, Bayear, also Hypnum 

 polygonum, B. and S., and stellatum, Schw. , Syntrichia intermedia, Brid., 

 grows on the sandy shores in soll made up of comminuted shell debris — its 

 usual habitats are limestone walls. Ditrichium flexicaule, var. densum, was 

 found growing in similar material in rock crevices near the sea. This sub- 

 variety only appeared in the second edition of the British Moss Catalogue 

 of the Exchange Club, published this spring, as extending through several 

 of the Watsonian districts ol Great Britain, but its appearance in the West 

 Highland district does not seem to have, previous to the present commu- 

 nication, been specifically noted. 



The author regretted that since bis previous paper on these Islands, 

 visitors, during the season of 1880, had committed such havoc amongst the 

 clumps of Osmunda regalis as to have induced the proprietor to exhibit a 

 notice at the hotel requesting visitors not to take away plants without 

 permission. Such vandalism on the part of strangers in a hitherto safe, 

 because unknown locality, was to be deprecated. Still, might there not be 

 another Solution of the difficulty, not involving an absolute prohibition to 

 remove botanical desiderata? Suppose seeds and spores were coUected at 

 stations , and sown on ground suitably prepared by the labour of the most 

 poverty-stricken of the islanders, sold to parties desiring them, and the 

 proceeds allocated to the poor — might not the Claims of botanical collectors 

 and those of the proprietor be thus amicably adjusted? 



In a Population of 400 in these Islands no necessity is found for a resident 

 physician. Indeed the balmy air and refreshing Atlantic breezes suggest 

 their suitability as a sanitorium for invalids , within the limits of Scotland, 

 akin to Bournemouth or Torquay. 



V. Continuation of report on the effects of the winter of 1880 — 81, on 

 Vegetation in different parts of Scotland, and temperatures in, and progress 

 of open-air Vegetation at the Royal Botanic Garden, from the beginning of 

 June, by Mr. John Sadler, Curator. 



The thermometer had not fallen to the freezing-point during June at 

 the Royal Botanic Garden, though in different areas in Scotland, as in 



