20 Transactions of the [Sess. 



its blue composite flowers rendering it quite an object of beauty. 

 It seemed generally diffused over Switzerland, at least on the lower 

 levels. In the marshy spots, where reeds were growing very high 

 and rank, the White Water-Lily [Nymphcea alba) was uncommonly 

 plentiful. 



Having become familiarised with the plants of the district, we 

 completed our arrangements for a ramble on the Saentis, which is 

 the principal mountain-range in the canton of Appenzell. The 

 altitude is from four to eight thousand feet ; the highest point — 

 the Saentis itself — being 8215 feet, or about twice the elevation of 

 our highest mountain in Scotland, — Ben Nevis. As a convenient 

 starting-point we made our way to the town of Appenzell, and on a 

 bright and sunny morning at six we commenced our excursion. 

 Our road followed for some miles the side of a stream which wound 

 down the valley, the rich grassy verdure being clothed with num- 

 bers of our prettiest meadow plants, and bordered by a good deal 

 of small wood, such as Alder, Willow, Ash, and Plane. As we 

 advanced, the valley gradually narrowed, — the mountains towering 

 up on om- left, while on our right a beetling crag, rising steep and 

 high, closed in the river, now a much smaller though still impetuous 

 stream. Far up on the mountain-slopes nestled many a solitary 

 cottage, with its cattle and goats grazing in the adjacent ground. 

 As yet the plants we had met with differed but little from those 

 of a lower level. We had passed large quantities of Aconites, and 

 had picked up Alchemilla alpina (the Mountain Lady's Mantle), 

 one of our favourite Highland plants. Steadily pursuing the path 

 which carried us to the more open pastoral mountain-tops, our 

 plant examination became more interesting. Among the first good 

 " finds " was the Swiss Ehododendron, a purely alpine species. It 

 grows in the form of a bush, and its richly tinted blossoms render 

 it highly attractive. In many parts it is found in great abundance. 

 Thus, in the case of one mountain which we afterwards explored, it 

 literally clothed the rocks, just in the same way our Whin does with 

 us. The Swiss themselves are particularly partial to this plant, 

 and regard it as typical of the alpine region. One of their charming 

 songs commemorates its virtues. 



The prevailing character of the rocks in the Saentis district is 

 limestone, which, being peculiarly liable to weathering, the moun- 

 tains assume very various conformations, according to the action of 

 the elements upon them. In some cases they presented rounded 

 tops and smooth slopes, while in others there were jagged ridges 

 with abrupt precipices extending for long distances. In many 

 parts frowning chasms, terrible almost to approach or look down, 

 separated one mountain from another; and as you picked your 

 steps along the face of the ridge, an immense depth below inspired 

 a feeling of sublimity and grandeur. It required very careful 



