1882-83.] Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. 85 



— a plant which refuses to grow to any perfection in what may be 

 termed our Scottish midlands, though it is often seen well grown 

 in Inverness-shire and Perthshire, and again appears in fine condi- 

 tion in the southern counties of Scotland, Another curious fact 

 regarding this plant is, that " it does not prosper so well when 

 transferred to the milder climate of England." Its bright scarlet 

 blossoms, especially when mingled, as they at times were, with the 

 purple flowers of Clematis Jackmanii, were truly a memorable 

 sight. Particularly noteworthy, in this connection, was the lodge 

 at the entrance to Bowhill Avenue, about three miles from Selkirk, 

 the front of which has been covered annually, for a number of years, 

 with this scarlet creeper. But to return to The Haining : one of 

 its chief features is the sheet of water named The Plaininjr Loch. 

 The water of this loch at one time stood much hiirher than it now 

 does, coming up close to the mansion-house. But on a child of the 

 family falling from a window into the loch, and being drowned, an 

 outlet was made which caused the water to fall considerably, and 

 consequently to recede some distance from the house. The water 

 is of a dark-brown colour, wliicli hue it has assumed gradually, 

 during a long course of years, fi'om the increase of a cateniform 

 conferva. In this loch are said to be many interesting objects for 

 the microscopist ; and, like many other waters, it swarms with the 

 common Water-flea [Cyclops quadricornis). So early as 1661 the 

 loch was the cause of litigation on the part of the mayor of Berwick, 

 who brought a case into the Court of Session on the plea that foul 

 water from it killed many of the Salmon in the Tweed. The mayor, 

 however, lost his suit, as the learned judge gave his decision on 

 the broad principle of physical law, that "rivers are the natural 

 drainage-system of the country " ! ^ As already noticed. The Hain- 

 ing mansion-house stands near the margin of the loch, and at the 

 lower end of it, thus commanding a view of its whole extent. The 

 present house has been in great part rebuilt in a modern style, of 

 whinstone and freestone, with handsome colonnaded porticos to 

 the main front and water front, A number of valuable antique 

 statues, in bronze and marble, surround the terrace. 



As regards the plants to be found within the grounds, there are 

 several of our familiar favourites, which need not be enumerated 

 here. The following may be noticed, however. The Amphibious 

 Buckwheat [Polygonum amphibium) grows very luxuriantly in and 

 around the loch, forming a marked feature when in flower. The 

 common Yellow Water-Lily [Nvpltar lutea) is also very abundant ; 

 and the Great White Water - Lily [Nymphcea alba) is present in 



^ This (as well as a few other facts concerning The Haining) is given on 

 the authority of T. Craig-Brown, Esq. of Woodburn — a gentleman who is 

 well known for his intimate acquaintance with the anti(iuiti6s of the ancient 

 burgh. 



