292 The Irish Naturalist [Nov., 



THE ISI.AND-FI.ORA OF THK CONNEMARA LAKES. 



BY R. 1,1,0yd PRAKGKR, B.K- 



Many of the Connemara lakes have in them rocky islets, and 

 most of these are thickly covered with shrubs and stunted trees, 

 in one or two spots undoubtedly planted, but usually indi- 

 genous — the only native arboreal vegetation, excepting an odd 

 bush on the mountain-cliffs, that I have observed in Conne- 

 mara. Lying between Roundstone and Clifden is an enormous 

 stretch of bog and rock, so intersected with winding lakelets 

 that without a map one might spend a day in trying to find one's 

 way out of the labyrinth. Here, miles from any road, house, or 

 field, the islands contain a strictly indigenous flora, not easy to 

 investigate, as there are no boats. Wishing to see what plants 

 grew on these islets, my friend Frank M'Cormick and I left 

 Roundstone one grey, chilly August day, and drove to Craigga 

 More Lough, long famous as the head-quarters of that very 

 rare heath, Erica Mackaiana, Bab. Here it grows in great 

 abundance. Last year it was in full flower when I visited 

 the place on July 17 ; this year, a remarkably early season, 

 it was still blossoming in great profusion on August 22, 

 so that its flowering period does not appear to be very 

 restricted. In Craigga More there are several islets, thickly 

 covered with low, tangled scrub. The intervening water is 

 not more than waist-deep, so in discarding our clothes we 

 were able to retain our jackets, for the sake of warmth, while 

 boots and stockings were also retained, to ward off brambles. 

 These, with the addition of vasculum and stick, made a cool 

 and business-like costume. We waded the lake, through reefs 

 of rock, great boulders, and muddy patches, green with a 

 luxuriant growth of Eriocaiiloji and Lobelia, and visited the 

 islets. The vegetation was limited in variety, but interesting. 

 The Yew was the prevailing species. With it grew the Moun- 

 tain A'sh, not more than three or four feet high, but spreading 

 widely, and gloriously covered with scarlet berries. The 

 Juniper was also present, and the Dwarf Gorse {U I ex gal Hi) in 

 full bloom. Stunted Hollies grew here and there, and bushes 

 of Bog Myrtle. The Bear-Berry {Arctostaphylos Uva-2irsi) 



