40 The Scottish Naturalist. 



past summer the Society made several excursions, which were well attended, and 

 were productive of a good deal of information in regard to the Perthshire fauna 

 and flora. Space will not permit us to report these at length, but we cannot 

 omit mention of some of the more important finds. 



On May ioth, at Craighall, Solomon's Seal {Polygonatum verticil! ahem) and 

 Toothwort {Lathrcea squamarid) and Helix lamellata (not previously known 

 from this part of Perthshire) were met with. On May 22nd, in Kincardine 

 Glen, Neottia nidus-avis, Caltha palustris, var. Gutrangerii, Epilobium 

 angustifolium var. brachycarpum, Anodus Donianus, and other interesting 

 plants were found. In the excursions to Aberfeldy, Castle Menzies, and 

 Weem (May 31st), to Abercairny (June 14th), and to Ben Chonzie, near the 

 head of Glen Turret (June 28th), though various local or rare plants and insects 

 were found none need be specified here. 



On August 9th, the Banks of the Tay near Meikleour were visited, and the 

 excursion was very successful. Beside the Isla were found a curious variety of 

 Carex aquaiilis, Nasturtium pa lustre, and what seems to be Rumex crispus 

 var. trigranulatus ; and the river was Spongilla fluviatilis, not previously 

 found in Perthshire. Beside the Tay Lysimachia uummularia was plentiful, and 

 so also was Carex vesicaria, a very local plant in Scotland north of the Forth. 

 Ruuiex Hydrolapathum and Typha latifolia were seen in a marsh near Tay 

 farm. Astragalus glycyphylhis grows on the bank of the Tay ; and in an old 

 bed of the river near Delvine Polygonum minus reaches what is believed to be 

 its most northerly station in Britain. In one of the backwaters of the Tay, 

 near the [same place, Subularia aquatica was discovered, and so also was 

 Peplis Portula. 



On September 20th the last excursion of the season, to Longforgan and In- 

 vergovvrie, gave the opportunity of examining, among other places, quarries 

 near Kingoodie. In these were found Ranuncidus covfusus, Senecio viscosus, 

 Rumex crispus, var. trigranulatus, &c, among other noteworthy plants, and 

 of molluscs Helix aspersa (local and rare in Perthshire), several forms of H. 

 nemo rails and //. hispida. 



In conclusion, we venture, though without special permission, to quote from 

 the report of the excursion to Ben Chonzie verses written for the occasion by 

 the Bard (Mr. John Young, C.E.) of the Perthshire Mountain Club, and read 

 on the cairn at the^summit, "Salix herbacea fioreat " is the motto of the 

 Club, which includes in its membership only those that have ascended a 

 Perthshire mountain of at least 3000 feet in height, and that have therefore 

 been in the regions where Salix herbacea is the representative, though the 

 smallest, of British shrubs. 



Once more at Flora's high behest 

 Our band has come from east and west, 

 To scale the mountain's rugged crest, 

 Salix herbacea fioreat ! 



With rapture sparkles every eye ; 

 The Ben towers upwards to the sky ; 

 On yonder crags our pathways lie ; 

 Salix herbacea fioreat ! 



Dull are the blossoms here below, 

 Up there they shine with brighter glow, 

 Where blooms the Gentian of the snow. 

 Salix herbacea fioreat ! 



