REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 365 
commonly called the “Plank Plant;” Zucalyptus rostrata, 
Schlecht., in flower, in which condition it is seldom seen in 
Britain; the “Bottle-brush” (Melaleuca squarrosa, Smith) ; 
and Dolichos lignosus, a curious twining leguminous shrub. 
In the Greenhouses were noted a handsome twining shrub, 
Bignonia capreolata, Linn., belonging to the Trumpet-flower 
family ; Lonicera sempervirens, Linn., a climbing honeysuckle, 
with evergreen foliage and scarlet flowers, a native of North 
America ; several species of Phyllocactus ; two large Palms, Sabal 
flabelliformis, and Livistona chinensis, R. Br., in fruit; a huge 
specimen of the Abyssinian Banana (Jfusa Ensete, Bruc.); several 
economic plants, including Guaiacum officinale, Linn., called by 
turners lignum vite; the Tamarind Tree (Tamarindus indica, 
Linn.), &e. 
_ In the herbaceous ground plants were flowering earlier than 
last year, and the Hawthorn, Lilac, and Laburnum were declared 
never to have had such a profusion of blossom in the remembrance 
of those in charge of the Gardens. 
* Bropick, 21st May, 1896.—This excursion, which was well 
attended, took place in fine weather on the day appointed for the 
local celebration of the Queen’s Birthday. On arrival at Brodick, 
the party proceeded at once to Goatfell, the ascent of which was 
made by most of those present. Just at the point where the hill- 
road leaves the shore, Linaria Cymbalaria, Mill., was growing in 
profusion. At an elevation of about 1,000 feet, the Chickweed 
Winter-green (Zrientalis europea, Linn.) was found. Till 1,500 
or 1,800 feet elevation was reached, the flora was chiefly a heath 
one. The Dwarf Juniper (Juniperus communis, Linn., var. nana, 
Willd.) was abundant from 1,000 to 1,800 feet. Above the last- 
“named elevation, the mountain consists of a bare granitic cone, 
soil being almost completely absent, and the sand derived from 
the denudation of the rocks is almost incapable of supporting 
vegetation. Alchemilla alpina, Linn., Vaccinium Vitis-Idea, 
Linn., and several grasses and carices, the last two not in flower, 
were all the phenogamous plants noted at a high elevation. The 
cryptogamic flora was also very scanty. Here and there, upon 
the bleached rock-masses, might be seen a patch of Andreca 
