REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. 193 



was sent to Mr. Arthur Bennett, F.L.S.,' who confirms the 

 identity of the species. 



Numerous Microfungi were observed, of which the most notable 

 were Peronospora nivea, Unger, on JSgopodiun Podagraria ; P. 

 arenarim, Berk., on Arenaria j)e2Jloides ; Synchitrium mercurialis. 

 Lib., on Mercurialis perennis ; Vstilago violacea. Pers., in anthers 

 of Lychnis dioica ; Uromyces ficarice, Schum., on Ranuncidus 

 Ficaria ; Puccinia cartels, Schum. (as jEcidium uriiccn, DC), on 

 Urtica dioica ; P. einlohii, DC, on Ejnlobium j)alustre ; P. 

 chrysos2)lenii, Grev., on Chrysos2)lenium ojipositi/oliuvi ; and 

 Ovularia jyriimdana, Thiim., on Primula vulgaris. 



Castlbmilk, Rutherglen, 21st June, 1904. — Among the plants 

 observed were Ranuncidus bulbosus, L., Sanicula eurojxea, L., 

 Polygonum Bistorta, L., all growing plentifully. Patrick, in his 

 "Indigenous Plants of Lanarkshire," 1831, records the last of 

 these, the Snakeweed, "in a glen at Castlemilk in great 

 abundance." Ferns were not very common, Athyrium Filix- 

 foemina, Roth., Lastrea filix-mas, Presl., L. dilatata, Presl., were 

 observed. 



In the rockery Polypodium Dryopieris, L., Cryptogramme 

 crispa, Br., were growing. 



The following trees were measured: — Holly (Ilex Aquifolium, 

 L.), to south of house, 8 ft. 6i ins. at 5 ft. on N. ; bole, 10 ft. 

 The tree is decaying, the stem has been filled up with cement ; the 

 girth is exactly the same as it was 1 1 years ago. Great Maole, 

 {Acer Fseudo-platanus, L.), to south of garden, 11 ft. 7 ins. at 3 ft. 

 3 ins. on East; bole, 5 ft.; increase in 11 years, 9 ins. = '80 per 

 annum, the greatest increase yet noticed in this species, but the 

 stem of this tree is very short, and the rate of growth is probably 

 affected by the swell of the branches, and perhaps of the root. 

 Horse Chestnut {^Esculus Hipjjocastanum, L.), to S.-W. of house, 

 12 ft. at 3 ft. 4 ins. on W. N. W. ; bole, 5 ft., increase 9 ins. in 

 11-2 years = -80 per annum, which seems to be a fair average rate. 

 Hawthorn, Cratcegns Oxyacantha. L., to S.-W. of house, 5 ft. 2^ ins. 

 at 3 ft. ; bole, 5 ft. Report supplied by Mr. John Renwick. 



Heads op Ayr, 25th June, 1904. Mr. James Stark, conductor. 

 — Leaving Ayr Station, the party took the tramcar to Burns's 

 Cottage, then proceeded on foot by the road along the right 



