30 A Bryological Excursion to Ben Lawers. [Sess. 
bryological treasures, as well as the common Hypnums, 
Grimmias, &c., were seen. From an old dyke we took some 
fine specimens of Brachythecium glareosum, B. populum, B. 
plumosum, and B. rutabulum ; Hypnum cupressiforme in vari- 
ety, Amblystegium serpens, and Plagiothecium denticulatum 
—all of which we gathered—and many more which we did 
not touch. Also Neckera complanata, the type and the var. 
tenella, Grimmia pulvinata, G. apocarpa, and Polytrichum 
alpinum. A bank above a retaining wall farther on pro- 
vided fine specimens of Ditrichum flexicaule, as well as 
Pleuridium subulatum, a lovely little moss whose capsules 
resemble tiny rubies set in a crown of narrow pointed leaves. 
Here and all over the course followed were many pretty 
patches of Breutelia arcuata, but generally dwarf and always 
barren. Hypnum squarrosum and Hylocomium loreum were 
also plentiful, and here and there small patches of Leersia 
alpina and Hylocomium splendens. A liverwort, Preissia 
commutata, in fine condition, we gathered from a rock close by ; 
while it may interest lovers of ferns to know that a sunk 
retaining wall which we passed a little later was richly clothed 
with Cystopteris fragilis, C. denticulata, and Asplenium Tri- 
chomanes with fronds nearly a foot long, as well as some very 
distinct-looking forms of Athyrium Filix-foemina. 
Our route had been sketched solely by the aid of a map, 
and on meeting a native apparently of the district, we took 
the opportunity of confirming it. In the course of conversa- 
tion, after satisfying ourselves as to the best way to ascend the 
mountain, we mentioned that we were looking for mosses. 
“There’s no’ much moss on the tap o’ Ben Lawers,” said he; 
“you'll get bigger anes where ye are; if ye'll just gae up the 
side o’ the burn, in the corrie yonder ye'll get the fill o’ your 
boxes and baskets in less than ten minutes.” “We are going 
to sleep on the mountain, so as to be near the mosses,” I added. 
This, apparently, was too much for him: with a curious look at 
us, and an expressive shake of the head, he said, “ Good night.” 
The glen of the Mhoirneas burn looked so inviting that we 
were sorely tempted to take our friend’s advice, and go to fill 
our boxes in it. But, according to our plans, we were to 
ascend the Edramucky burn about a quarter of a mile farther 
on, so we passed it with some reluctance, little dreaming that 
ere the night was over we should revisit it and seek its friendly 
