SESSION 1906-1907. 



l.~NOTES ON SOME OF THE WILD -FLOWERS IN 

 THE VICINITY OF PENICUIK. 



Bt Mr JAMES M'CALL. 

 {Read Nov. 28,1906.) 



In writing this paper I am not forgetful that many of the 

 members of the Society will probably have pleasant recollec- 

 tions of past excursions they have enjoyed in this district, — 

 spending a long summer afternoon, it may be, on the open 

 stretch of moorland that extends for some miles to the south 

 and south-east of the village of Penicuik, or perhaps making a 

 way for themselves through the dense shady woodlands that 

 at many places completely screen the river Esk from sight. 

 From here to Hawthornden the scenery is most picturesque, 

 while the well-known Roslin valley is accounted by many to 

 be one of the loveliest glens in Mid-Lothian. In these 

 familiar haunts of the botanist and the lover of nature the 

 flora is both varied and abundant, and while some of the 

 members may know nearly all the wild-flowers that grow in 

 the district, yet I have thought that a paper on the subject, 

 from one who has long resided there, might contain something 

 to interest those, at least, who have had little or no oppor- 

 tunity of visiting the place at the various seasons of the 

 year. 



I still remember the first glimpse I got of nature's loveli- 

 ness while quite a boy. A large patch of bog-bean in full 

 blossom on the wet moor near my home attracted my atten- 

 tion and roused all my boyish admiration. Every season 



VOL. V. z 



