1 6 LANARKSHIRE RAMBLES. 



Newton. The common sand-martin and sandpiper frequent the 

 river here in considerable numbers. 



At Westburn, a little above Cambuslang, a good example of 

 the great maple is to be seen — Plate III. In a paper read to 

 the Society by Mr. John Paterson, he says of this tree that it is 

 probably the most symmetrical example of the great maple in the 

 West of Scotland, and that anything finer can hardly be imagined. 

 The estate of Westburn was long held by scions of the Hamilton 

 family, and till about a quarter of a century ago there was much 

 fine timber in the park. The grandest trees are said to have been 

 beeches, and these were studies for Horatio M'Culloch, the great 

 artist, about half a century ago. The park is now used for pasture, 

 and this is the only tree left. It measured in 1891 16J- feet girth. 



In the glen at Cambuslang a few herbs may still be found, as 

 fool's-parsley (/Ethusa Cynapium), and abundance of tuberous 

 comfrey. Beyond on the Cathkin Hills (Excursion 7 th May, 

 1892) are good examples of the usual moorland vegetation, with a 

 few rarer forms. About Stonelaw there are old quarries and 

 waste ground, with many native plants and some that have 

 become naturalized, as the periwinkle ( Vinca minor), the alpine 

 currant (Ribes alpinum), and clematis. On a burnside near the 

 Clyde at Farme, the yellow meadow-rue (Thalirtriim flavum) 

 grows. This brings us to the confines of the City of Glasgow. 



To the north of the city is Possil Marsh, by the Forth and 

 Clyde canal, a favourite resort of botanists owing to its wealth of 

 aquatic plants ; and to the north-east Hogganfield and Frankfield 

 Lochs, and further afield towards Coatbridge Bishop Loch and 

 others, forming a group thereabouts. I have already referred to 

 the more striking features in their flora, and frequent excursions 

 have been made to them. Douglas Support (Rosehall), near 

 Coatbridge (Excursion wth October, 1890), is somewhat marred 

 by industrial contamination of the stream that passes through it ; 

 but the estate itself is in admirable condition. Among its trees 

 are some fine specimens of beech, horse-chestnut (sEsculus hippo- 

 castannni), thorn ( Cratcegus Oxyacanthd), yew, wych-elm, oak, and 

 hornbeam ( Carpinus Betuhis). The beeches are numerous and 

 beautiful, some attaining a great height. Several were measured, 

 the greatest girth found being 14 feet. On a mound between the 

 stream and the mansion house there is a very fine wych-elm 



