26 RECORDS OF EXCURSIONS IN AYRSHIRE. 



burnt human bones have at various times been unearthed, the 

 spot having probably been the burial place of the fort people. 



Proceeding towards Ardrossan, the water parsnip (Stum 

 latifollum) was got in leaf in a ditch, and passing along through 

 a plantation growing on the steep bank above the old shore line, 

 the double fort at Glenhead, near the mouth of the Gourock 

 Burn, was ascended, and found to occupy a very strong position, 

 and to be in a capital state of preservation. Boydston Fort was 

 next visited, and in it the tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) was found 

 growing in profusion, although the plants were dwarfed in size. 

 Opposite Boydston, on the shore, the large stone known as the 

 " Boydston Boulder " was observed, partly covered by the tide. 

 From this point of view Arran is seen to advantage in clear 

 weather, but a haze hanging on the firth, the mountain-tops were 

 only dimly visible. Following the line of railway, which here is 

 constructed along the high ground above the old beach, the 

 remnant of Montfode Castle was inspected, and afterwards the 

 Old Fort or Moat Hill, placed a little above the shore line on 

 the right bank of the Montfode Burn. 



With the exception of Slum (already mentioned), Saxifraga 

 granulata, and Botrychium Lunarla, the rest of the plants found 

 do not call for special note. 



Amongst the birds observed were two summer visitants — the 

 willow wren (Phylloscopus trochllus) in numbers, and a pair or two 

 of swallows (Hirundo rustled). The remains of several razorbills 

 (Alca tordd) were seen on the beach — relics of the severe winter. 



An excursion to Dalmellington, Ness Glen, and Loch Doon 

 was made on the 21st of May, 1891. It was remarked that none 

 of the deciduous trees except the larch was in leaf. Amongst 

 the flowering plants the most interesting found were Trolllus 

 europczus ; Rubus saxatllls, a species characteristic of the upland 

 glens of Ayrshire ; Saxifraga umbrosa, probably planted in 

 Glen Ness ; »S. hypnoldes, an upland glen species ; and Luzula 

 pllosa. Amongst the ferns were Aspldlum aculeatum var. lobatum, 

 Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, and Asplenlum vlrlde, the last-named 

 only before recorded for Ayrshire from the Largs and Dalmellington 

 districts, 



Reticulata umbrina was the most interesting fungus collected. 



