EXCURSIONS IN STIRLINGSHIRE. 127 



Proceeding on the road to Denny, the configuration of the 

 country attracted the attention of the geologists. The valley 

 through which the Carron here flows is notable for an interesting 

 series of mounds of post-glacial gravel (frequently flat-topped) 

 called kames — some elongated, some sow-backed, and others 

 spherical, like the one in Dunipace grounds which the party 

 visited en route. After crossing the Carron one of the kames 

 was seen in section from the top of the mound to the level 

 of the valley, giving an opportunity for observing the material — 

 sand and gravel — of which such mounds are composed. Here 

 also was found on the walls by the road-side, and in the greatest 

 profusion, the wall-rue spleenwort {Asplenium Ruta-muraria), a 

 fern not found abundantly in Clydesdale. On reaching Denny 

 the river was ■ followed for about three miles, and, in addition 

 to the plants already recorded, the butterfly-orchis {Habenaria 

 bifolia), the early purple orchid {Orchis maseula), the marsh- 

 orchid (O. latifolia), and the spotted palmate orchid (O. 

 metadata) were noted. Many species of fern were seen, among 

 them being the maiden-hair spleenwort {Asplenium Trie/iomanes), 

 the oak {Poly podium Dryopteris), the brittle-bladder {Cystopteris 

 fragilis), the shield {Aspidium aeulealum), and the heath-shield 

 {Lastrea Oreopteris). One grass which is very rare in Clydesdale, 

 the downy oat-grass {Avena pubescens), was also found. The 

 return journey to Denny was made by road, and the party 

 proceeded thence by Dennyloanhead to Greenhill. The heart- 

 leaved valerian ( Valeriana pyrenaica) was noted at Greenhill, 

 and on the canal bank "codlins and cream" {Epilobium hirsutum). 

 Near the Carron the following fungi were collected : — Agaricus 

 mutabilis, Schseff., A. campestris, Linn., A. dryopliyllus, Bull., A. 

 fascictdaris, Huds., A. semiglobatus, Batsch., and Coprinus atra- 

 menlarius, Fr. 



The district about Castlecary was visited again on the 22nd 

 August, 1 89 1, when Castle Rankine Glen was the rendezvous. 

 The steep banks of the glen are thickly wooded, the trees 

 consisting chiefly of ash, alder, great maple, hazel and rowan. 

 On account of the lateness of the season the botanical record for 

 the afternoon was meagre. In the glen were noted Cystopteris 

 fragilis and Asplenium Trichomanes. At two stations by the 

 road-side masterwort {Peuceda?iu?n Ostrutliium), an umbellifer not 



