MicrOfuKgi observed in islay. 119 



Micpofung-i observed in Islay. 

 Bt D. a. Botd. 



[Read 28th May, 1907.] 



I 



During the month of July, 1905, I spent about twelve days 

 in Islay. Although a considerable amount of time each day 

 during my visit was occupied in cycling from place to place, 

 or in viewing archaeological remains and other objects of interest, 

 I was also able to devote some attention to the botanical 

 features of the island. In the course of my rambles I had 

 often the privilege of being conducted by Dr. Thomas F. 

 Gilmour, Port Ellen, whose keen enthusiasm and ready stores 

 of scientific information rendered these occasions much more 

 pleasant and profitable than they would otherwise have been. 



When contrasted with the other islands of the Hebridean 

 group, Islay is seen to possess features peculiarly its own. 

 Although it lacks the grandeur of outline characteristic of 

 Arran and Skye, its scenery is so varied, and affords so great 

 a diversity of conditions favourable to plant life, as to render 

 its exploration a source of unfailing enjoyment. Besides pre- 

 senting the general features coumion to most of the larger islands 

 of the group, Islay is notable for the comparatively great extent 

 of ground which has been put under cultivation, cropped regu- 

 larly from year to year, and brought to a state of fertility highly 

 creditable to the intelligent skill of the local fai-mers. The 

 flora is therefore more varied, by the occurrence of a larger 

 number of weeds of cultivation, than is usual among the other 

 western islands. 



Besides the places where my observations were chiefly made, 

 there are many others which would doubtless yield a rich and 

 varied harvest of cryptogamic plants if carefully explored, 

 especially in late autumn. Among such places which await 

 examination may be mentioned the moist woods around 

 Kildalton, Bridgend, and Port Askaig; the extensive tracts of 

 peat moss and stretches of sandy shore between Port Ellen and 

 Bowmore; and the numerous lochs and marshes which occur 

 throughout the island. 



