1909-10.] Flora of Scottish Lakes. 103 



lowering of the surface of the loch, were under the necessity of providing 

 its base with masonry capable of withstanding the waves in time of storm, 

 and the superior construction of the lower portion is still well exhibited, 

 although the foundations are partially destro3'ed. 



On the south-west of Loch Doon there is a large and somewhat 

 circular, elevated, treeless moor 3 or 4 miles in diameter, surrounded 

 by mountains on every side and presenting the aspect of some huge amphi- 

 theatre in utter ruin. Rugged rock and deep bog vie with one another for 

 possession of the space. Here a gurgling burn divides the combatants ; 

 there a broad lane * dashes over its rocky bed with foaming impetuosity ; 

 whilst ever and anon a slow, deep, sinuous river winds its labyrinthine 

 course through some level stretch of moss, scarcely more stable than the 

 river itself. Numerous lochs, characterised by stretches of coarse white 

 sand intercalated here and there on their otherwise rocky or peaty shores, 

 are sprinkled over this lonely and Avild moor. In some of these lochs, 

 flourish in great abundance two interesting aquatic plants that I have met 

 with nowhere else in Scotland, namely, a truly aquatic form of Ranunculus 

 Flammula (var. natans) and Potamogeton polygonif olius, var. pseudo-fluitans, 

 already mentioned on pj). 72 and 84 respectively. 



I shall first describe the general features of these lochs, and then give a 

 list of the plants common to most of them. I was unable to obtain the use 

 of a boat at any of the lochs hereabout, and am therefore not able to give 

 any account of the bottom flora beyond the marginal zone, excepting what 

 could be gleaned from an examination of the remains of such plants found 

 upon the shores. 



Loch Recar is one of the largest of the lochs on the above-mentioned 

 moor. It is about a mile across in either direction, and has a very irregular 

 outline. The water is somewhat peaty, but, considering the moorland 

 situation, remarkably clear and bright. The shores are rock}- or peaty, but, 

 on the east side particularly, large bays are filled with coarse white sand, 

 which results from the disintegration of the syenitic granite in which this 

 loch as Avell as neighbouring ones is set. This sand is found chiefly on the 

 eastern shores, in consequence of the erosive power of the waves caused by 

 the prevailing westerly winds. The somewhat scanty vegetation is umeh 

 more abundant on the western than on the eastern shores, saving that 

 aquatic plants are much more plentiful in the long and narrow neck of 

 water leading to the effluent on the east side than elsewhere in the loch. 



Loch Macaterick is a mile south of the last-mentioned loch, and is 

 about the same size ; the outline also is very irregular. This loch is almo.st 

 * A stream is often termed a lane in this part of Scotland. 



