1909-10.] Flora of Scottish Lakes. 67 



that are within the zone of active agriculture are decidedly of the lowland 

 type. Wigtownshire I term Area VI. (pp. 1-36-147, figs. 59-82). 



The geological structure of Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire is not 

 very diversified. A line drawn from Glenluce in a north-easterly direction, 

 passing through Dairy and thence to Moniaive, would roughly divide these 

 counties into two geological sections — Lower Silurian N.W. of the line, and 

 Upper Silurian S.E. of it. Three large areas of intrusive rocks, chiefly 

 granite, occur (1) in the Lower Silurian, extending from the neighbourhood 

 of Loch Doon to Loch Dee, and embracing the range of mountains of which 

 Merrick (2G74 feet) is the highest point ; (2) in the Upper Silurian, forming 

 the range of hills of which Cairnsmore of Fleet (2331 feet) is the highest, 

 and embracing Loch Grennoch ; (3) and again in the same section, at and to 

 the S.E. of Dalbeattie, the culminating point of this group being Criftel 

 (1886 feet). Other formations, such as Carboniferous, Triassic, and Recent, 

 also occur, but onh^ in few places, and over comparatively restricted areas. 



4. In Fife and Kinross a few lochs of a semi-highland character may 

 be found on the higher hills. The greater number of the lochs in this 

 district, however, are distinctly of a lowland type, and many of them have 

 a very rich flora, comparatively rare plants often occurring in great abun- 

 dance. The central and western portion of Fife is renowned as a coal- 

 producing district ; and whilst thousands of the inhabitants enrich themselves 

 by bringing mineral wealth from the bowels of the earth, others, nearly 

 everywhere, are actively engaged in agricultural operations. The rich soil 

 readily responds to the methods of modern farming, and even many of the 

 less favourable spots are, under the stimulus of scientific treatment, made 

 to grow valuable crops, instead of being relegated to the unproductive realms 

 of sport. Besides this, numerous manufacturing industries are carried on 

 upon a large scale in many places, and the great extent of seacoast gives 

 occupation to a considerable number of fisher folk. This Area is tlierefore, 

 in comparison with the others, a denseh^ populated one, and the greater 

 number of its lochs have had their natural features considerably altered by 

 the hand of man. Suitably situated lakes have been converted into 

 reservoirs for providing the larger towns and villages with water. In 

 some parts, especially in East Fife, the public water supply presents a 

 serious problem that has not always been satisfactorily solved, owing to the 

 comparatively small rainfall and the absence of suitable water in the form 

 of lochs or streams. As an example of this difficulty, it may be mentioned 

 that the water supply for the Newport district is brought across Strath 

 More, the Sidlaw Hills, and the Firth of Tay, from Lintrathen in Forfar- 

 shire. In some parts new lochs have been created by the construction of 



