TOPOGRAPHY. Xl 
but it adds also to the interests and pleasures of 
life. One who is ignorant of the floral treasures 
over which he treads in his daily walks or rounds 
of duty, has missed one of the most satisfying 
influences towards the realisation of that mental 
calm and inspiration which useful knowledge brings. 
TOPOGRAPRY. 
The Orkney Islands form a distinct group which 
is detached from the mainland of Scotland to the 
south and the Shetland Islands to the north. 
Broughness, in South Ronaldshay, the most southerly 
of the group, is about 7} miles from Duncansby 
Head, in Caithness; while North Ronaldshay, the 
most northerly, is about 50 miles from Dunrossness, 
in Shetland. The Orkneys form an entity botani- 
cally. The group consists of 29 inhabited and 
38 uninhabited islands. These small, uninhabited 
islands are botanically of very little interest. They 
are surf-washed, and the flowering plants and grasses 
found on them are hardy perennials little affected 
by the wash and spray of the sea. Many of them 
are interesting to the student of botany in so far 
as they have shown their adaptability to develop 
characteristics which fit them for their particular 
kind of development. Among these may be men- 
tioned Huphrasia maritima, matricaria maritima, 
Plantago marituma, &e. The group is included 
within latitude 58°46' and 59°22' north and longitude 
2°22 to 3°25’ west. Of all the islands, the most 
interesting is Hoy, with its sheltered valleys, rocky 
