A Work of Practical Value and Interest to Sportsmen and Agriculturists. 



BOTANICAL SURYEY OF SCOTLAND, 



By ROBERT SMITH, B.Sc. 



[THIN recent years the distribution of the detailed or topo- 

 graphical aspects of vegetation has been the subject of 

 increased attention. The meteorologist has been attracted by 

 the connection between the distribution of plant life and 

 climate, the geologist by the connection between the vegeta- 

 tion and the nature of the subjacent soil and rock, and the 

 general geographer by the conspicuous part that the vegetation plays in the 

 landscape; whilst the agriculturist and forester recognise the value of the 

 study of the natural vegetation in deciding what cultivated plants may be 

 expected to yield fruitful crops over any particular area. 



The present work, so far as it goes, is altogether due to the energy and 

 scientific enthusiasm of the late Mr Robert Smith, B.Sc, of the University 

 College, Dundee, who may indeed be said to have fallen a martyr to the 

 realisation of his ideal. Inspired by a course of work with Professor I'lahault, 

 of the botanical Institute of Montpellier, on his return to Scotland in 1896, 

 he commenced a systematic survey of the Forth and lay basins, to which 

 he devoted himself with untiring energy for the past four years. These two 

 maps of the Edinburgh District and Central Perthshire are the first fruits of 

 his labours, and he died immediately after their publication. Other sheets 

 were left by him nearly finished, and they will be completed for publication 

 by his brother, Dr W. G. Smith, of the Yorkshire College, Leeds, who has 

 also made a special study of this subject 



The actual survey may lie briefly stated to represent in detail the 

 existing plant associations in the wild state of natures and as modified by 

 men. We have, firstly, the various types of uncultivated land, the regions 

 of hill pasture, moorland, virgin woodland, and the littoral region of sea links 

 and shore vegetation; secondly, the region of cultivation, crops, and tree 

 planting. These groupings form the starting point for further differentiation, 

 such as character of crops, various kinds of trees, various kinds of hill 

 pasture, moorland, or other uncultivated land. The mapping of these 

 features in detail represents the essential part of the survey, while the 

 descriptive text supplies a more detailed list of names of plants, and draws 

 scientific deductions arising from a consideration of the climatic, geologic, 

 human, and other influences determining and effecting the existing dis- 

 tributions. The study is one of absorbing scientific interest, and the 

 practical possibilities and issues are of no less material value. 



NATURALIST'S MAP OF SCOTLAND. 



By J. A. Harvie-Bkown, F.Z.S., and J. G. Bartholomew, F.R.S E. 



Scale 10 miles to an inch. Among many features of special value and interest 10 the 

 Naturalist and Sportsman, this map shows the Fauna! Areas as divided by watersheds, the 

 Height of Land, the Distribution of Deer Forests, Woodland, Heather and Moorland, also 

 the Salmon Rivers and Lochs, Sea Fisheries, &c, &c. In doth case, price is. On c/olk, 

 price 25. 



JOHN BARTHOLOMEW & CO. 

 Zbc JEfcinburob <5eocirapbical institute 



