SKETCH OF THE FLORA OF THE PROVINCES 39 
excluding the species of cultivated ground, which do not 
differ from those of other districts, may be divided into those 
inhabiting the low-lying peat-mosses, the bare grassy or 
peaty slopes, and the steep natural-wooded hillsides. A few 
species are also almost contined to rocks and banks on the 
shore. The characteristic Atlantic species are mostly found 
in the wooded slopes and ravines, especially in the latter, 
where there is a greater degree of permanent moisture. 
They are most abundant in localities close to the shore, but 
are also frequent when the slopes are those bordering a 
fresh-water loch, if little above sea-level and not far 
removed from the sea. Here are found the rare Lejewnew, 
Metzgeria hamata, Adelanthus decipiens, Plagiochila 
spynulosa, P. punctata, P. tridenticulata, Leptocyphus 
cunerfolius, ete., with the more generally distributed species 
such as Trichocolea, Bazzania trilobata, Scapania umbrosa, 
etc. The abundance of Scapania gracilis on the low 
ground and in the subalpine region is characteristic of the 
flora. The north and east slopes are moister than those 
on the south and west, and consequently have a more 
varied and luxuriant flora; but this does not apply to the 
ravines if sufficiently shaded with wood, as they remain 
damp in any exposure. 
Here, as in other parts, the dry grassy slopes hardly have 
any species. On small banks are sometimes to be found 
Nardia scalaris, Sphenolobus exsecteformis, Lophozia 
bicrenata, Lophocolea bidentata, with the ubiquitous Diplo- 
phyllum albicans. On the wet slopes, when not peaty, a 
few marsh species are found, as Pellia epiphylla, Aneura 
multifida, and Scapania irrigua. The peaty slopes are 
mostly interspersed with wet rocks and old heather, and 
contain most of the peat-moss species, with Scapania 
gracilis, Anastrepta orcadensis, and Bazzania tricrenata 
in addition, the wet rocks being often coated with Marsu- 
pella emarginata, Scapania widulata, and S. purpur- 
ascens. The peat-mosses contain, besides those generally 
distributed in the low peat-mosses of other districts, Anewra 
latifrons, Leptocyphus Taylori, Cephalozia leweantha, and 
Plewrozia purpurea. 
The species almost confined to shore rocks are Lophocolea 
spicata, Marchesinia Mackaii, Frullania microphylla, and 
