SKETCH OF THE FLORA OF THE PROVINCES 43 
Sandstone and gneissic rocks, of which most of the higher 
hills are composed, form little soil suitable for hepatics. 
The few hills of over 3000 ft. alt. in the schistose formation 
may be expected to yield a few species not yet recorded 
for this province, as may also the limestone of West 
Sutherland. 
ORKNEY AND SHETLAND 
These islands have not yet been thoroughly searched 
for hepatics, but they do not seem to offer favourable con- 
ditions for this group of plants. Nearly the whole surface 
is wind-swept and without shelter, and the few hills which 
are present, except in the island of Hoy, are almost with- 
out partially sheltered corries descending to the low ground. 
There are some small sheltered gullies on the shore, especially 
in Shetland, which would repay examination, as in such 
places one might expect to find some species, as the smaller 
Lejeune, a few of which have been found in the Faroes. 
Arctic-alpine species appear to be absent in Orkney, the 
highest elevations, Ward Hill in Hoy, with an altitude of 
1564 ft., and Culags, alt. 1426 ft. being very barren in the 
upper parts. A few arctic-alpine species have been found 
in Shetland, but the scarcity of wet ground and of exposed 
rock-surface on the more elevated parts gives few favourable 
localities. A detailed examination of the highest ground, 
Ronas Hill, alt. 1475 ft., would probably reveal the presence 
of some additional species. The summit of Saxa Vord, 
alt. 934 ft., at the extreme north of Unst, has no exposed 
rock-surface and has not yielded any alpine species. ‘The 
few which have been found in Shetland have been at low 
elevations, and one species, Harpanthus Flotowianus, 
occurs at sea-level. 
In the island of Hoy there are a few partially sheltered 
corries, and in these are found a more Western flora than 
in any part of the extreme northern mainland. This is 
especially noticeable in the abundance of Plagiochila 
spinulosa and in the frequent occurrence of Saccogyna 
viticulosa, the former being rare, and the latter not having 
been found in the other district. If Hoy be excepted, the 
Atlantic species seem to be more frequent in Shetland than 
in Orkney, and it is probable that further search will show 
