Excursion of the Scottish Alpine Botanical Cliib. Ill 



leading to the Sappers' Cairn. This is said to be the highest 

 point, but a confused heap of boulders, a little more to the south- 

 east, seems higher, so we cross over, and clamber on to the highest 

 boulder. Here we are on the summit of dark Lochnagar, which 

 Byron cHmbed, dreamed, and sang of in strains worthy of its glory. 

 Th.e view from the summit Avas charming ; the atmosphere to 

 the north-east and west being perfectly clear. To the south there 

 was heat haze. Looking to the north-east, the ]Moray Firth was 

 glistening in the sun, Ben Wyvis being distinctly visible. Ben 

 Nevis was seen in the far west, Ben-y-Gloe in Athole, and the Brae- 

 mar range proper came out very distinctly. Indeed, Ben jNIacdhui, 

 Ben Avon, Ben a-Bourd were clear to their summits. At our feet 

 the mural precipices, constituting the eastern Corry of Lochnagar, 

 extended for 1200 feet sheer down, to the inky tarn of Loch INIuic. 

 These precipices are intersected by several ravines with a very steep 

 inclination, where the snow was lying many feet deep about their 

 upper opening. The first ravine next the Sappers' Cairn may be 

 traversed for about 200 yards, when a perpendicular rock bars 

 farther progress. The best of the Alpines can be gathered here at 

 the risk of your neck. The second ravine is a more feasible region, 

 and can be traversed right down to the lake, if you are a light, sure- 

 footed cragsman. Here grow Saxifraga rivularis, Alpine Brook 

 Saxifrage, the blue sow thistle, Mulgedium alpinum, Carex leporina, 

 the hare's foot sedge, Alopecurus alpinus and Phleum alpinum, 

 mountain fox-tail and cat's-tail grasses. Saxifraga rivularis wa 

 found in abundance, but sparingly in flower, the season being a late 

 one, and few of the specimens had the luxuriance of growth I have 

 observed on former occasions. The only living animals seen were 

 ptarmigan or white grouse, and several swifts, probably the Alpine 

 species. On the previous year I observed a pau' near the summit of 

 Ben Lawers. After scrambling about for some time, a muster was 

 made at the Cairn, and the descent commenced, which was made in 

 safety and comfort, the weather being perfect. The weather broke 

 shortly after we left Braemar, and in such circumstances it is very 

 rash to make this ascent singly. Two fatal accidents occurred 

 about this time, both arising from inexperience. In fine weather 

 the ascent of Lochnagar is perfectly safe, and something to remember. 

 If your pedestrian powers are not equal to the exertion, there are 

 plenty of hill ponies and guides at Braemar, ready to go with you. 



Ascent of Carry Ctann-mohr, Ath Aiigust 1883. — Eeturning by 

 the same route to Loch Callater Lodge, the next day, we on this 

 occasion took the right hand side of the lake, from which we 

 gathered, with the crook of an alpen stock, the European (^uillwort, 

 Jsoetes lacKstrits and its var. /. echinodpora, Lobelia Dortmanni, water 



