160 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LxXXV. 
the relapse of untended grassland, involves too much 
reference to other formations to be undertaken in this 
paper. 
Examples. 
Having personally been much assisted in arriving at 
a vivid conception of the vegetation of the areas described 
by the system of illustrative examples adopted by some 
cecological writers, I follow their example and append a 
few of actual notes taken on typical sites. The notes are 
rudely arranged, according to the foregoing scheme of 
classification. 
I.—MEADOWS AND WET PASTURES. 
i. Acid to Neutral. 
1. Boardhouse Loch, below Twatt.—Level ground formed through 
lowering of the level of the loch by deepening the exit. Driest parts : 
Agrostis (2 sp.) dominates. Anthoxanthum sub-dominant. — Holcus, 
Nardus, and Cynosurus are present, and Carex glauca abundant. 
Senecio aquaticus, Leontodon autumnale, Rhinanthus Crista-galli and 
Prunella vulgaris give colour to the meadow, while Ranunculus acris, 
Spireea ulmaria, and Orchis maculata would have done so earlier in the 
season. Also present: Achillea ptarmica, Bellis perennis, Sagina 
nodosa, Mentha aquatica, Galium uliginosum, Scabiosa succisa, Caltha 
palustris, Plantago maritima. 
A few inches lower, Carex glauca dominates and grasses are few. 
2. Another part of the same lochside.—Soil a clayey deposit 6 inches 
to 1 foot deep. Considerable organic matter. No reaction to litmus 
paper. Earthworms present. Sward short and close. Carex glauca 
and panicea and Nardus dominate. Plantago maritima sub-dominant. 
Trioidia decumbens, Juncus articulatus, Molinia cerulea in some 
quantity. Agrostis and other plants occasional. Brightly flowering 
herbs in order of frequency: Leontodon autumnale, Prunella vulgaris, 
Bellis, Euphrasia, Scabiosa succisa, Anagallis tenella, and Parnassia 
palustris. 
3. Folster Meadows, Birsay.—East end was formerly cultivated, but 
has long lain fallow. Dominant: Agrostis (2 sp.) and Atra cespitosa in 
places. In other places Nardus stricta, Nardus in drier but perhaps 
sourer conditions. Spirea abundant near streams. C. glauca is 
common ; others are C. panicea, C. flava, C. vulgaris, C. pulicaris, and 
C. dioica. Other plants: Senecio aquaticus, Achillea ptarmica, 
Leontodon autumuale, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Prunella 
vulgaris, Luzula campestris, Scabiosa succisa, Rumex acetosa, Juncus 
conglomeratus, Cnicus palustris, Rhinanthus Crista-galli, Potentilla 
anserina. 
In wetter parts Aira disappears. 
4. Flats below Ingsay, Birsay.—Whole area on a deep clayey marsh 
peat. Site of a former loch. Ditched. Parts drained and cultivated. 
Uncultivated parts :— 
(1) Meadow of Bea.—The following rudely in order of frequency : 
Carex vulgaris, Equisetum palustre, Juncus articulatus, Trifolium 
repens, Holeus lanatus, Potentilla comarum, Menyanthes infoliata, 
Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Agrostis alba and vulgaris, Molinia cxrulea, 
