56 TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Skss. lxi. 



When the picric acid comes through clear, the stem is 

 ready for the next part of the process. It is removed, and, 

 if intended for sectioning purposes, is cut up into small 

 pieces and placed in alcohol of at least 90 per cent, 

 strength. In this it is decolorised, and after a few days 

 is in good condition for sectioning purposes. The 

 liquified elements of the conducting system are stained 

 a fine pink. A good contrast is obtained by ground 

 staining with hiomatoxylin on the slide. If the stem be 

 intended for dissection of vascular system, the picric 

 injection may be omitted and the preparation allowed to 

 lie for a time in weak picric acid, and then preserved in 

 alcohol until required. 



Pyrus Aria and its Varieties in Arran. 

 By liev. David Landsbo rough. 



(Read 8th July 1807.) 



I know the island of Arran well, and it seemed to me 

 strange that its Eare Pyrus should be confined to a small 

 ]:)ortion of the north. There are places in other parts 

 of the island seemingly suitable for its growth. Might it 

 not also be found in some of these ? I determined to 

 search Arran for it. I wished, further, to ascertain if it 

 could not be had in additional varieties : and if the 

 varieties were accidental, or resulted from discoverable 

 causes. This led to several excursions. I mention the 

 principal : — 



unsuccessful excursions. 



First. — At the end of May, wiLli one of my sons, T 

 started from Brodick, in the centre of the east coast ; went 

 up Glen liosa to the Garbh Allt (2^ miles); ascended this 

 stream; descended into Glen lorsa ; forded it; ascended 

 the connecting stream to Loch Tana ; thence to Loch 

 iJubh ; descended Glen Schaftigill ; passed into Allt-na-h- 

 Airidhe ; descended to Dougrie ; thence to Shedog Inn. — 

 Twelve hours afoot. — No success. 



Second Excurdun. — Next day we took, for four miles, 

 the road to Brodick ; at Glen Loig, turned up the Craigan, 

 the most considerable <>len runninii' southward through the 



