1887-88.] the Flora of West Sutherland. 221 



padis latifolia are abundant, and every hillock is carpeted in 

 early June with the beautiful flowers of Dryas octopctala. 



The plants of cultivation are also almost entirely confined 

 to these districts, and it is, therefore, not surprising that a 

 large proportion of the whole flora is found within a very 

 limited area. Natural wood is very scanty, and although 

 scattered clumps of stunted birch occur in most of the glens 

 and around the larger lochs, it is only along the shores of 

 Loch Assynt and about Tongue that anything deserving the 

 name of a wood can be found. The plantations at Loch 

 Inver and Tongue afford such non-indigenous species as Fagiis, 

 Pyrus Mains, Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Acer, Popidus nigra, and 

 possibly some of the Salices. 



It is curious to note how, on the wind-swept ledges of the 

 cliffs of the Whiten Head, the holly and aspen have adapted 

 themselves to the situation, crawling along the ground and 

 clinging to the face of the rock, as though not daring to lift 

 their heads against the fury of the winter gales. 



The coast-line, though of great extent, presents a nearly 

 unbroken line of precipitous cliffs, and with the exception of 

 Bagh Torrisdail, at the mouth of the river Borgie, affords 

 no salt marshes or muddy flats, such as are the favourite 

 habitat of maritime plants. These are therefore mainly 

 represented by such species as can best flourish on the 

 ledges and in the caves and crevices of the cliffs, as Sedum 

 Rhodiola, S. anglicum, Silene acaulis, S. maritima, Asplenium 

 marinum ; while Primula scotica and Scilla verna occur 

 abundantly on the short-cropped turf that clothes the cliff- 

 tops of the Farrid Head. 



The Kyle of Tongue and the mouth of the river Borgie 

 afford a few littoral species, including Hippophae, Aster Tri- 

 polium, and one or two Chenopoditcms and Atriplices. 



Although none of the mountains of West Sutherland attain 

 any great elevation (Ben More, Assynt, with a height of 

 3200 feet, being the most lofty), the list of alpine and sub- 

 alpine plants is a fairly numerous one. It includes Caltha 

 palustris var. y minor, Cochlearia officinalis var. al^nna, Draha 

 rupestris, D. incana, Viola palustris, Cerastium latifolium, 

 Cherleria sedoides, Sihhaldia procumbens, Alchemilla alpina, 

 Epilohium alpinum, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. stcllaris, S. 

 aizoides, S. hypnoidcs, Cornus siiecica, Saussurea alpina, 



