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Notes of a Botanical Excursion, with Pupils, to the Mountains 

 of Braemar, Glenisla, and Clova, and to Benlawers, in August 

 1847. By J. H. Balfour, M.D., Professor of Botany in 

 the University of Edinburgh. Communicated by the 

 Author. 



Excursions may be truly said to be the life of the botanist. 

 Tiiey enable him to study the science practically, by the exa- 

 mination of plants in their living state, and in their native 

 localities ; they impress upon his mind the structural and 

 physiological lessons he has received ; they exhibit to him 

 the geographical range of species, both as regards latitude 

 and altitude ; and with the pursuit of scientific knowledge, 

 they combine that healthful and spirit-stirring recreation 

 which tends materially to aid mental efforts. The com- 

 panionship too of those who are prosecuting with zeal and en- 

 thusiasm the same path of science, is not the least delightful 

 feature of such excursions. The various phases of character 

 exhibited, the pleasing incidents that diversified the walk, 

 the jokes that passed, and even the very mishaps or annoy- 

 ances that occurred, — all become objects of interest, and 

 unite the members of the party by ties of no ordinary kind. 

 And the feelings thus excited are by no means of an evanes.- 

 cent or fleeting nature ; they last during life, and are always 

 recalled by the sight of the specimens which were collected. 

 These apparently insignificant remnants of vegetation recal 

 many a tale of adventure, and are associated with the de- 

 lightful recollection of many a friend. It is not indeed a matter 

 of surprise that those who have lived and walked for weeks 

 together in a Highland ramble, who have met in sunshine 

 and in tempest, who have climbed together the misty sum- 

 mits, and have slept in the miserable sheiling — should have 

 such scenes indelibly impressed on their memory. There is, 

 moreover, something peculiarly attractive in the collecting 

 of alpine plants. Their comparative rarity, the localities 

 in which they grow, and frequently their beautiful hues, 

 conspii'e in shedding around them a halo of interest far ex- 

 ceeding that connected with lowland productions. The al- 

 pine Veronica displaying its lovely blue corolla on the verge of 



