Notes of a Botanical Excursion to Braemar. 125 



Dhui, and examined particularly the cliffs on the north-eastern 

 side, where specimens of Arahis petrcea, Veronica alpina 

 in fine flower, Stellaria cerastoides, Hieracium alpinum in 

 various forms, and Carex voffinata, were found. 



On the crumbling granite rocks near the summit, Silene 

 acauUs, Luzula spicata and arcuata abound. The day was 

 remarkably fine, and the party enjoyed a most extensive view 

 from the summit, which is about 4300 feet above the level 

 of the sea, and nearly 70 feet lower than Ben Nevis, accord- 

 ing to the statement of the engineers connected with the 

 Government survey, who were quartered on the summit 

 during the visit of our party. 



From Ben na Muich Dhui the party walked to Cairngorm, 

 on the summit of which were seen the following plants : — 

 Salix herbacea, Carex rigida, Festuca vivipara, Aira ccespitosa 

 alpine form, Silene acaulis, Jiincus trifidus, Empetrum nigrum, 

 Luzula spicata, and Lycopodimn Selago. The descent was 

 eflFected by a rocky ravine leading to Loch Aven, and after 

 visiting the Shelter Stone the party again reached the summit 

 of Ben Muich Dhui at sunset, and were kindly accommo- 

 dated for the night in the huts of the engineering party. The 

 rocks in the vicinity of Loch Aven and Loch Etichan sup- 

 plied profusion of alpine Hieracia, especially the form de- 

 nominated H. nigrescens. 



On the 14th, starting at sunrise, the " grisly rocks that 

 auard the infant rills of Highland Dee" were visited, and 

 yielded Veronica alpina, Sibbaldia jnocumbens, Phleum com- 

 mutatum, and apparently a peculiar alpine form of P.pratense, 

 and magnificent specimens of Stellaria cerastoides and Ceras- 

 tiuni aljnnum. After reaching the valley of the Dee, where the 

 river wells out in a remarkable manner from among the loose 

 rocks, the party ascended the Breriach ridge, gathering Lu- 

 zula arcuata, and many alpine species. The summit of the 

 ridge presents a table land, consisting of dry disintegrated 

 granite, the only patches of verdure being at the spots where 

 the wells of the Dee pour foi'th their waters. It is chiefly in 

 the moist crumbling rocks forming the sides of the moimtain 

 that the rare alpine species are found. The walk, therefore 

 along the flat plateau of the Breriach summits was monoton- 



