74 Mr James Blaikie's Notes of a 



NolcH of a Tour in the Erigadine, ivitU a List of Alpine 

 Flants. By James Blaikie, M.A., F.liS.E., Hor 

 Majesty's Inspector of Schools. 



(Read 12th Februnry 1880.) 



The Engadine (Engiadina in Romaunsch) or upper valley 

 of the Inn is situated in the extreme south-east corner of 

 Switzerland. The Inn rises in the lake of Sils, and flows in 

 a comparatively straight course north-eastwards to join the 

 Danube. This lake is about 6000 feet above the sea, and, 

 after leaving it, the Inn forms the lakes of Silva Plana and 

 San Moritz, so that the upper part of the valley is nearly 

 level. To those who, like my wife and myself, first enter 

 this valley from the Italian side, by crossing the picturesque 

 Maloja Pass, the effect is very striking. It is a long flat 

 grassy plain, bounded on both sides by snow-capped hills; 

 no trees or corn are at first to be seen, and birds are rarely 

 heard. Farther down we come on the Pimis cimhra and 

 the larch, and small patches of barley and rye, but wheat 

 does not ripen in any part of the Engadine. 



The air is dry and invigorating, and hence it has lately 

 become a favourite resort of both tourists and invalids. 

 The high elevation places mountain and glacier excursions 

 within the reach of all, while the rich Alpine Flora affords a 

 never-ending source of interest and enjoyment. Our first 

 visit was paid late in September. Tiie flowers were over, but 

 here and there a Gentian or a Fhytcuma still showed their 

 dainty blossoms, and we determined that when an occasion 

 arrived we should revisit the Engadine earlier in the season. 

 Accordingly, on the 11th of August 1879, we set out from 

 Chur (Coire), and walked to the Engadine, over the Parpan 

 and Albula Passes. On the Albula, after passing through a 

 weird and desolate hollow, strewed with lichen-covered 

 rocks, called the Teufelsthal, we suddenly found ourselves 

 on a grassy meadow surrounded by exquisite Alpine plants. 

 Among others were — 



Saxifraga oppositifolia, 

 Arenaria biflora. 

 Dry as octopetala. 

 Androsace Charaasjasme. 



Primula farinosa. 

 Ranunculus alpestris. 

 Gentiana acaulis. 



