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Islay and reached Portaskaig about 9 p. m. Here, through the kind- 

 ness of Mr. G. T. Chieve, factor for Mr. Campbell of Islay, we found 

 a cart ready for our baggage, and a cai'riage-and-four to convey the 

 party to Bridgend and Ealabus, our drive commencing in true High- 

 land style, with a bagpipe accompaniment. A comfortable inn at 

 Bridgend received some of the party, and the remainder were kindly 

 accommodated in Mr. Chieve's house at Ealabus. 



Before considering the Botany of Islay I shall make a few remarks 

 on the general features of Cantyre Botany. The part of Cantyre ex- 

 amined by the party did not yield many rare plants. This may 

 depend in some measure on the nature of the rocks, which are often of 

 a hard, non-disintegrating and dry micaceous nature. The most pre- 

 valent rock is mica-slate. This, along with some chlorite-slate, forms 

 the greater part of Cantyre. The old red sandstone formation occurs 

 on the shore between Campbelton and Ballyshare, and is also found 

 on the island of Sunda. It likewise appears on the west coast, and 

 can be traced from Campbelton by Kilchinzie to Machrihanish bay. 

 I have already stated, that it forms a range of cliffs at a short distance 

 from the shore near Killian. Primary limestone occurs to the north 

 of Campbelton and in several places near Killian and Taynlone, as 

 well as in the Largybean district, not far from the point of the Mull. 

 In the valley which extends from Campbelton to Sossit we meet with 

 the carboniferous series of rocks. The island of Gigha is composed 

 of mica-slate. 



The crops, so far as we observed, were good, and the harvest was 

 early. On the 13th of August we saw some barley cut. Rye is cul- 

 tivated in many places. We could not detect any ergot in it. Bear 

 or big (Hordeum hexastichon) is also cultivated for the use of the 

 distilleries, which are numerous in this part of the country. Potatoes 

 were excellent in the sandy and peaty soil. 



Much might be done to improve the agriculture of the county by 

 proper drainage, the use of the new manures, and the introduction of 

 some good grasses. Arrhenatherum avenaceum or oat-grass is a com- 

 mon weed in Cantyre, and might be advantageously sown on waste 

 lands as a grass of which horses and cows are fond. Timothy grass 

 (Pleum pratense) thrives well, and might be sown with benefit as a 

 late grass, while Alopecurus pratensis might be sown as an early one. 

 These two last-named grasses are not common in Cantyre. Holcus 

 lanatus or Yorkshire fag is very common. It is a poor grass, and 

 might be replaced by others of a more nutritious quality. Festuca 

 elatior would do well in boggy places. Avena flavescens was not met 

 Vol. II. 2 p 



