303 



up to the shoulders. This is particularly the case with the boggy 

 ground near the western extremity of Loch Gurim. In these localities 

 Scirpus lacustris, Sparganium simplex, Ranunculus aquatilis, Peplis 

 Portula, Schoenus nigricans, Drosera rotundifolia, anglica and longifo- 

 lia, Utricularia minor, with its elegant vesicles, Rhynchospora alba, 

 Hippuris vulgaris, Scirpus Savii and setaceus, and the delicate Pin- 

 guicula lusitanica were observed. Triglochin maritimum was picked, 

 along with Scirpus lacustris, about two miles from the shore. A Salix 

 resembling rosmarinifolius was also gathered. In all, there were 320 

 phanerogamous species noticed in the course of the day's walk. 



The roads in this part of the island were upon the whole good, but 

 they pass in some places over hilly districts. Potatoes seemed to 

 thrive well, and the fields gave excellent crops of oats. Near Islay 

 House there was a good field of wheat. The flax in the district was 

 not infested with Cuscuta. 



August 17 th. — The morning was very showery and unpromising, 

 and in place of visiting Portnahaven as was proposed, we proceeded 

 along the shore to Bowmore, and thence round Laggan Point as far as 

 the mouth of the river Laggan, along the banks of which we botaniz- 

 ed as far as the bridge. The piscatorial members of the party consi- 

 dered the day peculiarly favourable for enjoying the luxury of a nibble, 

 but their success was not so great as they anticipated, and as usual, 

 this was attributed to some fault on the part of the river and the fish. 

 One of the party expatiated in glowing terms on the mode in which 

 he hooked a salmon, described his excitement on the occasion, and 

 all the emotions which arise in the bosom of one whose fly, for the 

 first time in its existence, has been honoured by the grasp of so noble 

 a visitor. But unfortunately, this splendid animal preferred living in 

 its native river, even with the appendage of a hook and a broken line, 

 to the pleasure of contributing to the repast of a hungry botanical 

 party. Some sea-trout, river-trout and parr were taken, but even Par- 

 nell's prepared minnow, or minnow-persuader, as it was called, though 

 wielded most dexterously by the Doctor himself, failed to procure a 

 large supply, and we looked in vain for th.e salmon which he had pro- 

 mised for dinner. 



On the shore near Bowmore we met with the usual maritime plants, 

 as Aster Tripolium, Plantago maritima and Coronopus, Salicomia 

 herbacea (the erect form), and Juncus compressus. Great quantities 

 of Zostera marina had been thrown on the shore by the waves, and 

 were used as manure by the farmers along with sea-weeds. This plant 

 has been employed for various purposes ; among others it has been 



