395 



woods being M. pratense. We saw also Veronica montana in a 

 damp, moist spot. 



On emerging from the Dean we passed through several fields, and 

 then began to ascend Ruberslaw, a conical hill of the trap formation, 

 rocky towards the summit, which attains an elevation of about 1400 

 feet above the level of the sea. The hill is barren and infertile, 

 stunted heather {Calluna vulgaris) forming the chief herbage, and the 

 trees in a belt of plantation which nearly encircles it, at no great dis- 

 tance from the top, are few and deformed. Nevertheless, we found 

 one or two plants worth mentioning. As we ascended, a single plant 

 of Listera cordata was gathered on the open hill-side, and Orchis ma- 

 culata and Gymnadenia conopsea grew in some abundance in the 

 same situation. In a small hollow Lastraea Oreopteris was plentifully 

 mingled with L. Filix-mas. 



We reached the summit without much difficulty, but rain and wind 

 did not let us long enjoy the beautiful view, which comprehends nearly 

 all Roxburghshire and Berwickshire, and is bounded only by the dis- 

 tant Lammermuirs and Cheviots towards the north and east, and by 

 the hill-country of Roxburgh and Selkirk shires towards the south 

 and west. Among debris of rocks near the summit we found Alloso- 

 rus crispus abundantly, and in crevices of the rocks Lycopodium se- 

 lago, in small quantity. 



We descended the hill on the north side somewhat wet and un- 

 comfortable, and no rarities met our eyes, unless a few specimens of 

 Veronica scutellata in a marshy spot can be considered as such. 



After refreshing ourselves at my friend's house in the village, we 

 again sallied forth to explore Minto Crags, an abrupt eminence clothed 

 with wood on the opposite side of the river Teviot. Crossing this 

 river by a suspension bridge close to the village, we walked along its 

 banks for some distance. Here my friend pointed out a large patch 

 of Euphorbia Esula, growing in a bushy spot in the heugh or level 

 waste ground which borders the river's "wild and willowed shore." 

 At this juncture rain again prevailed much to our discomfort, but we 

 trudged on determined to accomplish our purpose. There are walks 

 formed on the side of the Crags, at various heights, besides a carriage 

 drive at the foot, and we gradually wound our way to the summit, 

 where are the ruins of a small tower or border-keep. 



In our way up we found, growing on the rocks, Lychnis viscaria, 

 which had nearly done flowering, Sedum reflexum, not yet in flower, 

 and Geranium lucidum. Near the top Sedum acre was plentiful, and 

 the great rarity of the place, Asplenium septentrionale, filled the ere- 



