274 BOTANICAL LETTERS FROM ARGYLESHIRE. [September, 



this purpose by English gentlemen. It is also good for the 

 lovers of the rod, although for fresh-water fishing far inferior to 

 such as the lake districts of Perthshire. Sea fishing can be en- 

 joyed to perfection. 



The ornithologist, entymologist, and geologist will each find 

 here considerable scope for research. To the botanist it forms 

 a fair field for exploration. Hitherto it has not been much 

 visited by professional botanists, with the exception of Professor 

 Balfour of Edinburgh. Some years ago the learned Professor, 

 with a party of his students, made an excursion through the dis- 

 trict, Avith the neighbouring district of the island of Islay, and 

 published the results of this botanical excursion, but for private 

 circulation only, which, with my own knowledge of the botany of 

 our district, enables me to report it to my botanical brethren as 

 a fair field for exploration. In cryptogamic plants it is very 

 interesting. 



I should have added that the islands of Sanda and Gigha on 

 the coast forms part of this district, and can be easily explored, 

 particularly during the summer months. 



In my anxiety to give an idea of the district, L am afraid I have 

 extended this epistle beyond reasonable bounds, and for the pre- 

 sent must content myself by a bare indication of the botany of 

 the district by simply naming a few of the plants to be met with. 



Among phsenogamous plants I may mention the following, 

 viz. Convolvulus Soldanella, C. sepium, Saxifraga oppositifolia, 

 Anagallis tenella, Galeobdolon lutea, Linum catharticum, Prunella 

 vulgaris alba, Epilobium latifolium, Nymphcea alba, Kanunculus 

 aquatilis, Sagillaria sagittifolia, Rubus saxatilis, etc. 



Among Ferns the genus Scolopendrmm, Asplenium, and Aspi- 

 dium are well represented. We have also the Hymenophyllum 

 tunbridgense and Osmunda regalis abundantly ; and the student of 

 marine botany will find our shores an interesting field for prac- 

 tice. Meantime I must reserve fm'ther details until my next.* 



* Some readers of the ' Phytologist' would be obliged to Mr. Lothian for spe- 

 cimens of Upilobium latifolium. — Ed. 



