527 



nus suecica, Saussurea alpina, Hieracium alpinum, Rubus Chamaemorus, Arbutus al- 

 pina, Azalea procumbeus, Cherleria sedoides, Sibbaldia procumbens &c. were among 

 the rarest plants observed — and, rather unusually, all the six Lycopodia were picked 

 nearly in one spot. Tofieldia palustris, Thalictrum alpinum and Malaxis paludosa 

 occurred at the bottom of the cliffs, and Salix herbacea was found sparingly on the 

 red sandstone below the summit cliffs of Ben Tarshan. Opposite Applecross, in a bog 

 which the tide could seldom reach, were picked specimens of Blysmus nifus two feet 

 high. Here there is an extent of limestone country —easily recognised at the distance 

 of several miles by a marked improvement in the pasturage. On it the party met 

 with Schoenus nigricans, Gentiana Amarella, Listera ovata, and Epipactis latifolia 

 with pale flowers, but searched in vain 'for Dryas octopetala, which occurred profusely 

 in similar soils in Sutherland. In an old deserted garden between Sheildag and Jane- 

 town, they observed Althceaoflicinalis, Aconitum Napellusand other introduced plants. 

 They also saw near Janetown, Ulex europseus (a rare plant in the west of Ross-shire) 

 growing freely and producing abundance of seed ; and the elder seemed to thrive pe- 

 culiarly well 



Proceeding southward, the party enjoyed one fine day at Clunie, and examined 

 with considerable attention some very promising mountains to the south-west of the 

 inn. These are crumbling and micaceous, but want elevation to produce alpine plants, 

 and the mildness of the western climate renders that all the more necessary. The on- 

 ly interesting vegetable feature was an immense profusion of Saussurea alpina ; though 

 in spring, before vegetation gets rank, it is not unlikely that these cliffs might be found 

 more productive. A patch of snow observed on the south side of Maamsool, a moun- 

 tain about twenty miles north of Clunie, made the party desirous of visiting it ; but 

 here again the weather baffled their intentions. The party took Ben Nevis in their 

 route, but the same cause rendered them unable to examine, as they wished, its mag- 

 nificent cliffs. They, however, picked some interesting plants, and among the rest 

 Carex saxatilis, but only in one spot. 



A letter to Professor Graham, from Mr. N. B. Ward, F.L.S., on the introduction 

 of the Musa Cavendisii into the Navigator Islands, was read : — 



"When Mr. Williams was about to leave England in 1839, for the Navigators, 

 he was anxious to take with him some useful plants, and particularly the Musa. He 

 enquired of me whether I thought that it would travel safely in one of the glazed 

 cases, and, having received an answer in the affirmative, he applied to his Grace the 

 Duke of Devonshire, who kindly gave him a healthy young plant. Mr. Williams left 

 England on the 11th of April, 1839, and arrived at Upolu, one of the Navigator 

 Islands, at the end of the following November. The ]Musa bore this long voyage 

 well, and was transplanted into a favourable situation soon after its arrival. In May, 

 1840, it bore a fine cluster of fruit, exceeding 300 in number and weighing nearly a 

 cwt. The parent plant then died, leaving behind more than thirty young ones. — 

 These were distributed to various parts of the island, and in the following May (1841) 

 when Mrs. Williams left the island, all of these were in a fructiferous state, and pro- 

 ducing numerous offsets. Supposing the plants to continue to increase in the same 

 ratio, there will be in the ensuing May (1843), more than 800,000 of tliem, and as the 

 son of Mr. Williams is established as a merchant at Upolu, — is owner of two vessels 

 constantly employed in trading between the various islands in the South Pacific, — and 

 is moreover actuated by the same benevolent disposition which was a striking charac- 

 teristic of his late father, there cannot be a doubt that in a very short time they will 



