326 BOTANY OF THE KINGDOM OF FIFE. [Novemher, 



is considered one of its best views under the impress of the 

 morning sun. The lovers of geology,, while our kettle was boil- 

 ing our coffee, did not fail to take drawings of various rocks, il- 

 lustrative of upheavings and strata {problematical ?) of that 

 science. It being low water, they were thus accurately deci- 

 phered from the cliffs. 



Having regaled ourselves with the cup of peace made from 

 mineral water, which tastes much of iron, we pursued our course 

 along the beach, passing Kingkell Cave, a natural chasm extend- 

 ing thirty-five feet. Further onward we suddenly turned into 

 view several singularly formed rocks, two of which are termed the 

 " Rock and Spindle ;'^ when these rocks are viewed in a certain po- 

 sition, they certainly bear a resemblance to a monster representa- 

 tion of the old domestic spinning-wheel. 



Passing onward, we found the Buddo Rock, so named, being 

 a huge mass of isolated rock, with an accessible cleft up the cen- 

 tre. After crossing the Kenty, and searching the cliffs and rocks, 

 we arrived at Fife Ness, where we gathered some pieces of wreck 

 from the coast, slung our plaids round for a tent, kindled our 

 fire, hung our coffee-kettle on the right-angled gipsy triangle, 

 and lay down close together sheltered from the cool sea-breeze, 

 conversing about the associations of the locality, when Danish 

 invasions in the ninth and tenth centuries Avere something to 

 dread, in 882, when Constantino, king of Scotland, is said to have 

 been put to death here in a cave. 



We found the remains of what appears to have been a rampart, 

 known still by the name of the "Danes^ Dyke." We, as simple 

 herborizers, were happy that our political connections with the 

 Danes were now of a more pleasant character. In 1538, the 

 bride of James V. landed here, and was met by the king, and con- 

 veyed to St. Andrew's. This princess was the mother of Mary, 

 Queen of Scots. 



We thus* graced our cooking operations with a sermon on 

 stones and flowers, as illustrative of past ages when fewer earthly 

 comforts were the lot of our forefathers. It becomes us to ren- 

 der thanks for the land we live in, and for those that bear rule. 



With sharpened appetites, ample justice was done to the good 

 things enjoyed on the rock, and, as the host is generally noted 

 for his providing and supplying, our hosts will be long cherished 

 in our memories. 



