1863.] NOTES OF A BOTANICAL TOUR IN BANFFSHIRE. 473 



of the clan Macnab ; R. Chamcemorus, that of the Macfarlanes. 

 SoUdago Virgaurea (Golden Rod) was also found here. It grows 

 in a single stalk from one to two or three feet high, and termi- 

 nates in a long cluster of yellow heads. It is named Snlidago 

 from solidari, to unite, because of its vulnerary qualities. Among 

 its other properties it is said that " the decoction also helpeth to 

 fasten the teeth that are loose in the gums." Stachys sy/vaf.ica 

 (Hedge Woundwort) is also found at Delnabo. Two others grow 

 in the district, S. palustris and S. arvensis. 



With the above, Delnabo was " done," so far as we could see, 

 and we went on our way rejoicing — the wilderness now before us. 

 Delnabo is the last house, except three huts, in the direction of 

 Loch Avon. The route lies along the hills, between which the 

 Ailnach runs, and the hills rise at once from the Avon side. For 

 eight or ten miles, the Ailnach flows between banks two or three 

 hundred feet high. At some places, they are of a bluish colour, 

 and slope gently backwards ; at other places, they are of a yel- 

 lowish hue, caused by the disintegrated quartzite ; and, at other 

 places, the rocks of clay-slate, here and there with a cave^ rise 

 right up from the bottom of the riverbed at least three hundred 

 feet. One sees the stratification of the rocks well. They mostly 

 dip S.E., and consist either of clay-slate, part of the new gneiss, 

 or of the quartzite. In ascending from the Vale of the Avon, we 

 meet for the last time with Helianthemum vulgare (Common Rock 

 Rose). The stem is procumbent and shrubby. The flower is 

 yellow. The stamens, when touched, spread. It grows at 

 Gamrie, the Burn of Melrose, and the Old Castle of the Boyne. 



We had not much more to look for till we reached the higher 

 ranges, and we set out in good earnest, over, at first, ground that 

 had once been cultivated, but is now thrown into sheep-walks, 

 and, after a little, over heather, peat, and bent, with the river 

 on our left, dashing along nearly black in colour from the 

 heavy rains, and reminding one of Dante's acqua iinta. In 

 " moving on," we had our eyes about us, and we picked up 

 Carex piluUfera, Pedicularis sylvatica (Lousewort), Polygonum 

 viviparum, and a few other common plants. . A little above Del- 

 nabo, the common Whin disappears, as well as Carduus lanceo- 

 latus (Bur Thistle) . We met Listera cordata. Of the Eerns, we 

 marked Polypodium Dryopteris (Oak Fern), Blechnum boreale, 

 Lastrea dilatata (Shield Fern). In a small ravine, the first 



N. S. VOL. VI. 3 p 



