1859.] BOTANICAL SKETCHES. 183 



with its forked frouds, also a gigantic Lasirea dilatata, fronds 

 four feet long, and some fine plants of L. spinulosa and L. Oreo- 

 pteris. Polypodium Dryopteris I gathered on a former occasion. 

 It is nearer the centre of the wood than those just mentioned, so 

 I failed to obtain it on this occasion. All the Ferns, both at 

 Balthayock and Scone Wood, were taken up by the roots as they 

 were, for exhibition at the Bridge End Horticultural Flower- 

 show, which took place on the 8th, two days afterwards. On the 

 7th, I steered my course to Craigie Wood, and obtained good 

 plants of Polypodium vidgare, Lastrea Filix-nias, Athyrium Filix- 

 foemina, and its variety moUe. These I likewise collected root 

 and branch, and exhibited them in pots next day, for which I 

 obtained the prize. It was certainly a novel competition, but 

 they had a very graceful and pleasing appearance vi^hich was 

 greatly admired by all present. The species exhibited were the 

 fourteen following : — Polypodium vulgare, Lastrea dilatata, L. 

 Oreopteris, L. spinulosa, L. Filix-mas, Cystopteris fragilis, Poly- 

 stichum aculeatum, Blechnum Spicant and its var. ramosum, As- 

 plenium Adiantum-nigrum, A. Ruta-muraria, A. Trichomanes, 

 Athyrium Filix-foemina, and its var. molle. 



BOTANICAL SKETCHES. 

 Kinnoid, near Perth. By John Sim. 



I had a bit of botanical excursion to Kinnoul Hill on the 23rd 

 April, and I have discovered two more strangers, — another Allium, 

 and Ceterach officinarum, the first in abundance, the latter not 

 so, I saw about a half-dozen of thriving plants in the fissures of 

 the cliff; these I denuded to a great extent of the last year's 

 fronds, but left the plant uninjured. I enclose a couple of fronds 

 to show you I do not deceive. This lovely little Fern, so abun- 

 dant in Ireland, is very rare in Scotland. The Allium is the 

 A. vineale, not a common plant, I gathered the other day one 

 single plant of Allium ursinum near the junction of Tay and 

 Almond, and several plants of Stellaria nemorum in flower; you 

 may have a specimen of it Avhen dried, if you wish. I took the 

 A. ursinum up root and branch, and have it snugly planted in my 

 miniature garden, along with a few plants of A. vineale. I gathered 



