1 1 4 WILD FLOWERS OF SCOTLAND 



that they be easily satisfied, and able to make the 

 most of what there is. 



On the sea side of the links, shutting out a view 

 of the water from the players, is a row of the most 

 picturesque sand-dunes imaginable. Beginning as 

 round mounds, these have been worn into various 

 shapes; and, in certain conditions of the atmo- 

 sphere, present very weird effects. 



A breezy day must be chosen for watching the 

 growth of the young sand-dunes ; and a very 

 curious study it is. Seated on the leeside of some 

 maturer pile, exposed to the attentions of late-build- 

 ing coast-birds, the situation has a certain rude 

 charm. Borne on the wind, the blown sand eddies 

 or swirls round the infant mounds, before it comes 

 to rest on their flanks or summits. With every 

 gale, the process is renewed, swelling the bulk 

 and height of the mound. After a while, when the 

 pile is about on a level with the rest, and may be 

 said to be finished, the busy winds begin else- 

 where. 



Then the great lime-grass and rushy wheat- 

 grass take possession, and net-work it with their 

 hidden stems, until the surface of light blown sand 

 becomes almost as hard as inland turf. This is the 

 beginning the babyhood, if we may apply the 



