WOODS, LOCHS, AND PASTURES 83 



on in the vegetable world, these are gradually being exter- 

 minated and replaced by the stronger herbage. It is a 

 matter of common knowledge that the White or Dutch 

 Clover is not nearly so abundant as it used to be. The 

 Heath Vetch, formerly a well-known plant of the hill-sides, 

 is now confined to ledges and other more or less inaccessible 

 situations. Even the hardy Hazel, where it used to be 

 common is represented by but a few scrubby bushes. It 

 may be remarked, however, that although isolated headlands, 

 islets, and other places inaccessible to grazing animals were 

 examined, no species were found which were not seen in 

 other parts of the island. 



Mixed stock graze the rough pastures more economically 

 and more evenly than when only one kind of animal is 

 allowed to run over them. Cattle do not eat the herbage as 

 close as sheep, and they eat more of the rough with the fine. 

 Sheep, on the other hand, eat certain plants Buttercup, 

 Hardhead, Ragwort, etc. which cattle dislike ; and horses, 

 besides showing a partiality to plants which neither cows 

 nor sheep eat, graze the rank herbage on which cattle have 

 left their manure, and which is passed over by cattle them- 

 selves. Goats, again, eat many plants and certain lichens 

 (Feusag liath, etc.) which are not touched by other domestic 

 animals. 



COMMON PLANTS EATEN BY CERTAIN ANIMALS ONLY 

 (From Withering's English Botany) 



Spearwort (Glas-leun). Horses eat it ; cows, sheep, goats, 

 and swine refuse it. 



Corn Spurry (Carran). Horses, sheep, goats, and swine 

 eat it ; cows refuse it. 



Tormentil (Braonan a' Mhadaidh ruaidh). Cows, sheep, 

 and goats eat it ; horses refuse it. 



Silverweed (am Brisgean). Horses, cows, goats, and 

 swine eat it ; sheep refuse it. 



