320 Botanical Society of Edmhurgh. 



one of them, at a higher elevation than had been previously observed. 

 The season having been remarkably dry, all the lakes were far below 

 their usual level, and in consequence such plants as Lohelia Dort- 

 manna, Snhularia uquutica, &c. Avere seen, wondering at each other, 

 in flower and fruit, on dry ground. Things, however, were now 

 changed, for the party had scarcely a dry day during the whole of 

 their excursion, and few such as admitted of the vegetation being 

 carefully examined. Several days were spent among the mountains 

 about Loch Maree, which are chiefly composed of red sandstone, 

 with quartz tops, and by no means prolific in interesting vegetation. 

 Cornus suecica, Saussurea alpina, Hierachmi alpinum, Ruhus Cha- 

 mcEmorus, Arbutus alpina. Azalea procumhens, Cherleria sedoides, Sib- 

 baldia ijrocumbens, &c. were among the rarest plants observed ; and 

 rather unusually, all the six Lycopodicev^ere picked nearly in one spot. 

 TofiehUupulustris, Thalictrum alpinum and Blalaxis pahidosa occurred 

 at the bottom of the cliff's, and Salij; herbacea was found sparingly 

 on the red sandstone belov/ the summit cliffs of Ben Tarshan. Op- 

 posite Applecross, in a bog which the tide could seldom reach, were 

 picked specimens of Blysmus rufus two feet high. Here there is an 

 extent of limestone country, easily recognised at the distance of se- 

 veral miles by a marked improvement in the pasturage. On it the 

 party met with Schcenus nigricans, Gentiana amarella, Listera ovata and 

 Epipacfis latifolia, with pale flowers, but searched in vain for Dryas 

 octopetala, which occurs profusely in similar soils In Sutherland. In 

 an old deserted garden between Shelldag and Janetown they observed 

 AlthfEa officinalis, Aconitum Napellus and other introduced plants. 

 They also saw near Janetown Ulex europceus (a rare plant in the west 

 of Ross-shire) growing freely, and producing abundance of seed, 

 and the elder seemed to thrive peculiarly well. The mountains at 

 the head of Loch Duich seemed to the party the finest they had 

 seen, more magnificent even than those at the head of Loch Torri- 

 don, which again were more imposing than the much-extolled, and 

 certainly very superb, groups bordering Loch Maree ; but diff'erences 

 in the Aveather might have had some influence on the efi'ect produced. 

 Proceeding southward, the party enjoyed one fine day at Clunie, 

 and examined Avith considerable attention some very promising 

 mountains to the south-Avest of the inn. These are crumbling and 

 micaceous, but Avant elevation to produce alpine plants, and the 

 mildness of the western climate renders that all the more necessar)'. 

 The only interesting vegetable feature Avas an immense profusion of 

 Saussurea alpina ; though in spring, before vegetation gets rank, it Is 

 not unlikely that these cliffs might be found more productive. A 

 patch of snow observed on the south side of Maamsool, a mountain 

 about twenty miles north of Clunie, made the party desirous of 

 visiting it ; but here again the Aveather baffled their intentions. The 

 party took Ben Nevis on their route, but the same cause rendered 

 them unable to examine as they Avished its magnificent cliff^s. They, 

 hoAvever^ picked some interesting plants, and among the rest Carex 

 saxatilis, but only in one spot. 



In concluding his remarks, Dr. Graham observes :— " The scenery 



