132 Craigmillar and its Environs. 



found, yet it still maintains its ground to the south 

 of the castle. Many of our common wildlings have, 

 however, long since established themselves on the 

 walls and amongst the ruins, and may always be found 

 at their proper periods, as the Thyme-leaved Sand- 

 wort, the Vernal Whitlow Grass, the Dove's-foot 

 Crane's-bill, the Wall Speedwell, the Black Knap- 

 weed, the Wall Hawkweed, &c. The pretty Mountain 

 Crane's-bill (Geranium pyrenaicinn), not very often met 

 with, is still growing near the castle. So also is the 

 Common Mallow, with its bright purple flowers, and 

 the common Comfrey, a handsome plant, from two 

 to three feet high, with clusters of drooping flowers. 



In the Queen's Park, on Arthur's Seat, and on 

 Salisbury Crags are yet growing a few plants which 

 are well worth a passing notice. One beautiful wild- 

 flower, which, fortunately, from its position on the 

 cliffs, it will be difficult to root out, is the German 

 Catchfly (Lychnis Viscaria), A writer in the 'Scots- 

 man,' over the signature of " Botanist," drew attention 

 a short time ago to this plant, and to other floral 

 features of the district, in the following terms: " One 



