Botany of the Craigmillar District. 133 



of the most charming sights in the vicinity of Edin- 

 burgh, in the way of a natural rock-garden on a large 

 scale, is to be seen at present [in the month of June] 

 in the Queen's Park, at Samson's Ribs. The 

 basaltic rock itself — a geological phenomenon of great 

 interest — is always an impressive object, but as one 

 passes along, the eye is arrested by masses of the 

 beautiful German Catchfly {Lychnis Viscaria) growing 

 in luxuriance on the face of the rock, and lighting 

 it up with its pink flowers. In contrast with it there 

 is also the bright yellow Bird's-foot Trefoil {Lotus 

 corniculatus), which tends to heighten the effect. . . . 

 On the road farther east, towards the Windy Goul, 

 overlooking Duddingston Loch, the green turf is 

 jewelled with the handsome yellow petals of the 

 Rock-rose [Helianthemum vulgare), a most attractive 

 plant ; while on the upper road — the Queen's Drive — 

 the rocks during summer are always gay with the 

 most beautiful of our wild plants, including Fox- 

 gloves, wild Geraniums, Spiraea, Teucrium, Milk-vetch 

 {Astragalus), and others, reminding one of a good 

 district in the Highlands." It is not only on a 



