BOTANIZING ON THE COL DE LAUTARET. 429 



PHYTOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

 (Bead to the Phytological Chib, 14th April, 1858.) 



MOST persons who have rambled among beautiful natural isss. 

 scenery are able to recall certain times of special enjoyment, 

 when a combination of agreeable circumstances has contributed 

 to produce an impression which increases rather than diminishes 

 in the lapse of time. To the botanist, days of this sort are 

 not unfrequent. Fine weather, agreeable companions, interesting 

 plants and picturesque scenery furnish him with sources of 

 gratification which are by no means transient. 



What young botanist could forget gathering for the first time 

 Cypripedium calceolus or Orchis hircina? Who could not be 

 struck with the beauties of Pinguicula and the Sundews ? 



Though I am sensible how little the enjoyment of such occa- 

 sions can be conveyed by description, I have ventured to jot 

 down a few memoranda of an occasion which has left a vivid 

 impression upon my own mind, and I will now read to you my 



RECOLLECTIONS OF A DAY'S BOTANIZING ON THE COL DE LAUTARET. 



On the road between the towns of Grenoble and Brianyon 

 and about eighteen miles from the latter, in the Department of 

 the Hautes Alpes, and in the Canton of La Grave, lies the little 

 alpine village of Yillar d'Arene. It is a poor, bleak, desolate- Yillar 

 looking place, with but little traffic through it, and for several 

 months in the year buried in snow. It possesses, however, a 

 church, and what to the botanist is much more essential, a 

 humble village inn. 



Here on the 26th June 1857, accompanied by my friend S , 



I had the satisfaction of experiencing the primitive hospitalities 

 of 'the landlady, Madame Clot. 



Hose early the next morning and after a hearty breakfast 

 left Villar d'Arene at a quarter past six with empty botanical 

 boxes and other suitable rig for a hard day's botanizing in 

 one of the finest localities in all France. The weather was 

 magnificent, and so I may add was the scenery, especially after 

 one had proceeded some little distance from the village. 



