ON THE VASCULAR FLORA. XXlll 



Carum verticillatum is very abundant on both sides of the Firth of 

 Clyde, and may perhaps be regarded as the plant of all others most 

 peculiar to the west of Scotland. It is scarcely to be found in Eng- 

 land south of the Cheviots. The rare and local Vicia Orobus is also 

 to be noted as not uncommon in the Upper Clyde valley. 



The island of Arran furnishes us with the only recorded station in 

 Britain for Pyrus Aria, var. fennica, and with one of the very few 

 in Scotland for Crambe maritima, and Skye and Coll for the curious 

 Eriocaulon septangulare, a very rare species of a decidedly American 

 genus. In Skye is also to be noted Pinguicula alpina. 



The island of the greater Cumbrae, not more than four miles in 

 length by less than two in breadth, contains perhaps a greater variety 

 of species than will be found in any district of like extent within the 

 bounds of Scotland. 



Neottia Nidus-Avis is the only species of the order Orchidaceae 

 occurring in the district that may with propriety be called rare. It 

 is found, but sparingly, in more than one locality in Lanarkshire. 

 Lathrcea squamaria, differing widely from the last-named species in 

 class as well as order, but exhibiting a certain affinity with it in the 

 absence of chlorophyll, makes its appearance sometimes on the north 

 bank of the Clyde a few miles above Glasgow. 



The genus Carex abounds in all the marshes near the city, but no 

 species occur that may not be found anywhere in the country where 

 similar conditions exist. The Graminese offer no features calling for 

 any particular remark ; the species are similar to those found all over 

 Scotland; about forty may be gathered within a few miles of Glasgow. 



The district produces most of the commoner ferns in abundance 

 wherever the conditions are suitable for their development. Ophio- 

 glossum vulgatum and Botrychium Lunaria grow here and there all 

 over the country. Asplenium marinum was common a few years ago 

 in Cumbrae, Bute, &c. ; but the fern-cultivating mania has made sad 

 havoc with it of late, and in the localities most accessible to the 

 inhabitants of Glasgow it has all but disappeared, and is being fast 

 followed by Osmunda regalis, which likewise used to be by no means 

 rare. Lycopodium clavatum may be met with frequently on all the 

 upland moors, and L. Selago, L. alpinum, and L. selaginoides on all 

 the mountains. L. selago grows also in Cumbrae not more than six 

 feet above the sea-level. With the exception of Equisetumvariegatum, 

 all the undoubted species of the genus are found in the west. Equi- 

 setum umbrosum, generally looked upon as rare, grows in several 

 stations near Glasgow, as also does E. hyemale, although more spar- 

 ingly. E. Telmateia is common near Kildonan in the south of Arran, 

 on the banks of the Fruin near Lochlomond, and several other places. 

 Isoetes lacustris and Pilularia globulifera occur in more than one of 

 the lochs within the prescribed bounds. 



Here as elsewhere all over the kingdom, we always find within 

 the precincts and neighbourhood of ruined castles and monastic 



