36 BOTANICAL TOUR IN THE 



plants are deservedly of great interest, but they do not occupy so 

 prominent a position in the landscape of the region where they 

 grow as they do in the estimation of the botanist. In the evening 

 we lectured to the pupils of the Parochial School, and the clergy- 

 man honoured the occasion by courteously presiding. 



On the 17th, a fine morning, we took leave of Killin, having 

 been there just a week. It is true, we did not do much in the 

 botanical way, but we learned much that was interesting about 

 the physical, moral, and religious condition of the population. 

 The walk along the left bank of Loch Tay from Killin is not very 

 picturesque, at least for the first four or five miles : plantations 

 circumscribe the prospect rather more than is agreeable. Near 

 Killin a view of the lake is to be enjoyed only here and there, where 

 there is a break in the woods which surround its sides. Two 

 or three miles from Lawers the road passes over an open coun- 

 try, and the scenery improves. The people, in little companies, 

 were going to church, and this very much increased the interest 

 of the walk. In Scotland the Thursday before the administra- 

 tion of the holy sacrament is a day of preparation. In the church 

 of Lawers this ordinance was to be celebrated next Sunday. This 

 is the sole grand festival of the Scottish Church, and it is hallowed 

 by two days' preparation, Thursday and Saturday; on the former 

 of which all work is suspended, as it is on the Lord's-day, and 

 on Saturday all attend Divine service in the middle of the day; 

 and, as the following Monday is a day of thanksgiving, many 

 such solemnities would be exceedingly inconvenient. Yet when 

 it is considered how eagerly old and young avail themselves of 

 this solitary opportunity of testifying their obedience and their 

 love to the sacred Author of this holy rite, it does appear to be 

 a subject of regret that this can only be done once in the long 

 period of twelve months. Here we enjoyed an extensive view of 

 Loch Tay, which was on our right, and of the majestic Ben Lawers, 

 which was on our left, with its massive roots extending across our 

 road, and terminating in the shore of the lake. Ben Lawers Inn 

 was reached about eleven o'clock, after a pleasant walk of about 

 three hours. 



On the roadside we observed Habenaria viridis, Gentiana cam- 

 pestriSj and Sedum anglicum, with many other interesting species 

 noticed before. 



Ben Lawers might have been ascended from Killin with some- 



