DISTRIBUTION OF BRITISH PLANTS. 355 



only six in number of species, namely, Moss-Campion (Si- 

 lene acaulis), a Sedge (Carex rigida), a species of Grass 

 (Festuca vivipara .<"), two kinds of Bush (Luzula arcuata 

 and L. sjricata), and the little Willow (Salix kerbacea). 

 The first-named of these plants, Moss-Campion, has rose- 

 coloured flowers, and grows together in dense tufts and 

 patches. 



The plants are then given which are met with in suc- 

 cession, in descending from the cairn to the station occupied 

 by Calluna vulgaris, at the height of 2690 feet, which 

 marks the lower limit of this zone : A Rush (Juncus tri- 

 fidus) ; the shrub called Bilberry (Faccinium Myrtillus], 

 with handsome egg-shaped leaves, something like those of 

 the Myrtle ; Alpine Hair-grass (Aira alpina) ; a Yiolet 

 (Viola palustris), with pale blue blossoms streaked with 

 purple ; common Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) ; Alpine 

 Ladies' Mantle (Alchemilla alpina), with a shining satin- 

 like lining to the deeply-divided leaves; a Sedge (Carex 

 paniced) ; a Saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris) ; a little plant 

 with small yellow blossoms, called Sibbaldia procumbens ; 

 common Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa) ; Marsh Marigold (Caltha 

 palwstris) ; another species of Bilberry, or Whortleberry 

 ( Vaccinlum uUginowm) ; another Grass (Aira flexuosa] ; a 



