A VISIT TO GliEN CLOVA AND CALLATKK. l'd'6 



west side of the loch, where the rich profusion of l^arifraria aizoidrn and 

 stroiif^ly stunted ]'en»iica Bcccahininn were admired ; then ascendinf^ 

 Tuhnount (3,140 feet), descend to Wliite Water, where Conine suecicd was 

 •gathered, ascend Tom-y-Buide (3,400 feet), descend to moorland (2,750 

 feet), and walk across to Little Culrannoch (3,200 feet). Here there was a 

 <jreat profusion of Lijchiii.-! aljyiiui in splendid flower, growinj^ with .-Irmena 

 duriuM'tihi, Cocltleaiia alpiiui, and Cerastiitni al2)c'stn'. A fine view was 

 had of Glen Caness and Glen Caenlochan, the white quartz veins at its 

 head markin<^ the locality of Gentiana nii'alis. Descending to the White 

 Water by the Fenlah bum Carex rarijiora was gathered, and then a 

 rough and toilsome journey was made up the valley of the White 

 Water to Carn-y-Glasha (3,484 feet), and thence to the corrie of Loch 

 Ceauder. From the rocks above a fine view was had of the east side of 

 Glen Callater, the polished rocks showing the glacial friction most 

 plainly. By the stream above the corrie grew Alopecurus alpimis, 

 Phlcum alpimnn, Equisetum nudum, etc., and in the corrie itself (from 

 2,600 down to 2,000 feet) a rich gathering was again made. In addition 

 to the plants before mentioned occurred Hleracium chnjsaiithum, H. 

 caxium, H. nigrescens, Carex ntpestris, Pseudathyriiirn alpestre, Salix ghiuca, 

 Carex raginata, Pohjgala grandiflora, etc., ; and then down came the 

 rain (which had been threatening all day) in thick sheets, while the mist 

 came rolling over the cliffs, shutting out rock after rock from vision, 

 till the descent became risky. But at last, one reached the boggy 

 ground at the foot of Loch Ceander, where Carex pauciflora was 

 gathered, and then a squashy walk was made down to Braemar with 

 little besides Nitella opaca, Chara fnigilis, Fgrola rot iindi folia, and 

 Listcra cordata to cheer the way. 



The following day proved but little better, heavy clouds hanging 

 over the mountains, rendering the glen still more gloomy ; but still 

 Lochuagar had to be ascended, the intention being to descend by the 

 great precipice to the lake and thence to Balmoral and Ballater. Near 

 Braemar Hieracium prenanthoides, H. muronim, Salix phylicifolia. Cam- 

 panula rotundifolia var. montana were gathered. By Loch Phadrig 

 (2,000 feet) is a plentiful growth of Betula nana, and on the ascent to 

 Lochnagar Hieracium chrijs-anthum, and 'frientalis Europa:a, may be 

 gathered. On the moorland (3,2-50 feet) overlooking Loch Dhu is the 

 locality for Ca rex rarijiora and C. lagopina, but the latter this time I could 

 not see, for here the clouds came down so thick as to render anything 

 beyond ten yards invisible, distorting and magnifying objects till a 

 poor unforunate sheep became the size of a deer. Here in a ravine 

 underneath a snow ^vreath I sat sheltered from the rain for three hours, 

 and then was obliged to retrace my steps to Braemar. 



The foregoing will show what a rich spoil of plants may be gathered 

 even in indifferent weather, and as I have already exceeded the space 

 I originally intended filling, I am obliged to omit any account of the 

 plants gathered at Loch Park, Deeside, and the sands of Barry, and of 

 my doings during a most interesting day occupied in dredging Lochs 

 Rescobie and Balgavies, and botanising in the bog of Resteunet. 



