1857.] TOUR IN SCOTLAND. 35 



J 



Lin., and Sihbaldia procumbens [Potentilla Sibbaldi) abounded, 

 — the former in rather extensive patches on the hanging rocks, 

 the latter was widely scattered over the bare, stony parts of the 

 mountain. Epilobium aJjnnum was but sparingly collected on the 

 borders of these alpine rills, and none of the specimens were 

 more than a very few inches high. 



Solidago Virgaurea, with lanceolate leaves, abounded ; so did 

 the largCj-flowered prostrate variety of Veronica serpyllifolia. 

 Polygonum viviparum^' Oxyria reniformi^, and several species of 

 Juncacece, CyperacecR, and Gramine<2 were noticed. We have not 

 yet had time to identify them all, but Juncus castaneus", Luzula 

 spicato^, Car ex atratd, and Sesleria C(srulea\yfere, among the 

 number. Very high up the mountain a solitary specimen of 

 Habenaria bifolia occurred. We did not observe any other 

 Orchid at this elevation. Beyond the ridge, and down a rather 

 steep descent, there is a bog abounding in Cotton-grasses and 

 Sedges. Here plenty of Salix kerbacea, which, we did not observe 

 before, was collected. Tliis minute Willow is not more herba- 

 ceous than S. reiJens or any of the minute forms of the genus 

 that abound on our oivn open heaths. There is scarcely any 

 ligneous plant that could ripen wood on any of the summits of the 

 Ben Lawers ridge. All the Willows would become herbaceous 

 at this height, or, what is the same thing, their stems would perish 

 annually, which is the character of a herbaceous plant. 



By this time the day was more than half gone, and the highest 

 head of Ben Lawers was still more than half covered with its 

 misty cap. The wind and the rain were gradually increasing as 

 we ascended, and there was no prospect of any abatement of their 

 violence. The state of the weather and other considerations in- 

 duced us to relinquish the pleasure of threading the rocky pas- 

 sages on and near the summit of the mountain, which pleasure we 

 reserved for another time. We can adopt Wordsworth's beautiful 

 language, full as it is of exquisite poetic feeling and truthful ex- 

 pression, merely changing Yarrow into Ben Lawers ; — 



" If care with freezing years shall come, 



And wandering seem but folly. 

 Should we be loath to stir from home, 



And yet be melancholy, 

 Should hfe be dull and spmts low, 



'Twill soothe vis in our sorrow, 

 That earth has something yet to show — 



The bonny holms of Yarrow." 



