1858.] THE BOTANY OF THE ALMOND. 579 



I covilcl. I entered the wood, but found nothing rare. The 

 Lonicera Periclymenum was plentiful, and seented the air with 

 its odoriferous blossoms ; the Ribes Grossularia was also frequent, 

 and in several instances in fruit; the Pteris aquilina, with its 

 umbrageous fronds, was thriving under the shade ; and Mercuri- 

 alis perennis was abundant throughout the length and breadth of 

 the plantation. Dissatisfied with my apparent want of success, 

 I took to the left bank of the river, and travelling westward, 

 soon found I was not to be altogether disappointed. On the 

 river's brink rose the stately stems of Campanula latifolia, four 

 feet high, and on my right-hand, on dry, elevated ground, Ver- 

 bascum Thapsus reared its tapering stalk ; but both these plants 

 were in fruit and in too rigid a condition to be available for the 

 herbarium. Immediately at my foot I discovered a large plant 

 of Astragalus Glycyphyllos, extending its procumbent branches 

 in every direction, but, unfortunately, like its other two neigh- 

 bours, in fruit ; however I considered this too rare a prize to let 

 pass, so I opened the vasculum, and took a supply of the more 

 slender branches, the robust were out of the question, being 

 from three to four feet long. 



Still steering up the bank of the river, and admiring the beau- 

 tiful scenery, I was surprised at the number of mills for fulling 

 or cleansing cloth. This river being rapid in its course, is well 

 fitted for turning water-wheels, and here its speedy fl^ight is taken 

 advantage of. On passing upward still further, and turning the 

 corner of the wood, I came to a huge precipice of red sandstone 

 rocks overhanging the river, near the top of which the Epilo- 

 biuni angustifolium grew luxuriantly ; lower down, on the shelv- 

 ing debris, I procured some straggling specimens of this lovely 

 plant, while a few yards further up, on the earthy, shelving slope 

 of this cliff, grew several truly colossal plants of Astragalus Gly- 

 cyphyllos, four feet long, but also in fruit; the pods were two 

 inches long, and strangely curved, being crescent-shaped. I took 

 another supply here, but contented myself with the lateral shoots, 

 as the main branches were almost like walking-sticks, being so 

 robust. I now retraced my steps, and again turning the corner, 

 I observed within the wood, at the back of the hedge, several 

 plants of Circcea alpina ; I took a few, and made for the railway 

 station ; on arriving there I found I had two hours to spare, so 

 I turned westward by the Crieff road, and travelled for three- 



