110 EARLY SHERIFF CourT Book OF DUMFRIES. 
At the same folio the laird of Blakmyr and the laird of 
Ballagane are mentioned. Fergus Amuligane of Blakmyr and 
Duncan Hunter of Ballagan served on an inquest on 22nd 
April, 1505.20 The latter family is frequently mentioned. 
The Provosts of Lincluden. 
By R. C. REtp. 
This paper forms Part I. of a History of the Collegiate 
Church of Lincluden, and will be published when that work 
has been completed. 
9th February, 1917. 
Chairman—ALEXANDER TURNER, V.P. 
Characteristics of Alpine Plants. 
By Provost S. Arnott, F.H.S. 
Some difficulty exists in classifying what may be called 
Alpine plants. Horticulturally, plants which are of dwarf 
stature have been grouped under this title, whether natives of 
mountains or lowlands. I do not intend, however, in these 
notes to adopt this broad classification, but to deal alone with 
the subjects which are to be found on the higher ranges of 
the European Alps. Even this restriction gives rise to some 
difference of opinion and difficulty, as authorities on the sub- 
ject disagree regarding the elevation at which the plants may 
justifiably be classed as Alpine, rather than sub-Alpine. This. 
is of but little consequence, however, as the line of demarca- 
tion is not a hard and fast one. Roughly speaking, we may 
take an altitude of 5000 feet as a fair basis, and discuss the 
plants above that as revealing the characteristic features of 
the true Alpine. 
130 Lag Charter Chest, 48. See Hist. MSS. Comm. XV. Report,. 
App., Pt. viii., 35. 
