412 35. SAXIFRAGACEvE. 



ample in explanation of my estimates. I am awai-e of lo- 

 calities in the counties of Merioneth, Caeraarvon, York, 

 Cumberiand, Lanark (probably introduced) , Stirling, Perth, 

 Forfar, Aberdeen, Moray, Ai-gjle, West Inverness, Ross, 

 Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland ; fifteen in the whole, 

 omitting Lanark. So far, we have positive knowledge, as 

 it is presumed to be. And there seems no improbability 

 in supposing that the same species might be found in some 

 other counties, as those of Dumbarton, Kincardine, Banff, 

 Caithness, and the Hebrides ; indeed, I believe that I have 

 seen it in Dumbartonshire, although neglecting to take a 

 note of the fact. Should the species occm- in thi-ee of these 

 counties only, its census would come nearer 20 than 15 ; 

 and I have made no step in the series between those two 

 numbers. In the uncertainty, the lower estimate is taken 

 for the present ; but if I were informed certainly of the spe- 

 cies growing in one or two of the other counties. I should 

 in that case prefer the higher number. The temperature 

 of 48° Fahr. will seem high for this alpine species ; but we 

 can scarcely assign a lower temperature for the Mull of 

 Cantii'e, where Professor Balfour finds this Saxifi'age. In 

 more inland places, the annual mean of 48° would be ac- 

 companied by a summer temperature too high for S. oppo- 

 sitifolia in a wild state ; although, when protected from the 

 encroachments of more vigorously growing plants, it will 

 bear the mean of 48 ° quite inland. I presume the habitat 

 in Cantii-e to be at the coast level ; and in that of the cliffs 

 by Loch Errboll, in Sutherland, the plant giows only some 

 few feet above the tide level. Dr. Dickie finds it on the 

 sea cliffs, in the north of Aberdeenshii'e. In Wales, it oc- 

 cm's at 550 yards, and upwards. 



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