On Howebottom, by Rev. James Farqukarson, M.A. 477 



I found most vigorous and common were Air a ccespitosa (whose 

 local name is, euphoniously, Bull-snouts !), Kolcus lanatus, 

 Agrostis vulgaris, and Agrostis communis, and Molinia ccerulea. 

 Among these Aira ccespitosa predominates, and may be said to be 

 the grass of the place. In moister spots, as at the sources of 

 rills, and on fiat places by Shielshaugh Burn, Juncus acutiflorus 

 prevails. At the date of my visits, over the whole lower space, 

 and especially where the soil was at all moist, the eye was every- 

 where caught by strong plants of Angelica sylvestris, Scabiosa 

 succis%, Senecio Jacobcea, and Spircea Ulmaria. At an earlier 

 period of the year perhaps other species might be equally con- 

 spicuous. 



About 27 years ago, some Deodars, Spruce Firs, and Common 

 Yews were planted in Howebottom. They have grown well, and 

 present an agreeable diversity among the rounded and bushy 

 forms of the native shrubby trees. About the foreign character 

 of the Deodars, of course, there can be no mistake ; but in one 

 sense it is unfortunate that, in a space abandoned to nature, and 

 where one looks only for indigenous trees, the Spruce and the 

 Yew should have been introduced. But for the information I re- 

 ceived, I should, although with some surprise, have regarded 

 these as self-sown. The same remark applies to a large thicket 

 of Dogwood ( Cornus sanguined), which quite fills the upper part 

 of the dell of Shielshaugh Burn. This, too, was planted, up- 

 wards of 40 years ago, some idea having been entertained, I am 

 told, by a former factor on the estate, of utilising the wood in the 

 manufacture of gunpowder. The lower course of this burn, I 

 may add, presents the flora of any similar dell in the district. 

 The barren fronds of Blechium boreale hang pendent from the 

 banks ; Hazel and Alder (not, as far as I could see, found else- 

 where in Howebottom), and Birch fill up the wider spaces ; and 

 the Male Shield-Fern and Lady Fern, with their congeners, 

 adorn the course of the little stream. 



It may be of interest to note the girth and height of some of 

 the native trees. Those selected were not chosen as excelling 

 their fellows, but as fair average specimens ; and the girth of 

 each was taken at a point immediately above the enlargement 

 caused by the branching off of the roots. The measurements 

 were as follows : — 



