Anniversary Address. 53 



White Chinese Geese. Shieldrakes. 



Brown Do. Do. Black Indian Ducks. 



Canada Q-eese. Tufted Pochard. 



Bean Do. Eed-headed Pochard. 



Laughing Do. Teal. 



Egyptian Do. Grebe. 



Brent Do. Bald-coots. 



American Bunner Ducks. Water-Hens. 



Pekin Ducks. Water-Eail. 



Cayuga Do. Herons. 



Aylesbury Do. Wild Duck, or Mallard." 



At the date of our visit the water of the Loch was of a dirty 

 .brown colour. It was mentioned that this is invariably the 

 appearance of the water during the summer months, this dis- 

 agreeable characteristic, which greatly detracts from the plea- 

 santness of the scene, disappearing on the advent of frost. It is 

 difficult to account for the phenomenon. Microscopic examin- 

 ation of the water does not cast much light upon it ; for although 

 that reveals the presence in summer of a great quantity of a 

 cateniform conferva, the muddy colour remains unexplained. 

 This conferva multiplies to such an extent as to form a thick 

 yeasty scum in corners into which the wind has drifted it ; but it 

 does not seem probable that it can tinge the water brown 

 throughout the whole extent of the loch. It has been suggested 

 that eels, which abound, may stir up the muddy bottom, and 

 thus foul the water ; but this seems improbable. The phenom- 

 enon invites investigation, and meantime remains of unknown 

 origin. Perch are found in the Loch ; but Trout are wanting. 



Both the White and the Yellow Water Lily, Nj/mpTicea alha 

 and NufTiar lutea grow in the Loch, the latter in great abund- 

 ance. Typha latifolia is also found, but certainly introduced. 

 The reeds along the margin are for the most part Arundo Fhrag- 

 mites. Listera ovata in great quantity, and very vigorous, occupies 

 a damp and shady corner on the S.W. margin. Polygonum ampM- 

 lium grows to an unusual size in shallow water at the N.W. cor- 

 ner, and deserves here to be accounted an ornamental plant, its 

 innumerable dense spikes of pink blossom quite brightening the 

 the spot which it frequents, while its broad floating green 

 leaves hide the turbid water from sight. 



In other localities within the grounds are found Trollius 

 EuropcBus, Sabenaria viridis, and H. chlorantha, Carex paniculata, 



