A VISIT TO AIKENGALL DEAN 271 



our steps, we scrambled to the summit, and, after walking 

 for a short distance, again descended to the stream, which 

 we followed without difficulty to near the head of the dean. 

 On the mossy banks profusion of Myosotis sylvatica (wood 

 forget-me-not) blue, white, and pink, were met with on the 

 right hand side of the stream. 



Melica nutans (mountain melic grass), which always loves 

 to grow near the spray of the waterfall, was in quantity, 

 with its graceful nodding heads. On the same moist face 

 Crepis paludosa (marsh hawksbeard) showed its preference to 

 a moist mountain wood. The pink and white lychnis grew 

 all over the place, with the pink cranesbill ; while Geranium 

 sylvatium added its blue to form a contrast. The Gueldres 

 rose, with its globular snowball flower, is plentiful. Cnicus 

 heterophyllus and Carlina vulgaris occurred in several spots. 



If the dean is entered from the south side there is a sort 

 of path made by the hunters to allow the hounds access, 

 down which the botanist can scramble, and it is above this 

 point where the best of the plants are to be found. Trifolium 

 medium, with flowers of a glowing red, grows close to the 

 Melica nutans, and is a remarkably pretty plant. The 

 Lonicera periclymenum, clambering up the trunks of the 

 spruces, or on some decaying stump, diffuses its fragrance 

 in honeyed balm. 



On the more sloping banks on the south side of the 

 dean the mountain fern, with its pale green scented fronds, 

 covers a large surface, forming a half shrubby covering, 

 which cannot fail to attract the admiration of every lover 

 of nature. In several places my attention was particularly 

 attracted by peculiar forms of Aspidium aculeatum var. 

 lonchitioides. They, from the length and narrowness of the 

 fronds, are striking plants for cultivation. Proceeding 

 onwards we arrive at a steep rocky scaur on the left hand 

 of the stream, covered with moss ; in the moist crevices a 

 profusion of Asplenium, trichomanes, the black spleenwort. 

 Nowhere have I ever seen more beautiful forms of this 

 elegant fern. The rook on which it grows is almost too 

 steep to climb, but plenty is within reach, and I sincerely 

 hope that ruthless collectors will be careful of extermination. 

 It is rooted among the moss, and the circles of its fronds 



