54. TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



for mosses. Arrived at the rocks, the weather became simply- 

 disgusting. Over the top of the saddle, and round the face of the 

 cliffs, the mist or clouds rolled in thick masses, cold as ice, and 

 every now and again discharging a drenching rain ; the wind blew 

 with a fury that rendered it necessary to hold on by the hands at 

 times. And yet when we got a glimpse of Loch Tay, and the 

 valley, 3,000 feet below us, the sun was shining, and it was a fine 

 autumn day apparently. We had simply got amongst the clouds, 

 which are always whirling "through other." Two of the members, 

 despite the weather, determined to go to the top, which was still 

 nearly 1000 feet above us, and climbed up through a gap in the 

 rocks. After getting up a bit, coming back was almost impossible, 

 from the mist and the steepness, and perforce they had to go on. 

 After a long and dreary search, at last the gentian was found ; a 

 gem which well repaid us. We counted seven plants only, and 

 refrained from taking more than three. This we were entitled to, 

 although it grieved us to make this plant, now very rare, still 

 rarer. However, as we afterwards found it in comparative plenty, 

 we all managed to get a specimen or two, and still leave some for 

 our successors. It was curious, in this desolate and bleak region, 

 to observe a mouse run from one hole to another, as frightened as 

 if it had seen an excursion of cats. The cold was now extreme, 

 we could not put our hands in our pockets, our whisky was about 

 finished, and the cold, pelting rain was pouring, so we began to 

 consider the expediency of making for the inn, where tea would 

 be waiting us. Five minutes behind a large stone, a shelter in a 

 weary land, for a smoke, and then we set out for the inn. It 

 took us about an hour and a half, and on arriving at the foot 

 the evening was calm and beautiful, but round the top we still 

 saw the clouds swirling as before. The mist appeared to be rest- 

 ing on the top, but our now experienced eyes saw what was still 

 going on. At the inn we met our friends who had gone to the 

 top, running races to see if they were still fresh. A thorough 

 wash and change of clothing made us comfortable, and we sat 

 down about nine o'clock to the finest tea, thanks to our hunger, 

 we had ever bad. Tea over, the inevitable smoke and chat over 

 the incidents of the day pleasantly occupied half an hour, and 

 after a hot tumbler of toddy, to counteract the effects of the mist, 

 we retired to I'est, the moon shining beautifully on the mountain 

 and the loch. 



The following day we got up at six, so as to make an early 



