56 GLASGOW SOCIETY OF FIELD NATURALISTS. 



take one oi' two specimens, and as the total number of plants is 

 probably under a hundred, it is not unlikely that in a few years 

 it may be quite extinct. This Saxifraga is propagated by bulbs, 

 which lie in the axils of the leaves, and from their number and 

 colour make this plant when growing an object of great beauty. 

 In the dried state, in which condition most botanists have seen 

 it, it is far from beautiful. Here also was found .the rare Draba 

 rupestris, in tolerable plenty. 



From here we descended to the shores of "Loch-na-Cat," pro- 

 bably 1,500 feet; down the almost precipitous sides. Around its 

 shores grow some rare plants, and we scattered all about to look 

 for them. This loch may be about a mile and a half in circum- 

 ference, and is surrounded on three sides by Ben Lawers. At the 

 lower end it is drained by the Lawers Burn. It is a scene of 

 considei'able beauty, and well worth a visit. Among the boulders 

 at the head of the loch, the Polys tichum lonchitis is found in great 

 abundance. It would be almost impossible to eradicate it, as 

 every hole and dark corner round the boulders seems to grow one 

 or more specimens. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the 

 ferns, and grows well in a case. The Polypodium alpestre is 

 also common. The still rarer Woodsia grows in one or two spots 

 \ipon the rocks at the head of the loch, but is getting very difficult 

 to find. Here also were found Draba incana, Juncus biglumis, 

 and male and female plants of Carex dioica. 



From the lower end of the loch there is a good road, although 

 somewhat of the steepest, and although not the most direct we 

 now took it, and in about two hours arrived at the inn, where the 

 same profusion awaited us, who were equally ready. On the 

 whole our second day was the most enjoyable, as the weather 

 allowed us to enjoy the view, but the first day was probably the 

 most successful. The second day also was so long, that we were 

 more fagged, having been upwards of twelve hours up the hill. 

 We did not get down till after nine o'clock, and as we had to 

 retire early, did not spend much time in examining ou.r spoils, but 

 as speedily as possible retired to rest. Next morning we wei'e up 

 by four o'clock, and drove down the sides of Loch Tay to Killin, 

 which looked even more lovely in the morning mist tlian in the 

 noon-day sun. From Killin up to Killin station, where we got 

 the train at seven, and arrived in Glasgow at half-past ten, having 

 enjoyed this excursion extremely, and determined to return at 

 some time to repeat our adventures. 



