24 Heather and other Allied Plants. [Sess. 



over three feet, overtopping the rhododendron, with most of 

 the shoots showing flowers at this time last year, and to all 

 appearance will ultimately become the victor in the struggle 

 for existence." 



Mrs Grant provides us with appropriate verses on 

 heather : — 



"Gem of our hills ! whose modest bloom 



Sheds beauty o'er the lonely moor ; 

 Though thou disperse no rich perfume, 



Nor yet with splendid tints allure, 

 Both valour's crest and beauty's bower 

 Oft hast thou deck'd, a favourite flower. 



Flower of the wild ! whose purple glow 



Adorns the dusky mountain's side, 

 Not the gay hues of Iris' bow 



Nor garden's artful, varied pride, 

 With all its wealth of sweets, could cheer, 

 Like thee, the hardy mountaineer." 



In the vernacular we have — 



"I've pu'ed the broom and foxglove, 

 And rowan-berry fine, 

 But they hav'na half the charm 

 O' the heather o' lang syne." 



The latest innovation is " Heather Day," when a consider- 

 able amount of revenue (for charitable purposes) is derived 

 from the " sale of the sprig." 



[At the same meeting an interesting lantern lecture, entitled 

 " A Tour in the East Himalaya," was given by Mr W. W. 

 Smith, M.A.] 



